So, You Want to Get a Capital One Card to Get Taylor Swift's Latest Album? Read This First
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
News of Taylor Swift's latest partnership with Capital One is almost causing more shockwaves than the Kim Kardashian feud. The pop star's new partnership allows cardholders to get the chance to pre-order an exclusive album bundle that includes some pretty cool perks: a digital standard edition of "Lover," her latest album due out on August 23, and a one-of-a-kind Taylor Swift t-shirt.
Understandably, the news has hardcore Taylor fans running to apply for a Capital One card.
But if your head is spinning and you don't know which card to sign up for to get these exclusive perks, well, you've come to the right place.
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Applying for a Capital One Card
Some credit-card issuers have strict rules when it comes to applying for cards. For example, regardless of what credit score you have, Chase won't approve you for a new card if you've opened five or more personal credit cards across all banks in the last 24 months. Capital One isn't as strict, though it still has some rules you need to be aware of.
First, you're only allowed to have two personal Capital One cards in your wallet any given moment. This rule shouldn't affect you if this is your first Capital One card, but should serve as a reminder to pick your card(s) carefully.
Next, you’re only able to get approved for one Capital One card every six months. Again, all this should mean for new Capital One customers is to go with the card that suits your needs best.
The final rule applies to sign-up bonuses, which is just another way of saying "If you spend a certain amount of money in a certain amount of time, you'll get a certain amount of bonus points." While Capital One has been known to award sign-up bonuses multiple times on the same card if you follow the above rules and are approved, for most cards, Capital One includes language that gives them the right not to award the sign-up bonus again. This simply implies that you might be rolling the dice on applying for a new card and earning a bonus if you’re a current or past holder of that card.
Although this has become more of a hit-or-miss proposition, sometimes Capital One will let you instantly gain access to your card number and expiration date immediately after being approved. Translation: You may be able to purchase your Taylor Swift bundle as soon as you're done reading this story.
Choosing a Capital One Card
Capital One offers 14 different credit cards you could choose from, including ones specifically for students and those rebuilding their credit. Not all of them are equal, so we've picked the best one for every type of Swiftie. Note that all of the cards on this list with an annual fee also have watered-down, no-annual fee versions — such as the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card — with fewer perks and lower earning rates.
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best for travel
- Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for dining and entertainment
- Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best no annual fee flat-rate card
- Journey Student Rewards from Capital One: Best for students
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
This card is ideal for travelers because the rewards you earn with it can be transferred to airline miles. It's currently offering a 60,000 bonus miles when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, and earns you 2x miles on purchases. This card has a $95 annual fee, but perks like a free TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee credit (up to $100) and no foreign transaction fees help justify it. After all, who wouldn't want to get through airport security faster?
Related: Have the Capital One Venture Card but New to Points and Miles? Here’s What You Need to Know
APPLY HERE: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
The Savor Rewards from Capital One is a no-frills cash-back card that aims to compete on its earning rates. It earns 4% back on dining and entertainment, and on popular streaming services, 3% back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target) and 1% on everything else. It is currently offering new cardholders $300 after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months and has a $95 annual fee.
The information for the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: Credit Card Review: Capital One Savor
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
If it's pure simplicity and no annual fee you're after, then the Quicksilver from Capital One is your best bet. It earns a fixed and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, so there's no need spend time learning about transferring miles or keeping track of bonus spend categories. The sign-up bonus is $200 after you spend $500 in the first 3 months of account opening, which isn’t massive, but the spending requirement is low. Just note that if you’re in the market for a no-annual-fee cash back card like this and are open to non-Capital One cards, you’d likely be better off picking the Citi® Double Cash Card instead.
Journey Student Rewards from Capital One
The Journey Student Rewards card is targeted toward those with minimal credit history. It pays 1% cash back on all purchases and gives a 25% bonus if you pay your bill on time (totaling 1.25% cash back for that month). Aside from no annual fee, this card doesn't have any foreign transaction fees, so it's a good option for students studying abroad. Plus, earn $5 per month for 12 months on select streaming subscriptions when you pay on time. Exclusions apply.
Related: Best Credit Cards for Students and Recent Graduates
Bottom Line
Credit cards are good for a lot of things besides earning points for free business-class flights and stays at aspirational hotels. They often come with a number of lesser known perks, such as cell phone insurance, discounts at SoulCycle, annual Saks Fifth Avenue shopping credits and VIP event access. And sometimes, they can get you access to exclusive T-Swizzle swag.
While the exclusive album package will only be on sale until September 30, 2019, Taylor Swift's partnership with Capital One will last multiple years, so there will likely be more cardmember-exclusive perks to come. If you want to sign up for one of the best capital one credit cards now to get access to the limited-edition perks, there are clearly so many options to choose from, you're bound to find one that fits your overall spending needs.
Other ongoing Capital One cardholder-exclusive perks include access to exclusive restaurant reservations through Resy and special access to the James Beard Foundation's 2019-2020 Taste America series. Additionally, Capital One cardholders have previously gotten special access to certain music festivals like the iHeartRadio Music Festival and JamFest at the March Madness Music Festival.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
6X | 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program. |
4X | 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. |
2X | 2x points on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year.Pros
- 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
- 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping
- 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
- Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points)
- Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status
- Transfer Marriott points to 40+ airlines
Cons
- Airline points transfer ratios are poor
- Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.
- Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Terms and Conditions Apply.
- 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
- 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card.
- Terms apply.
Rewards Rate
6X | 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program. |
4X | 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. |
2X | 2x points on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.Earn 125,000 points75,000 pointsAnnual Fee
$125Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year.Pros
- 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
- 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping
- 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
- Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points)
- Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status
- Transfer Marriott points to 40+ airlines
Cons
- Airline points transfer ratios are poor
- Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.
- Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Terms and Conditions Apply.
- 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
- 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card.
- Terms apply.