Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One Venture Rewards: Which Travel Card Comes Out on Top?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) is often viewed as the strongest mid-level travel card, but the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees) is making a strong case for itself with its current welcome bonus.

The two cards share the same annual fee, offer competitive rewards, and come with worthwhile perks. Which one is best for you depends on what you want most from a travel card.

Here’s a closer look at how they compare.

Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Which welcome bonus is stronger?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card currently offers 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months. Because Chase points are worth at least $0.01 each toward travel, that bonus is worth a minimum of $750 in Chase Travel℠ value, and potentially more when transferred to partners.

The usual offer on the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees) is similar, but the current promotion is more generous. It includes more than $1,000 in Travel Bonuses with a limited-time $300 Capital One Travel stays credit, plus 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

The limited-time $300 Capital One Travel stays credit adds extra value on top of the standard 75,000-mile offer. In total, that makes the bonus worth more than $1,000 toward travel, and it comes with a lower spending requirement than the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.

Both offers rank among the best credit card sign-up bonuses available. But if you have been considering the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, this is a particularly compelling time to apply. It is one of the strongest welcome offers this card has ever had.

Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Which earns more?

In terms of ongoing rewards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card stands out as one of the best options available. It earns:

• 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, including flights, hotels, rental cars, and more
• 3X points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries, excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs
• 3X points on gas and EV charging
• 3X points on vacation homes
• 2X points on all other travel purchases
• 1X points on all other purchases

That mix is highly flexible, and the 3X categories for groceries and gas are especially attractive. By comparison, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees) offers:

• 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 2X miles on every purchase

The list is shorter, but the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card still has real value, especially because of its flat 2X miles on everything you buy.

Even so, if your goal is to earn more across a broad range of everyday spending categories, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has the edge.

Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Venture Rewards: Which card offers better perks?

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees) has just one standout perk: a statement credit of up to $120 every four years to help cover Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. That benefit is useful and can nearly cancel out the $95 annual fee (see rates and fees) in the first year.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card also provides up to $120 every four years for reimbursement of the application fee charged to the card for Global Entry, TSA Precheck® or NEXUS. In addition, it includes:

• A $100 annual Chase Travel hotel credit
• A complimentary one-year Apple TV subscription if activated by Dec. 31, 2026 (a $156 value, terms apply)
• Complimentary DashPass, active through Dec. 31, 2027, with $0 delivery fees and a $10 monthly promo credit on non-restaurant orders

If you would actually use those benefits, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the clear winner on perks.

Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Venture Rewards: Which is the better choice?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is still the card I would personally favor. Its earning structure is among the best in its class, and its benefits can easily outweigh the $95 annual fee several times over.

Still, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees) remains a strong alternative, especially for anyone who wants simple flat-rate rewards and a stronger welcome offer. You really cannot go wrong with either card, but if you have been considering the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card specifically, now is a great time to apply.

If you want to explore more choices, take a look at the full list of top travel cards available now and find the one that fits your needs.