Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card Review: A Top Pick for Foodies & Entertainment Lovers

The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card stands out as a unique offering tailored to those who love dining at restaurants, attending concerts or movies, and streaming media at home. In this comprehensive Capital One Savor review, we’ll dive into what makes the Savor card special, how it compares to competitors like the no-fee SavorOne, Chase Freedom Unlimited, and Amex Blue Cash Preferred, and how you can maximize its rewards. By the end, you’ll know if this is the best entertainment rewards credit card for your wallet and whether it’s worth applying for.

Key Takeaways

• Generous Dining & Entertainment Rewards: Earn unlimited 4% cash back on dining and entertainment (now 3% on newer no-annual-fee versions) – making the Savor one of the highest cash back credit cards for restaurants and live events. It also offers bonus cash back on groceries, streaming services, and more.

• Competitive Welcome Bonus: New cardholders can snag a one-time cash bonus (typically around $200 after meeting a low spending requirement), giving your rewards a quick boost early on.

• No Foreign Transaction Fees: Travel freely – no foreign transaction fees means you can dine out abroad or buy tickets overseas without the extra 3% surcharge many other cards charge.

• Valuable Perks & Protections: Beyond rewards, the Savor includes perks like travel accident insurance, extended warranty on purchases, concierge services, and exclusive access to special events, adding more value for cardholders.

• Annual Fee vs. No Annual Fee: The original Savor card carried a $95 annual fee (waived the first year) for higher 4% rewards, while the newer Savor (formerly SavorOne) has no annual fee with slightly lower 3% rewards. Depending on your spending, the no-fee version may offer greater net value for most people.

Learn more about the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card.

Capital One Savor Overview: Rewards Program Explained

Let’s break down the Capital One Savor rewards program and card details, explained in plain language:

Rewards Structure and Categories

The Savor card’s rewards are tailored to “food and fun.” Dining and entertainment purchases earn top cash back – originally 4% back (for the older annual-fee Savor) and now 3% back on the current no-fee Savor. These elevated rates apply to a broad range of purchases:

• Restaurants & Dining: Includes restaurants, cafes, bars, lounges, fast-food chains, and even coffee shops and bakeries. Every meal out earns you robust cash back, making this card a contender for the best cash back credit card for dining.

• Entertainment: Includes movie theaters, concerts, live sports events, amusement parks, tourist attractions (museums, zoos, aquariums), theater productions, and more. Basically, if you’re paying for a fun experience, it likely counts. This makes the Savor arguably the best entertainment rewards credit card on the market for event-goers.

• Grocery Stores: You also earn 3% back at grocery stores (on the latest Savor terms), which is a nice bonus for your everyday food shopping. Unlike some cards, these grocery rewards are unlimited (no caps up to a certain amount).

• Streaming Services: Earn 3% back on popular streaming subscriptions (think Netflix, Spotify, Hulu, Disney+, etc.). Your binge-watching habits will yield a little extra cash in return.

• Travel Bookings: While not a travel card per se, the Savor gives 5% back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (their travel portal). If you don’t mind booking through the issuer’s site, you can snag elevated cash back on those vacation expenses.

• Capital One Entertainment Portal: Cardholders get a whopping 8% cash back on tickets and experiences booked via the Capital One Entertainment portal. If you use this platform for concert or sports tickets, you’ll earn an industry-leading rate.

• All Other Purchases: Everything else earns 1% unlimited cash back. This is a standard base rate – decent, though general flat-rate cards offer higher on everyday spend (more on maximizing rewards later).

Redemption: The Savor’s rewards are straightforward cash back. You can redeem for statement credits, checks, or other options through Capital One’s rewards portal. There’s no minimum redemption threshold – even a few dollars of cash back can be cashed in, which is convenient. Cash back never expires as long as your account is open, so you can let it accumulate for a big redemption if you prefer.

Learn more about the rewards.

