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Capital One vs. Citi Credit Cards: Which Are Best? [2026]
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Capital One and Citi are 2 large financial institutions in the U.S. Both offer standard banking products, including checking and savings accounts, as well as a variety of credit cards.
For a period of time, it looked like Citi was shrinking in the credit card market relative to its heyday while Capital One continued to grow. However, after a credit-card revival from Citi, both issuers offer compelling products worthy of consideration.
But which issuer offers the best product for you?
This guide will look at specific credit card categories and name the 2 best products available in each. Of course, there is also a comparison between the reward currencies you can earn with cards from each issuer.
Comparing Capital One Miles and Citi ThankYou Points
Capital One’s proprietary rewards program is called Capital One Miles, and the miles you earn and redeem are Capital One miles.
Citi’s proprietary rewards program is called Citi ThankYou, and the points you earn and redeem are Citi ThankYou Points.
Currently, Citi has a small portfolio of credit cards that participate in ThankYou, while Capital One’s portfolio is slightly larger.
Capital One miles and Citi ThankYou Points share similar redemption pathways, but you almost always want to avoid redemptions for PayPal, Amazon.com, online shopping, and cash-back, as these yield the lowest redemption values. You often get less than 1 cent per point through these redemptions.
Up to 10 cents per point when transferred to travel partners
1 cent per point on Citi Travel with Booking.com bookings
Around 1 cent per point for gift cards
0.83 cents per point for online shopping through Shop with Points
0.8 cents per point on Amazon.com
0.5 to 1 cent per point for cash-back
Transfer Partnerships
To get maximum value from your Capital One miles or Citi ThankYou Points, pay attention to each program’s transfer partners.
Each program allows you to transfer the rewards earned from your eligible credit card to airline or hotel loyalty programs. Your credit card points become airline points or miles or hotel points, and then you can book travel directly with whichever provider you transfer to. This allows you to book incredible experiences, including Air France business class, Emirates business class, and much more, at far better rates.
There’s a set of transfer partners that Capital One and Citi share, which you can see in the table below:
Overall, we believe Capital One has aslightedge over Citi simply because of the value of Air Canada Aeroplan and The British Airways Club as frequent-flyer programs. As such, we value Capital One miles at 1.8 cents and Citi ThankYou Points at 1.6 cents apiece.
Still, Citi’s transfer ratio with Choice Privileges of 1:1.5 allows savvy travelers to book Preferred Hotels for terrific value.
Bottom Line: Capital One miles are slightly more valuable than Citi ThankYou Points, thanks to partnerships with The British Airways Club and Air Canada Aeroplan. However, Citi can be more beneficial for booking hotel stays, thanks to a 1:1.5 transfer partnership with Choice Privileges.
Best Overall Travel Rewards Card
At both Capital One and Citi, travel rewards credit cards are a big focus, but which is the winner?
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.
Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
60,000 Points
$960
$95
19.49% to 27.49% Variable
Why We Like This Card
The Citi Strata Premier® Card is a great all-around travel rewards card that allows you to earn big rewards on a variety of purchases like air travel, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and more, along with flexible redemption options, all for a modest annual fee.
Pros & Cons
Pros
10x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
3x points on air travel, other hotel purchases, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and EV charging stations
Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
Earn 10 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
Earn 3 Points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
$100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
Financial Snapshot
APR: 19.49% to 27.49% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None
The Citi Strata Premier card is a midtier rewards credit card that offers impressive overall travel rewards with a streamlined structure that makes it easy to maintain all personal expenses on a single card while earning lots of rewards.
It earns 10x ThankYou Points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through the Citi Travel with Booking.com portal. It earns 3x points on air travel, gas stations, hotels booked elsewhere, restaurants, EV charging stations, and supermarkets. On all other purchases, it earns 1x points.
This credit card also offers an annual $100 hotel savings benefit when a single stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) is booked through the Citi Travel with Booking.com portal.
You also get access to Citi Entertainment, contactless payments, digital wallets, no foreign transaction fees, and the ability to add authorized users for no additional fee.
Runner-Up: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
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!
Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!
Earn 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
Purchases: 19.49% - 28.49% (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 card application.
