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The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is an excellent credit card for anyone looking to build or rebuild their credit. Designed for those with fair credit, the card offers automatic credit line reviews and access to Capital One's CreditWise tool. There's no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, making it a good card to use when traveling as well.
The Capital One Platinum does not earn rewards of any kind, but this is still a card worth having if your goal is to increase your credit score. If you are looking to practice good credit habits, or if you need to build credit and are willing to forego rewards in exchange for bigger priorities, this might be the right card for you.
Here's all there is to know about the Capital One Platinum.
Page Contents
Capital One Platinum Card Pros
- No annual fees or foreign transaction fees.
- Find out if you're pre-approved before applying.
- Automatic credit line reviews.
- Access to Capital One's CreditWise tool.
Capital One Platinum Card Cons
- Does not earn cash back or travel rewards.
- Designed for those with fair credit, and the initial credit limit may be low.
- No purchase protections or extended warranties with this card.
Capital One Platinum Card Benefits
The Capital One Platinum offers a few helpful benefits to those trying to build their credit.
Related: The Best Capital One Credit Cards for Every Purchase
No annual fee or foreign transaction fees
The Capital One Platinum has no annual fee, and you can use your card abroad without incurring any foreign transaction fees.
Automatic credit line reviews
From six months after account opening, you'll be considered for an increase to your credit limit. This can help improve your credit score by lowering your utilization rate on the card.
CreditWise and fraud coverage
The Capital One Platinum includes unlimited access to CreditWise from Capital One, a tool that helps you monitor your credit score. CreditWise also provides tips on increasing your score and improving your credit.
You'll also receive $0 fraud liability if your card becomes lost or stolen, along with an emergency replacement card.
Related: A Beginner's Guide to Building Healthy Credit
Virtual card numbers
Receive virtual card numbers to use when shopping online, keeping your actual credit card number safe. You can have several virtual card numbers at one time.
Discounts at Capital One Café
Enjoy a 50% discount on coffee or lattes when you use this card at any Capital One Café. These cafes are located in cities throughout the U.S.
Capital One Platinum Card Welcome Offer & Earning Rates
The Capital One Platinum does not offer a welcome offer or earn any cash back or travel rewards. Instead, the card provides credit access for those with credit scores classified as “Average, Fair, Limited.” So, rather than focusing on rewards, this card is geared toward people who want to build their credit, establish a track record of responsible card use, and boost their credit score to qualify for better loan rates or higher-tier credit cards down the line.
If you have good credit, there are plenty of more rewarding options.
Related: The Best Cash-Back Credit Card Offers for Every Budget
Application Restrictions
Even though the Capital One Platinum is a credit card for those with fair or limited credit — and you may not be applying for multiple cards at once — Capital One still has application restrictions that you should be aware of.
For starters, while it's not a published rule, conventional practice tells us that you can't have any more than two personal Capital One credit cards at a time. However, a Capital One banker shared with us that you may be able to have up to five Capital One cards at a time if they are mixed across card types.
Additionally, business cards do not count toward the maximum number of cards allowed. For the sake of applying for the Capital One Platinum, it's a good idea to stay on the safe side with fewer cards open at once — especially since it's a card meant for building credit.
Capital One is also known for being picky about recent credit inquiries when you are applying for any Capital One credit card. Your application will not be approved if you've applied for more than one card in the last six months or have numerous inquiries on your credit report.
Is the Capital One Platinum a Good Credit Card?
While the Capital One Platinum isn't flashy, it can be an excellent option, depending on your goals. For a card meant to build credit, it is a solid, no-annual fee option.
Credit utilization (the amount of credit you use compared to the amount available to you) typically makes up about 30% of your FICO score, so lowering your utilization with automatic credit line reviews can raise your score significantly.
Cards That Compete With the Capital One Platinum Card
Before applying for the Capital One Platinum, you may find it helpful to compare the card with some of its closest competitors.
- If you want a credit card that earns cash back while building credit, check out the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card. The Capital One QuicksilverOne earns an unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, has a $39 annual fee, and has no foreign transaction fees. Cardholders also get access to CreditWise, automatic credit line reviews, and fraud coverage. Cashback can be redeemed in the form of a statement credit, to cover recent purchases, or for gift cards. Learn more in our full Capital One QuicksilverOne review.
- If you have existing credit card debt you need to pay off, consider the Chase Slate Edge℠ for its 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. Note that there's a balance transfer fee of $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. After the introductory period, you'll pay a Variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%. Getting 18 months to pay down your existing credit card debt without interest accumulating can help you get out of debt sooner and save money. You'll also be considered for reduced interest rates and pay no annual fee. Our Chase Slate Edge review can tell you more.
- If you want an introductory interest offer to finance a big purchase, look into the Citi Custom Cash® Card. There's no annual fee and you'll get lengthy introductory interest offers on both purchases and balance transfers for up to 15 months. After that, you'll have a Variable APR of 19.24% - 29.24%. Furthermore, you'll earn rewards along the way: Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter.. Check out our Citi Custom Cash review to learn more.
- 5% cash back on purchases through Capital One Entertainment (through 12/31/2025)
- 1.5% cash back on every purchase.
- Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent
- 1% cash back thereafter, plus, you'll earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases
- No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
- Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2025.
- Eligible spending categories are: Restaurants, Gas Stations, Grocery Stores, Select Travel, Select Transit, Select Streaming Services, Drugstores, Home Improvement Stores, Fitness Clubs and Live Entertainment.
Related: The Best Credit Cards With No Annual Fee and 0% Introductory APR
Bottom Line
The Capital One Platinum is a simple, no-frills card designed to help you build or rebuild credit. While there aren't any cash back or travel rewards earned with this card, there is also no annual fee, and you won't incur foreign transaction fees if you use the card overseas.
One of the card’s biggest perks is its automatic credit line increases over time, which can strengthen your credit profile in the eyes of lenders. For some, exchanging rewards for access to credit and boosting your credit score might be more valuable than the bells and whistles offered on other cards.
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