Annual Fee and APR

The Capital One Savor now comes with no annual fee. This is a huge win for cardholders, as you get high rewards without the pressure of an annual cost. (Historically, the original Savor had a $95 annual fee, but as of late 2024, new applicants only have the no-fee version. Existing Savor cardholders with the fee still get the higher 4% rewards.)

• Is the Annual Fee Worth It? If you somehow are comparing a version with a $95 fee (or if it returns in the future), consider your spending: The extra 1% cash back (4% vs. 3%) in dining/entertainment would require about $9,500 in yearly spending on those categories to break even on a $95 fee. That’s roughly $800 a month in restaurants and events. Only heavy spenders in those categories would come out ahead with the fee card. For everyone else, the no-annual-fee Savor (3% back) actually yields better net rewards. Most people will appreciate not worrying about a fee at all.

• APR: The card often offers a 0% introductory APR on purchases (and sometimes balance transfers) for around 15 months, which is great if you need to finance a big purchase and pay it off over time interest-free. After the intro period, the regular APR is variable (roughly in the ~19%–29% range, depending on your credit). As with any credit card, it’s best to avoid carrying a balance if possible, because that interest will quickly outweigh your cash back rewards.

• Other Fees: There are no foreign transaction fees on the Savor. This means you can swipe it abroad for dining or entertainment on your travels without incurring the typical 3% surcharge many other cards impose. The card’s late payment or cash advance fees are fairly standard (late fee up to $40, cash advance fee, etc.), but those can be avoided with responsible use.

Learn more about the fees.

Perks and Benefits Beyond Rewards

One reason the Savor is compared to premium cards is that it comes as a World Elite Mastercard, packing in several valuable perks:

• Travel Protections: The card provides travel accident insurance, which offers coverage in the case of accidental death or dismemberment when traveling on a common carrier (when you’ve purchased your fare with the card). Hopefully you’ll never need it, but it’s good peace of mind during trips. There’s also complimentary concierge service available — essentially a 24/7 personal assistant via phone to help with dining reservations, event tickets, or travel planning.

• Shopping Protections: Use the Savor for your gadget or appliance purchases, and you’ll get an extended warranty on eligible items (typically adding an extra year to manufacturers’ warranties on items with warranties of three years or less). This can save you money on warranty upsells. Purchase security (damage or theft protection for new purchases) is a common World Elite benefit as well, which may cover your item for the first 90 days if something goes wrong. Additionally, Capital One offers helpful tools like price comparison and alerts (for example, Capital One’s mobile app and browser extension can help find better deals or notify you of price drops on items you bought).

• Exclusive Access: True to its name, the Savor card lets you savor special experiences. Cardholders get access to Capital One Entertainment, an events portal where you can redeem rewards or get presale tickets for concerts, sports events, dining experiences, and more. Past cardholder exclusives have included VIP packages to food & wine festivals and early access to tickets for popular concerts. If you’re an avid event-goer, this perk enhances the value of the card beyond just the cash back you earn.

• No Foreign Transaction Fees: It’s worth highlighting again as a perk – because many competing cash back cards (and even some travel cards) charge a fee for international purchases, the Savor’s lack of foreign fees makes it a reliable travel companion for dining abroad. Whether you’re at a Parisian café or a Tokyo sushi bar, you won’t be penalized for using your card.

Overall, the Capital One Savor combines a powerful rewards program with a strong suite of perks, especially for a card that no longer has an annual fee. Next, let’s look at the upfront bonus incentive and how much cash back you could realistically earn in a year.

Learn more about the benefits.

Sign-Up Bonus & Earning Potential

Sign-Up Bonus: The Capital One Savor typically offers a one-time welcome bonus to new cardholders. The current bonus is around $200 cash after you spend $500 in the first three months. That’s an easy target for most, essentially giving you a quick $200 back for $500 of everyday spending – an excellent jump-start. (If you were lucky to get the earlier version of Savor, it sometimes had blockbuster bonuses as high as $300–$500, but $200 on just $500 spend is a very strong no-fee card bonus.) Consider this bonus a way to immediately offset any costs (if there were an annual fee, it covers it and then some), or simply as extra cash in your pocket for your next night out.

