Capital One and Discover are both major credit card issuers. Each has a full suite of card offerings with various benefits, many of which are similar. Their cards run the gamut, from cash-back rewards to credit-building cards for students and those with bad or no credit.
There are a few comparable features, like no foreign transaction fees on any of their cards, but also big differences between the two—and the best option depends on your unique needs.
Find the Best Credit Cards for 2024
No single credit card is the best option for every family, every purchase or every budget. We've picked the best credit cards in a way designed to be the most helpful to the widest variety of readers.
Travel Credit Cards: Capital One vs. Discover
Capital One has many travel rewards credit cards. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (rates & fees) is the issuer’s most premium travel card, with benefits like airport lounge membership, a $300 annual travel credit for travel booked through Capital One and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® fee credit of up to $100 every four years.
If you want to avoid the card’s $395 annual fee, another Capital One travel card would be better. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (rates & fees) has a $95 annual fee but still includes the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit.
For a card with a $0 annual fee, look to the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card (rates & fees), which earns unlimited 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 1.25 miles per dollar on every other purchase. The card still comes with rental car insurance, travel accident insurance and no foreign transaction fees.
Discover it® Miles is Discover’s lone travel rewards card. Like all Discover cards, Discover it Miles has no annual fee. The card earns unlimited 1.5 miles per dollar on every purchase. Also, Discover automatically matches all the miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. Unfortunately, Discover it Miles offers no travel benefits outside of not charging foreign transaction fees.
Winner: Capital One. Discover doesn’t have anything to compete with Capital One’s premium card offerings, and the travel protections are not nearly as good.
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Cash-Back Cards: Capital One vs. Discover
Capital One and Discover offer multiple cash-back cards if you prefer cash back over travel rewards.
The Savor Rewards Credit Card* and Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card earn bonus cash back on dining, entertainment, streaming services and at grocery stores.
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card and Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase and 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply).
Annual fees range from $0 to $95, depending on the card. All of the cards come with a welcome bonus except the QuicksilverOne card.
Discover has two cash-back cards and both have quarterly rewards caps. The Discover it® Cash Back earns 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter up to a quarterly maximum of $1,500 in spending when activated. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
And the Discover it® Chrome earns 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Neither card has an annual fee.
Winner: Capital One is our pick for cash-back cards, with more options available and no caps on rewards.
0% Intro APR Credit Cards: Capital One vs. Discover
Intro APR offers allow consumers to take advantage of 0% APR on purchases and/or balance transfers for a predetermined amount of time. It’s a convenient way to finance large purchases or older balances over time without interest charges when you repay before the rate expires.
Note that if you transfer a balance, there’s usually a balance transfer fee. But it can be worth paying, especially if you’re paying interest to carry other balances each month.
Discover currently offers the most 0% intro APR cards, but Capital One has a few options, too. Neither card issuer charges an annual fee on any of its 0% intro APR cards. All of the cards earn rewards, giving you another way to benefit from card spending.
Winner: Despite similar offers and APR ranges, we give a slight nod to Discover because of its student credit card offerings.
Featured Discover Credit Cards
Student Credit Cards: Capital One vs. Discover
Building enough credit to qualify for a traditional credit card can be a challenge if you’re a college student. Capital One and Discover each offer two student credit cards that help you build credit history while earning cash-back rewards. No credit score is required to apply for either Discover student card. Both Capital One student cards require fair credit.
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card earns unlimited 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats through 11/14/2024, 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and grocery stores (which excludes superstores like Walmart® and Target®), 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases, and 1% on all other purchases. Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card earns flat-rate rewards with 10% cash back on purchases made with Uber & Uber Eats through 11/14/2024, unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 1.5% unlimited cash back on every purchase.
The cards typically have the same welcome bonus offer and students have access to extended warranty protection, travel accident insurance and extra rewards with Uber and Uber Eats through November 14, 2024.
Discover it® Student Cash Back earns 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and more, up to the quarterly maximum once activated. Plus, automatically earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Discover it® Student Chrome earns 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Discover matches all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year with both card options.
