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Side-by-side

Capital One Venture Rewards vs Citi Diamond Preferred Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Capital One Venture Rewards comes from Capital One at $95/yr; the Citi Diamond Preferred Card from Citi 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 ($1,238 more in estimated value) than the Citi Diamond Preferred Card's. Get the Capital One Venture Rewards first; revisit the Citi Diamond Preferred Card after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureCapital One Venture RewardsCiti Diamond Preferred Card
Annual fee$95$0
Sign-up bonus75,000 milesNo welcome bonus; product is a 0% intro APR balance-transfer card with no rewards program
Bonus value (est.)$1,238-
Min spend to unlock bonus$4,000 in 3 mo-
IssuerCapital OneCiti
Card categorytravel
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
    Read the full review
    Capital One Venture Rewards
    $95/yr · 75,000 miles
    Read the full review
    Citi Diamond Preferred Card
    $0/yr · No welcome bonus; product is a 0% intro APR balance-transfer card with no rewards program

    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: Citi Diamond Preferred Card

    Common questions

    Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Capital One Venture Rewards or Citi Diamond Preferred Card?
    The Capital One Venture Rewards has a public bonus (75,000 miles, worth roughly $1,238), while the Citi Diamond Preferred Card doesn't advertise one right now.
    Is the Capital One Venture Rewards's $95 annual fee worth it compared to the Citi Diamond Preferred Card?
    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 Citi Diamond Preferred Card's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
    Can I have both the Capital One Venture Rewards and Citi Diamond Preferred Card?
    Yes, since they're from different issuers (Capital One and Citi) 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 Citi Diamond Preferred Card first?
    Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Capital One Venture Rewards: $4,000 spend in 3 months. Citi Diamond Preferred Card: no published min spend. 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.