Real-World Earning Examples: How much can a typical cardholder earn with the Savor in a year? Let’s break down a couple of scenarios:

• Moderate Foodie Lifestyle: Imagine you spend $250 per month on dining out (restaurants, takeout, bar tabs) and $100 per month on entertainment (movies, concerts, streaming subscriptions). You also spend about $500 per month on groceries for your household. With the Savor:

  • Dining ($250 @ 4%): $10 cash back per month = $120 per year.

  • Entertainment ($100 @ 4%): $4 per month = $48 per year.

  • Streaming (included in entertainment, say $20 of that $100 is streaming @ 4%): ~$0.80 per month = ~$10 per year (already counted in entertainment total above).

  • Groceries ($500 @ 2%* for older Savor, or 3% on new Savor): $10 per month = $120 per year at 2%, or $15/month = $180/year at 3%.

  • Other spending ($500 per month on miscellaneous @ 1%): $5 per month = $60 per year.

  • Total yearly cash back: Approximately $358 – $418, depending on whether groceries are 2% or 3%. Add the $200 sign-up bonus, and in Year 1 you could earn around $558–$618. That’s a significant return for everyday spending on a no-fee card, easily outpacing the value you'd get from many generic 1.5%-2% cash back cards.

• High-Spending Entertainment Seeker: Now consider someone who really lives for dining and events – perhaps a couple or family that spends $800/month dining out (including restaurants and takeout), $300/month on entertainment (concert tickets, sports games, theme parks, streaming), and $600/month on groceries. With the Savor’s old 4% rates (or new 3%):

  • Dining ($800 @ 4%): $32 per month = $384 per year.

  • Entertainment ($300 @ 4%): $12 per month = $144 per year.

  • Streaming (assume $50 of that entertainment is streaming @ 4%): $2 per month = $24 per year (part of the $144 total).

  • Groceries ($600 @ 2%/3%): $12 per month = $144/year at 2%, or $18/month = $216/year at 3%.

  • Other $500/month @1%: $60 per year.

  • Total yearly cash back: roughly $732/year (with 4%/2% old structure) or $948/year (with 3% across categories in the new structure). Add the welcome bonus $200, and Year 1 shoots up to around $932–$1,148 earned.

In this high-spend scenario, even if the card had a $95 fee, the rewards would vastly outstrip the cost (netting over $600+ in profit). Without a fee, it’s a home run. For big spenders on food and fun, the Savor can be extremely rewarding – literally.

These examples illustrate that whether you’re a casual diner or a serious social butterfly, the Savor card’s cash back can add up quickly. Foodies in particular will appreciate that this card effectively gives you a rebate on your lifestyle. Now, it’s important to see how the Savor stacks up against some popular competitors targeting similar spending categories.

Learn more about the welcome bonus.

Capital One Savor vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited

The Chase Freedom Unlimited is another popular no-annual-fee cash back card that often comes up in the conversation of best credit cards for foodies or everyday spenders. While the Freedom Unlimited isn’t dining-focused to the extent the Savor is, Chase did enhance it to include dining rewards. Let’s compare:

• Dining & Category Rewards: Capital One Savor gives 3–4% back on dining and entertainment (plus groceries and streaming at 3%). The Chase Freedom Unlimited offers 3% cash back on dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery) and also 3% at drugstores. It additionally features 5% on travel booked through Chase’s portal. For all other purchases, Freedom Unlimited earns 1.5% cash back (which is higher than Savor’s 1%). Both cards have no caps on their bonus categories. Essentially, on restaurant spending, Savor (legacy 4% or new 3%) and Freedom Unlimited (3%) are comparable – Savor had a slight edge at 4%, but now they’re equal at 3%. Entertainment is a category Freedom Unlimited doesn’t specifically bonus (movie tickets or concert tickets on the Chase card would typically earn only 1.5%), whereas Savor gives 3% on those and even more (8%) if booked via Capital One’s Entertainment portal. On the flip side, drugstore purchases get 3% with Freedom Unlimited, a useful bonus category Savor doesn’t have – so Chase might reward you more for pharmacy runs or health and beauty purchases.