Plus, both cards offer basic card benefits like Credit Scorecard access and the ability to lock your card if lost or stolen.
Winner: Capital One for the extra benefits and rewards.
Find The Best Capital One Credit Cards Of 2024
Credit Cards for Building Credit: Capital One vs. Discover
You may have limited credit card options if you’re rebuilding your credit or haven’t established credit history yet. Card issuers generally rely on credit scores and history to determine the risk of approval for applicants. If you don’t meet their standards, you’ll have a tough time qualifying for a card.
Luckily, some cards feature lower credit requirements. There are also secured credit cards, which are guaranteed with an upfront security deposit instead of a credit check. Credit-building cards often have fewer benefits than traditional cards but can help you get on track through responsible use.
Capital One has two credit cards that only require fair credit:
The Platinum card has a $0 annual fee but doesn’t earn rewards (rates & fees). QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards has a $39 annual fee and earns unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase and 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply) (rates & fees). Cardholders of either card are automatically considered for credit line increases in as little as six months with responsible use. There’s no security deposit with either card.
Capital One has two secured credit cards available:
Platinum Secured has no annual fee, earns no rewards and requires a $49, $99 or $200 minimum refundable deposit (rates & fees). Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards has no annual fee and requires a $200 minimum refundable deposit (rates & fees). It earns 1.5% cash back on every purchase and 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Both cards offer a path to upgrade to an unsecured credit card with responsible use.
Discover has one credit-building card: the Discover it® Secured Credit Card. The issuer automatically performs monthly account reviews after seven months to see if you qualify for an upgrade to an unsecured card. The card earns 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Discover matches all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. Card benefits include free credit score access, card locking and Social Security Number alerts (requires activation).
Winner: With more options and benefits, Capital One is the clear winner for building your credit.
Pros and Cons of Capital One Cards
Pros
- Full suite of credit card options
- Luxury travel benefits with some cards
- Flexible redemption options on rewards cards
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Annual fees on some Capital One cards
- High APRs on credit-building cards
Pros and Cons of Discover Cards
Pros
- No annual fees on any cards
- No foreign transaction fees
- Generous intro APR offers
- Free credit score access
- Highly ranked customer service
Cons
- Rewards are capped on several cards
- Non-traditional welcome bonuses
- Fewer travel or luxury benefits
- High APR on secured card
Find the Best Discover Credit Cards of 2024
Which Issuer Should You Choose?
Generally, you should choose a credit card based on its value, not which bank issues it. Determine your needs and look for cards that offer those rewards and benefits. Factors to consider include:
- Rewards structure
- Redemption options for rewards
- Annual fee
- Card benefits
- APR
- Other fees
- Travel and purchase protections
A card’s issuer shouldn’t be a primary factor in your decision, but it does play a role, especially if you prefer one over the other. If both offer cards that fit your criteria, consider factors like customer service, mobile access and other features and benefits available through Capital One or Discover.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the easiest Capital One card to get?
The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card may be a good option since you only need fair credit to qualify, though consideration is based on more than just your credit score. Plus, Capital One allows you to pre-qualify for the card without affecting your credit score. Preapproval doesn’t guarantee you’ll be approved but gives you a general understanding of where you stand in the eyes of the issuer.
What Discover card is the easiest to get?
Discover it® Secured Credit Card, Discover it® Student Cash Back and Discover it® Student Chrome do not require a credit score to apply. Discover relies on other information provided on your application and other factors to determine eligibility. The Discover it Secured card requires a refundable security deposit starting at $200.
How do you apply for a Capital One credit card?
You can apply for a Capital One credit card online through the issuer’s website. You can see if you’re preapproved for card offers from Capital One before applying without negatively impacting your credit score. Capital One will show you the cards you may be eligible for based on the information you provide and a soft credit inquiry. When you apply for a card, Capital One performs a hard credit inquiry, which may cause a temporary drop in your credit score.
