Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Venture X: Sapphire Packs a Lot for Less

By the thinnest of margins, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card wins in a head-to-head matchup against the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. Designed for a wider audience, the Sapphire Preferred will be the right pick for most people. But if you end up choosing the Venture X, you’ll likely be satisfied, too.

The difference between the two travel cards mostly comes down to basic math: As a mid-tier travel card, the Sapphire Preferred has a $95 annual fee, but the Venture X is considered a premium travel card — and has the price tag to match. The Venture X certainly delivers when it comes to perks, but the card won’t be the right choice if you won't make use of any of those benefits, or aren’t willing to pay for them.

Here’s how to decide between the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.

» MORE: Best travel credit cards

At a glance

Why Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is better for most people

Lower annual fee

Annual fees for credit cards aren't inherently bad, and in most cases the more you pay, the more you get. Still, forking over a large fee for a travel card can be a tough pill to swallow. The annual fee for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is several hundred dollars less than the Venture X’s. And when you consider how much value you get for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and its $95 annual fee, many people will find it hard to justify paying hundreds more for another travel credit card.

Better transfer partners

Transfering points to a partner airline or hotel is one of the best ways to squeeze more value out of them. While Chase has fewer transfer partners than Capital One, most travelers will find Chase’s to be more attractive. For example, only Chase partners with United and Hyatt, and Hyatt boasts perhaps the best transfer value at 1.8 cents per point, according to NerdWallet’s analysis.

Capital One also boasts an array of airline and hotel transfer partners, but they are largely foreign brands. Savvy travelers can find outsize value from Capital One's partners, but many travelers will find Chase's options more accessible.

» SEE: The guide to Chase transfer partners

Broader rewards structure

The rewards structure on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card makes the card more suited for everyday spending than the Venture X. The latter has the potential to earn up to an eye-popping 10x on travel, but you'll have to book that travel through the Capital One portal. The card earns a respectable 2x on everything.

With the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card you’ll earn 3x points on dining, including delivery services and takeout; streaming services; and online grocery purchases. If your spending habits sync with the Sapphire Preferred’s rewards structure, you’ll be able to effortlessly rack up points to pay for your next vacation.

» LEARN: When to use credit card points and when to transfer to airlines

Points potentially worth more

As major card issuers, both Chase and Capital One have their own travel portals through which cardholders can book flights, hotels and car rentals. However, Chase’s portal can offer better value. Select airline and hotel bookings through Chase can return a value of 1.5 cents per point (1.75 cents for select premium cabin airline tickets); bookings not eligible for this "Points Boost" give a value of 1 cent per point. By contrast, a Capital One mile is always worth 1 cent in that issuer's portal.

Who might prefer the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

You want lounge access

True to its classification as a premium travel card, the Venture X grants its cardholders and two guests unlimited access to more than 1,000 airport lounges including Priority Pass lounges and Capital One lounges.

If you want lounge access but prefer Chase’s lineup of credit cards, your only option is the $795-annual-fee Chase Sapphire Reserve®.

You like Capital One’s travel portal

Booking travel through Capital One’s portal is the best way to offset most of the Venture X’s annual fee. Cardholders will receive a $300 annual credit toward travel expenses, which can be used in a single transaction or across multiple purchases. If you don't mind booking through the portal, the $300 credit plus the 10,000 anniversary points you'll get each year you renew (worth $100) will cover the entire annual fee of the card.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers an annual credit, too, but it’s $50 and only good for hotel bookings through the Chase portal.

You want trusted traveler program credit

Skipping the line in a crowded airport can be a huge perk, and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card cardholders get a credit of up to $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers no such reimbursement. Note, though, that you must pay for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee with the Venture X card, and the credit renews every four years, not annually.

» SEE: Best cards for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck

Which card should you get?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, with its reasonable annual fee, top-tier travel partners and access to potentially greater value in Chase’s travel portal, is the perfect entree into the world of travel credit cards. Plus, the $95 annual fee can be partly recouped by redeeming the hotel travel credit. Only if you’re after perks and are comfortable paying a triple-digit annual fee should you commit to the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.