• Base Earnings on Other Spending: Freedom Unlimited’s 1.5% back on general purchases is superior to Savor’s 1%. If you put a lot of non-category spend on your card (gas, retail, bills that don’t fall into dining/grocery, etc.), Freedom Unlimited will earn 50% more cash back on those purchases. For example, $10,000 a year in miscellaneous spend yields $150 with Freedom vs. $100 with Savor. This can tip the scales if your spending isn’t heavily concentrated in Savor’s bonus areas.

• Rewards Redemption & Flexibility: Both cards technically earn “cash back”, but the Chase Freedom Unlimited’s rewards are Ultimate Rewards points. If you only have Freedom Unlimited, you can redeem those points for cash (1 point = 1 cent) just like Savor. However, if you also hold a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve, you can convert the Freedom’s points to travel rewards and potentially get more than 1 cent per point value (through transfers to airline/hotel partners or using the Chase travel portal with a points boost). This gives Freedom Unlimited a versatility edge for avid travelers who might later want to use rewards for free flights or hotels. Capital One Savor’s cash back can actually be converted to Capital One miles if you have a Venture or Venture X card (every cent of Savor cash back can turn into 1 Venture mile). That is an advanced strategy, but it means Savor’s rewards aren’t strictly “cash only” if you expand your card portfolio. Still, out of the box, Savor is straightforward cash back and Freedom Unlimited is more flexible if you play the points game.

• Sign-Up Bonus and Intro APR: Both cards usually offer a $200-ish bonus for new sign-ups after a few hundred dollars spent – so neither has an edge in typical bonus value. The Freedom Unlimited sometimes has a unique first-year offer (for example, in the past it offered an additional +1.5% on all purchases up to $20,000 in the first year, effectively making dining 4.5% and other spend 3% for that year – a lucrative, if temporary, perk). If that promotion is running, a new Freedom Unlimited cardholder who spends a lot early on could potentially out-earn Savor in year one. In terms of APR, both cards often come with an introductory 0% APR on purchases for 15 months, giving equal opportunity to avoid interest on new charges initially.

• Other Benefits: No foreign transaction fees is a big advantage of Capital One Savor. The Chase Freedom Unlimited DOES charge foreign transaction fees (around 3%), which makes it a poor choice overseas. If you travel abroad, Savor is the hands-down better card to use for dining abroad. Protection-wise, Freedom Unlimited (as a Visa Signature) and Savor (World Elite Mastercard) offer similar purchase protections and extended warranties. Freedom Unlimited may offer auto rental collision damage waiver (secondary) and trip interruption/cancellation insurance if you have Visa Signature benefits, whereas Savor’s travel accident insurance and other perks are comparable.

Bottom Line: Capital One Savor vs Chase Freedom Unlimited is a matchup of two strong no-fee cards with slightly different focuses. If restaurants and entertainment are where you spend big and you want the simplicity of cash back, Savor edges out Freedom with higher rewards in those specific categories and no foreign fees. If you want a more all-purpose cash back card that gives you solid (though slightly lower) rewards on dining plus better rewards on everything else, Freedom Unlimited might earn you more overall. It can also be the better choice if you value Chase’s ecosystem and might pair it with a travel card for point transfers. Many savvy users actually carry both: using Savor for 3% dining/entertainment and a Freedom Unlimited (or similar 2% card) for other purchases. In summary, pure foodies and event-goers will likely savor the Savor, while those wanting one-card simplicity might lean Freedom Unlimited for the higher everyday rate and Chase’s flexibility.

