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Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, deta...
Juan has been involved in credit cards, loyalty, travel, and personal finance for more than 10 years. He has worked for several outlets including The Points Guy and Forbes and was previously Editor-in...
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No matter how many rewards-earning credit cards you have in your wallet, having a go-to card that earns double rewards on every purchase you make can deliver tremendous value.
Knowing you’re earning 2x rewards or cash-back every time you use your card also simplifies the process. No need to keep track of bonus categories or complicated rewards-earning structures, just pay and reap the resulting rewards.
Today we’ve chosen 2 popular fixed-rate reward cards that fall perfectly into the category of simplified earning. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and the Citi Double Cash® Card are examples of everyday spending cards with unlimited earnings that you’ll want to have in your wallet.
We’ll look at how the cards earn rewards, your redemption options, and talk about any benefits that come complimentary on the cards.
If you’re looking for an everyday spending card, you’ll want to read on.
Capital One Venture Card vs. Double Cash Card — Overview
Comparing cards by individual category provides useful information, but a side-by-side comparison can help bring it all together.
Here’s how our featured cards stack up when we look at the cumulation of features and benefits:
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!
Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!
Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
75,000 miles
$1,350
$95
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent Credit (670-850)
As a frequent traveler with excellent credit, you’re always on the lookout for a credit card that comes with all the bells and whistles. And the easier it is to understand, the better!
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Cardis one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great sign-up bonus, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.
Pros
5x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
2 complimentary visits to a Capital One Lounge or Plaza Premium Lounges each year
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!
Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!
$0
19.24% - 29.24% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Fair to Excellent (580-850)
The Citi Double Cash® Card has long been one of the top cash-back credit cards on the market, and the card now has the ability to earn Citi ThankYou Points!
This means that cardholders of the Double Cash card will now earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. Cash back is earned in the form of ThankYou Points. This means each billing cycle, you will earn 1 ThankYou point per $1 spent on purchases and an additional ThankYou point for every $1 paid on your purchase balance as long as there is a corresponding balance in your Purchase Tracker.
Citi has turned the Double Cash card into a top choice for those who are looking for an everyday, no-fuss credit card.
Pros
Uncapped 2% for every $1 spent (1% when you buy and another 1% when you pay)
Flexible redemption options
No annual fee
Cons
No bonus categories
3% foreign transaction fees
Lack of premium travel benefits
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Financial Snapshot
APR: 19.24% - 29.24% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each purchase
Most rewards cards offer a welcome bonus you can earn, normally in the first months of card ownership. You must meet minimum spending requirements during this stated period of time but then reap the rewards of jumpstarting your rewards stash.
The Capital One Venture card offers a generous welcome bonus for meeting spending requirements within the first 3 months after card approval. Though we value Capital One miles at around 1.8 cents each, they can be worth much more when transferred to travel partners.
The Double Cash card usually offers a small welcome bonus.
Earning Rewards
Rewards add up quickly when you use your card for everyday spending. Image Credit: Lisa F. Young via Shutterstock
We mentioned earlier that you’ll be earning double rewards on every purchase you make with our featured cards. If you prefer a card with a simple earning structure, either of these cards could fit that requirement.
And, while earning levels may seem similar, how you redeem your rewards will ultimately determine which option delivers better value for you. We’ll talk more about redemption options shortly that might help you decide whether earning miles or cash-back is the better option for you.
Here’s how you can expect to earn unlimited rewards on either of our 2 featured cards:
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Capital One Venture Card
Double Cash Card
2 Capital One miles per dollar spent on every purchase
2% cash-back on every purchase: 1% when you make a purchase, plus 1% when you pay (earned as ThankYou Points)
Bottom Line: You’ll enjoy simplified earnings of either 2x Capital One miles per dollar spent or 2% cash-back per $1 spent on the Double Cash card. Both cards offer unlimited rewards earning with no cap. The better card for you, however, will depend on whether you prefer miles to cash and how you choose to redeem your rewards.
Redeeming Rewards
JetBlue is a participating transfer partner with Citi cards. JetBlue Mint Suite. Image Credit: JetBlue
We’ve learned how you’ll earn rewards on the Capital One Venture card and the Double Cash card, but the real excitement starts when you redeem your rewards.
Let’s look at the options you’ll have at redemption time:
Use miles to purchase gift cards, a statement credit against regular purchases, shop at Amazon, or redeem via PayPal (value will vary, but almost always 1 cent per point or less)
Cash-back
Redeem for travel, gift cards, or merchandise
Transfer to select partners (JetBlue, Choice, Wyndham)
Bottom Line: Both of our featured cards earn rewards that can be redeemed for travel or statement credits. However, the rewards from the Double Cash card can also be converted to cash-back.
