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Premium travel credit cards can offer tremendous value for frequent travelers with exclusive perks, higher earning potential and travel credits. While these cards come with higher annual fees, many travelers get significantly more value from the benefits than what they pay to be a cardholder. There are several premium travel cards to choose from.
If you're considering the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, here's how to tell which one is right for you.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve® benefits
Both premium travel credit cards offer attractive benefits, but there are differences that matter to travelers. This chart compares each card's details to help you decide which card to apply for based on your needs.
How the cards compare
Annual Fee
$395
$795
Authorized users
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
$0 for up to four.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
$195 each.
Welcome offer
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Transfer partners
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
15+.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
14.
Category bonuses
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• 10 miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel.
• 5 miles per $1 on flights and vacation rentals through Capital One Travel.
• 2 miles per $1 on everything else.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• 8 points per $1 spent on all travel booked through Chase.
• 4 points per $1 spent on bookings directly through an airline or hotel.
• 3 points per $1 spent on dining, takeout and eligible delivery worldwide.
• 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
When to choose Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
To save money on annual fees
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has a significantly lower annual fee than the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card. Cardholders pay an annual fee of just $395 for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card compared to $795 per year for the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
Additionally, you'll receive 10,000 bonus miles each year that you renew your Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card card. The $100 value of these renewal miles further reduces the net fee you pay each year.
» Learn more: Understanding the Capital One miles value
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Additionally, if you want to share benefits with others, Chase charges $195 for each authorized user on your account. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has the ability to add up to four authorized users for free. That's up to $300 in yearly savings compared to the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
» Learn more: The best travel credit cards
When you're over 5/24
If you've opened more than five new credit cards in the last two years, the Chase 5/24 Rule says that you won't get approved for the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. Being added as an authorized user also counts towards this total. Applicants for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card are not subject to this rule, so it is a good alternative for people who are not eligible to apply for Chase credit cards.
» Learn more: Why get more than one travel credit card
To earn higher rewards on everyday purchases
Cardholders will earn more rewards on everyday purchases with the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. It earns an unlimited 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases. This is twice the amount of points earned from the Chase Sapphire Reserve® on non-category bonus spending.
You want cell phone protection
When you pay your cell phone bill with the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, you're covered in case it is lost, stolen or damaged. Each claim covers up to $800 and there is a maximum of two claims per 12-month period. And there is a $50 deductible for each claim. While the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers many attractive perks, none of them protect your cell phone. (Benefits may change over time.)
» Learn more: Top credit cards for cell phone insurance
When to choose Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Ultimate Rewards® points are your preference
Chase Ultimate Rewards® can be redeemed for cash, used to book travel, transferred to partners and more. Cardholders have 11 airline and three hotel partners to choose from, including Air Canada Aeroplan as a transfer option. Chase partners with some of the most well-known brands for Americans, such as Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, JetBlue, Marriott and Hyatt.
You want 1:1 transfer partners
One of the features that sets Ultimate Rewards® apart from the other flexible points programs is that they transfer on a 1:1 basis to every partner. Other programs may have transfer rates that move at a lower rate. For example, 1,000 Capital One miles converts to only 500 Accor Live Limitless points or 750 EVA Air miles. Additionally, Chase offers periodic transfer bonuses to select partners where you receive even more miles or points for your transfer.
You redeem points to book travel
While both the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve® allow you to book travel with your points, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® could offer more value on these redemptions. Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders can redeem points to book travel through Chase at a potentially higher value.
» Learn more: How to maximize Chase Ultimate Rewards® points value
When dining out
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is the best choice to pay for meals when dining out. It offers 3 points per dollar on dining, delivery services and takeout. By comparison, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card only earns 2 miles per dollar on dining purchases.
» Learn more: The Capital One Venture X vs. the Chase Sapphire Reserve
Which card is right for you?
The best premium travel card depends on how you travel and what you are looking for. While the Chase Sapphire Reserve® has been popular since its initial release several years ago, the new Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers a better deal at this time.
Cardholders can save money on annual fees and enjoy a bonus of 10,000 miles every year they renew the card. There is no charge to add up to four additional cardholders and you'll receive cell phone protection of up to $800. (Benefits may change over time.)
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2026:
- Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
- Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Luxury perks: American Express Platinum Card®
- Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
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