Capital One Credit Cards

Capital One’s credit score requirement is limited or bad credit at a minimum, though it depends on the credit card. The best Capital One credit cards overall require a credit score of 700+ for good approval odds, while no minimum credit score is needed to get a starter credit card from Capital One. For example, applicants with limited or bad credit can get the Capital One Secured card and people with no credit score may be able to get Capital One’s Platinum, QuicksilverOne and Journey cards.

If you’re not sure which Capital One card you’ll be able to qualify for, it’s easy to get pre-qualified for a credit card on the issuer’s website. You may also want to check your credit score before you apply for any Capital One card, just so you have a better idea of what to expect.

The best way to apply for a Capital One credit card is either online, or over the phone, by calling Capital One customer service. Alternatively, you can apply for a Capital One credit card by visiting your local branch.

Here’s how to apply for a Capital One credit card:

• Online: Applying online is the fastest and most straightforward way. You can either do that on sites like WalletHub or through their own website. Usually, a decision is made instantly when you apply online. You will need fill in a form with your personal, contact and financial information.
• By phone: You can also apply for a Capital One credit card by phone by . When prompted, just say that you want to apply for a credit card and you will be connected to a representative.
• At a branch: Another way to apply for a Capital One credit card is in a Capital One branch. Download their mobile appor use this locator to find the nearest one.

Ultimately, you can check out our editors’ latest picks for the best Capital One credit cards on the market and weigh your options.

You can get Capital One to activate your credit card online or by calling customer service at (800) 227-4825.

If you prefer to do it online, just go to Capital One’s activation page and log in (create an account, if necessary). Then, enter the 3-digit security code on the back of the card when prompted. Through the mobile app, sign in with the same information as your online account. Tap your profile, then “Account Settings,” then “Activate Credit Card.” Enter the 3-digit security code when prompted to activate the card. The card will be available to use for purchases immediately after.

You can make a Capital One credit card payment online, by phone, through the Capital One mobile app, by mail or at a branch. To pay a Capital One credit card bill online, log in to your online account and click on "Make a Payment." Then, choose how much to pay, when to pay it, and where the payment is coming from. Capital One does allow cardholders to set up automatic payments, too.

Ways to Make a Capital One Credit Card Payment

• By phone: Call the number on the back of your card and enter your card information when prompted.
• Online: Log in to your online account and click on "Make a Payment."
• Through the mobile app: Log in to your account and select your card, then tap "Make a payment."
• By mail: Send a check or money order (but not cash) to Capital One / Attn: Payment Processing / PO Box 71083 / Charlotte, NC 28272-1083. Make sure to send it early enough that it will arrive by the due date. Write your credit card number on the check, too.
• At a branch: You can make a payment at any Capital One branch during normal business hours.

Given its attractive credit card offers and high customer satisfaction, Capital One is not only a good credit card company, but a great one.

For starters, Capital One credit cards can be found on most of WalletHub’s best credit card lists. This includes the:

• Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

• Best Cash Back Credit Cards: Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

• Best Credit Cards for Fair Credit: Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

• Best Credit Cards for No Credit: Capital One Platinum Credit Card

• Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit: Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

• Best Student Credit Cards: Journey Student Rewards from Capital One

• Best Business Credit Cards: Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business

Capital One has also scored highly in a number of WalletHub reports on important credit card benefits. Here are a handful of notable examples:

• Application Transparency: T-1st

• International Travel: T-2nd

• Rental Car Insurance: 6th (Capital One Visa cards)

• Extended Warranty: 8th (Capital One Visa cards)

Finally, Capital One received the fifth highest customer satisfaction score in WalletHub’s latest Credit Card Landscape Report. And it had the third highest reviews among WalletHub users.

That, in a nutshell, is what a good credit card company looks like.​​​​​​​

There is no predefined number of Capital One cards you can have at a time. More specifically, you can have as many Capital One credit cards as your credit would allow. Approval would be based on your credit history, your income and any potential debt you might have.

Having said that, it is worth noting that Capital One offers some of the best rewards potential in the credit card game. A popular combo is the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card paired with the Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card. You can use the Capital One Savor to maximize your rewards on food and entertainment purchases, and the Capital One Venture card for everything else.

