Finding the perfect travel credit card can be hard, especially given how complicated some of these programs are.
Two of the leading cards are the Capital One Venture X and the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
They’re consistently among the most popular travel rewards credit cards available today so if you’re picking between the two, you’re choosing between two of the best.
If you love travel rewards and are looking for a new credit card, you may wonder how the two cards compare. While both have plenty to offer, the right choice for you will depend on the features and benefits you want in a credit card.
About the Capital One Venture X Card
The Capital One Venture X card is on or near the top of many “best travel card” lists. It offers a generous welcome bonus and high mileage earnings on travel booked through Capital One. It edges out the Chase Sapphire Reserve on its miles rewards for non-travel purchases.
About the Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is one of Chase’s most popular travel credit cards. One attractive feature is earning higher point values when booking travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. This card also offers higher points than the Capital One Venture X when booking travel through outside agencies.
Key Features At A Glance
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| Welcome Offer | Earn 75,000 miles $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months | Earn 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points $4,000 in purchases within the first three months |
| Annual Fee | $395 | $695 |
| Rewards | 10X Miles on hotels & rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; 5X Miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel; 2X Miles on all other purchases | Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel after you spend the first $300 on travel purchases annually.
Earn 3x points on dining at restaurants, delivery services, takeout, and dining out; Earn 10x total points on Chase Dining purchases through Ultimate Rewards Get 50% more value when you redeem for travel through Chase. |
| Other Notable Benefits | Unlimited complimentary airport lounge access (Capital One Lounges) 10,000 yearly bonus miles (on card anniversary) $300 annual travel credit up to $100 Global Entry or TSA Pre-Check credit |
$300 annual travel credit Complimentary airport lounge access (Priority Pass lounges) up to $100 Global Entry or TSA Pre-Check credit |
Welcome Bonus Comparison
The Chase Sapphire Reserve and Capital One Venture X cards offer similar welcome bonuses. As of June 6, 2024, the offers are as follows:
The Capital One Venture X Card offers 75,000 miles $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve Card offers 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points $4,000 in purchases within the first three months.
If you spend your points outside the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel program, you’ll get $600 in travel dollars. However, if you book travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, you’ll receive $900 in travel dollars with your 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points bonus.
Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve for its 50% bonus when you book through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
✨ Related: Travel Credit Cards with Six-Figure Welcome Bonuses
Annual Fee Comparison
The Capital One Venture X card has an annual fee of $395. This includes up to four authorized users at no additional charge.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card charges an annual fee of $695. You’ll also pay $75 per year for each authorized user.
Both cards require an “excellent” credit score to get approved. Depending on which scoring system you use (FICO Score or VantageScore), an “excellent” credit score could be considered anywhere from 781 to 800 and above.
Winner: Capital One Venture X for its lower fee and no additional fees for authorized users.
Rewards Programs
The Capital One Venture X rewards program is straightforward and pays handsomely for travel. You also earn an attractive rate (2x miles per dollar spent) on non-travel-related purchases.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers higher travel rewards when booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program. There are several earnings tiers to choose from and attractive benefits for dining and other travel experiences. That said, the card only offers 1x points on “all other” purchases.
Here’s a closer look at how to earn and redeem points with both programs.
Earning Points Comparison
The Capital One Venture X card pays 10x miles on all hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. It pays 5x miles on all airfare booked through Capital One Travel. All other purchases earn 2x miles, with no limit to the miles you can earn. Better yet, the miles you earn will never expire if your account remains open and in good standing.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card pays 10x points on all hotel and car rentals and 5x points on all flights booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards travel after you spend your first $300 annually. You’ll also earn 10x points on all dining booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
You’ll also earn 3x points on dining at restaurants, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out, and 3x points on other travel after spending your first $300 annually.
All other purchases on your Chase Sapphire Reserve card will earn 1x points. As with the Capital One Venture X card, the points you earn on your Chase Sapphire Reserve card will never expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing.
As an additional bonus, Chase will allow you to transfer points earned on other Chase cards over to your Chase Sapphire Reserve points balance.
Winner: Capital One Venture X gains an edge for its 2x miles on non-travel purchases and no required spending to be met before earning.
