If you're looking for high rewards rates or low interest rates, the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One may not be the best choice for you. But if you're seeking a simple, $0-annual-fee card that can help you build your credit and eventually qualify you for better terms, this is a very good starter card.
Despite the name, you don't actually need to be a student to apply for this card. The Journey Student Rewards card can be used by anyone, which makes it one of our favorite cards for building credit. You'll earn 1% cash back on every purchase, which will get boosted to 1.25% when you pay your bills on time.
Capital One Journey is a credit card for students with limited credit, and an applicant could start out with a limit higher than $300 if their credit profile exceeds Capital One's minimum requirements. Cardholders have reportedly received Capital One Journey credit limits starting at up to $2,000.
Journey Student Rewards from Capital One
The Capital One Journey Card also has a $0 foreign transaction fee and is accepted worldwide by merchants that take VISA. So it's a great card for saving money and building credit whether you're studying abroad or in the U.S.
If you're going to apply for this card, know that you'll have to prove your monthly income is at least $425 per month — and that's after your rent or mortgage payment. So if your income is unpredictable or you don't have any, you may not be able to qualify for the Journey® Student Rewards from Capital One®.
The Journey Student Rewards from Capital One is a good option for those new to credit. It's a simple $0-annual-fee card that can help you build credit and eventually qualify for better terms. If you're after high rewards, though, other student credit cards may be more generous.
To upgrade a Capital One Journey card to a higher-tier Capital One credit card, cardholders can sign in to the Capital One Product Upgrade page and check for any upgrade offers they might have. Another way to check for upgrade offers is to call Capital One Journey customer service at 1-877-383-4802.
In many cases, Capital One will automatically increase your credit limit if you pay your bill on time consistently. This is especially true with the issuer's credit building and student credit cards, which advertise the opportunity for a higher credit line after five months of on-time payments.
Best cards for international travel
| Best for | Credit card | Estimated rewards earned after 5 years |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | American Express® Gold Card | $2,969 |
| Dining | Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card | $1,741 |
| Hotels | Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card | $1,699 |
| Luxury Travel | Chase Sapphire Reserve® | $3,346 |
NerdWallet's Best College Student Credit Cards of May 2021
Get 1% Cash Back on Every Purchase
Pay on time to boost cash back to a total of 1.25% for that month. Students can also use educational resources like CreditWise® from Capital One—a free tool available to everyone that provides a personalized summary of key factors that affect their credit score.
Five Credit-Building Strategies to Try Before You Graduate
Best college student credit cards
| Category | Credit Card |
|---|---|
| Best for Cash Back | Discover it® Student Cash Back |
| Best for Travel | Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students |
| Best for Gas Stations and Restaurants | Discover it® Student chrome |
| Best for Small Purchases and Supermarkets | Citi Rewards+℠ Student Card |
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