Both cards come with a good signup bonus: Capital One Savor comes with $300 for spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. With Capital One Venture, you earn 60,000 miles for spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. Capital One Savor has an annual fee of $95, and Capital One Venture’s annual fee is $95.

To log in to your Capital One credit card account, go to the login page on the Capital One website or mobile app and enter your username and password in the appropriate fields. Then, click the “Sign In” to access your online account. If you don’t already have an account, you will need to start by clicking “Set Up Online Access” in order to set up a username and password.

How to Log in to a Capital One Credit Card Account

1. Register your Capital One credit card for online account access. Click “Set Up Online Access” and enter your last name, date of birth, and Social Security number or ITIN to verify your credit card account.
2. Choose your Capital One username and password. The password must contain between 8 and 32 characters, have at least one letter and one number, and be different from the username. The password is case sensitive and may contain special characters.
3. Log in with your new Capital One credentials. From the login page on the Capital One website or mobile app, fill out the Username  and Password fields using your new credentials, then click “Sign In” to access your account.

After you have signed up and logged in, you’ll be able to manage your Capital One credit card account online. You can pay your credit card bill, see credit card statements, monitor account activity, and change account information such as passwords and automatic payments.

If you forget your login information, click “Forgot Username or Password?” on the Capital One login page. Then, just follow the prompts to reset or retrieve your username or password.

The Capital One general customer service phone number is 1-877-383-4802. However, for faster customer service, Capital One provides specific phone numbers for different departments. They have a credit card support center, banking support, loans support, and numbers for other services and non-US accounts. You can find all the numbers here.

You can get approved for a Capital One credit card if you are at least 18 years old, have proof of enough income to make your monthly minimum payment, and meet the specific card’s credit score requirement. Capital One will also take into account your monthly housing payment, all sources of income, and other factors.

If you’re unsure whether you’ll be approved, Capital One offers the possibility to check if you pre-qualify for some of their cards. This way, you can better assess your approval odds before you apply. Pre-qualification is quick and it’s done using a soft inquiry, so there’s no effect on your credit score.

How to Get Approved for a Capital One Credit Card

Meet the General Requirements. You must be at least 18 years old with a valid Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) in order to apply. You will also need to provide your birthdate and a physical U.S. address (no P.O. boxes).

Report a Sufficient Annual Income. Your application must include your annual income, the sources of that income, and your bank account information. Capital One requires a monthly income that’s at least $425 more than your monthly housing payment.

Know Your Credit Score Before You Apply. Some Capital One cards require good credit for approval, which means a credit score of at least 700. Capital One also offers a number of credit cards for people with credit scores below 700. You can check your credit score for free on WalletHub.

Make Sure Bankruptcies Have Been Discharged. Capital One will reject your application if you have an unresolved bankruptcy on your credit report.

Check Your Capital One Account and Application History. Your application will be denied if you’ve submitted a Capital One credit card application twice or more in the past 30 days. The same is true if you have five or more Capital One credit cards, or if you’re past-due or over your credit limit on any of those accounts.

If you are unable to get approved for a Capital One credit card, consider becoming an authorized user on someone else’s credit card account. As an authorized user, you will receive your own card, linked to the primary cardholder’s account, and you can build your credit history while the primary cardholder assumes responsibility for all charges on the account.

THE WINNER

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
This review is not provided, commissioned or endorsed by any issuer. Opinions and ratings are our own.

EDITOR'S OVERVIEW

After comparing the Capital One Platinum Credit Card vs. the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card, Capital One Quicksilver is the winner. The Quicksilver Card’s best features include 1.5% cash back on all purchases, a $200 bonus for spending $500 in the first 3 months, and intro financing of 0% for 15 months. Platinum doesn’t offer low introductory rates or any kind of rewards – just the ability to build credit without paying an annual fee.

These two cards are ultimately meant for two very different types of people. Capital One Platinum is a starter credit card for people with limited credit. Quicksilver on the other hand, requires at least good credit for approval. That’s why Quicksilver offers such superior terms.

Below, you can learn more about the Capital One Platinum and Quicksilver cards. You can also check your latest credit score for free on WalletHub to get a better sense of which offer will work best for you.

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