Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card vs. Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

No-annual-fee cash-back credit cards are a fantastic way to earn rewards on everyday spending. Many rewards enthusiasts consider Capital One Savor vs. Quicksilver when seeking cash-back options, as they’re two top choices for Capital One fans, but they operate differently. The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card prioritizes spending in specific categories, whereas the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card rewards all purchases equally. Being in the Capital One ecosystem means you have access to similar perks, but your spending will dictate which is best for you. Continue reading our Quicksilver vs. Capital One Savor review to learn which is best for you.

Capital One Savor vs. Quicksilver at a glance

Rewards comparison

The clear differentiator between Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is their reward structure. One pays more on certain categories, whereas the other pays the same on all purchases.

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card rewards

Users receive the following unlimited rewards on purchases:

• 3% on dining
• 3% on groceries
• 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
• 3% on general entertainment (e.g., direct ticket sales, movie theaters, amusement parks)
• 3% on select streaming services
• 5% on travel booked via Capital One Travel
• 1% on all other purchases

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card rewards

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is a simpler cash back card. Users receive the following rewards on purchases:

• Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
• 5% on travel booked via Capital One Travel
• 5% cash back on purchases made through Capital One Entertainment
• No focused categories

Which card earns more?

Comparing Savor vs. Quicksilver often comes down to determining which card earns more, depending on your spending. Here’s how the two compare with different spending patterns, using Savor’s 3% category/1% base structure versus Quicksilver’s 1.5% flat rate.

• Dining-heavy spender: Earning cash back on $600 in monthly dining yields 2x the rewards on Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card compared to Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card due to the elevated category rate.
• Family grocery spender: On $1,000 in monthly groceries, Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card earns double the cash back of Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card by capitalizing on the grocery bonus rate.
• General spender: On a balanced $2,000 monthly budget ($550 in bonus categories, $1,450 base), Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card still outperforms Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card, as the higher category multiplier outweighs the lower base rate.
• Young professional: On $600 of focused dining, grocery, and streaming spend, Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card delivers significantly higher overall earnings by applying bonus rates across nearly all monthly expenses.

Welcome bonus comparison

Welcome bonuses add more value to cash-back cards. Here’s how Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card compare.

Savor welcome offer

Capital One is currently offering signup_reward for new Savor users who spend signup_bonus_spend_amount within the first three months. If you use it as an everyday credit card, the welcome bonus is relatively attainable.

Quicksilver welcome offer

Capital One is currently offering signup_reward for new Quicksilver users who spend signup_bonus_spend_amount within the first three months. Everyday users should find the bonus easy to earn.

Which bonus is easier to earn?

Everyday users of either card should find the welcome bonus easy to earn. If your spending is generally in the higher-paying categories, Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is the wiser choice as you will earn more in the first year.

Dining and grocery rewards

As food prices rise, earning cash back can help soften the blow.

Why Savor excels for food spending

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is the better choice for food spending. Users receive 3% back on groceries, though this excludes Walmart and Target. Cardholders also receive 3% back on dining out.

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card lags, providing only 1.5% back on both.

How much more can Savor earn?

A generic user spending $1,200 total on groceries and dining out earns $36 monthly or $432 annually. Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card pays half that. Both pay unlimited cash back on purchases.

Is Savor worth it for everyday spending?

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is valuable if everyday spending includes groceries, dining out, and entertainment. Cardholders who spend $1,500 combined across those categories earn $45 monthly, but other categories give just 1% back.

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card pays just $22.50 monthly on the same focused amount. However, disciplined spenders may find value in having both cards to earn more on certain categories and more on other purchases.

Entertainment and streaming benefits

Not all cash back cards reward users for entertainment spending, making Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card unique. Plus, both cards earn elevated rates when booking ticketing and experience options through Capital One’s proprietary portal.

What counts as entertainment?

Outside of portal bookings, the Capital One Savor card earns an unlimited 3% cash back on direct entertainment purchases. Capital One defines this category broadly based on merchant category codes, including:

• Movie theaters and theatrical productions
• Live concerts and sporting events (tickets bought directly from promoters or venues)
• Amusement parks, carnivals, and tourist attractions
• Zoos, aquariums, and museums
• Bowling alleys, pool halls, and dance halls
• Record stores and video rental locations

Note: Specific recreation categories like golf courses, country club memberships, cable/satellite providers, and tickets billed through universities or travel packages generally do not qualify for the 3% rate and earn the base 1% instead.