Good to Excellent Credit
Why We Like This Card
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 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
The Capital One Venture card has been around for many years. Over time, its benefits and rewards have evolved, and it earns up to 5x Capital One miles today:
5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel
2x miles on all other purchases
As we mentioned earlier, Capital One miles are worth 1.8 cents per mile, translating to a maximum return on spending of 9%. You’ll also find that the Capital One Venture card earns at least 2x miles on purchases, meaning a minimum return on spending of 3.6%.
Bottom Line: The Citi Strata Premier card and the Capital One Venture card are 2 credit cards always competing for market share in the travel rewards segment. We believe the Citi Strata Premier card outranks the Capital One Venture card because of its impressive list of bonus categories. But the latter can hold its own, especially with its travel benefits beyond rewards.
Best Overall Business Card
If you’re running a business, you need the best business card available, and the best overall business cards, in this instance, are issued by Capital One.
Winner: Capital One Venture X Business Card
The Capital One Venture X Business card is our favorite overall business card because it’s easy to rack up a ton of miles on everyday purchases.
The card has a sizable welcome offer: Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months. You earn an unlimited 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel, 5x miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel, and an unlimited 2x miles on all other purchases.
You also receive many travel perks that can help you as you run your business, such as access to over 1,300 lounges via Capital One Lounges and Landings and participating Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment; benefits through Premier or Lifestyle Collections; and up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
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.
Earn 100,000 Miles once you spend $10,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
100,000 miles
Up to $1,800
$95
24.49%
Why We Like This Card
The Capital One Venture Business card is a great fit for business owners looking for a well-rounded travel rewards card that offers an uncomplicated earn structure, a handful of useful benefits, and a reasonable annual fee.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Earn 5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel
Earn 2x miles on all other purchases
$50 annual travel credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel
Earn a one-time welcome bonus of 100,000 miles once you spend $10,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won’t expire for the life of the account
Receive up to $220 in credits: Receive an annual $50 travel credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel, up to an annual $50 statement credit for purchases at qualifying advertising or software merchants, plus up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® every four years. Terms and conditions apply
Unlimited 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel
Transfer your miles to 15+ travel loyalty programs
Redeem your miles instantly for any travel-related purchases, from flights and hotels to ride-sharing services
$95 annual fee
Free employee cards which also earn unlimited 2X miles from their purchases
Top rated mobile app
Financial Snapshot
APR: 24.49%
Foreign Transaction Fees:
The Capital One Venture Business cardInformation collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One. offers great rewards on business purchases, low fees, and travel benefits.
Cardholders can earn up to 5x Capital One miles on purchases:
5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and car rentals purchased via Capital One Business Travel
2x miles on other purchases
You don’t need to worry about any specific bonus categories; instead, you earn at least 2x miles on all purchases and can get a return on spending of at least 3.6%.
The Capital One Venture Business card also comes with up to a $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit every 4 years and an up to $50 annual travel credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
Finally, the Capital One Venture Business card comes with extended warranty coverage, no foreign transaction fees, and the ability to add employee cards for no additional fee.
Best Premium Travel Rewards Card
If traveling in style is your top priority, getting a premium travel rewards card should be at the top of your to-do list.
You can transfer Capital One miles and Citi ThankYou Points to book Air France business class. Image Credit: Juan Ruiz
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.
The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.
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
$1,350
$395
Purchases: 19.49% - 28.49% (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 card application.
Excellent
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
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 and Landing locations and participating 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®
This credit card enables you to gain access to Capital One Lounges and Landings and participating Priority Pass Lounges after enrollment, as well.
Finally, the Capital One Venture X card also includes Hertz President’s Circle status*, cell phone insurance, exceptional travel insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty, and no foreign transaction fees.
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 Citi Strata Elite card is Citi's most premium card built for frequent travelers and foodies.
The Citi Strata Elite card is Citi's most premium card built for frequent travelers and foodies.
