Capital One Venture X Card vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred Card [Detailed Comparison]

Key Takeaways

• The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5x miles for flights purchased via Capital One Travel, and 2x miles on all other purchases.
• The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card earns 3x points on dining, online groceries, and select streaming services and 2x points on travel purchased outside of Chase Travel.
• The Capital One Venture X card and Chase Sapphire Preferred card are both strong travel rewards cards. Choose based on whether you can justify the Capital One Venture X card’s $395 annual fee (rates & fees) or the Chase Sapphire Preferred’s $95 annual fee by maximizing the card’s benefits and rewards.

We’ve long hailed the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card as perhaps the perfect first-time travel rewards card. The card earns valuable transferrable rewards, offers flexible redemption options, and has a long list of travel insurance benefits. Plus, with all its attributes, the card still manages to charge just a modest annual fee.

But today, we welcome the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card as a worthy adversary. We found a lot of similarities between the 2 cards and decided that a closer look was warranted to see if the Chase Sapphire Preferred card is still our favorite.

As with any rewards card selection, the better card for you may not be the better card for the next person.

With that in mind, we’ll look closely at the best each card has to offer in all the key card categories, and then you can make your own decision based on your particular circumstances.

Overview

While similar in structure, the Capital One Venture X card and Chase Sapphire Preferred card are very different cards offering different levels of benefits.

Let’s take all the information we’ll cover in detail and stack it up side-by-side to look closer at the overall value of each card:

Comparing Welcome Offers

Welcome bonus offers allow you to jumpstart your rewards with a one-time offer to earn a large number of rewards in the first few months after card approval. The Capital One Venture X card and Chase Sapphire Preferred card each offer a valuable welcome offer you can earn after meeting minimum spending requirements.

The amount of the welcome bonus offered and the valuation will change. For these reasons, you’ll want to check the current offers for our featured cards before applying:

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs 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 Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Apply Now(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

75,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,350

Annual Fee

$395

APR

Purchases: 19.99% - 28.99% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

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 card application.

Excellent (740-840)

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles per $1 on flights and vacation rentals purchased through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

• $395 annual fee
• Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®

Financial Snapshot

• APR: Purchases: 19.99% - 28.99% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

 

NEW OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs 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.

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

60,000 75,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,500

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.74% - 27.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

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 card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
• 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
• 2x points on all other travel worldwide

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
• Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
• 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.74% - 27.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Bottom Line: Both the Capital One Venture X card and Chase Sapphire Preferred card offer generous welcome bonuses that can be earned by meeting minimum spending requirements within the specified period immediately following card approval. The actual value of your welcome bonus will vary depending on how you redeem the rewards. But you may for example be able to get a 80,000-100,000 welcome bonus offer for the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

Capital One Miles vs. Chase Ultimate Rewards Points

While the Capital One Venture X card and Chase Sapphire Preferred card earn different rewards currencies, both rewards programs are similar in how rewards are earned and subsequently, in the options you’ll have at redemption time.

Earning and redeeming rewards can be 2 significant factors in selecting the right travel rewards card for your situation.

Let’s look at how our featured cards compare in each of these key categories.

Earning Potential

You’ll earn rewards when you make a purchase with your card, but all purchases do not earn the same number of rewards. The Capital One Venture X card and Chase Sapphire Preferred card are travel rewards cards and as such, earn elevated bonus rewards on travel purchases.

Since you’ll want a card that earns rewards on every purchase you make, let’s look at how these 2 cards compare in earning potential and which spending categories help you earn rewards at a faster pace.

The Capital One Venture X card earns well on travel purchases via Capital One Travel. However, additional purchases, including travel purchased outside of the portal, earn 2x miles. If your additional spending is significant in categories other than travel, you’ll still have strong earning potential with the card.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card also earns well on travel purchases via Chase Travel but offers a 3x earning option for dining, streaming services, and online grocery stores.

If you spend a lot in these categories, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card may be a better choice from an earning perspective. However, the 1x point per dollar spent on all other purchases may be a key factor in whether the card offers better bottom-line value compared to the 2x miles per dollar on all other purchases Capital One Venture X card, if most of your spending falls in this category.

Bottom Line: The Capital One Venture X card and Chase Sapphire Preferred card earn well on travel purchases via the associated travel portals. Both cards also earn 2x rewards on travel purchased outside of the portals. But outside of the 3x bonus earnings on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery stores, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card earns just 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases versus the Capital One Venture X card’s 2x earnings. 

Redemption Options

Earning rewards is quite satisfying, but redeeming rewards can be thrilling, especially if you’re redeeming rewards for travel. Fortunately, the Capital One Venture X card and Chase Sapphire Preferred card were designed with travelers in mind, so you’ll find flexible redemption options and good value.

Here are your options when you’re ready for the excitement of redeeming your hard-earned rewards:

Before applying for either of our featured cards, you may want to review the list of airline and hotel partners available on the Capital One Venture X card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, as the list differs depending on the card.

Bottom Line: Both the Capital One Venture X card and Chase Sapphire Preferred card have similar travel redemption options. The Chase Sapphire Preferred card has an edge when redeeming points via the Chase travel portal, as points could be worth up to 75% more. The card also allows you to receive 1 cent in value when redeeming points for a general statement credit, while the Capital One Venture X card offers just 0.5 cents per mile in value for this redemption option. 

Travel Benefits and Protections

Both the Capital One Venture X card and Chase Sapphire Preferred card come with several useful travel benefits and protections.