Capital One Entertainment portal rewards

Cardholders who purchase tickets through the Capital One Entertainment platform unlock higher rewards rates for live sports, music, and VIP dining experiences:

• Capital One Savor: Earns an elevated 8% cash back on portal purchases (compared to its standard 3% general entertainment rate).
• Capital One Quicksilver: Earns an elevated 5% cash back on portal purchases (despite its standard 1.5% flat rate on everyday spend).

Streaming services eligible for rewards

Capital One categorizes streaming separately from general entertainment. Savor cardholders earn 3% cash back on popular music and video streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Spotify, and Apple Music. Quicksilver cardholders earn the standard 1.5% flat rate across all streaming platforms.

Why Savor stands out in this category

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card notably offers 1.5% back on all purchases, but it doesn’t compare to Savor’s unlimited 3% back on entertainment and streaming purchases. Elevated cash back on entertainment spending is uncommon in the rewards space, making Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card one of the best cash back credit cards.

Travel benefits comparison

Neither Capital One card is a premium travel card, but they still offer some travel benefits.

Capital One travel rewards

Both Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card offer users higher cash back on travel purchased through the Capital One travel portal. If you don’t mind using a portal, either can be a good choice.

Foreign transaction fees

Neither Capital One card charges foreign transaction fees, making either option a smart choice for international travel and shopping abroad.

Which card is better for travel?

Either card is good, as they have the same perks for travelers. Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card cardholders can earn more on entertainment while traveling. Beyond that, this category is generally a tie between Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card.

Intro APR comparison

Introductory APR offers are worth contemplating, particularly if you plan to finance purchases.

Savor intro APR offer

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card has an introductory 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first intro_apr_duration. After that, you can expect a variable APR of reg_apr,reg_apr_type.

Quicksilver intro APR offer

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card has an introductory 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first intro_apr_duration. After that, you can expect a variable APR of reg_apr,reg_apr_type.

Which card is better for financing purchases?

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is typically the wiser choice for financing purchases. Users receive three additional months with 0% interest. Both cards include a 3% transfer fee if you transfer a balance.

Can you use Savor and Quicksilver together?

Capital One allows cardholders to have both the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card and the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card cards. Here’s why this combo can make sense:

Why many users pair both cards

Neither card is perfect, but having both Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card addresses their weaknesses. You can use Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card for groceries, dining out, and entertainment, and use Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card for other everyday expenses to maximize cash back.

Best spending strategy

Being strategic lets cardholders earn more cash back. Here’s how to spend purposely and earn more with both.

Use Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card for:

• All food spending
• All entertainment spending
• Spending on streaming services

Use Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card for:

• Gas
• Utilities
• Home improvement
• Retail purchases
• Everything that doesn’t fit in a Savor bonus category

Is a two-card setup worth it?

Having both Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card can be valuable in the right circumstances. For people who don’t mind balancing two cards, it lets them earn more on focused spending without sacrificing earning more on all other spending. Both cards have no annual fees, so if you want to optimize your earning, carrying both cards is often worth it.

Savor vs. Quicksilver for different users

Comparing Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card vs. Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card requires knowing which card is best for certain spenders.

• Best for dining: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is better as it pays 3% back on dining purchases
• Best for groceries: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is better as it pays 3% back on groceries, but if you shop at Target or Walmart, they’re excluded
• Best for entertainment: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is the clear choice as it pays 3% back on various entertainment categories
• Best for simplicity: Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is best as it pays a flat rate on all purchases
• Best for beginners: Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is best as it has no categories to monitor
• Best for families: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is best for families who spend a lot on groceries, dining out, or entertainment
• Best for students: It depends on which categories the student spends more on
• Best for everyday spending: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is better for heavy category spending, and Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is best for mixed spending

Who should get Savor?

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is best for people who spend more in certain categories and want to maximize rewards. People who should get Savor include:

• People who frequently dine out
• People who use a credit card for groceries
• Heavy lifestyle spenders
• People who spend a lot on entertainment
• Users of streaming services

Who should get Quicksilver?

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card doesn’t offer higher-category payouts, but it’s still a worthwhile card to consider. People who should get Quicksilver include:

• People who value simplicity and predictability
• People who don’t want to track categories
• Users with broad spending habits
• People who want to deal with just one card

Final verdict: Which card is right for you?

Choosing the right cash-back card matters. Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is undoubtedly better for many, as it has bonus categories that include common spending needs. Unfortunately, it lags on other spending needs. Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is the wiser selection for predictability and standard rewards. You don’t have to sacrifice one for the other, though. Capital One lets people hold both cards. Doing so lets you earn more on food and lifestyle needs while also earning a higher flat-rate payout on other expenses. Since both have no annual fees, pairing the two can increase your cash back.

Frequently asked questions

Choosing between two of the best no-annual-fee credit cards can raise some questions. Here are common considerations many have.