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Side-by-side

Capital One Venture Rewards vs Chase Sapphire Preferred

Both are travel travel cards. The Capital One Venture Rewards 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.

FeatureCapital One Venture RewardsChase Sapphire Preferred
Annual fee$95$95
Sign-up bonus75,000 miles75,000 points
Bonus value (est.)$1,238$1,500
Min spend to unlock bonus$4,000 in 3 mo$5,000 in 3 mo
IssuerCapital OneChase
Card categorytraveltravel
Best earning category (Hotels_capital_one)5x1x
Transfer partnerscapital-onechase-ur
Headline benefits
  • 2x on everything
  • 18 transfer partners
  • $120 TSA credit
  • No foreign tx fees
  • 5x on travel booked via Chase
  • 3x on dining & streaming
  • $50 annual hotel credit
  • Transfer to 13 partners (Hyatt 1:1)
Read the full review
Capital One Venture Rewards
$95/yr · 75,000 miles
Read the full review
Chase Sapphire Preferred
$95/yr · 75,000 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: 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.

The real-world take

TL;DR. Both $95 cards with overlapping missions. Venture earns flat 2x on everything; CSP earns 5x on Chase Travel, 3x dining, 3x streaming, 3x online groceries, 2x other travel, 1x everything else. CSP wins for category spenders. Venture wins for people who hate tracking categories. Both have strong transfer partners but no overlap with each other.

The three dimensions that actually decide it. First, simplicity vs optimization. Venture is "swipe and forget." CSP rewards thoughtful spending placement. Second, transfer partners. CSP has Hyatt and United; Venture has Flying Blue, Air Canada Aeroplan, Singapore KrisFlyer, and others. Different programs, different sweet spots. Third, redemption mechanics. Venture has a "purchase eraser" feature that lets you redeem at 1 cpp against any travel charge. CSP has Pay Yourself Back-style features but cleanest value is through transfer partners.

Real customer scenario for each. If you spend $4k a month with $1k on dining and $500 on online groceries, CSP earns 6,000 points a month at the higher rates plus 2,500 at 1x, totaling 8,500 a month, roughly 102,000 a year. Venture earns 8,000 a month flat, 96,000 a year. CSP wins by a hair if you maximize categories. Venture wins if you have variable spending.

The trap to avoid. Choosing one without checking which transfer partners match your goals. Venture's Flying Blue is great for Europe; CSP's Hyatt is great for global hotels. They are not interchangeable.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Capital One Venture Rewards or Chase Sapphire Preferred?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred has the bigger bonus, 75,000 points, worth roughly $1,500, versus 75,000 miles (~$1,238) on the Capital One Venture Rewards.
Is the Capital One Venture Rewards's $95 annual fee worth it compared to the Chase Sapphire Preferred?
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 Chase Sapphire Preferred's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
Can I have both the Capital One Venture Rewards 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 Venture Rewards or the Chase Sapphire Preferred first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Capital One Venture Rewards: $4,000 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.