Capital One® Quicksilver® Card Review

Capital One® Quicksilver® Card - 0% Intro APR for 15 Months is a popular credit card for those who want a straightforward rewards card with a nice set of bonuses for new cardholders. Capital One has been very competitive with cards in several segments of the market; let’s see if this cash-back offering is worth including in your wallet.

I have been a writer, editor, and even publisher of business news and analysis since 1994, when I lived abroad. I also did a two-year stint as an equity analyst covering investment funds and industrials (among other sectors) at one of the largest banking groups in the Central and Eastern Europe region.

I returned to the U.S. nearly 10 years ago, and almost immediately I signed up for several credit cards. I still own them, and have added to my collection -- these days my wife and I hold six cards from all three major brands (Visa, Mastercard, and American Express), not counting store cards. The six cards come from two big issuers, Chase and Bank of America.

So in addition to my history and experience, I have first-hand knowledge of credit cards, particularly about how to use them to maximum advantage.

$150 cash bonus -- New cardholders can earn a $150 bonus once $500 is spent on the card; this must be achieved within three months of the account opening.

Unlimited 1.5% cash back -- This offer is a “what you see is what you get” cash-back card. Every transaction made with the card, no matter the amount or product/service category, earns 1.5% cash back.

$0 annual fee -- Capital One gives Quicksilver® cardholders a nice, permanent break from paying an annual fee.

0% intro APR for purchases -- APR effectively doesn’t exist 15 months for new purchases.

0% intro APR for balance transfers -- Another long-lasting zero for the card, the 0% intro APR for balance transfers spans 15 months.

No foreign transaction fee -- Travelers get a nice break with this perk. The foreign transaction fee is an irritating, yet still common, charge that dings a cardholder a small percentage (typically 3% or so) of every purchase made abroad. 

Cash-back never expires -- The clock is never ticking on cash back, since it is valid for redemption as long as the customer maintains their account. Additionally…

No minimum redemption -- Another convenient, low-maintenance aspect of the card is that the cash back can be redeemed whenever the cardholder sees fit. 

Visa Signature benefits -- The card’s brand is Visa Signature for those approved for a credit limit over $5,000 (sub-$5,000 limit cardholders will receive Visa Platinum benefits instead). Visa Signature’s feature set includes the following:

• Extended warranty protection. This doubles the period of the manufacturer’s warranty on a particular good purchased with the card. It does so up to a maximum of one additional year, on qualifying warranties of three years or less.
  
• Travel auto rental insurance. Supplemental coverage is provided. In the case of accident or theft, the policy reimburses up to the monetary value of any qualifying vehicle, for a period of 15 consecutive days at most in the cardholder’s country of residence, and 31 consecutive days outside of said country.
  
• Lost luggage reimbursement. Another comforting travel perk from Visa Signature is this one, which covers up to $3,000 for loss of baggage due to “theft or misdirection” by the operator of your means of conveyance.
  

Concierge services. Visa Signature Concierge is available 24/7 through a toll-free phone number for Capital One® Quicksilver® cardholders. These folks can tap Visa for advice on sports and entertainment tickets, travel bookings, local attractions, etc.

Excellent credit is suggested to increase your chances of approval. Capital One expands somewhat on this definition as it is a bit more lenient than traditional definitions of excellent credit. It emphasizes the following factors for those interested in applying for the card.

Capital One says that other factors drawn from the information provided on an application will be considered; it does not elaborate. The company also says that it will take into account an applicant’s credit history.

A great strength of Capital One® Quicksilver® Card - 0% Intro APR for 15 Months is that it appeals to several different types of credit card users. If you’re one, or a combination of any, of the three, it’ll be quite a practical card to own.