Capital One Savor vs. Amex Blue Cash Preferred

The American Express Blue Cash Preferred (BCP) is often brought up as a top cash back card for family spending. It boasts incredible rewards on groceries and streaming – somewhat parallel to Savor’s food-and-fun theme, but aimed at spending at home. Each card targets a slightly different lifestyle, so let’s compare their strengths and weaknesses:

• Dining & Entertainment vs. Groceries & Streaming: The Capital One Savor thrives on dining out and entertainment. The Amex Blue Cash Preferred thrives on dining in. BCP offers a massive 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in grocery spend), which is double what Savor gives at grocery stores (3%) and even higher than old Savor’s 2-3%. However, that 6% is capped at $6k in spend per year (you drop to 1% on groceries after hitting that $6k). At max, BCP yields $360 in grocery rewards annually from that category. Savor’s grocery 3% is uncapped, but you’d have to spend a much larger $12,000 in groceries to earn the same $360. Most households spend under $6k on groceries yearly, so BCP clearly wins for supermarket shoppers. For streaming services, BCP also offers 6% back (uncapped), whereas Savor provides 3%. If you pay $30/month in various streaming subscriptions, BCP gives about $21/year back vs $11 with Savor – a small but notable edge.
  When it comes to restaurants and entertainment, there’s no contest the other way: BCP gives 1% on dining out, movies, concerts, etc., while Savor gives 3-4% on these. If you frequently dine at restaurants or spend on events, Savor will drastically out-earn the BCP in those areas (3-4 times the rewards). So it really depends where the bulk of your "food" spending is: supermarkets or restaurants? Homebodies who cook and stream might prefer Amex; social butterflies who dine out and go out will prefer Savor.

• Travel & Foreign Use: Savor isn’t a travel card per se, but as mentioned it has no foreign transaction fees and even bonuses travel bookings via Capital One Travel (5%). The Amex Blue Cash Preferred does have foreign transaction fees (2.7%), and American Express is not as widely accepted abroad as Visa or Mastercard. So for any spending outside the U.S. – especially on travel or dining during international trips – the Savor is a far better companion. Even domestically, if you travel by car a lot, note that BCP gives 3% back on U.S. gas stations and transit (including rideshares, taxis, train fares, parking, tolls), a category where Savor only earns 1%. So Amex wins for commuting costs, Savor wins for travel entertainment/dining costs.

• Annual Fee: The Blue Cash Preferred has a $95 annual fee (often there’s an intro $0 for the first year, but $95 thereafter). Meanwhile, Capital One Savor now has no annual fee. This is a crucial difference. While BCP’s higher grocery and streaming rewards can certainly offset $95 for many people, you have to crunch the numbers for your situation. Roughly, if you spend at least $1,600 a year on groceries/streaming beyond what you’d spend on a no-fee 3% card, the BCP pays for itself. Many families easily hit that (just $133 a month in groceries can justify the fee). However, any year you don’t maximize those categories, you’re paying $95 that reduces your net cashback. Savor provides very good (if slightly lower) grocery and streaming rewards with zero fee, meaning all your cash back is pure gain. For someone who has a more balanced mix of spending (some groceries, some dining out, some entertainment), Savor might yield a higher net reward once you factor in BCP’s fee.

• Sign-Up Bonus: Amex BCP typically has a decent welcome offer (commonly around $250 statement credit after a few thousand dollars spent in 3–6 months). Capital One Savor’s bonus is $200 on $500 spend. BCP’s bonus can be higher in dollar amount, but requires more spending and essentially helps cover its fee for a couple of years. Both bonuses are nice; Savor’s is easier and almost pure profit with no fee, while BCP’s is bigger but partially goes toward fee coverage.

• Other Perks: BCP is more of a straightforward cash back card without a ton of extra perks (it offers car rental loss and damage insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty as well, and Amex Offers which can give periodic discounts or bonus cash back at various merchants). But it doesn’t have entertainment or travel-oriented perks. The Savor’s unique entertainment access and no foreign fee, plus the World Elite Mastercard perks (concierge, etc.), give it a more premium vibe despite no fee. Acceptance can also be a factor: Amex is not accepted at as many places as Mastercard. Most major grocery chains and restaurants in the U.S. take Amex, but some smaller mom-and-pop eateries or markets might not. The Savor (Mastercard) will be accepted at essentially any location that takes credit cards.

