Capital One vs. Chase Credit Cards: Which Is Best?

Key Takeaways

• Chase Ultimate Rewards is the superior points currency, though Capital One offers niche transfer partners like Cathay Pacific Asia Miles for specific redemptions.
• Chase is the clear winner for luxury travel benefits, with the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® offering a whole host of perks.
• Capital One offers low-annual-fee and cash-back cards such as the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card (rates & fees).

Chase and Capital One are 2 of the largest banks in the U.S., and while they both have drastically different structures, products, and focuses, it is worthwhile to pit the 2 of them against each other and figure out which is best.

In the past, Chase has been an absolute powerhouse in credit cards, whether you were looking for cash-back, travel rewards, or business credit cards. However, Capital One has been playing catch-up in recent years, and this has ultimately resulted in comparisons being drawn between the 2.

In this guide, we’ll be comparing the credit cards offered in each category by both banks, showing you the top (and runner-up) credit cards between Chase and Capital One.

We’ll first discuss the differences between the 2 rewards programs and why it’s important to know the characteristics of each. Then, we’ll break down the top credit card categories and determine which cards come out on top and in second place.

Comparing Capital One Miles and Chase Ultimate Rewards

Capital One’s primary rewards program is Capital One Miles, while Chase’s rewards program is known as Chase Ultimate Rewards.

You earn Capital One miles by making purchases using Capital One Miles credit cards, and you earn Ultimate Rewards points by making purchases using Chase Ultimate Rewards credit cards.

Each credit card earns points or miles at different rates and in different categories, such as dining or travel.

Capital One Miles and Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be used for statement credits, gift cards, experiences, and more. In general, using your points in these ways gets you a value of 1 cent per point. For example, you can redeem 10,000 Capital One miles or Chase Ultimate Rewards points for $100 in statement credits or a $100 gift card.

Capital One Miles and Chase Ultimate Rewards each have different transfer partners. Some transfer partners, such as Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer and Air France-KLM Flying Blue are part of both rewards systems. In contrast, others, such as United Airlines MileagePlus (with Chase) and Avianca LifeMiles (with Capital One) are only partners with 1 of the rewards systems.

Also, Chase maintains a 1:1 transfer ratio with all of the Chase transfer partners, while Capital One maintains a 1:1 transfer ratio with most of its partners.

Both of these reward systems have excellent transfer partnerships overall.

And if you’re not looking to redeem through transfer partners, you can redeem Capital One Miles via Capital One Travel for 1 cent each or Chase Ultimate Rewards points through the Chase Travel portal at up to 1.5 cents each. This provides a 50% bonus compared to the standard redemption value.

On the other hand, Capital One maintains a pretty consistent value of 1 cent per mile when redeeming for anything besides transfer partners.

There are only a handful of credit cards that can earn Capital One miles, while there are many credit cards that can earn Ultimate Rewards points. Both issuers generally allow you to earn up to 10 miles or points per dollar spent.

When you consider everything, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are worth around 2 cents each, and Capital One miles are worth around 1.8 cents each, according to our valuations.

Bottom Line:

Ultimate Rewards is the superior points currency, with a small caveat that Capital One has a few niche transfer partners, such as Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, that could be useful in some situations. And unless you never want to think about bonus categories and are willing to accept a lower earning structure, Chase Ultimate Rewards is the clear winner over Capital One Miles.

Best Overall Travel Rewards Credit Card

The best overall travel rewards credit cards offer exceptional rewards without a huge price tag. And luckily, both Chase and Capital One offer exceptional products in this arena.

Let’s compare the top 2 contenders!

Winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

BEST BEGINNER CARD

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

60,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.99% - 28.24% 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 cardapplication.

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 60,000 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, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• 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: 19.99% - 28.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is one of the most popular travel credit cards in the U.S. It also happens to be the best beginner rewards credit card available.

Even so, the most seasoned points enthusiasts love keeping this card in their arsenal.

One thing that makes this credit card exceptional is its welcome offer, which is consistently awesome. With a bit of monthly spending after opening the card, you’ll see a massive pop in your point balance.

But if you look past the welcome offer, you’ll find its earning rates very attractive:

• 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel
• 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through December 31, 2027)
• 5x points Lyft (through September 30, 2027)
• 3x points on online grocery purchases, excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs
• 3x points on dining at restaurants, including eligible delivery services and takeout
• 3x points on select streaming services
• 2x points on all other travel purchases
• 1x points on all other purchases

In addition, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card has an incredible 10% points bonus (calculated based on the total dollar amount spent after every card anniversary).