Earn 75,000 bonus Points after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
75,000 Points
Up to $1,200
$595
20.49% to 28.49% Variable
Why We Like This Card
The Citi Strata Elite card is a great option for frequent travelers, foodies, and those who are fans of the Citi ThankYou Rewards ecosystem thanks to its combination of bonus categories, perks, and annual credits.
Pros & Cons
Pros
12x points on hotels, rental cars, and attractions booked through Citi Travel
6x points on airfare through Citi Travel
6x points on dining on Citi Nights (Friday and Saturday nights from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.) and 3x points on dining at all other times
Cons
$595 annual fee
Boosted dining rewards are limited to 2 nights per week
Earn 75,000 bonus Points after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
Earn 12 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on cititravel.com and 6 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel booked on cititravel.com
Earn 6 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants including Restaurant Delivery Services on CitiNights℠ purchases, every Friday and Saturday from 6 PM to 6 AM ET. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent any other time
Earn 1.5 Points per $1 spent on All Other Purchases
Up to $300 Annual Hotel Benefit: Each calendar year, enjoy up to $300 off a hotel stay of two nights or more when booked through cititravel.com.
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Financial Snapshot
APR: 20.49% to 28.49% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None
The Citi Strata Elite card is the issuer’s relatively new entrant at the high end of the travel rewards space. It comes packed with benefits and earns ThankYou Points according to the following structure:
12x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on cititravel.com
6x points on air travel booked on cititravel.com
6x points at restaurants, including restaurant delivery services, every Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Eastern time, and 3x points any other time
1.5x points on all other purchases
The Citi Strata Elite card also comes with numerous annual statement credits, including a $300 annual hotel benefit, a $200 annual Splurge Credit, and a $200 annual Blacklane credit. You can also get up to a $120 statement credit every 4 years for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
However, one of the best features of the Citi Strata Elite card is that it allows cardholders to transfer ThankYou Points to all of Citi’s partners (including American Airlines) at the best rates.
Best No-Annual-Fee Credit Card
For some people, it’s preferable to avoid annual fees altogether, so here’s a look at the best no-annual-fee credit cards offered by Capital One or Citi.
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.
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!
Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
$200 cash back
$0
18.24% to 28.49% 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 card application.
Good to Excellent
Why We Like This Card
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 & Cons
Pros
Uncapped 2% for every $1 spent (1% when you buy and another 1% when you pay)
Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
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. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.24% – 28.49%, 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: 18.24% to 28.49% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each purchase
The Double Cash card represents perhaps the most complete embodiment of the cash-back, low-fee credit card product.
It even offers a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.24% to 28.49%. and may even provide additional cash-back offer as part of its welcome offer.
The Double Cash card earns 2% cash-back on all purchases: 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay.
Just remember that even though the Double Cash card’s rewards are ThankYou Points, transfers to airline and hotel partners occur at a reduced ratio compared to the premium cards such as the Citi Strata Premier card and Citi Strata Elite card.
However, you can pool points from multiple ThankYou Points-earning cards. For example, if you also hold the Citi Strata Premier card, your 2% cash-back is effectively convertible to 2x ThankYou Points, which is equivalent to a 3.2% return on spending.
Otherwise, you can use your ThankYou Points for a fixed value via cash-back, gift cards, or direct deposit.
This credit card also offers access to Citi Entertainment, fraud protection, and authorized user cards for no additional fee.
Runner-Up: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
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.
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
$200
$0
Purchases: 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months; variable 18.49% - 28.49% thereafter
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 (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
No foreign transaction fees
Ability to use transfer partners
Cons
Weak earn rate at 1.25x miles per $1 spent on all purchases
Our second-favorite no-annual-fee credit card is the Capital One VentureOne cardInformation collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.. It’s a great choice if you have good credit and want to dip your toes in Capital One’s rewards ecosystem without committing to an annual fee.
The rewards of up to 5x Capital One miles include:
5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
1.25x miles on other purchases
Additionally, the Capital One VentureOne card gets you access to Capital One miles without an annual fee, plus secondary car rental coverage, extended warranty, and no foreign transaction fees.
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.
Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel.
