Why I got the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card for my first credit card as a student

Applying for your first credit card can be a daunting task, but it is a crucial milestone and stepping stone towards building your credit and stepping into the credit card rewards game.

There are a variety of credit cards out there that are specifically tailored to students, such as the Chase Freedom Rise® or Discover it® Student Cash Back Card. These credit cards take students’ financial demographics into account, making it easier for students to build their credit even if they have little income and no credit history.

I decided to get the Capital One Student Savor card for my first credit card since I believe it is the best card for students, and has the most optimal perks.

An Impressive Introductory Offer

The Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card offers one of the best introductory offers for student credit cards out there. The current introductory offer for new cardholders is a $100 cash bonus after spending $300 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.

As university and college students often need to purchase essentials such as groceries and food while at school, it is relatively easy to hit the required spend and attain the cash bonus.

Versatile Cash-Back Categories

The Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card offers multiple categories that earn bonus cash back, and are especially useful for students since students often make purchases in these categories. You can earn 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and grocery stores.

Hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel earn 5% cash back, and entertainment purchases booked through the Capital One Entertainment portal earn 8% cash back. All other purchases earn 1% cash back, and it is worthwhile noting that all of this cash back is unlimited.

The versatility and limitless cash back that the Student Savor card offers make it a very competitive student credit card. When compared to other student cards, such as the Chase Freedom Rise (which earns a flat rate of 1.5% cash back), it is easy to see how powerful the Student Savor card is for beginners looking to build their credit whilst earning rewards.

No Annual Fee + No Foreign Transaction Fees

When building credit history from scratch, many people often think of getting a secured credit card, as they are meant for people with little to no credit history. However, secured credit cards come with limitations, as your line of credit on the card will be limited to the amount you deposited.

The Student Savor card has no annual fee associated with it, and it is exclusively meant for students, meaning that it is easy for students with low income and minimal credit history to be approved for the card.

Students love traveling across the country and the world during school breaks, and it is common to see students hitting up destinations such as the Caribbean and Europe during spring break. I’ve been lucky enough to travel abroad a couple of times thanks to my strategizing with credit cards.

Since I’m based in the U.S., it is critically important to me that I make sure to use a credit card that has no foreign transaction fees. Using credit cards is the best way to pay for expenses abroad, as you will often be hit with many fees when using ATMs or trying to exchange for cash at a currency exchange service. In my travels to Europe, I’ve been able to get by with just using my card, and I didn’t need to exchange for any cash besides a couple of euros.

50% off Handcrafted Beverages at Capital One Cafés

Capital One cardholders get to enjoy 50% off all handcrafted beverages at any Capital One Café, which is one of my favorite perks of having the Student Savor card. As someone who is from Boston and is currently interning in San Francisco, I’ve visited the Capital One Cafés in these cities a countless number of times.

Capital One Cafés are the perfect environment for long study or work sessions, and they have quality coffee and matcha, as well as a selection of food, such as sandwiches and pastries. With the 50% off discounts, my drinks often come out to around $3 to $4, which I often find to be reasonably cheap, especially in San Francisco and Boston.

As a bonus, anyone can get a free handcrafted beverage every Monday at any Capital One Café during the 2025 MLB™ season, which is running from June 2, 2025, to September 22, 2025. I come into the local Capital One Café at least once a week, and being able to take advantage of the 50% off discount and other promotions that Capital One offers was a major reason for me to get the Student Savor card.

Final Remarks

Getting my first credit card was a big step into adulthood, and I’m glad I chose the Capital One Savor Student card. Between the generous introductory offer, practical cash-back categories, and perks like no foreign transaction fees and Capital One Café discounts, it feels like the perfect match for a student lifestyle.

Whether I’m grabbing coffee between classes, traveling abroad for breaks, or just building my credit responsibly, this card has made it easy and rewarding to get started. For any student looking to get their first credit card, I highly recommend considering the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card.