Remember, we value Ultimate Rewards points at around 2 cents each, which means that on your 2x travel and 3x dining purchases, you’d earn a 4.2% to 6.2% return on spending. On Lyft purchases and Chase Travel that earn 5x points, after the 10% anniversary bonus, you’d earn a whopping 10.2% return on your spending!

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card also offers a complimentary DoorDash DashPass, which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.

There are no foreign transaction fees, and you can redeem your points flexibly with transfer partners like United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt.

But the cherry on top is the superb travel coverage you can access with this card, including trip delay insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage insurance, travel accident insurance, and primary rental car insurance.

Lastly, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers essential purchase protection, extended warranty protection, and zero fraud liability to round out the main benefits.

Runner-Up: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Venture 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.

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Apply Now(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Welcome Offer

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

75,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,350

Annual Fee

$95

APR

Purchases: 19.99% - 29.24% (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 cardapplication.

Good to Excellent Credit (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x miles per $1 on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
• Up to a $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit

Cons

• $95 annual fee (rates & fees)
• Limited elite benefits

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• 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
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

Financial Snapshot

• APR: Purchases: 19.99% - 29.24% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

Capital One’s well-known travel rewards credit card, the Capital One Venture card, draws plenty of comparisons to the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. But, in reality, the 2 cards vary significantly.

The Capital One Venture card is similar to the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, providing a generous welcome offer and a low annual fee. Both cards also have access to transferable rewards, albeit with 2 different reward systems.

The similarities end here, so let’s get into the Capital One Venture card’s selling points. First, the biggest reason you’d want to have this card is that you don’t need to worry about bonus categories like dining or travel to earn an unlimited 2x Capital One Miles on every purchase, every day. Beyond that, earn 5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

That means all of your spending on the Capital One Venture card will consistently return around 3.6% and up to 9%.

Also, this credit card offers an application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. So, if getting these memberships was on your to-do list, the Capital One Venture card can help you get them for free.

As with almost all of Capital One’s credit cards, this product doesn’t have foreign transaction fees (rates & fees).

You’ll find numerous travel insurance benefits available, including secondary car rental coverage, travel assistance, lost luggage coverage, roadside dispatch, and more.

The extended warranty, purchase security, and zero fraud liability are standard perks many credit cards have but are still worth pointing out as benefits.

Bottom Line: The Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers better bonus categories, transfer partnerships, more value in statement credits, and superior travel perks like primary rental car coverage. The Capital One Venture card offers straightforward rewards earning on all purchases, a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit of up to $120, and decent travel insurance. The Chase Sapphire Preferred is the clear winner in this showdown. Check out our detailed comparison for more insight.

Best Overall Business Credit Card

Credit cards for small businesses are almost in a different realm than consumer credit cards.

This shouldn’t be surprising, because a business often spends a lot more on certain expenses than a consumer probably would. With business expenses, you may make many purchases on advertising, office supplies, and more.

So, in this next section, we’ll show you the 2 best business credit cards available.

Winner: Capital One Venture X Business Card

Capital One Venture X Business 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 Business card offers at least 2x miles on all purchases, and comes packed with premium perks. The information regarding this card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Capital One Venture X Business Card

The Capital One Venture X Business card offers at least 2x miles on all purchases, and comes packed with premium perks. The information regarding this card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Welcome Offer

Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening.

150,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $2,700

Annual Fee

$395

APR

All charges made on this account are due and payable in full when you receive your periodic statement. The minimum payment due is the New Balance as indicated on your statement.

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture X Business card is a great all-around premium rewards card that helps you rack up miles on all of your business expenses.

From 2x miles per dollar on all purchases, airport lounge access, an annual travel credit, complimentary employee cards, and more, there is plenty to love about the Capital One Venture X Business card.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One’s travel booking site
• 5x miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals purchased through Capital One’s travel booking site
• 2x miles per dollar on all other purchases

Cons

• $395 annual fee
• 10x and 5x bonus categories are limited to Capital One’s travel booking site

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One’s travel booking site
• With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
• Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
• Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Every year, you’ll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One’s travel booking site
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
• Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
• This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month

Financial Snapshot

• APR: All charges made on this account are due and payable in full when you receive your periodic statement. The minimum payment due is the New Balance as indicated on your statement.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

*(Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)

The Capital One Venture X Business card*×Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One. is one of the best business cards you’ll find in the market, due to how easy it is to earn Capital One Miles and take advantage of the card’s benefits.