Bottom Line: Capital One Savor vs Amex Blue Cash Preferred comes down to your spending habits and fee tolerance. If your priority is grocery shopping and streaming at home, and you don’t mind an annual fee, the Blue Cash Preferred is a powerhouse – likely the better choice for a family that cooks at home often and only occasionally dines out. On the other hand, if you love dining out, going to shows, and want to avoid annual fees, the Savor is tailor-made for you. It’s one of the best credit cards for foodies who prefer restaurants over kitchens, and for those who seek fun experiences (with cashback to show for it). Some individuals might even carry both cards to cover all bases: use Amex BCP for groceries and streaming, and use Capital One Savor for dining, entertainment, and any foreign travel. Just ensure you can utilize BCP’s 6% enough to warrant its fee. If not, sticking with the no-fee Savor (and maybe a no-fee grocery card) could be the smarter, more cost-effective strategy.

Best Strategies to Maximize Capital One Savor Rewards

Getting the Savor card is just the start – next you’ll want to squeeze every bit of value from it. Here are some smart strategies to optimize your cash back earnings and benefits:

• Use Savor for All Dining, Entertainment, and Streaming: This may sound obvious, but put every restaurant bill, bar tab, concert ticket, movie night, theme park admission, and streaming subscription on your Savor. These are the purchases earning 3-4%, which is 3-4× more than a typical 1% card. Don’t use cash at a restaurant or let someone else put tickets on their card – you be the one to pay (you can always have friends pay you back) so you reap the rewards.

• Buy Groceries with Savor (if it’s your top grocery card): At 3% back on groceries, Savor is excellent – unless you have another card that earns more (like the Amex BCP’s 6% or a rotating 5% category card during a grocery quarter). If not, do your supermarket spending on Savor to get that 3% on food staples. It all adds to your cashback pile. If you do have a higher grocery reward card, use that for groceries and reserve Savor for the other categories it’s best at.

• Leverage the Capital One Entertainment and Travel Bonuses: If you’re planning to book a hotel or rental car, check prices through the Capital One Travel portal. Earning 5% back might make it worthwhile (though always compare to booking directly – don’t overpay just for rewards). Similarly, when looking for event tickets, see if Capital One Entertainment portal has the event. Getting 8% back is huge and might also unlock special seating or presale options. These portal purchases supercharge your rewards beyond the standard rates.

• Combine with a Flat-Rate Cash Back Card: Since Savor gives 1% on general purchases, you can do better for those. Pair your Savor with a flat 2% cash back card (like the Citi Double Cash or Wells Fargo Active Cash) or even the Chase Freedom Unlimited (1.5% on other purchases) for anything that doesn’t fall under Savor’s bonus categories. For example, use Savor at restaurants and theaters, and use your 2% card at the gas pump, department store, or on that new laptop. This way, you’re earning excellent rewards on every purchase without paying any annual fees on either card.

• Pair with a Travel Rewards Card (Optional Advanced Strategy): If you’re interested in travel points, consider pairing Savor with a card like the Capital One Venture or Venture X. Why? The Savor’s cash back can be converted into Capital One miles at a rate of 1 cent = 1 mile when you have a Venture card. That means your Savor’s 3% dining rewards become effectively 3x miles. Those miles can then be transferred to airline partners or used for travel at potentially higher value. For instance, you could turn a year’s worth of Savor cash back into miles and then into a plane ticket for vacation. It’s a bit more hands-on, but it’s a neat way to get flexible travel rewards out of a cash back card’s earnings.

• Take Advantage of Intro APR (If Needed): If you have a large purchase coming up (new furniture, an event expense, etc.), the Savor’s 0% intro APR on purchases can be a money-saver. You could charge the expense to Savor, earn cash back on it (nice!), and then pay it off over the 15-month interest-free period. Just be sure to pay it off in full before the intro period ends, to avoid high interest kicking in. This strategy essentially gives you a free short-term loan while still rewarding you for the spend.

