The Capital One Savor card rewards dining, entertainment, and groceries at higher rates than most cash-back cards
The Capital One Savor is a cash-back credit card that pays 3% back on dining and entertainment purchases, 1% on all other purchases. There is an annual fee of $95. The card does not require a minimum credit score to open, but Capital One will review your credit history and income when you explore — approval is not may provide.
The card's structure is straightforward: you spend money, earn cash back at those rates, and can use the rewards as a statement credit, direct deposit, or check. There is no points system to track or redemption minimum. The cash back does not expire as long as your account remains open.
Whether the $95 annual fee makes sense depends on your spending. If you spend $3,200 or more per year on dining and entertainment combined, the 3% cash back alone covers the fee. Most people who carry this card spend more than that, so the fee becomes neutral or profitable fairly quickly.
Key Takeaways
- The card pays 3% cash back on dining and entertainment, 1% on everything else, with a $95 annual fee.
- You need to spend roughly $3,200 per year on dining and entertainment for the rewards to offset the annual fee.
- Capital One reviews your credit history when you explore, and approval depends on your creditworthiness, not a minimum score.
- Cash-back rewards do not expire and can be used as a statement credit, direct deposit, or mailed check.
- The card includes purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, and fraud liability protection, though these are standard on most credit cards.
How the rewards structure compares to other dining cards
The 3% rate on dining and entertainment is competitive but not the highest available. The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers 3% on dining and entertainment as well, but charges a $95 annual fee and requires a higher credit score to open. The American Express Blue Cash Preferred pays 3% on dining but also charges $95 annually and typically requires stronger credit.
Where the Savor differs is in approval odds. Capital One is known for approving people with fair or limited credit history, while Chase and American Express typically require good credit or better. If your credit score is below 670, the Savor may be one of the few 3% dining cards you can open.
The 1% rate on all other purchases is standard for cash-back cards. Cards like the Chase Freedom Unlimited also pay 1.5% on everything, which beats the Savor on non-dining spending — but they charge no annual fee, making them better for people who spend less on dining.
What counts as dining and entertainment
Capital One defines dining as restaurants, bars, and food delivery services. This includes sit-down restaurants, fast food, coffee shops, and apps like DoorDash or Uber Eats. Entertainment includes movie theaters, concert venues, streaming services, and amusement parks.
Grocery stores do not count as dining, even though you buy food there. Gas stations do not count as entertainment. If you are unsure whether a specific merchant codes as dining or entertainment, you can check your statement after the first purchase — Capital One will show you which rate applied.
The distinction matters because some merchants code differently than you might expect. A grocery store that also has a deli counter may code as a grocery store (1%) rather than dining (3%). Warehouse clubs like Costco typically code as 1%, not dining, even though you buy food there.
Annual fee and when it makes financial sense
The $95 annual fee posts on your statement each year on the anniversary of your account opening. You pay it whether you use the card or not. Capital One does not waive the fee for inactivity, though some cardholders report success calling to request a waiver after a year of active use.
To break even on the fee, you need $3,167 in annual dining and entertainment spending at the 3% rate. That works out to about $264 per month. If you spend less than that, the card costs you money. If you spend more, the rewards exceed the fee.
The fee also matters when you compare the Savor to no-fee alternatives. A card that pays 1.5% on all purchases with no annual fee will beat the Savor unless you spend heavily on dining. The Savor only wins if your dining and entertainment spending is high enough to justify the $95 cost.
Credit requirements and approval process
Capital One does not publish a minimum credit score for the Savor, but approval typically requires a credit score of 670 or higher. This is lower than Chase or American Express cards, which usually require 700 or above. If your score is between 650 and 700, you may still be approved, but it depends on your income, debt, and credit history.
The process takes about 10 minutes and asks for your name, address, income, and Social Security number. Capital One will pull a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points. You will receive a decision when ready or within a few days.
If you are denied, you can call the reconsideration line to ask Capital One to review your process again. Providing additional income information or explaining recent credit improvements sometimes leads to approval on the second attempt. There is no penalty for calling to reconsider.
How to use rewards and redemption options
Cash-back rewards appear in your account as a balance you can redeem. You have three options: explore the balance as a statement credit, request a direct deposit to your bank account, or ask for a check mailed to your address. There is no minimum redemption amount, so you can redeem $5 or $500.
The statement credit is the fastest option — it posts within one to two business days. Direct deposit takes three to five business days. A mailed check takes seven to ten business days. Most people choose statement credit because it is when ready and reduces the balance they owe.
Rewards do not expire as long as your account is open and in good standing. If you close the account, you have 90 days to redeem any remaining balance. After 90 days, forfeited rewards cannot be recovered, so redeem before closing if you have a balance.
Additional cardholder protections and benefits
The Savor includes purchase protection, which covers items you buy with the card against theft or damage for 120 days. It also includes extended warranty coverage that adds up to one year to the manufacturer's warranty on may be able to access items. These protections are standard on most cash-back cards and rarely matter unless you buy expensive electronics.
The card includes $0 fraud liability, meaning you are not responsible for unauthorized charges. Capital One monitors your account for fraud and will contact you if suspicious activity appears. This protection is required by law on all credit cards, so it is not unique to the Savor.
The card does not include travel insurance, concierge services, or lounge access — those benefits are reserved for premium cards with higher annual fees. If you travel frequently and want trip cancellation insurance or baggage protection, you would need a different card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Savor card help build credit if I have limited credit history?
Yes. Capital One reports your payment history to all three credit bureaus, so making on-time payments will gradually improve your credit score. The card is designed for people building or rebuilding credit, and consistent use over 12 to 24 months typically raises your score by 50 to 100 points if you pay on time and keep your balance low.
What happens if I don't spend enough to cover the annual fee?
You still owe the $95 fee. If you earn less than $95 in cash back during the year, the card costs you money. You can close the account to stop paying the fee, but you should redeem any remaining rewards first — you have 90 days after closing to do so.
Can I get the annual fee waived?
Capital One does not automatically waive the fee, but some cardholders report success calling customer service and requesting a waiver after a year of active use. There is no may provide, and Capital One may decline. Asking costs nothing, but do not expect a yes.
How does the Savor compare to the Capital One Venture card?
The Venture is a travel rewards card that pays 2% cash back on all purchases with a $95 annual fee. The Savor pays 3% on dining and entertainment but only 1% on everything else. Choose the Savor if you spend heavily on dining; choose the Venture if your spending is spread across travel, gas, and groceries.
Is there a sign-up bonus?
Capital One occasionally offers sign-up bonuses on the Savor, such as $100 cash back after spending $500 in the first three months. These offers change frequently and are not may provide. Check Capital One's website or call before explore to see if a current offer is available.