Let’s take a look at the earnings for the card:

• Earn 150,000 miles when you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months.
• Unlimited 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One’s travel booking site and 5x miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One’s travel booking site
• Unlimited 2x miles on all other purchases

Plus, the card comes with a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One’s travel booking site, 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 toward travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary, and the ability to transfer your miles to any of the 15-plus travel loyalty programs.

You also receive complimentary access to over 1,300 lounges, including Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment, and up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

Runner-Up: Ink Business Preferred^® Credit Card

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Ink Business Preferred^® 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 Ink Business Preferred card is hard to beat, with a huge welcome bonus offer and 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 in so many business categories.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Ink Business Preferred^® Credit Card

The Ink Business Preferred card is hard to beat, with a huge welcome bonus offer and 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 in so many business categories.

Welcome Offer

Earn 90k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 cash back or $1,125 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠.

90,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,800

Annual Fee

$95

APR

20.24% - 26.24% 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 cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Ink Business Preferred^® Credit Card is a powerhouse for earning lots of points from your business purchases, especially for business owners that spend regularly on ads.

Plus the card offers flexible redemption options, including access to Chase airline and hotel transfer partners where you can achieve outsized value.

Business owners will also love the protections the card provides like excellent cell phone insurance, rental car insurance, purchase protection, and more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 3x Ultimate Rewards points per $1 on up to $150,000 in combined purchases on internet, cable and phone services, shipping expenses, travel, and ads purchased with search engines or social media sites
• Cell phone protection
• Purchase protection

Cons

• No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 90k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 cash back or $1,125 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
• Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
• Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
• With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
• Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
• Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
• Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.24% - 26.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: $0

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The Ink Business Preferred card is colloquially known as the king of business credit cards. And it’s easy to see why: The bonus categories, welcome bonus offer, and other perks are top-notch.

The Ink Business Preferred card offers a generous welcome offer worth upwards of $2,000! And once you’ve pocketed this bonus, you’ll pivot your focus to the bonus categories (there are many).

You can earn up to 3x Ultimate Rewards points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases made each account anniversary year in the following categories:

• Internet, cable, and phone services
• Shipping expenses
• Travel
• Ads purchased with search engines or social media sites

You can also earn 5x points or 5% cash back on Lyft purchases through September 30, 2027.

One of the exceptional benefits of this card worth pointing out is its cell phone insurance. If you charge your cell phone bills to this card, you are eligible for coverage if you break or damage your cell phone or if it’s stolen. The same goes for employees’ and the cell phones they pay bills for with this card. This insurance covers $1,000 per claim with a $100 deductible and a maximum of 3 claims per 12-month period, meaning up to $2,700 in value every year.

The benefits don’t end there, because you get access to superb travel protections (similar to the Chase Sapphire Preferred card), including trip interruption and cancellation insurance, trip delay insurance, baggage insurance, baggage delay protection, travel accident insurance, and primary rental car coverage when renting for business.

There are no foreign transaction fees, and this card affords you purchase protection, extended warranty protection, zero liability, fraud protection, and more.

Best Premium Travel Rewards Credit Card

If you’re a frequent traveler and have enough expenses to make the most of the rewards overall, you should be looking for the highest-tier credit card.

You might be charged a larger annual fee upfront, but by making the most of the enhanced bonus categories, you’ll end up ahead in terms of value earned from credit card spending.

Without further ado, let’s get into our best premium travel rewards credit card.

Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

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 top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Welcome Offer

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

60,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$550

APR

20.24% - 28.74% 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 cardapplication.

Excellent

Why We Like This Card

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel^SM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 5x points on airfare booked through Chase Travel^SM
• 3x points on all other travel and dining purchases; 1x point on all other purchases

Cons

• $550 annual fee
• Does not offer any hotel elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $120 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck^®
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.24% - 28.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is the winner in the premium category.

The card comes with a sizable welcome offer, but the real selling points come from the accrual structure and the stellar travel benefits. This credit card also comes with a $300 annual travel credit (renewed after each card anniversary).

