The Capital One Savor Card rewards dining, entertainment, and groceries at 3% cash back
The Capital One Savor Card returns 3% cash back on restaurants, entertainment venues, and grocery stores (up to $6,000 per year, then 1% after). It also earns 1% on all other purchases. There is no annual fee, and the card reports to all three credit bureaus, which means responsible use can help build credit history.
The card is designed for people who spend regularly on dining and entertainment rather than travel. Unlike rewards cards that emphasize airline miles or hotel points, Savor converts spending directly into cash back, which you can redeem as a statement credit, direct deposit to a bank account, or a check.
Capital One offers this card to people with fair credit and above. The issuer does not publish a minimum credit score, but approval typically requires a credit score in the 650 to 700 range or higher, though some applicants with lower scores have reported approval.
Key Takeaways
- The card earns 3% cash back on restaurants, entertainment, and grocery stores, with a $6,000 annual cap on the 3% rate before dropping to 1%.
- No annual fee means the rewards are not offset by a yearly cost, making it useful even for moderate spenders.
- Cash back can be redeemed as a statement credit, direct bank deposit, or check, giving you flexibility in how you use the rewards.
- The card includes purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, and fraud monitoring, which are standard protections rather than premium benefits.
- Capital One reports account activity to the three major credit bureaus, so on-time payments and low balances help build credit history.
How the 3% cash back categories work and what counts
The 3% rate applies to purchases at restaurants (including bars, cafes, and food delivery services), entertainment venues (movie theaters, concert halls, streaming services, and amusement parks), and grocery stores. The $6,000 annual spending cap means you earn 3% on the first $6,000 you spend across these three categories combined each year, then 1% on any amount above that.
The $6,000 cap resets on January 1 each year. If you spend $5,000 in the first six months, you have $1,000 remaining before the rate drops to 1%. Once you hit $6,000 total, all further spending in those categories earns 1% for the rest of the calendar year.
Grocery store purchases at warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam's Club typically do not earn the 3% rate — they are usually coded as membership fees rather than grocery purchases. Gas stations and convenience stores also do not may have access to, even if they sell groceries. The merchant category code determines the rate, not what you buy.
Protections and insurance benefits included
The Savor Card includes purchase protection, which covers items you buy with the card against damage or theft for 120 days from the purchase date. The coverage is limited to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account per year. You must file a claim within 60 days of the damage or theft, and the card will reimburse you for the repair or replacement cost, minus a $50 deductible per claim.
Extended warranty coverage adds one additional year to the manufacturer's warranty on may be able to access items. If a product fails after the manufacturer's warranty ends but within the extended period, Capital One will cover the cost of repair or replacement. This applies to most consumer goods but excludes items like vehicles, jewelry, and items with warranties longer than five years.
The card also includes fraud monitoring and zero liability for unauthorized charges. If someone uses your card number fraudulently, you report it to Capital One and are not responsible for the charges. The card does not include travel insurance, rental car coverage, or concierge services — those are features of premium cards with annual fees.
Annual fee and when the card makes financial sense
There is no annual fee, which means you can keep the card open indefinitely without paying to maintain it. This matters because many rewards cards charge $95 to $550 per year, which you must offset with enough spending to break even.
The Savor Card makes sense if you spend at least $200 to $300 per month on restaurants, entertainment, or groceries. At that level, the 3% cash back generates $24 to $36 per month in rewards, which is meaningful without requiring exceptional spending. If you spend less than $100 per month in the 3% categories, the 1% rate on other purchases may not justify keeping the card active.
The card is less useful if most of your spending is on gas, utilities, or online shopping outside of grocery delivery. In those cases, a flat-rate card that earns 2% on all purchases might generate more cash back, even though it may carry an annual fee.
How to redeem cash back rewards
Capital One lets you redeem cash back in three ways. You can explore the rewards as a statement credit, which reduces your next bill. You can request a direct deposit to a linked bank account, which typically arrives within 5 to 7 business days. Or you can request a check, which Capital One mails to your address on file.
There is no minimum redemption amount, so you can redeem $1 or $1,000 whenever you want. The rewards do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. If you close the card, any unredeemed cash back is forfeited.
You redeem rewards through the Capital One mobile app or online account portal. Log in, navigate to the rewards section, and select your redemption method. The process takes a few minutes and requires no phone call or paperwork.
Credit reporting and how the card affects your credit score
Capital One reports your Savor Card activity to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion every month. This means on-time payments, low balances, and responsible use build your credit history and can improve your credit score over time.
Opening the card creates a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points. The new account also lowers your average account age, which can reduce your score slightly. These effects fade within 3 to 6 months as the account ages and you build a payment history.
If you carry a balance, the card charges interest. The APR varies by applicant and is disclosed before you accept the offer. Paying your full statement balance each month avoids interest charges and maximizes the value of the rewards.
Comparing the Savor Card to other cash back options
The Savor Card competes with cards like the Chase Freedom Unlimited (which earns 1.5% on all purchases with no annual fee) and the Citi Double Cash (which earns 2% on all purchases with no annual fee). The Savor Card wins if you spend heavily on restaurants and entertainment, because 3% beats 1.5% or 2% in those categories. It loses if your spending is spread across many categories, because the 1% rate on non-category purchases is lower than flat-rate competitors.
Cards with annual fees, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred ($95 per year, 3% on dining and travel) or the American Express Gold ($250 per year, 4% on restaurants and groceries), offer higher rates in some categories but require higher spending to justify the cost. The Savor Card's lack of an annual fee makes it a lower-risk choice if you are unsure whether you will spend enough to break even.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the $6,000 annual cap on 3% cash back reset each year?
Yes. The cap resets on January 1 each year. Once you spend $6,000 across restaurants, entertainment, and grocery stores in a calendar year, the rate drops to 1% for the remainder of that year. On January 1, the counter resets and you earn 3% again on the first $6,000 of combined spending in those categories.
Can I use the Savor Card to build credit if I have no credit history?
Yes. Capital One reports to all three credit bureaus, so responsible use — paying on time and keeping your balance low — builds credit history. However, approval with no credit history is less likely than with fair credit. You may need to start with a secured card or become an authorized user on someone else's account first.
What happens to my rewards if I close the card?
Any unredeemed cash back is forfeited when you close the account. Redeem your rewards before closing the card, or request a final redemption as part of the closing process. Capital One does not carry over rewards to another card or convert them to points.
Does the card include travel insurance or rental car coverage?
No. The Savor Card includes purchase protection, extended warranty, and fraud monitoring, but not travel insurance, trip cancellation coverage, or rental car damage protection. Those benefits are typically found on premium cards with annual fees of $95 or more.
What is the interest rate if I carry a balance?
The APR varies by applicant and is disclosed in your offer before you accept the card. Capital One does not publish a standard rate. You can avoid interest entirely by paying your full statement balance each month, which also maximizes the value of your rewards.