All credit cards
Side-by-side
Capital One Spark Cash vs Chase Sapphire Preferred
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Capital One Spark Cash comes from Capital One at $95/yr; the Chase Sapphire Preferred from Chase at $95/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
These cards are close on the fundamentals (similar bonus value, similar fee). The right pick depends on which category you spend the most in and which transfer partners best fit your travel goals.
| Feature | Capital One Spark Cash | Chase Sapphire Preferred |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 | $95 |
| Sign-up bonus | $1,000 cash bonus | 75,000 points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,000 | $1,298 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $10,000 in 3 mo | $5,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | Capital One | Chase |
| Card category | business | travel |
| Best earning category (Hotels_capital_one) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | chase-ur |
| Headline benefits |
|
Read the full review
Capital One Spark Cash
$95/yr · $1,000 cash bonus
Read the full review
Chase Sapphire Preferred
$95/yr · 75,000 points
Editorial take: Chase Sapphire Preferred
The best starter travel card, period. Transferable points, solid bonus categories, and a low annual fee make this the card we recommend to almost everyone getting into the points game. Note: the 10% anniversary points bonus sunsets October 1, 2026.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Capital One Spark Cash or Chase Sapphire Preferred?
- The Chase Sapphire Preferred has the bigger bonus, 75,000 points, worth roughly $1,298, versus $1,000 cash bonus (~$1,000) on the Capital One Spark Cash.
- Is the Capital One Spark Cash's $95 annual fee worth it compared to the Chase Sapphire Preferred?
- At $95/yr, the Capital One Spark Cash is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Chase Sapphire Preferred's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the Capital One Spark Cash and Chase Sapphire Preferred?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Capital One and Chase) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
- Should I get the Capital One Spark Cash or the Chase Sapphire Preferred first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Capital One Spark Cash: $10,000 spend in 3 months. Chase Sapphire Preferred: $5,000 in 3 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.
Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.