Best Capital One credit cards of April 2024

The credit requirements for Capital One credit cards differ widely by account. The bank offers cards to people with bad and limited credit, as well as to people with fair, good, and excellent credit. Which level is required for any given card is made clear on a card's application page.

To identify the best Capital One credit card for you, start with the preapproval process. By answering a few questions on the company’s website, you can find out which cards you may qualify for, and can complete the application if the card suits your needs.

Most people use the online credit card application process, but you may also apply on a paper form and submit the application by mail, over the phone, or at a Capital One branch. If you use the online or phone application process you will find out if you qualify almost immediately. Otherwise, you will have to wait until your application is processed, which can take a week or longer.

This depends on your credit score. If you have good or excellent credit, you'll have more options available to you. However, if you're working on building your credit, the easiest Capital One credit card to get is likely the CardName because it has the most forgiving qualification standards. To be eligible, you can have bad to limited credit. For a security deposit of $49, $99 or $200 the account will have an initial $200 initial credit line. When you use the card responsibly, you can earn your deposit back and upgrade your card once your credit has improved.

There isn't one specific credit card that is right for every person. The best capital One card for you will match not only your credit profile but your lifestyle and reward preference.

For example, maybe you have excellent credit and are looking for a cash-back card. In that case, the CardName can be a great choice as it earns an unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase you make.

Or maybe you prefer to earn rewards to redeem towards travel. For that, the CardName might be the best Capital One credit card for you. It earns unlimited 2X miles on all purchases, which can then be redeemed torward travel purchases.

There are many. Here's a rundown of some of the benefits offered with eligible Capital One credit cards:

TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry for international travel. TSA PreCheck® is a program that helps passengers get through security faster and easier in domestic travel in the U.S.; Global Entry refers to returning to the U.S. from international travel. If you apply for either program, for the next five years, you can sail through security checks without having to take off your shoes and unpack every little thing. Meanwhile, if your Capital One credit card has this feature, you can earn a $100 statement credit every four years, which pays for your application.

Travel accident insurance. Worried that something will go wrong on your domestic or international trip? Your card may cover whatever goes amiss – provided you used your credit card to purchase your airfare.

Lost luggage reimbursement. You’re in St. Moritz, and your luggage is in St. Louis? Your card may pay for new clothes while you wait for your baggage to catch up with you, and your card’s locator services may be able to help you with the claims procedures of tracking down that luggage.

Extended warranty. You may be able to extend your warranty on that new washing machine you bought – or any other merchandise – provided you made the purchase with an eligible Capital One card.

Capital One has several cash-back credit cards. Some are flat-rate cards where you will earn the same percentage back no matter what you buy, such as the CardName card that offers 1.5% cash back on every purchase made with the card. You may also choose a card with tiered cash-back rewards, such as the CardName, which offers 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target); unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply); 8% back on Capital One entertainment purchases; and 1% back on all other purchases.

You can also choose one of Capital One’s travel cards, which rewards your charges with miles. The CardName enables you to earn 2X miles for every dollar you spend, plus 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

Capital One rewards can be redeemed for statement credits, gift cards, and travel expenses. If you have accumulated miles, you can also transfer them to airline and hotel partners. See our Guide to Capital One Miles to learn more.

Capital One allows consumers to have two consumer credit cards at a time. Secured, business and co-branded credit cards from Capital One do not count towards this total. So you could have, say, two Capital One consumer credit cards and one Capital One business credit card, and be within Capital One's limitations.

To request a credit limit increase with Capital One, you can log into your account and complete an online request form. Be prepared to supply your total annual income, employment status and monthly mortgage or rent payment. If approved, your new limit may be granted immediately but in some cases there will be a few days lag time. Whatever the decision, Capital One will send you a letter by mail with details about your application for a credit limit increase.

You can also reach out to Capital One directly and ask if you're eligible for a credit limit increase.

Started with a card that no longer suits you? Or perhaps you want to earn more rewards on your purchases? Capital One offers a way to upgrade or swap your current card with a “product change.” Contact Capital One and ask if you are eligible for an upgrade or swap. If so, the representative will help you with your request, suggesting alternatives that are a better match.