The Capital One Quicksilver and SavorOne are two of the most popular no-annual-fee cards from the same issuer. Both charge $0 a year and have no foreign transaction fees. The key difference: the Quicksilver earns a flat 1.5% on everything, while the SavorOne earns 3% on dining, entertainment, streaming and groceries, and 1% on everything else. The right choice depends on whether your spending is concentrated in those bonus categories or spread across many kinds of purchases.
At a Glance
| Feature | Quicksilver | SavorOne |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
| Rewards | 1.5% flat on everything | 3% dining, entertainment, streaming, groceries; 1% elsewhere |
| Foreign transaction fee | $0 | $0 |
| Welcome bonus | Same as SavorOne | Same as Quicksilver |
| Best for | Simple, spread-out spending | Food, fun and streaming |
How We Compare These Cards
We assess both cards on rewards rates, annual fees, foreign transaction fees and who each card suits. Because both are $0-fee cards with matching welcome bonuses, the decision comes down entirely to your spending pattern: flat-rate versus bonus-category earnings. It’s the same trade-off we cover in Citi Custom Cash vs. Double Cash.
Capital One Quicksilver — Best for Simple, Spread-Out Spending
- Annual fee: $0
- Rewards: Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase; 5% on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Foreign transaction fee: $0
- Welcome bonus: One-time cash bonus after a low spend in the first 3 months — confirm current terms on capitalone.com
The Quicksilver pays a straightforward flat 1.5% everywhere, with no categories to track or activate. It suits people whose spending is spread across utilities, insurance, online shopping and miscellaneous purchases that don’t fit typical bonus categories. With no foreign transaction fee, it’s also practical to carry when traveling abroad.
Who it’s for: Anyone who wants effortless flat-rate rewards without monitoring spending categories.
Watch-outs: For heavy spenders on dining, entertainment, streaming and groceries, its flat 1.5% is beaten by the SavorOne’s 3%.
Capital One SavorOne — Best for Food, Fun and Streaming
- Annual fee: $0
- Rewards: 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target); 1% on everything else; 5% on hotels and rental cars via Capital One Travel
- Foreign transaction fee: $0
- Welcome bonus: Same one-time cash bonus as the Quicksilver — confirm current terms on capitalone.com
The SavorOne earns 3% across four everyday categories at once — dining, entertainment, streaming and groceries — with no caps or activation. For most cardholders, dining and groceries make up a large enough share of the budget that the SavorOne earns more overall than the Quicksilver.
Who it’s for: People who spend meaningfully on dining, entertainment, streaming or groceries.
Watch-outs: Purchases outside the four bonus categories earn only 1%, below the Quicksilver’s flat 1.5%.
The Real Difference: Flat 1.5% vs. Category 3%
Beyond the rewards structure, these cards barely differ: identical fees, matching bonuses and the same foreign transaction fee treatment. The decision rests on your spending habits:
- SavorOne wins when a substantial share of your spending goes to dining, entertainment, streaming or groceries, where it doubles the Quicksilver’s earnings.
- Quicksilver wins when your spending is spread across non-bonus categories, since its flat 1.5% beats the SavorOne’s 1% base rate.
For a typical household, dining and groceries are big enough budget lines that the SavorOne comes out ahead. The Quicksilver mainly benefits people with unusually spread-out spending or those who value maximum simplicity. One caveat: the SavorOne excludes superstores like Walmart and Target from its grocery category, so if that’s where you do most of your grocery shopping, the advantage narrows. If you want to compare the SavorOne against another category card, see SavorOne vs. Citi Custom Cash.
Full Comparison
| Category | Quicksilver | SavorOne |
|---|---|---|
| Dining | 1.5% | 3% |
| Entertainment | 1.5% | 3% |
| Streaming | 1.5% | 3% |
| Groceries (excl. superstores) | 1.5% | 3% |
| Everything else | 1.5% | 1% |
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
| Foreign transaction fee | $0 | $0 |
Which Should You Choose?
- Choose the SavorOne if you spend on dining, entertainment, streaming or groceries — which, for most people, means earning more rewards.
- Choose the Quicksilver if your spending is spread out, you buy groceries mainly at superstores, or you prefer simplicity over optimizing rewards.
- Treat the SavorOne as the default. Since both are free with matching bonuses, the SavorOne’s higher category rates make it the better pick for most people; the Quicksilver suits those who want pure simplicity.
Still deciding between flat-rate and category cards more broadly? Our guide to the best cash back credit cards compares the top options side by side.
A Note on Using Cash Back Cards Responsibly
Both cards only pay off if you pay your balance in full every month, since interest charges usually outweigh any cash back earned. Both target applicants with good-to-excellent credit (often around 690+), and approval is decided solely by the issuing bank. If your score is lower, see our picks for fair credit, and if you’re just starting out, look at cards designed to build credit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which card earns more cash back?
Generally the SavorOne, because its 3% on dining, entertainment, streaming and groceries usually outweighs the Quicksilver’s flat 1.5%. The Quicksilver only wins if most of your spending falls outside the SavorOne’s bonus categories.
Do both cards have no annual fee?
Yes. Both charge $0 a year and have no foreign transaction fees.
Does the SavorOne earn 3% at Walmart and Target?
No. The SavorOne’s 3% grocery rate excludes superstores like Walmart and Target, so purchases there earn the base 1%. If that’s where you shop most, the Quicksilver’s flat 1.5% may earn more on groceries.
Can I switch from the Quicksilver to the SavorOne later?
Capital One sometimes allows product changes between its cards, but it isn’t guaranteed. Contact Capital One to ask about switching if your spending changes.
Our Editorial Approach
We evaluate both cards on the same criteria — rewards rates, annual fees, foreign transaction fees and cardholder fit. Card details are checked against Capital One’s official pages at the time of publication, and each article shows its last-updated date. We update comparisons when issuers change fees, rewards or welcome offers.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author is not a licensed financial advisor, and card approval decisions rest solely with the issuing bank. Rates, fees and offers are subject to change — always confirm current terms with the issuer before applying.