✨ Related: How to Get Preapproved for a Chase Credit Card
Redeeming Points Comparison
With the Capital One Venture X, you can redeem for past travel purchases within 90 days of your travel date.
You can also book new travel experiences with your earned miles. Redemption options include airline, rail travel, hotel rental, car rental, limousine, bus travel, cruise lines, taxicabs, travel agencies, and timeshares.
However, you must book through Capital One Travel to use your earned miles. You can also redeem your miles for an account credit, mailed check, or gift cards.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve allows you to redeem your points for various awards, including travel, cash, and gift cards, and to pay for products and services offered through Chase partners.
1.5% Point Bonus
All points redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards for travel will be worth 50% more than points redeemed in other manners.
For example, 50,000 points redeemed for cash or a gift card are worth $500. But 50,000 points redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards are worth $750.
Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve for its 1.5% bonus (50% extra value) on travel redemption through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Additional Card Benefits
Each card includes several other benefits that might encourage you to choose one card over the other.
Capital One Venture X
- 10,000 bonus miles on every anniversary with the card
- up to $100 Global Entry or TSA Precheck credit every four years
- Up to $300 annual travel credit for travel booked through Capital One
- Access for you and two guests to all Capital One lounges
- Access to up to 1,300 partner lounges
- Exclusive reservations at award-winning dining establishments
- Access to Capital One Entertainment for tickets to sporting events, concerts, and more
- Complimentary subscriptions to rotating services
Chase Sapphire Reserve Additional Benefits
- Priority Pass Select Membership for two to access over 1,300 airport lounges
- Luxury hotel and resort upgrades
- Additional credits to partner businesses such as Lyft and DoorDash
- 10x points on rotating partnership purchases
- up to $100 Global Entry, TSA Precheck or NEXUS Fee credit every four years
- Travel and purchase coverage protection
- Transfer points earned on any Chase card to your Chase Sapphire Reserve balance
Winner: Capital One Venture X for its expansive list of additional benefits and two-guest inclusion on airport lounge access
Capital One Venture X Pros and Cons
Pros
- Lower annual fee and no additional fee for authorized users
- Higher welcome bonus
- Redeem miles for past travel purchases
- Higher rewards for non-travel-related purchases
- Attractive additional benefits
Cons
- Rewards limited to three different tiers
- Less miles-earning options
Chase Sapphire Reserve Pros and Cons
Pros
- 1.5x value when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Expansive points earning options
- Book travel through any travel agency with your points
- Expansive travel insurance coverage
Cons
- Higher annual fee/authorized user fees
- Some purchase minimums to be met before earnings start
Who is the Capital One Venture X Best Suited For?
The Capital One Venture X is best suited for those who want a simple, no-nonsense travel card. Compared to the Chase Sapphire Reserve, the lower annual fee of $395 is a real draw, as is the option to add additional users for no additional annual fee.
Capital One Venture X’s welcome bonus is excellent, and its rewards program is straightforward, with just three earnings tiers.
Another advantage of the Capital One Venture X card over the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is that it pays 2x miles per dollar spent on non-travel and all other purchases. In contrast, the Chase card only pays 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
Read our full review of the Capital One Venture X credit card.
Who is the Chase Sapphire Reserve Best Suited For?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card charges a higher annual fee of $695, and you’ll also pay $75 per year for each authorized user.
However, if you’re a hardcore traveler who spends heavily on restaurants, hotels, and transportation while traveling, you’ll likely earn more with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers six different earnings tiers covering almost anything you want to spend money on. You’ll earn more from restaurants, hotels, transportation, and other travel amenities.
Another attractive benefit of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is that you can transfer points earned from other Chase cards over to your Chase Sapphire Reserve points balance. This is important if you use other Chase cards frequently, as they will help you maximize your points earnings for travel.
Read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.
Final Thoughts
As an infrequent traveler who makes big purchases when she does travel, I prefer the Capital One Venture X card for its lower annual fee, free authorized users, and higher rewards earnings for non-travel or “all other” purchases. As a result, it’s the best card for me.
However, if you’re a frequent traveler and spend a lot on dining, transportation, and other travel-related expenses, you’ll likely earn more rewards with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.