What To Know
- The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a popular choice for travelers seeking a well-rounded rewards card with a low annual fee.
- The Chase Sapphire Preferred provides higher earning rates on travel and dining, while the Capital One Venture X offers bonus miles on travel booked through its portal.
- The Capital One Venture X offers 2x miles on all purchases, while the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers 1x point on all purchases except travel and dining.
When it comes to premium travel rewards credit cards, two giants stand head and shoulders above the rest: the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Capital One Venture X. Both cards offer a plethora of perks, bonuses, and benefits, making it challenging to determine which one is the better choice. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the intricacies of each card, comparing their key features, rewards programs, and overall value to help you make an informed decision.
Card Overview
Chase Sapphire Preferred
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a popular choice for travelers seeking a well-rounded rewards card with a low annual fee. It offers a generous sign-up bonus, flexible rewards points, and a solid earning rate on everyday purchases.
Capital One Venture X
The Capital One Venture X is a premium travel rewards card that caters to frequent flyers and luxury travelers. It boasts a hefty sign-up bonus, unlimited 2x miles on all purchases, and exclusive perks like airport lounge access and complimentary upgrades.
Sign-Up Bonus
Chase Sapphire Preferred
- 80,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
Capital One Venture X
- 75,000 Venture miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
While the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers a slightly larger sign-up bonus, it requires a slightly higher spending threshold to earn it.
Rewards Programs
Chase Sapphire Preferred
- Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed for travel, cash back, gift cards, and experiences.
- Points are worth 1.25 cents each when redeemed for travel through the Chase travel portal.
- Points can be transferred to various airline and hotel loyalty programs.
Capital One Venture X
- Venture miles can be redeemed for travel, cash back, gift cards, and experiences.
- Miles are worth 1 cent each when redeemed for travel.
- Miles can be transferred to various airline and hotel loyalty programs.
Both cards offer flexible rewards programs, but the Chase Sapphire Preferred has a slight edge due to its higher redemption value for travel.
Earning Rates
Chase Sapphire Preferred
- 2x points on travel and dining
- 1x point on all other purchases
Capital One Venture X
- 2x miles on all purchases
The Capital One Venture X offers a simpler and more straightforward earning rate, providing 2x miles on every purchase, regardless of category.
Annual Fees
Chase Sapphire Preferred
- $95
Capital One Venture X
- $395
The Capital One Venture X has a significantly higher annual fee than the Chase Sapphire Preferred. However, it offers a wider range of premium perks and benefits that may justify the additional cost for frequent travelers.
Travel Perks
Chase Sapphire Preferred
- No foreign transaction fees
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
- Lost luggage insurance
- Primary car rental insurance
Capital One Venture X
- No foreign transaction fees
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
- Lost luggage insurance
- Primary car rental insurance
- Airport lounge access
- Complimentary upgrades on select airlines
The Capital One Venture X offers a more comprehensive suite of travel perks, including airport lounge access and complimentary upgrades, which can be invaluable for frequent travelers.
Other Benefits
Chase Sapphire Preferred
- 5x points on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 3x points on dining
- 2x points on select streaming services
Capital One Venture X
- 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
- 2x miles on all other travel purchases
Both cards offer additional benefits tailored to different spending habits. The Chase Sapphire Preferred provides higher earning rates on travel and dining, while the Capital One Venture X offers bonus miles on travel booked through its portal.
Wrap-Up
The choice between the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Capital One Venture X ultimately depends on your individual travel habits and preferences. If you’re looking for a well-rounded rewards card with a low annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is an excellent option. However, if you’re a frequent flyer who values premium perks and benefits, the Capital One Venture X may be the better choice despite its higher annual fee.
Frequently Discussed Topics
Q: Which card has a higher earning rate on everyday purchases?
A: The Capital One Venture X offers 2x miles on all purchases, while the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers 1x point on all purchases except travel and dining.
Q: Which card offers better redemption value for travel?
A: The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers higher redemption value for travel through the Chase travel portal, as points are worth 1.25 cents each.
Q: Which card has more valuable travel perks?
A: The Capital One Venture X offers a more comprehensive suite of travel perks, including airport lounge access and complimentary upgrades.
Q: Which card has a lower annual fee?
A: The Chase Sapphire Preferred has a lower annual fee of $95, compared to $395 for the Capital One Venture X.
Q: Which card is better for international travel?
A: Both cards offer no foreign transaction fees, but the Capital One Venture X provides additional benefits like trip cancellation/interruption insurance and lost luggage insurance.
