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Side-by-side

Capital One Venture X vs Chase Freedom Unlimited

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Capital One Venture X comes from Capital One at $395/yr; the Chase Freedom Unlimited 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 X is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($1,038 more in estimated value) than the Chase Freedom Unlimited's. Get the Capital One Venture X first; revisit the Chase Freedom Unlimited after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureCapital One Venture XChase Freedom Unlimited
Annual fee$395$0
Sign-up bonus75,000 miles$200 bonus
Bonus value (est.)$1,238$200
Min spend to unlock bonus$4,000 in 3 mo$500 in 3 mo
IssuerCapital OneChase
Card categorytravelcashback
Best earning category (Hotels_capital_one)10x1x
Transfer partnerscapital-onechase-ur
Headline benefits
  • $300 annual travel credit
  • 10,000 anniversary miles
  • Capital One Lounges
  • 2x on all other purchases
  • 1.5% everywhere
  • 5% on travel via Chase
  • 3% dining + drugstores
  • Free if paired with Sapphire
Read the full review
Capital One Venture X
$395/yr · 75,000 miles
Read the full review
Chase Freedom Unlimited
$0/yr · $200 bonus

Editorial take: Capital One Venture X

The best value premium travel card. $300 travel credit, Priority Pass, 10,000 anniversary miles, and a massive transfer partner list, all for $395. It's hard to beat.

Editorial take: Chase Freedom Unlimited

The best no-fee cash back card in the Chase family. Stack it with a Sapphire and your cash back converts into transferable Ultimate Rewards points, a free upgrade most people miss. Note: Cell phone protection is on Freedom Flex, not Freedom Unlimited.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Capital One Venture X or Chase Freedom Unlimited?
The Capital One Venture X has the bigger bonus, 75,000 miles, worth roughly $1,238, versus $200 bonus (~$200) on the Chase Freedom Unlimited.
Is the Capital One Venture X's $395 annual fee worth it compared to the Chase Freedom Unlimited?
At $395/yr, the Capital One Venture X is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Chase Freedom Unlimited's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
Can I have both the Capital One Venture X and Chase Freedom Unlimited?
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 X or the Chase Freedom Unlimited first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Capital One Venture X: $4,000 spend in 3 months. Chase Freedom Unlimited: $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.