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Capital One Venture Rewards vs IHG One Rewards Traveler

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Capital One Venture Rewards comes from Capital One at $95/yr; the IHG One Rewards Traveler from Chase at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

For most people the Capital One Venture Rewards is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($758 more in estimated value) than the IHG One Rewards Traveler's. Get the Capital One Venture Rewards first; revisit the IHG One Rewards Traveler after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureCapital One Venture RewardsIHG One Rewards Traveler
Annual fee$95$0
Sign-up bonus75,000 miles80,000 points
Bonus value (est.)$1,238$480
Min spend to unlock bonus$4,000 in 3 mo$2,000 in 3 mo
IssuerCapital OneChase
Card categorytravelhotel
Best earning category (Hotels_capital_one)5x1x
Transfer partnerscapital-oneNone
Headline benefits
  • 2x on everything
  • 18 transfer partners
  • $120 TSA credit
  • No foreign tx fees
  • 4th night free on awards
  • 17x at IHG
  • No annual fee
  • Silver status
Read the full review
Capital One Venture Rewards
$95/yr · 75,000 miles
Read the full review
IHG One Rewards Traveler
$0/yr · 80,000 points

Editorial take: Capital One Venture Rewards

The simplest travel card in the game. Flat 2x on everything plus transfer partners means you don't have to think, just swipe. Great for people who don't want to chase bonus categories.

Editorial take: IHG One Rewards Traveler

The 4th-night-free benefit alone makes this a standout, on a 4-night IHG stay, you're effectively getting 25% off. Stack with transfer bonuses from Chase UR for serious savings.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Capital One Venture Rewards or IHG One Rewards Traveler?
The Capital One Venture Rewards has the bigger bonus, 75,000 miles, worth roughly $1,238, versus 80,000 points (~$480) on the IHG One Rewards Traveler.
Is the Capital One Venture Rewards's $95 annual fee worth it compared to the IHG One Rewards Traveler?
At $95/yr, the Capital One Venture Rewards is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the IHG One Rewards Traveler's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
Can I have both the Capital One Venture Rewards and IHG One Rewards Traveler?
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 Venture Rewards or the IHG One Rewards Traveler first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Capital One Venture Rewards: $4,000 spend in 3 months. IHG One Rewards Traveler: $2,000 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.