How to choose the best student card for study abroad

If you’re a student who prefers to earn the same rewards rate on everything you buy, the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is a solid choice. You’ll earn a competitive 1.5 percent cash back on all purchases (plus 5 percent cash back on rental cars and hotels booked through Capital One Travel), so you won’t have to worry about tracking rotating bonus categories or being strategic with your spending to get the most out of your card.

Earning a flat rewards rate is also ideal for students who spend broadly across many categories, which could be the case during a study abroad program. The card also aces affordability with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. Plus, you can earn a $50 welcome bonus by spending just $100 in your first 3 months with the card — which is a fairly low minimum spending requirement for cards that offer a welcome bonus.

Since there are no intro APR offers and the ongoing interest rate is high, you’ll still want to avoid carrying a balance. Also, while some student cards may waive a first late payment fee, the Quicksilver Student card doesn’t — meaning you could face a charge of up to $40 for a missed or late payment.