New permanent category bonuses added to 2 Capital One cards
Quick summary
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
In recent months, Capital One has made major waves in the rewards credit card space.
From an overhauled mileage transfer program with new partners and some improved transfer ratios, to the announcement of a coming new airport lounge network and a best-ever sign-up bonus on the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, it's been a busy 2021 for the Mclean, Virginia-based issuer.
Now, there are more updates. This time, these changes bode well for fans of Capital One's cash-back credit cards. The Capital One's Savor lineup -- which consists of two cards that earn cash back instead of miles -- are now even more interesting.
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card and Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card will receive new and increased bonuses on select categories -- all without a change in either of the card's annual fees. Here's how that breaks down.
The information for the Capital One Savor has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Capital One Savor changes
Beginning May 18, 2021, Capital One Savor cardholders will now permanently earn 4% cash back on popular streaming services -- including Hulu, Disney+ and Netflix. This previously was a limited-time bonus but will become an ongoing addition to the card.
On top of that, cardholders will earn 3% cash back at grocery stores (up from 2%).
With these changes, there are now four different permanent bonus categories over 1x per dollar on that card, which is pretty competitive for a card that carries a $95 annual fee.
- 4% back on popular streaming services (now permanent)
- 4% back on dining
- 4% back on entertainment
- 3% back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target) (up from 2% back)
- 1% on everything else
Related: Credit card showdown: Capital One Venture vs. Capital One Savor
Capital One SavorOne changes
Capital One also has a no-annual-fee flavor of the Savor card -- the SavorOne card.
Also beginning on May 18, 2021, the card will permanently offer a streaming services category. With four categories now offering 3% back, the card is competitive with some perennial no-fee heavyweights including the Chase Freedom Unlimited, Chase Freedom Flex and Citi® Double Cash Card.
The SavorOne offers all of the same rewards categories as the Savor but at a slightly lower return.
- 3% back on popular streaming services (now permanent)
- 3% back on dining
- 3% back on entertainment
- 3% back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target) (up from 2% back)
- 1% on everything else
Bottom line
All of these updates -- for the Savor and SavorOne -- will apply to both new and existing cardholders.
The Savor and SavorOne had a few things already going for them even before these updates. Namely, the broad definition of dining and entertainment was a major plus.
"Dining" covers restaurants, cafes, bars, lounges, fast-food chains and bakeries. Meanwhile, "entertainment" includes movies, plays, concerts, sporting events, tourist attractions, theme parks, dance clubs, pool halls, bowling alleys and visits to aquariums and zoos. If you are spending a lot on theme park tickets that code as entertainment, these cards were already some of the most rewarding cards out there.
Now, with a new, permanent streaming category and increased earnings on groceries, these cash-back cards are even more compelling.
Related: The best credit cards for entertainment
Apply link: Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card, earn a $200 cash bonus after spending $1,000 within the first three months from account opening.