1.5x miles on all other purchases
$0 annual fee
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Five Star status
No foreign transaction fees
Rental car insurance
Financial Snapshot
Foreign Transaction Fees: $0
Our favorite no-annual-fee business credit card is the Capital One VentureOne Business cardInformation collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.. It earns at least 1.5x Capital One miles on all purchases, equivalent to a 2.7% return on spending.
Here’s the breakdown:
5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel
1.5x miles on other purchases
This no-annual-fee credit card earns rewards that can be transferred to Capital One’s full list of travel partners, great for business owners looking to avoid annual fees.
Also, the Capital One VentureOne Business card includes extended warranty coverage, roadside assistance, zero liability for unauthorized transactions, secondary rental car coverage, no foreign transaction fees, and employee cards for no additional annual fee.
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 Spark Cash Select card is a great no-annual-fee business credit card that earns 1.5% cash-back on all purchases. The information regarding this card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The Capital One Spark Cash Select card is a great no-annual-fee business credit card that earns 1.5% cash-back on all purchases. The information regarding this card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
Earn a $750 bonus when you spend $6,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
$750
$0
16.74% - 26.74% Variable
Why We Like This Card
If you’re looking for an uncomplicated cash-back business card, the Capital One Spark Cash Select card might be the perfect option with its uncapped 1.5% cash-back on all purchases without an annual fee.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase
5% cash-back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel
Earn a $750 bonus when you spend $6,000 in the first 3 months of account opening
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back for your business on every purchase, everywhere — with no limits or category restrictions
Enjoy a 0% APR for the first 9 months of opening
No annual fee
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel
Rewards won’t expire for the life of the account
Redeem your cash back rewards for any amount
Free employee cards, which also earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
$0 Fraud Liability for unauthorized charges
Top rated mobile app
Financial Snapshot
APR: 16.74% - 26.74% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees:
The Capital One Spark Cash Select cardInformation collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One. offers the ability to earn an impressive welcome offer for a no-annual-fee card, plus the following rewards structure:
5% cash-back on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Business Travel
1.5% cash-back on all other purchases
Plus, the Capital One Spark Cash Select card offers roadside assistance, no foreign transaction fees, extended warranty, and the ability to add authorized user cards for no additional fee.
Best Card for Cash-Back
Cash-back is the most flexible type of reward, and for some people, it may be preferable to earning rewards. Here are some of the best cash-back cards from Capital One and Citi.
Winner: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
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).
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).
Earn $200 Cash Back after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.
$200
$0
Purchases: 0% intro on purchases for 12 months; 18.49% - 28.49% variable thereafter
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 (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, rental cars, and vacation rentals 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
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
$0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
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, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
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 12 months; 18.49% – 28.49% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
Top rated mobile app
Financial Snapshot
APR: Purchases: 0% intro on purchases for 12 months; 18.49% - 28.49% variable thereafter
Foreign Transaction Fees: None
The Capital One Savor cardInformation collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One. is among the most impressive cash-back credit cards available. With this card, you’re eligible to earn a welcome offer bonus, plus up to 8% cash-back in unlimited rewards:
8% cash-back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
5% cash-back on hotels, vacation rentals, 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)
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.
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!
Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
$200 cash back
$0
18.24% to 28.49% 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 card application.
Good to Excellent
Why We Like This Card
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 & Cons
Pros
Uncapped 2% for every $1 spent (1% when you buy and another 1% when you pay)
Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
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. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.24% – 28.49%, 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: 18.24% to 28.49% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each purchase
One of the best credit cards for cash-back is the Double Cash card.
The Double Cash card earns 2% cash-back on all purchases with no caps (1% cash-back at the time of purchase and 1% cash-back when you pay).
One of the secrets of this card, though, is that your rewards are earned as ThankYou Points, which means that you could convert your 2% cash-back to a maximum of 3.2% return on spending if you also have a premium Citi ThankYou card, such as the Citi Strata Premier card, and transfer your points to Citi’s travel partners.
The Double Cash card comes with access to Citi Entertainment, contactless payments, digital wallet capabilities, zero fraud liability, and no additional fees for authorized users.
Best Business Card for Cash-Back
If you’re running significant expenses through your business, saving an extra 1% or 2% could make an enormous difference in the long run. Here are our top cash-back picks for maximizing your business’s transactions.
