Capital One Venture vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred 2023: Sapphire Shines a Bit Brighter

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card don’t provide the multitude of perks you’d find with ultra-premium travel cards, but they both offer quite a bit of value thanks to generous sign-up bonuses and comparatively modest annual fees.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card stands out for how simple it is to use, but the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card comes out slightly ahead because the points it earns are worth 25% more when you redeem them for travel through Chase. If you carry other cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, like the Chase Freedom Flex℠ or Chase Freedom Unlimited®, you can transfer points to your Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card to redeem for that higher rate.

Here’s how to decide which is right for you.

» MORE: NerdWallet’s best travel credit cards

At a glance

Why the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is better for most people

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card boasts higher point-earning opportunities, depending on your spending. In general, Chase Ultimate Rewards® points are worth 1 cent each. But if you redeem them for travel booked through Chase, their value rises to 1.25 cents apiece. That effectively makes your rewards rate 2.5% on travel and dining and 1.25% on everything else. It's also the choice if you're the type who strives to squeeze maximum value out of your rewards, especially since you can transfer points earned on certain other Chase cards to the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, supersizing your stash of rewards.

Chase boasts some big-name transfer partners, too, including JetBlue, Southwest, United and Marriott Bonvoy.

And if you’ve ever experienced travel plans completely falling apart, you’ll appreciate the card’s built-in travel protections:

• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance: Get reimbursed for up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip if you must cancel or go home early due to a covered reason like illness or severe weather.

• Rental car coverage: Primary collision and theft insurance.

• Baggage delay insurance: Get up to $100 a day for five days to buy clothing and toiletries if your baggage is delayed.

• Trip delay reimbursement: If you’re delayed for more than 12 hours or must stay overnight, you’re covered for up to $500 per ticket on your reservation for meals and lodging.

• Emergency assistance: This is helpful if you experience an emergency while traveling. You will be responsible for the cost of any services you opt into.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers rental car coverage and travel accident insurance, which is helpful, but doesn’t go above and beyond.

» MORE: 11 benefits of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Who might prefer the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a remarkably easy card to use. Not only do you earn 2 miles per $1 on all purchases, so there’s no need to keep track of spending categories, but redeeming for travel is as simple as requesting a statement credit. Capital One considers purchases from the following merchants to count as travel: airlines, hotels, rail lines, car rental agencies, limousine services, bus lines, cruise lines, taxi cabs, travel agents and timeshares. Miles are worth one cent each when redeemed for travel.

You can also transfer miles to more than a dozen airline and hotel loyalty programs, but Capital One doesn't have any domestic airlines as travel partners.

You can transfer Capital One miles to other Capital One cards that earn miles, including the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Spark Miles for Business, which is a definite advantage. You can also transfer cash rewards to the Capital One cards that earn miles.

» MORE: Capital One Miles: How the program works

Which card should you get?

Both cards have their upsides, but the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card comes out slightly ahead because of its higher point redemption rate, robust list of transfer partners and comprehensive travel protections.

» Learn more: Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card worth its annual fee?

If you’d simply prefer the flexibility to book however you want and pay with rewards later, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is probably more your speed.