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Side-by-side

Capital One VentureOne vs PayPal Cashback Mastercard

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Capital One VentureOne comes from Capital One at $0/yr; the PayPal Cashback Mastercard from Synchrony at $0/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.

FeatureCapital One VentureOnePayPal Cashback Mastercard
Annual fee$0$0
Sign-up bonus20,000 miles$200 cash back
Bonus value (est.)$370$200
Min spend to unlock bonus$500 in 3 mo$500 in 3 mo
IssuerCapital OneSynchrony
Card categorytravelcashback
Best earning category (Hotels_capital_one)5x1x
Transfer partnerscapital-oneNone
Headline benefits
  • 1.25x everywhere
  • No annual fee
  • 15+ transfer partners
  • No foreign tx fees
    Read the full review
    Capital One VentureOne
    $0/yr · 20,000 miles
    Read the full review
    PayPal Cashback Mastercard
    $0/yr · $200 cash back

    Editorial take: Capital One VentureOne

    The no-fee version of Venture. The 1.25x vs 2x is a real earnings hit, so only use this if you absolutely won't pay any annual fee, otherwise Venture pays back its $95 quickly.

    Editorial take: PayPal Cashback Mastercard

    Common questions

    Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Capital One VentureOne or PayPal Cashback Mastercard?
    The Capital One VentureOne has the bigger bonus, 20,000 miles, worth roughly $370, versus $200 cash back (~$200) on the PayPal Cashback Mastercard.
    Is the Capital One VentureOne's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the PayPal Cashback Mastercard?
    The Capital One VentureOne has no annual fee, so the question is whether the PayPal Cashback Mastercard's $0 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the PayPal Cashback Mastercard's benefits to clear $0 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Capital One VentureOne.
    Can I have both the Capital One VentureOne and PayPal Cashback Mastercard?
    Yes, since they're from different issuers (Capital One and Synchrony) 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 VentureOne or the PayPal Cashback Mastercard first?
    Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Capital One VentureOne: $500 spend in 3 months. PayPal Cashback Mastercard: $500 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.