Features and benefits
Don't be fooled by the long name -- the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is all about making your financial life easier. It earns cash back and has no annual fee, two important perks when you'd rather keep it simple with your credit card. Where it really shines is its bonuses, so those are the perfect place to start going over its benefits.
A big earner with lots of opportunities for bonus cash back
You probably won't have any trouble earning bonus cash back with this Capital One card. It starts you off with a $200 Cash Back bonus after you spend $500 in the first 3 months. That's usually as much as you can expect from a welcome bonus on a no annual fee card. Plus, you don't need to spend much to earn it.
But the main reason people love this card is the bonus categories. It earns 3% cash back in several areas where most consumers spend money every month:
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Popular streaming services
- Grocery stores
It also earns bonus cash back in a few more specific categories. Uber and Uber Eats is worth an impressive 10% back, plus this card covers an Uber One membership, through Nov. 14, 2024. You'll earn 5% on hotels and car rentals you book through Capital One Travel, and 8% on Capital One Entertainment purchases.
These aren't exactly everyday spending categories, but they could help you pick up some extra cash back. Capital One Travel, for what it's worth, is one of the better travel portals I've used. It's well-designed and it has a price matching and price drop protection feature (which got me an automatic travel credit after a flight).
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A 0% intro APR to avoid those expensive interest charges
The one piece of credit card advice I give to absolutely everyone is to avoid interest charges at all costs. This can make or break your experience. Whenever someone has a credit card horror story, it usually involves paying a ton of interest.
Now, the best way to not get charged any interest is to pay your credit card in full every month. But if you can't do that, this Capital One card gives you an alternative: A 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months. The go-to 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable) APR applies after the intro period ends. For balance transfers, there's an introductory balance transfer fee of 3% for the first 15 months; 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time.
So, if you need to pay off purchases over time, you can. Or if you have debt on other credit cards costing you a ton of interest, you could transfer them over to take advantage of the balance transfer offer.
I would never recommend carrying a balance just because you can. But if you need to, you're better off doing it on a card with a 0% intro APR, like this one.
Stay fee-free at home and while traveling abroad
As I've mentioned, this Capital One card has no annual fee. You never have to ask yourself if you're getting your money's worth -- one of the many benefits of paying $0 for your credit card.
Most cash back cards have no annual fee, to be fair. But many of them charge a foreign transaction fee, normally 3% on all international transactions. That can definitely kill the vibe of your vacation, or leave you with an unpleasant surprise when you get home.
This Capital One card has no foreign transaction fee, so it's a good choice for spring break in Cabo, summer in Portugal, and winter anywhere it's not freezing cold.
Complimentary protections for those worst-case scenarios
The best credit cards aren't just a way to pay for expenses. They also provide protection from things like fraud, purchases breaking down, and even travel issues.
Like every good credit card company, Capital One has $0 fraud liability for unauthorized charges. This card also includes several other great protections, including:
- Extended warranty coverage
- Purchase protection
- Baggage delay coverage
- Travel accident insurance
Drawbacks to know about
There isn't much to criticize about this card. The biggest downside is arguably how selective Capital One is about approvals (you'll find details about the suggested credit score further below). But there's one potential drawback to mention.
You could find higher rewards rates in individual spending categories
This card earns bonus cash back in several popular categories. But it's not the best card in any of those categories, at least in terms of the cash back rate.
If you spend a lot on going out to eat, there are cards that earn 4% back on dining. If you're more of the home-cooked meal type (or the frozen meal type), there are cards that earn as much as 6% back at U.S. supermarkets.
The appeal with this Capital One card is that it earns a high rate across multiple categories, and all for no annual fee. That's great if it fits your spending habits. On the other hand, if you mostly spend in just one or two of those categories, you may be able to find a card that will earn you more cash back in those areas.