Luxury Hotel Collection Benefits — Book your room directly through the Visa Luxury Hotel Collection and receive a complimentary room upgrade (when available), daily breakfast for 2, $25 in food and beverage credits, late checkout, free Wi-Fi, and a best rate guarantee.
Car Rental Insurance — Pay for the entire rental with your card, decline the rental agency’s CDW/LDW coverage and receive secondary coverage for theft or damage. Secondary coverage means that you must first file a claim with other applicable insurance.
Lost Baggage — Pay for your trip with your card and receive up to $3,000 for lost baggage, per trip ($2,000 for NY residents).
Roadside Assistance — You’ll be charged just 1 low fee for each service call that includes limited towing, tire-changing, emergency fuel, lockout service, and jump-starting.
Travel Accident Insurance — When you pay for your trip with your card, you could receive up to $250,000 for accidental death or dismemberment. Terms apply.
Travel and Emergency Assistance — Regardless of when you need assistance while traveling, you’ll have 1 number to call 24/7. Receive legal or medical referrals, help to get emergency cash, translation referral services, and more. Cardholders are responsible for actual services received.
No Foreign Transaction Fees — Foreign transaction fees can be as much as 3%. Fortunately, the Capital One Venture card does not charge these fees (rates & fees).
Gravity Haus Benefits— Cardholders receive a $300 discount toward a membership. This entitles you to discounted hotel stays near top ski resorts, exclusive events, and discounts on your ski or snowboarding gear. This partnership will last through January 19, 2024.
Bottom Line: When we look at travel benefits and protections, the Capital One Venture card comes out far ahead of the Double Cash card which offers none of these benefits.
Shopping Benefits and Protections
Some card issuers have removed key shopping benefits and protections, but you’ll still find select coverages for eligible items purchased with your Capital One Venture card.
Here’s how our featured cards compare:
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Benefit or Protection
Capital One Venture Card
Double Cash Card
Purchase Protection
For eligible items purchased with your card, you could receive up to $500 per item for damage or theft for up to 90 days from the purchase date
N/A
Extended Warranty
For manufacturer’s warranties of 3 years or less, the warranty will be doubled up to an additional year
Bottom Line: While the Double Cash card offers little in the form of shopping benefits and no product protection coverages, the Capital One Venture card charges no foreign transaction fees and offers extended warranty and purchase protection on eligible items purchased with the card.
Additional Benefits
If you have high-interest credit card balances, the Double Cash card could save you money with its introductory 0% APR on balance transfers for an 18-month period after card approval.
Balances that are transferred within the first 4 months after account opening are eligible for an introductory balance transfer fee of $5 or 3% of the amount transferred, whichever is greater. After that, the balance transfer fee is 5% or $5, whichever is greater.
There are no interest charges for the 18-month period; after that, regular APR, as shown in the table at the beginning of this article, will apply.
Capital One recommends an excellent credit score to qualify for the Capital One Venture card. While an excellent credit score is generally one that is 740 or more, Capital One clarifies the requirements further by stating that an applicant must “never have declared bankruptcy or defaulted on a loan, not been 60 days late on a credit card, loan, or medical bill, and has had a loan or credit card for $5,000 or more in the past 3 years.” Meeting these criteria could enable you to be approved with a 700 or more credit score.
Credit card issuers may look at other factors including debt-to-income ratios and the number of cards you have opened, so these numbers are only guidelines. The good news is that there is a way you can find out in advance if you have card offers waiting.
The CardMatch tool is a risk-free option to find existing card offers without having to complete an application and have your credit history accessed with a hard credit pull. Preapproved or prequalified offers will be displayed after submitting minimal information. These offers do not guarantee approval but help you zero in on the cards for which you’re most likely to be approved.
If you want to avoid a high annual fee but still earn well on everyday purchases, there are dozens of card options. Here are a few cards, similar to our featured cards, that offer earnings on every purchase you make plus provide introductory 0% APR periods that can save you money on interest charges:
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
The card offers unlimited miles at 1.25x per $1 and no annual fee. When you consider the flexible rewards, frequent travelers come out on top.
The card offers unlimited miles at 1.25x per $1 and no annual fee. When you consider the flexible rewards, frequent travelers come out on top.
Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel.
20,000 miles
$360
$0
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable),0% intro on purchases for 15 months
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
Interested in a travel rewards credit card without one of those pesky annual fees? Then say hello to the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card, the no-annual-fee version of the more popular Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.
In addition to no annual fee, the Capital One VentureOne card offers no foreign transaction fees.
But is this card worth its salt, or is it merely a shell of the more popular Capital One Venture card?
Pros
No annual fee
No foreign transaction fees
Ability to use transfer partners
Access to Capital One Dining
Cons
Weak earn rate at 1.25x miles per $1 spent on all purchases
No luxury travel or elite benefits
$0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months
Financial Snapshot
APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable),0% intro on purchases for 15 months
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
This card is great for those who want to earn cash-back with U.S. supermarkets, U.S. streaming subscriptions, transit, and U.S. gas stations.
