Updated
Fact Checked
Ashley Maready
There are Capital One credit cards available for just about everyone, whether you're looking for a rewards card, a 0% intro APR, or to build your credit. If you want to apply for a Capital One credit card, here's how to do it.
How to apply for a Capital One credit card
There are only a few steps to apply for a Capital One credit card.
1. Go to the credit card's page and click "Apply Now."
2. Enter the required information. You'll need to have the following information available to fill out the application:
- Personal information: Full name, date of birth, and Social Security number
- Contact information: Residential address (P.O. boxes aren't valid as a residential address for credit card applications, but you can add one as your mailing address by clicking "Add mailing address"), email address, and phone number
- Financial information: Employment status, annual income, monthly home payment (rent or mortgage), the types of bank accounts you have, and optional questions about your credit card spending habits
3. Add an authorized user if you want to do so now. If not, you can skip this step.
4. Submit the application.
Ideally, you'll get an answer right away -- or at least, within the minute or so that it takes for the credit card issuer to process your information. The results could, however, take longer than that.
What happens after you apply for a Capital One credit card?
There are three potential outcomes after you apply for a Capital One credit card:
- Instant approval
- Instant denial
- Under review
If it's an approval, then you're good to go. Capital One will send you the card in the mail. The letter you receive with it will include activation instructions and your credit limit.
A denial is the worst-case scenario, but it doesn't always mean you're out of luck. You can call Capital One's reconsideration line. They can tell you why you were denied (you'll also get a letter in the mail with this information), and you can explain why the company should reconsider your application. It's possible a representative may overturn the original decision and approve your Capital One credit card application.
Finally, there's application purgatory. When Capital One says it needs more time to review your application, you should receive a letter within seven to 10 business days on whether you were approved or denied. But you can also call Capital One as early as the next day to check your application's status. The benefit of doing that is if you were denied, you can attempt to get a reconsideration immediately.
Choosing a Capital One credit card
Before you apply for a Capital One credit card, you need to pick one. If you're not sure which card is right for you, consider your credit score and the credit card benefits you're looking for.
Your credit history and credit score determine which cards you can get. The best Capital One credit cards are usually only an option if you have good or excellent credit. Fortunately, Capital One includes recommended credit levels with each of its cards. You can click the credit level to see what the qualification requirements are for that Capital One credit card.
As far as card benefits go, you'll need to decide what perks matter most to you. That could be cash back, travel rewards, 0% intro APR financing, or something different. It's also important to look at any fees a card has, such as an annual fee or foreign transaction fees.
Here are Capital One credit card recommendations that will cover most financial situations and goals, from earning rewards to raising your credit score:
- Earn travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Get premium travel perks: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- Earn flat-rate cash back: Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Earn bonus cash back: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Finance purchases at a 0% intro APR: Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees)
- Improve bad credit: Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
- Improve fair credit: Capital One Platinum Credit Card
- Build credit as a student (and earn rewards): Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Here is a bit more information about a few of these cards.
As of Apr. 16, 2024
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| Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card | Capital One Platinum Credit Card | Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card |
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Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
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Apply Now for Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
On Capital One's Secure Website. |
Apply Now for Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
On Capital One's Secure Website. |
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Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Good/Excellent (670-850) |
Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Fair (300-669)
Fair (300-669) |
Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Fair/New to Credit Under(669)
Fair/New to Credit Under(669) |
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Welcome Offer: $200 Cash Back after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening $200 Cash Back |
Welcome Offer: N/A N/A |
Welcome Offer: Earn $50 Cash Back when you spend $100 in the first three months Earn $50 Cash Back |
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Rewards Program: Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day. Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply. 1.5%-5% cash back |
Rewards Program: — |
Rewards Program: Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024. Earn 8% cash back on entertainment purchases when you book through the Capital One Entertainment portal. Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target), with 1% on all other purchases 1%-10% cash back |
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Intro APR: Purchases: 0% intro on purchases for 15 months Balance Transfers: 0% intro on balance transfers for 15 months (Balance Transfer Fee Applies) |
Intro APR: Purchases: N/A Balance Transfers: N/A |
Intro APR: Purchases: N/A Balance Transfers: N/A |
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Regular APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable) |
Regular APR: 29.99% (Variable) |
Regular APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable) |
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Annual Fee: $0 |
Annual Fee: $0 |
Annual Fee: $0 |
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Highlights:
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Highlights:
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Highlights:
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Apply Now for Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
On Capital One's Secure Website. |
Apply Now for Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
On Capital One's Secure Website. |
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Getting your Capital One credit card
It's not difficult to apply for a Capital One credit card. What's most important is finding the right card. When you can figure out the best credit cards for you, you'll maximize your value. Once you know what you want, the application itself should only take about five to 10 minutes.
Still have questions?
Some other questions we've answered:
FAQs
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To get approved for a Capital One credit card, check the recommended credit level for the card before you apply. You can find this information for all Capital One cards on its website. Make sure your credit score and profile fit the guidelines provided by Capital One. If you're a good fit for the card, you're much more likely to be approved.
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To open a Capital One card, you need the following:
- Social Security number or individual tax ID
- U.S. address (this must be a residential address, as P.O. Boxes aren't accepted on credit card applications)
- Form of income
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For most of its credit cards, Capital One requires that your monthly income exceeds your mortgage/rent payment by at least $425. If it doesn't, then you most likely won't be eligible for a Capital One credit card.
Our Credit Cards Experts
Lyle Daly is a personal finance writer who specializes in credit cards, travel rewards programs, and banking. He writes for The Ascent and The Motley Fool, and his work has appeared in USA Today and Yahoo! Finance. He was born in California but currently lives as a digital nomad with a home base in Colombia.
Fact Checked
Ashley Maready
Ashley Maready is a former history museum professional who made the leap to digital content writing and editing in 2021. She has a BA in History and Philosophy from Hood College and an MA in Applied History from Shippensburg University. Ashley loves creating content for the public and learning new things so she can teach others, whether it's information about salt mining, canal mules, or personal finance.
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Lyle Daly has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.