Updated October 2026. Terms below were checked against Capital One’s card page. Capital One now markets this card as Savor Rewards for Students.
A student credit card should do three things: cost nothing to keep, help you build a credit history and pay you back on what you actually spend. The Capital One Savor Student card, now called Savor Rewards for Students, checks all three. It has no annual fee, earns 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and groceries, and keeps the same rewards after you graduate.
Capital One Savor Student at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Welcome offer | $50 cash bonus after $100 in purchases in the first 3 months |
| 3% cash back | Dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target) |
| Everything else | 1% cash back |
| Foreign transaction fee | None |
| Purchase APR | 18.74%-28.74% variable |
| Rewards | Don’t expire for the life of the account |
| Who can apply | Students enrolled, or admitted and planning to enroll within 3 months, at an accredited school |
Why It Works for Students
Rewards on what students actually spend
Food, streaming, groceries and going out make up a big share of most student budgets, and those are exactly the 3% categories. Spending $150 a month in those categories earns about $54 a year, with no annual fee eating into it. Everything else earns 1%.
An easy welcome offer
The $50 bonus only requires $100 in purchases in the first 3 months, a threshold most students reach with normal spending. You don’t need to spend more than you otherwise would to earn it.
No annual fee or foreign transaction fees
There’s no cost to keep the card open, which matters for your credit: the age of your oldest account helps your score, so a no-fee card you can keep for years is a good first card. With no foreign transaction fees, it also works on a semester abroad.
Simple redemption
Cash back can be redeemed as a check or statement credit, applied to recent purchases or used for gift cards. Rewards don’t expire while the account is open.
It grows with you
The card stays open after graduation with the same rewards and benefits, so you don’t have to close your first account to get a better card.
Building Credit With a Student Card
- Pay the full statement balance every month. With an APR of 18.74%-28.74%, carrying a balance quickly costs more than the rewards are worth.
- Set up autopay so you never miss a due date. Payment history is the biggest factor in your score.
- Keep your balance low compared to your credit limit, ideally under 30%.
- Don’t open several cards at once. One card used well is enough to start.
How It Compares
- Chase Freedom Rise: no annual fee and a flat 1.5% on everything. Simpler, but no 3% categories.
- Discover it Secured Cash Back: if you can’t get approved for an unsecured card, this secured card earns 5% in rotating categories. See our Discover it Secured review.
For more options, see our guide to the best starter credit cards. Once you’ve built a year or two of history, our Amex vs. Chase cash back comparison covers the next step up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Capital One Savor Student card have an annual fee?
No. It has a $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
What is the Savor Student welcome bonus?
A one-time $50 cash bonus after you spend $100 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Who is eligible for the Savor Student card?
Students currently enrolled, or admitted and planning to enroll within 3 months, at an accredited college or university.
What happens to the card after I graduate?
It stays open with the same rewards and benefits, so you can keep building your credit history with it.
Final Thoughts
The Capital One Savor Student card is one of the most rewarding no-fee cards a student can get: 3% back on dining, entertainment, streaming and groceries, an easy $50 bonus and no foreign transaction fees. Pay it in full every month and it can be your first card and a long-term one.