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 Spark Cash Plus card offers an unlimited 2% cash-back on all purchases and helpful features for business owners. The information regarding this card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The Capital One Spark Cash Plus card offers an unlimited 2% cash-back on all purchases and helpful features for business owners. The information regarding this card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
Earn $2,000 Cash Back once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months. Earn an additional $2,000 cash bonus for every $500K spent during the first year.
$2,000
$150
25.74% (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 card application.
Excellent (740-850)
Why We Like This Card
The Capital One Spark Cash Plus Card is great for business owners looking to improve their bottom line by earning 2% cash-back on all purchases without a high annual fee. Further, with no preset spending limit, the ability to get your $150 annual fee refunded every year you spend at least $150,000, and no-additional-fee employee cards, there is something that every business owner will love.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Unlimited 2% cash-back on all purchases
5% cash-back on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Business Travel
Earn a one-time cash bonus of $2,000 plus for a limited time, earn a $500 Capital One Business Travel credit once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months
Earn an additional $2,000 cash bonus for every $500K spent during the first year. You can earn this bonus multiple times over the course of year 1!
Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
Enjoy big purchasing power so you can spend more and earn more rewards. The Spark Cash Plus card has no preset spending limit, so it can adapt to your needs based on your spending behavior, payment history, credit profile and other factors
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel
Streamline your accounts payable process, employee spending, and more from your online account with free business management tools
Empower your teams to make business purchases while you earn rewards from their transactions with free employee and virtual cards
$150 annual fee – Spend $150,000 annually and Capital One will refund this fee every year
Your card is designed to be paid in full. However you have the option to carry over a portion of your balance with interest if needed. Pay at least the minimum payment amount by your payment due date, otherwise you’ll be charged a 2.99% late fee
For businesses that need large spending capacity and want to maximize cash back
Top rated mobile app
Financial Snapshot
APR: 25.74% (Variable)
Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Our winning cash-back business card is the Capital One Spark Cash Plus cardInformation collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.. This is a charge card with no preset spending limit, and it typically has a substantial welcome offer.
Earn up to 5% cash-back on purchases:
5% cash-back on rental cars and hotels booked through Capital One Business Travel
2% cash-back on other purchases
Note that you get your $150 annual fee refunded every year you spend at least $150,000.
Standard benefits include purchase protection, extended warranty, zero fraud liability for unauthorized charges, roadside assistance, no foreign transaction fees, and the ability to add employee cards for no additional fee.
Runner-Up: Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi
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.
Earn 5% cash-back on Costco gas purchases and 4% cash-back on other gas/EV charging purchases, 3% cash-back at restaurants and travel, 2% cash-back at Costco, and 1% on all other purchases.
All information about Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi has been collected independently by Upgraded Points.
Earn 5% cash-back on Costco gas purchases and 4% cash-back on other gas/EV charging purchases, 3% cash-back at restaurants and travel, 2% cash-back at Costco, and 1% on all other purchases.
None
$0
18.74% to 26.74% Variable
Pros & Cons
Pros
5% back on gas at Costco and 4% back on gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter
3% back on restaurants and eligible travel, including Costco Travel
2% back on purchases from Costco and Costco.com
Cons
You only receive your cash-back rewards once per year
The 5% and 4% cash-back on gas purchases is limited to up to $7,000 in combined purchases per year
Although the card is co-branded with Costco, you can earn cash-back on more than Costco purchases.
Currently, the rewards of up to 5% cash-back are broken down as follows:
5% cash-back on Costco gas purchases and 4% cash-back on other eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year and 1% after that
3% cash-back on eligible travel purchases worldwide and on restaurants
2% cash-back on other purchases from Costco or Costco.com
1% cash-back on other purchases
This card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, nor does it charge additional fees for adding authorized users. Finally, there’s also no annual fee with your paid Costco membership.
Final Thoughts
Citi and Capital One both offer credit cards that fit neatly into specific target markets. Both issuers have cards for travel rewards, cash-back, and for small businesses, ranging from no-annual-fee cards to the ultrapremium segment.
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