chase and capital one
Blog Post for RedVentures comparing Chase Sapphire Preferred and Capital One Venture programs, while promoting both cards.
frequent travelers: Which rewards card is right for you?
When considering a travel rewards card, you might feel overwhelmed with options, and understandably so. We’ve picked our two favorite programs for everyone from the business road warrior to the pleasure-seeking globetrotter - the Chase Sapphire Preferred® and the Venture® from Capital One®. Here’s a guide to the key benefits that will help you make a choice you can feel confident about.
Chase Sapphire Preferred:
We like Chase Sapphire Preferred because right off the bat, all new cardholders receive a huge 50,000 point bonus (redeemable for $625 in travel) when they spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months — a great start to help you plan the trip of a lifetime. You’ll also earn an additional 5,000 points by adding an authorized user and making a purchase in the first three months.
Chase Sapphire Preferred offers two ways to redeem your points; you can spend them on travel booked through Chase and receive an extra 25% bonus, or transfer the points to any of Chase’s multiple travel partners[LINK]. Another awesome perk for those looking into a travel card: 2x points on all dining and travel expenses. Already have points stacking up with a frequent flier program? No worries, Chase offers a 1 to 1 transfer ratio to all participating programs.
If you like to rent a car when you travel, Chase Sapphire Preferred offers primary auto rental insurance coverage, an enhancement over the typical secondary coverage.
We might recommend Chase Sapphire to those who like to keep their finances organized by keeping one card solely for travel.
Venture from Capital One:
Venture from Capital One is our other favorite travel card, because of its straightforward yet competitive rewards program.
For the traveler who makes it home for every holiday, Venture is for you; it boasts no blackout dates and seat restrictions, making one less headache for you during the busiest times of the year. Because of the innovative Purchase Eraser® tool, cardholders don’t have to decide what to use their points on ahead of time; within 90 days of completing your travel, simply log on and select which purchases to redeem your points on and you’re good to go. But if you’re a planner who always has an itinerary down to the second, you can earn 10 points per dollar spent due to a new partnership between Capital One and Hotels.com.
In order to make sure you get the most out of your vacation, Capital One has defined “travel expenses” very loosely. From restaurants to jet-ski lessons, Venture offers one of the most flexible cash back programs on the market. And, unlike most cards that only offer extra points when traveling, Venture offers 2x points everywhere, so whether you’re picking up a gallon of milk or ordering room service, you’re earning double points.
Similar to Chase Sapphire Preferred, you will receive a 50,000 mile bonus ($500 value) when you spend $3000 in the first three months after opening your account.
Venture from Capital One might be good for those who don’t want to bother with a bunch of different cards, but still want to earn points towards travel expenses. This card may also be a good fit for someone new to the rewards card world, due to their plain and simple earning and redemption process.
The Right Fit:
The two cards also share a few of the same benefits, such as no annual fee for the first year, no foreign transaction fees, and lost luggage reimbursement. Both the Venture from Capital One and the Chase Sapphire Preferred offer fantastic, but different, benefits. Look carefully at your spending habits and travel plans, and choose the rewards program that is right for you.