You earn:

• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel (after the $300 is spent on travel purchases annually)
• 5x points on Lyft purchases, plus a $10 monthly in-app credit through September 30, 2027
• 5x points on flights when you purchase travel through Chase Travel (after the $300 is spent on travel purchases annually)
• 3x points on other travel and dining
• 1x points on all other purchases

As far as other benefits go, you get a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership; a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee credit; a DoorDash DashPass subscription (activate by December 31, 2027); access to the Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection; rental car benefits, including elite status with National (Emerald Club Executive Level) and Avis (Preferred); and more.

But the Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers the best travel coverage of any credit card in the marketplace, including primary rental car insurance for up to $75,000 for car rentals 31 days or shorter, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay and lost luggage insurance, and roadside assistance.

To round out the significant benefits, the Chase Sapphire Reserve comes with purchase protection, extended warranty protection, and zero fraud liability protection.

Runner-Up: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

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% - 29.24% (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 cardapplication.

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 (rates & fees)
• 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% - 29.24% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

 

Capital One’s new high-end credit card is the Capital One Venture X card. It currently has an elevated welcome offer and earns up to 10x miles as follows:

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

The card has an annual travel credit of up to $300 on bookings through Capital One Travel, plus an anniversary bonus of 10,000 miles every year, starting on your first anniversary.

Also, cardholders with the Capital One Venture X card enjoy complimentary lounge access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounges, which is a huge plus. Of course, you’re entitled to a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, too. The Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit of up to $120 is a given, as well.

Ultimately, you’re also entitled to cell phone protection insurance, no foreign transaction fees (rates & fees), and access to insider experiences through Capital One Premier Access.

Hot Tip: For a full comparison of our 2 travel-card contenders, check out our comparison guide of the Capital One Venture X card vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

Best Cash-Back Credit Card

If you’re looking for the best cash-back credit card, perhaps because you don’t travel all that often or if you just believe cash is king, don’t worry!

In this next section, we’ll identify the best cash-back credit cards that Capital One and Chase offer.

Winner: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Savor Cash 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 Savor card is a great no-annual fee card for those who regularly spend on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target).

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Savor card is a great no-annual fee card for those who regularly spend on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target).

Welcome Offer

Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.

$200

Annual Fee

$0

APR

Purchases: 0% intro on purchases for 15 months; 19.24% - 29.24% variable thereafter

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 cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Savor card is a phenomenal option when it comes to no-annual-fee cash-back credit cards. With popular bonus categories like dining, grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target), entertainment, and popular streaming services, and the ability to earn 3% cash-back on these purchases, it is easy to see why those who use the card can earn some serious cash-back throughout the year.

The card also allows you to take your rewards and experiences even further by offering access to Capital One Travel, Capital One Dining, and Capital One Entertainment.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
• 5% cash-back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
• 3% cash-back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target)

Cons

• Rewards are purely cash-back, so there is no option for miles transfers to transfer partners for redemptions

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
• Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart^® and Target^®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
• Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
• Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
• No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
• 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.24% - 29.24% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
• No foreign transaction fee
• No annual fee

Financial Snapshot

• APR: Purchases: 0% intro on purchases for 15 months; 19.24% - 29.24% variable thereafter
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

The Capital One Savor card is one of the most tempting cash-back credit cards available. While many cash-back credit cards have come and gone, this excellent product offers up to 8% cash-back with no caps.

You’ll start with a welcome bonus offer, then you earn according to the following structure:

• 8% cash-back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
• 5% cash-back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 3% cash-back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target)
• 1% cash-back on all other purchases

Impressively, this credit card has no rewards caps, and there are no foreign transaction fees (rates & fees).

Runner-Up: Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

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.

This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!

Welcome Offer

Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.

$200

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.99% - 28.49%.

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 cardapplication.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

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 & Cons

Pros

• 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
• 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases
• 1.5% back on all other purchases

Cons

• 3% foreign transaction fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
• Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
• 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!
• Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.99% - 28.49%.
• 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, alerts, and more.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.99% - 28.49%.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The Freedom Unlimited card is one of Chase’s most popular credit cards. This cash-back credit card easily becomes the runner-up in this category, with the potential to earn you some lucrative rewards.

The Freedom Unlimited card also offers secondary rental car coverage, purchase protection, extended warranty protection, and zero liability fraud protection.

If you hold this card and an Ultimate Rewards credit card such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, you can convert your cash-back to Ultimate Rewards points.

Best Credit Card With No Annual Fee

Chase and Capital One compete fiercely for various credit card types; no-annual-fee credit cards are no exception. However, there’s a clear winner for the best no-annual-fee credit card.

Let’s talk about it!