This card is great for those who want to earn cash-back with U.S. supermarkets, U.S. streaming subscriptions, transit, and U.S. gas stations.
Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
$250
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
19.24%-29.99% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
With bonus categories like U.S. supermarkets, select streaming services, U.S. gas stations, and transit purchases, this card rewards you for the items you spend the most on in a big way! For those looking to earn up to 6% cash-back on their purchases, this could be the card for you!
Pros
6% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year) and on select streaming services
6% cash-back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
3% cash-back on U.S. gas stations and transit (including rideshares, parking, etc.)
1% cash-back on all other purchases
Cons
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 annual fee (rates and fees)
Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
Low Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.24% - 29.99%. Variable APRs will not exceed 29.99%.
6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations.
3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
1% Cash Back on other purchases.
Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
Get up to $120 in statement credits annually when you pay for an auto-renewing subscription to Equinox+ at equinoxplus.com with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card. That’s $10 in statement credits each month. Enrollment required.
Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card. Enrollment required.
Terms Apply.
Financial Snapshot
APR: 19.24%-29.99% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months
Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!
This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!
SPECIAL OFFER: Unlimited Matched Cash Back. Chase will automatically match all the cash back you earned at the end of your first year! There is no limit to how much cash back you can earn.
Matched Cash Back
$0
0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is easily one of the best cash-back credit cards on the market. There aren’t many no-annual-fee credit cards that offer multiple great bonus categories like 5% back on travel purchased through Chase, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% back on all other purchases.
When paired with other Chase cards in the Ultimate Rewards family, you can transfer that cash back into points if you wish – making it one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet.
Pros
0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
5% back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
3% back on dining and drugstore purchases
1.5% back on all other purchases
No annual fee
Earn big on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
Everyday bonus on dining and drugstores
Straightforward cash-back on all other purchases
Ability to pool points
Cons
3% foreign transaction fee
SPECIAL OFFER: Unlimited Matched Cash Back. Use your card for all your purchases and at the end of your first year, Chase will automatically match all the cash back you earned! There is no limit to how much you can earn. Every dollar in cash back rewards you earn is a dollar Chase will match.
Unlimited 1.5% cash back is just the beginning of what you can earn. You’ll enjoy 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% – 29.24%.
No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
No annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
Points earned on the card have several redemption options but realize the true value when transferred to Chase premium cards. When transferring points to the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve® you can receive up to 50% more value when redeemed for travel via the Chase travel portal.
Hot Tip: If you have a large purchase or purchases coming up, selecting a card with an introductory 0% APR period on purchases can save you money on interest charges while you repay the purchase over time. In addition, some cards like the Double Cash card have introductory 0% APR periods for balance transfers that allow you to transfer high-interest credit card balances and repay over time without interest. Additional terms and fees can apply.
Final Thoughts
It’s clear that the Capital One Venture card offers a better overall package compared to the Double Cash card. However, you can’t dismiss the strong 2x earning on every purchase you make with the Double Cash card.
Paired with a travel rewards card offering travel and shopping benefits, the Double Cash card could still find a useful slot in your wallet to ensure you’re earning at least 2x points on all purchases, regardless of category.
If you’re a frequent traveler and must pick 1 card from our featured cards, however, the Capital One Venture card could be the better fit. You’ll enjoy strong earnings, good-value travel redemption options, and useful travel and shopping benefits and protections.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, click here.
Featured Image Credit: Upgraded Points
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Citi Double Cash card worth it?
With strong 2x points earnings on every purchase (1x when you make the purchase, 1x when you pay) the card ensures you’ll receive double earnings without having to keep track of bonus categories or register for quarterly promotions.
In addition, the card does not charge an annual fee.
Is the Capital One Venture card worth it?
Yes, if you’re looking for a card that has simplified earnings, flexible redemption options, and plenty of travel and shopping benefits, the card is worth it.
The Capital One Venture card earns 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase, allows you to transfer miles to travel partners for good-value travel redemption options, and comes with travel/shopping benefits that can save you money or provide protection when you need it.
The card also comes with a lower annual fee.
What are eligible purchases for the Citi Double Cash card?
Every purchase you make with the Double Cash card earns 1% when you make the purchase and 1% when you make at least the minimum required payment each statement period (earned as ThankYou Points).
Balance transfers do not earn cash-back.
What credit score is needed for the Capital One Venture card?
You are recommended to have an excellent score to qualify for the Capital One Venture card. While generally considered 740 or above, Capital One states that a successful applicant must “never have declared bankruptcy or defaulted on a loan, not been 60 days late on a credit card, loan, or medical bill, and has had a loan or credit card for $5,000 or more in the past 3 years.”
If you meet these general criteria, you may qualify with a lower score.
Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.
This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.