• Stay on Top of Extra Offers: Keep an eye on your Capital One account for targeted offers or Capital One Offers (similar to Amex Offers or Chase Offers). Sometimes you’ll find merchant-specific cashback deals (e.g., “get 10% back at XYZ restaurant up to $5” or “$20 back on a $100 ticket purchase at Ticketmaster”). Using your Savor for these can stack additional savings on top of your standard rewards. Also, watch for special promotions like referral bonuses (Capital One sometimes offers cash bonus if you refer a friend and they get approved for a Savor).

• Use It Abroad Confidently: When traveling internationally, make Savor your go-to for dining and entertainment expenses (and really any purchase where it makes sense). You’ll earn rewards and incur no extra fees, which is a double win. Many cards with good dining rewards are tied to travel programs and still charge foreign fees (or, like Amex, might not be accepted in some places), but Savor’s Mastercard network and fee-free structure mean it’s welcome virtually everywhere and won’t penalize you abroad. This is especially useful for foodies who travel – all those tapas in Spain or street food tours in Thailand will be rewarding experiences in more ways than one.

By following these strategies, you can ensure you’re extracting the maximum value from your Capital One Savor card. Essentially, use Savor for what it’s best at, and complement it with another card for everything else. This card can be the centerpiece of a foodie’s wallet, but it plays nicely in a team of cards too.

Learn more about the maximizing rewards.

Should You Get the Capital One Savor?

The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Card can be a fantastic addition to the right person’s wallet. Here’s who will love this card, and who might want to consider an alternative:

You Should Get the Savor if…

• You’re a Foodie or Nightlife Lover: If a large portion of your budget goes to dining out at restaurants, trying new cafes, bar hopping, or ordering takeout, the Savor is tailor-made for you. The same goes if you frequently attend concerts, festivals, movies, sports games, or other ticketed events. Earning 3-4% back on these purchases means you’re effectively getting a discount on all the fun you’re having. Few other cards reward dining and entertainment as richly, and none do so without an annual fee like the Savor now does. It truly is among the best credit cards for foodies and social butterflies.

• You Want Cash Back (and Simplicity): Some people prefer points for travel, but if you’d rather have straight cash back that you can use for anything – statement credits, paying your bill, or depositing to your bank – the Savor delivers. There are no complicated redemption schemes; your rewards are as good as cash. This is great for someone who wants meaningful rewards but doesn’t want to juggle point conversions or loyalty programs. Plus, with no annual fee, you don’t have to stress about “earning back” a cost each year.

• Your Credit Score is Good-to-Excellent: The Savor is aimed at those with good credit (typically 700+ scores). If you’re in that range and get approved, you’re positioned to take advantage of its rich rewards. If your credit score is lower (fair credit), you might not qualify just yet – Capital One’s SavorOne Student card or other starter cards could be alternatives while you build credit.

• You Don’t Want to Pay for a Premium Card: Perhaps you’ve considered premium travel cards or the Amex Gold (which has high dining rewards but a $250 annual fee). The Savor gives you a high rewards rate on dining/entertainment without a hefty fee. It’s a perfect fit if you want great rewards in these categories but aren’t ready to commit to an expensive card. You can earn great cash back with Savor and maybe later, if you decide to go into travel points, you can add a travel card to your lineup.

• You Value a Mix of Benefits: Beyond the rewards, you appreciate perks like no foreign fees, some travel insurance, purchase protections, and access to exclusive events. Savor provides a nice bundle of these extras, which can improve your experiences and peace of mind, all at no added cost. If you occasionally travel internationally or like knowing your big purchases have an extended warranty, Savor has you covered.

You Might Consider a Different Card if…

• You Rarely Dine Out or Attend Events: If your spending on restaurants and entertainment is minimal – say, you cook at home most of the time, and your idea of fun is more like home streaming or outdoor free activities – then the Savor’s key benefits won’t shine for you. You might earn more rewards with a card that targets where you spend. For example, a card that bonuses groceries (like Amex Blue Cash Preferred or a no-fee 5% rotating category card) or a flat 2% cash back card could be better if dining/entertainment isn’t a big slice of your budget.