Winner: Chase Freedom Flex℠

Chase Freedom Flex^®

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 Freedom Flex card is an excellent no-annual-fee card that still earns big with 5% cash-back on travel and other bonus categories.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Freedom Flex^®

The Freedom Flex card is an excellent no-annual-fee card that still earns big with 5% cash-back on travel and other bonus categories.

Welcome Offer

Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.

$200

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.99% - 28.49%

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 cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ sure does pack quite a punch — especially for a no-annual-fee card.

The Freedom Flex card is an incredible option for those looking for a well-rounded cash-back card, or a powerful point-earner when paired with a premium card in the Ultimate Rewards family.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.99% - 28.49%.
• Powerful cash-back earner: 5% back on quarterly categories and travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1% back on all other purchases
• No annual fee

Cons

• 3% foreign transaction fees in U.S. dollars

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
• 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
• 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
• 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• 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!
• 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.99%-28.49%.
• No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex^® 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 from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.99% - 28.49%
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

A new entrant to the credit card scene, the Freedom Flex card is making quite a splash and is our winner for the best no-annual-fee credit card by quite a wide margin.

Why? The card features a great welcome offer, ongoing earning categories of up to 5% cash-back, and excellent travel benefits.

This credit card starts with a nice welcome offer for newly approved cardholders meeting specific requirements within their first 3 months.

Here’s how the Freedom Flex card earns cash-back:

• 5% cash-back on quarterly rotating bonus categories on up to $1,500 in spending (past categories have included gas, groceries, warehouse clubs, Amazon, and PayPal)
• 2% cash-back on Lyft purchases (through September 30, 2027)
• 5% cash-back on purchases made through the Chase Travel portal
• 3% cash-back on all dining purchases, including takeout and eligible delivery services
• 3% cash-back at drugstores
• 1% cash-back everywhere else

If you pay attention to these quarterly rotating bonus categories or spend a lot of money on travel, dining, or drugstores, you’ll come out way ahead!

If you like ordering food delivery, pay attention: This card offers a complimentary 6-month subscription to DoorDash DashPass (starting February 1, 2025, for new enrollees).

The Freedom Flex card also has an introductory 0% APR benefit, cell phone protection ($800 per claim and $1,000 per year with a maximum of 2 claims in a 12-month period and a $50 deductible per claim), secondary rental car insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty protection, and more.

Runner-Up: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One VentureOne 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 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.

Apply Now(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

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.

Welcome Offer

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

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$360

Annual Fee

$0

APR

Purchases: 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months; variable 19.24% - 29.24% thereafter

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 cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

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.

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 & Cons

Pros

• No annual fee (rates & fees)
• No foreign transaction fees (rates & fees)
• Ability to use transfer partners

Cons

• Weak earn rate at 1.25x miles per $1 spent on all purchases
• No luxury travel or elite benefits

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• $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; 19.24% - 29.24% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies

Financial Snapshot

• APR: Purchases: 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months; variable 19.24% - 29.24% thereafter
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

Our runner-up credit card is the Capital One VentureOne card because of its simple, straightforward earning structure.

As the no-annual-fee version of the Capital One Venture card, it’s a worthwhile option when you consider the benefits you get and the ability to access Capital One Miles without paying an annual fee (rates & fees).

Beyond that, this card earns an unlimited 1.25x Capital One miles on every purchase, every day. No need to worry about rotating or bonus categories!

The miles you earn never expire for the life of the account, and you can redeem them for travel when you want (with no blackout dates) and fly any airline or stay at any hotel, anytime.

The Capital One VentureOne card offers secondary car rental coverage, lost luggage coverage, travel assistance services, purchase security, and extended warranty.

This card has no foreign transaction fees (rates & fees) and no additional fees for authorized users (rates & fees).

Final Thoughts

We are huge fans of Capital One and Chase credit cards. Whether you’re looking for cash-back or luxury travel rewards, both of these banks have products that can fit your needs.

In general, Chase focuses on those who want to really maximize rewards, whether it’s with its Ultimate Rewards program or with cash-back on specific categories that may rotate over time.

On the other hand, Capital One loves offering extra miles on all purchases without too many bonus categories. Capital One also focuses on low-annual-fee credit cards and cash-back rewards, but it does have a great transferable rewards program in Capital One Miles.

We hope you found this complete guide comparing Capital One and Chase credit cards useful! For even more information, check out our comparison of Chase and Amex cards and our comparison of Chase and Bank of America cards.

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.