Here is a list of those benefits and protections that you’ll find on both cards:

• No Foreign Transaction Fees — Be sure to pack either of our featured cards when traveling abroad, as there are no additional fees charged for foreign purchases (Capital One Venture X card (rates & fees))
• Primary Car Rental Collision Damage Waiver — Pay for your entire car rental with your card, decline the rental agency’s CDW/LDW coverage, and receive coverage for damage or theft.
• Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption — While both cards offer this coverage, the Capital One Venture X card has a limit of $2,000 per trip, and the Chase Sapphire Preferred card has a limit of $10,000 per person, $20,000 per trip.
• Trip Delay — Use your card to purchase at least a portion of your trip and receive up to $500 per ticket if your trip is delayed more than 6 hours with the Capital One Venture X card, or 12 hours with the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.
• Lost Luggage Insurance — Receive up to $3,000 if your luggage is stolen or lost ($2,000 for New York residents Capital One Venture X cardholders). The Chase Sapphire Preferred card’s coverage also includes damaged luggage.

In addition to the common benefits found on the cards, you’ll find that each card offers its own set of travel benefits and protections.

Capital One Venture X Card

• Lounge Access: Cardholders receive a Priority Pass Select Membership, upon enrollment, which grants access to over 1,300+ properties worldwide. Cardholders also get access to Capital One Lounges.
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Fee Reimbursement — Pay your application or renewal fee with your card and receive up to $120 as a statement credit.
• $300 Travel Credit — Receive $300 as a credit each year for travel purchased via Capital One Travel.
• Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Elite Status — Receive complimentary President’s Circle status as long as you hold the card.
• Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Benefits — Use your card to book your stay via the link found in your online card account and enjoy VIP treatment, an upgraded room (when available), daily breakfast for 2, late checkout (if available), and an onsite amenity.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

• $50 Hotel Statement Credit — Book a hotel via the Chase travel portal and receive up to $50 as a statement credit each card anniversary year.
• Baggage Delay Insurance — Receive up to $100 per day for a maximum of 5 days if your luggage is delayed more than 6 hours.
• Roadside Dispatch — If you are stranded on the side of the road, roadside dispatch is available 24/7 to provide assistance. Cardholders are responsible for actual services received.

Bottom Line: While the Capital One Venture X card clearly offers more travel benefits and protections, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card has a respectable list of core travel insurance benefits and comes with a lower annual fee. 

Shopping Benefits and Protections

Shopping benefits can save you money or help you earn elevated rewards on your purchases. Shopping protections can be there to provide coverage if you should experience a covered loss to an eligible purchase you make with your card.

Here are the shopping benefits and protections that come complimentary with the Capital One Venture X card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred card:

• Purchase Security and Purchase Protection — Purchase an eligible item with your card, and if that item is damaged or stolen within the first 120 days from the purchase date, you could receive up to $500 per item, $10,000 per account with the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and up to $10,000 per item, $50,000 per year with Capital One Venture X card.
• Extended Warranty — Eligible items purchased with your card that have a manufacturer’s warranty of 3 years or less will receive an extension for 1 additional year.

In addition to the benefits mentioned above and protections, each card offers its unique collection:

Capital One Venture X Card

• Cell Phone Protection — Pay your monthly cell phone bill with your card and receive coverage for theft or damage up to $800 per claim. There is a $50 deductible per claim and a limit of 2 claims per 12-month period.
• Return Protection — If the merchant does not accept an eligible item purchased with your card for return within 90 days of the purchase date, you could receive up to $300 per item, $1,000 maximum per account.
• Capital One Offers — Sign in to your online card account to see offers.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

• Chase Offers — Sign in to your online card account and review offers to earn statement credits for specific purchases.
• Shop through Chase — Shop via the Shop through Chase shopping portal and receive bonus earnings for each purchase.

Bottom Line: In addition to purchase security and purchase protection and extended warranty coverage offered by both cards, the Capital One Venture X card offers cell phone protection and return protection. 

Annual Fees and Authorized Users

The cost of card ownership is an important factor to consider when selecting a travel rewards card. Annual fees can add up, and if you need to add authorized users, fees to do so can also increase the annual cost of having the card.

Here’s how the Capital One Venture X card and Chase Sapphire Preferred card compare in these categories:

Annual Fees

The Capital One Venture X card charges an annual fee of $395 (rates & fees), while the Chase Sapphire Preferred card charges $95.

Authorized Users

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card does not charge for authorized users and has no set limit.

Bottom Line: While the Capital One Venture X card has a higher annual fee, it can be worth it if you can utilize the additional benefits. The Chase Sapphire Preferred card with a modest $95 annual fee offers excellent value considering its long list of benefits and extra value at redemption time. Neither card charges a fee to add authorized users (Capital One Venture X card rates & fees).

Final Thoughts

The Capital One Venture X card and Chase Sapphire Preferred card are both excellent choices for a travel rewards card. However, if you’re applying for your first travel rewards card, you may want to consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.

According to MyFico Forums, My BankTracker, and cardholder data points, Capital One normally does a hard pull with all 3 credit bureaus when you apply for a card. If this is an issue for you, especially if you’re a first-time cardholder, you may prefer to start with the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.

We like the Chase Sapphire Preferred card for its ability to earn valuable and flexible Ultimate Rewards points, the added up to 75% value via Points Boost offers at redemption time, and its long list of travel insurance benefits. Plus, we like the lower annual fee.

However, if you can afford the $395 annual fee (rates & fees), the Capital One Venture X card can be a great way to not only accrue valuable rewards, but also improve the quality of your travels.

Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at that status level through the duration of the offer. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa^® or Mastercard^® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.