• Your Spending is Very Miscellaneous: Similarly, if no single category stands out in your spending and you prefer a catch-all card for everything, something like a flat 2% cash back card or the Chase Freedom Unlimited (1.5% on general spend) might earn you more total cash back across the board. Savor’s 1% on other purchases would drag down your average reward rate if you put all spending on it. So, if you want one card to do it all and don’t spend much in Savor’s bonus areas, look for a higher flat-rate card.

• You Prefer Travel Points or Luxury Perks: The Savor is a cash back card; it doesn’t directly earn airline miles or hotel points, and its perks, while solid, are not luxury-level. If your goal is free flights in business class or fancy hotel stays via points, a travel card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Amex Gold/Platinum (with transferable points) might suit you better. Those come with annual fees and different reward structures (e.g., Amex Gold gives 4X Membership Rewards points on dining and U.S. supermarkets, which can be very valuable for travel, but you have to want to deal with point programs and a $250 fee). Also, if you desire perks like airport lounge access or annual travel credits, you’d need a premium travel card; Savor doesn’t provide those.

• You Can’t Maximize the Categories Enough: Maybe you do dine out, but only sparingly. Or you go to a couple of concerts a year, but not frequently. If your spending in dining/entertainment is very low, the difference between Savor’s 3% and another card’s 1-2% back might be just a few dollars—potentially not worth taking up a slot in your wallet. In such cases, using a general cash back card or a card tied to a hobby or need you engage in more (gas, travel, etc.) could yield better returns. Always match your credit card to your largest expenses to reap the most rewards.

• You Already Carry a Similar Rewards Card: Perhaps you already have the Uber Visa (no longer open to new applicants) which used to offer 4% on dining, or the US Bank Altitude® Go Visa (which offers 4% on dining with no annual fee). If you’re holding a card that essentially overlaps the Savor’s benefits, adding Savor might be redundant. However, given Savor’s broad entertainment category and Capital One’s features, it could still replace or complement what you have depending on the specifics. Just evaluate if Savor would actually increase your reward earnings or if you’re covered by your current lineup.

In short, the Capital One Savor is best for people who frequently spend on food and fun and want to be rewarded generously for it. It’s less ideal for those who don’t align with those spending patterns or who prefer travel-centric rewards. If you find yourself in restaurants every week or planning your next big night out, Savor should be high on your list. If not, you might direct your attention to a different type of rewards card that better suits your lifestyle.

Learn more about the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card.

Final Verdict

The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card has carved out a sweet spot in the market, offering outstanding cash back for dining, entertainment, and more – all with no annual fee. It’s a card that effectively says, “Go ahead, enjoy life’s moments – we’ll reward you for it.” By providing 3-4% back on the activities that bring joy (from dinners to concerts), the Savor stands as a top recommendation for anyone seeking the best cash back credit card for dining and entertainment spending. Its combination of high rewards, an easy-to-achieve welcome bonus, and useful perks (like no foreign fees and purchase protections) makes it both engaging and rewarding to use.

Compared to its competitors, the Savor shines brightest for the extrovert or adventurer who values experiences: it beats most cards at restaurants and events, holds its own at the grocery store and streaming subscriptions, and doesn’t nickel-and-dime you with fees. The recent move to eliminate the annual fee only amplifies its appeal to a broader audience. While the loss of the 4% category rate for new applicants narrows the gap between Savor and other cards, Capital One’s Savor is still a strong contender in the foodie credit card category and remains unique for its broad entertainment rewards.

Is it worth applying for? If your spending habits even moderately include dining out or entertainment, absolutely yes. In Year 1, you’ll get a nice cashback bonus and plenty of rewards on your favorite activities. In subsequent years, with no fee to worry about, every bit of cashback is gravy. The Savor card essentially pays you back for having fun – and who wouldn’t want that? It has the DNA of a premium card (high earn rates, solid perks) without the usual barriers (high fees or point complexities). For many consumers, that combination is a winner.

Learn more about the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card.