The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card are both popular travel credit cards with a $95 annual fee and good welcome bonuses. While the Venture card offers a flat rewards rate on all purchases, the Sapphire Preferred card has unique rewards and redemption structures that can provide more overall value for cardholders. Additionally, while the Venture card may have some appealing travel perks like Capital One Lounge access, there are some stipulations to consider. Both cards have the same annual fee and similar welcome offers.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card emerges as the winner in terms of rewards, with categories broad enough to earn high reward rates on various purchases. With rewards such as 3x points on dining, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services, as well as 2x points on all other travel, cardholders can easily earn valuable rewards. The Capital One Venture card offers consistent rewards of 2x miles on all purchases, with a boost to 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
In terms of redemption methods, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers a 25% boost on redemption value when redeeming points for travel through Chase Travel, making points worth 1.25 cents each. On the other hand, the Capital One Venture card allows for statement credit redemptions, with the best value for travel purchases in the last 90 days. Both cards also offer the option to transfer points or miles to affiliate travel partners at a 1:1 ratio for potentially higher redemption values.
While both the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Capital One Venture cards have a $95 annual fee, they offer valuable rewards and benefits that can outweigh the cost. For those who spend a lot on travel and dining, the Sapphire Preferred card may offer a higher ceiling for rewards earnings. It is important for cardholders to consider their spending habits and redemption preferences to choose the card that best aligns with their financial goals and lifestyle. Ultimately, both cards are solid choices for rewards credit cards with a reasonable annual fee.
