Capital One Spark Cash Select vs Chase Sapphire Reserve
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Capital One Spark Cash Select comes from Capital One at $95/yr; the Chase Sapphire Reserve from Chase at $795/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
For most people the Chase Sapphire Reserve is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($2,500 more in estimated value) than the Capital One Spark Cash Select's. Get the Chase Sapphire Reserve first; revisit the Capital One Spark Cash Select after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Capital One Spark Cash Select | Chase Sapphire Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 | $795 |
| Sign-up bonus | $1,000 cash bonus | 125,000 points |
| Bonus value (est.) | - | $2,500 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $10,000 in 3 mo | $6,000 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 |
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Editorial take: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Recently revamped with over $3,000 in annual credits and perks. If you travel three or more times a year and live near an airport with a Sapphire lounge, this card is a smart choice.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Capital One Spark Cash Select or Chase Sapphire Reserve?
- The Chase Sapphire Reserve has a public bonus (125,000 points, worth roughly $2,500), while the Capital One Spark Cash Select doesn't advertise one right now.
- Is the Capital One Spark Cash Select's $95 annual fee worth it compared to the Chase Sapphire Reserve?
- At $95/yr, the Capital One Spark Cash Select is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Chase Sapphire Reserve's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the Capital One Spark Cash Select and Chase Sapphire Reserve?
- 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 Select or the Chase Sapphire Reserve first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Capital One Spark Cash Select: $10,000 spend in 3 months. Chase Sapphire Reserve: $6,000 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.
