The battle between travel credit cards can be intense, but the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Capital One Venture Rewards cards stand out from the pack. With attractive welcome bonuses, impressive earning potential, and enticing perks, both cards are worthy contenders. However, when it comes to redeeming points for travel, the Chase Sapphire Preferred takes the crown with its 25% bonus value. Let’s dive into the details and see how these cards stack up against each other.
How the Cards Stack Up
Here’s a quick overview of what you can expect from each card:
| Card Features | Chase Sapphire Preferred | Capital One Venture Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| Earning Potential | 5x points on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards 3x points on dining, online grocery purchases, and qualifying streaming services 2x points on other travel purchases 1x points on all other purchases. |
5 miles per dollar spent on rentals and lodging reserved through Capital One Travel 2 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases. |
| Additional Perks | $50 Annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit Annual bonus points 1:1 point transfer Travel Protection Benefits Food delivery service incentives |
Travel miles transfers TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry credit Hertz Five Star status Mileage transfer capabilities Travel and purchase protections Travel lounge access Dining and entertainment perks Flight price drop protection |
Welcome Bonus
The welcome bonus is a crucial factor when choosing a credit card. The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers a higher welcome bonus than the Capital One Venture Rewards. With Chase Sapphire Preferred, you can earn bonus_miles_full compared to the bonus_miles_full offered by Capital One Venture Rewards. Additionally, when you convert these points to dollars through each card’s program, the Chase Sapphire Preferred’s welcome bonus is worth the equivalent of $1,000 at Chase, while the Capital One Venture Rewards bonus is only worth $750.
Welcome bonus winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred
Rewards
Both cards offer substantial rewards for frequent travelers. The Chase Sapphire Preferred card provides five points per dollar spent on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, along with three points per dollar on dining, online grocery purchases, and qualifying streaming services. Other travel purchases made outside of Chase Ultimate Rewards earn two points per dollar, while all other purchases earn one point per dollar. Plus, when redeeming points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, they are worth 25% more, meaning 50,000 points equates to $625 in travel credit.
On the other hand, the Capital One Venture Rewards card only offers two miles per dollar spent on purchases other than lodging and rentals booked through Capital One Travel. Each point is worth one cent, making the aforementioned 50,000 points worth $500 in travel credit. However, Capital One Venture Rewards allows you to transfer your miles to over 15 travel loyalty programs, giving you more flexibility.
Rewards winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred
Annual Fee
Both cards come with a $95 annual fee.
Annual fee winner: Tie
APR
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card has a lower maximum APR compared to the Capital One Venture Rewards card.
APR winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred
Foreign Transaction Fee
Neither card imposes foreign transaction fees.
Foreign transaction fee winner: Tie
Additional Perks
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers a $50 annual hotel statement credit, up to 2,500 annual bonus points for spending $25,000, 1:1 point transfers, and extensive travel and purchase protections. It also provides incentives for ridesharing and food delivery services.
Similarly, the Capital One Venture Rewards card offers perks like travel miles transfers, up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®, Hertz Five Star status, travel lounge access, dining and entertainment perks, and flight price drop protection.
Additional perks winner: Tie
Which Card Earns the Most?
Considering the bonus categories and generous rewards program, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card emerges as the top pick for earning points. For example, if you spent $500 in each category, the amount of points you’d earn would be significantly higher with Chase Sapphire Preferred. While both cards offer five points per dollar on travel bookings, adding airfare to the purchase would increase your earning potential with Chase Sapphire Preferred. Capital One Venture Rewards only offers two miles per dollar on travel purchases outside of lodging and rental cars.
Our Recommendations
Why we recommend Chase Sapphire Preferred:
Chase Sapphire Preferred is our top pick due to its 25% bonus value on points redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. You also get a more substantial upfront bonus if you spend enough to claim the welcome bonus. Additionally, you can transfer points to popular travel loyalty programs like JetBlue True Blue, Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards, United MileagePlus, and Marriott Bonvoy. The extensive travel and purchase protections also make this card highly desirable.
Why you would still opt for Capital One Venture Rewards:
Capital One Venture Rewards offers a straightforward rewards program, providing two miles for every dollar spent without the need to track spending categories. You can also transfer rewards points to select travel partners, mainly international airline loyalty programs, which may be beneficial for frequent international travelers.
TIME Stamp: Preferred Wins for Travel
For frequent travelers, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card is the obvious choice. Your points hold more value when used for travel, and you can transfer them to popular lodging and airfare loyalty programs. However, if you prefer a more straightforward rewards program, the Capital One Venture Rewards card could be a better fit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One Venture Rewards points worth more?
Chase Sapphire Preferred points hold more value, especially when used for travel. Points redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards increase in value by 25%.
Is it worth paying for Chase Sapphire Preferred?
Yes, the annual fee on Chase Sapphire Preferred is well worth it considering the generous welcome bonus, rewards program, and added perks.
Who might benefit more from the Capital One Venture Rewards card?
Someone who prefers the simplicity of earning two miles for every dollar spent, appreciates the TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit, and frequently rents from Hertz.
The information in this article has been created independently from the TIME editorial staff. To learn more, visit our Personal Finances Blog for additional insights and tips.