Chase Sapphire Preferred or Venture X: Which card is right for you?

Chase and Capital One are currently the top contenders in the Travel Rewards credit card market. If you’re on the lookout for a travel rewards card, you might want to think about the Chase Sapphire Preferred® card and the Capital One Venture X Rewards credit card.

Both cards feature unique transferable currencies and come with a range of travel benefits. With Sapphire, you earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points, while with Venture X, you rack up capital miles. The annual fee for Sapphire is $95, whereas Venture X costs $395.

So, while Sapphire has some strong attributes, those high annual fees don’t necessarily make Venture X the better choice automatically.

Let’s explore the similarities and differences between these two cards and see which might be a better fit for you.

Sapphire Preferred vs. Venture X comparison

Sapphire Preferred vs. Venture X Welcome Offer

For a limited time, new applicants for the Chase Sapphire Preferred can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first three months, with the offer closing on May 15th. The value of this welcome bonus is estimated at $2,050 based on the TPG’s evaluation.

On the flip side, new Venture X applicants can earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first three months, with its welcome offer valued at approximately $1,388.

winner: Sapphire Preferred, by over $600.

Benefits of Sapphire Preferred vs. Venture X

Both cards provide similar perks, like no foreign transaction fees and shopping protections.

The Sapphire Preferred includes:

On the other hand, the Venture X offers:

The travel credits for Venture X are limited to Capital One Travel, but they are generally straightforward to utilize.

Venture X provides excellent lounge access through Priority Pass, allowing primary cardholders to bring guests at no extra cost. It also includes mobile phone protection and ride protection—features not available with Sapphire. However, Sapphire does provide baggage delay insurance, which Venture X lacks.

winner: Venture X for its extensive benefits, including the annual $300 travel credit, lounge access, and more.

Earn rewards with Sapphire Preferred vs. Venture X

With Sapphire Preferred, you can earn:

• 5 points on trips booked through Chase Travel
• 5 points on Lyft (until September 30, 2027)
• 5 points on Peloton purchases over $150 (up to 25,000 bonus points until December 31, 2027)
• 3 points on dining and certain subscriptions (excluding selected stores)
• 2 points on all other trips
• 1 point on everything else

Meanwhile, Venture X earns:

• 10 miles for Capital One Travel bookings
• 5 miles on flights and vacation rentals
• 2 miles on all other eligible purchases

Both cards earn significantly on travel bookings via their respective platforms, although it might not be recommended to book through a travel portal in many cases.

Sapphire Preferred has more bonus categories, but some are quite niche, while Venture X offers simplicity with its rewards structure.

winner: It’s a tie. Sapphire has more categories, but they can be limiting. Venture X is simpler.

Redeem rewards for Sapphire Preferred vs. Venture X

The optimal way to redeem your rewards with either card is through transfer partners. Each card does have additional redemption options, yet cash back and gift cards generally yield lower values.

Sapphire Preferred offers a 25% bonus when redeeming for travel booked through Chase, which is a nice fallback if award availability is low.

With Venture X, miles can be redeemed at a fixed rate of 1 cent per mile for travel-related purchases or travel booked with Capital One.

winner: Sapphire Preferred for its higher value when redeeming points for travel through Chase.

Transfer rewards between Sapphire Preferred vs. Venture X

Transferring rewards usually maximizes redemption value.

Sapphire Preferred can transfer points to 14 airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio. Personally, I tend to transfer points for Hyatt stays, making the most of the program during peak travel times.

Capital One also has about 15 partners, but not all transfer at a 1:1 ratio, which is a factor to consider.

winner: Sapphire Preferred has an edge with Hyatt as a partner and consistent 1:1 ratios for its transfers.

Should I get Sapphire or Venture X?

If you prioritize solid travel protections, lower fees, and a good number of domestic transfer partners, I’d lean toward Sapphire. On the other hand, if you’re after premium perks like lounge access and broader protections, the Venture X may be more appealing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both Sapphire Preferred and Venture X are commendable choices for travel rewards. While Venture X clearly has certain advantages, particularly for frequent travelers, Sapphire brings significant value with its lower annual fee and decent benefits.

Ultimately, choosing between them—or deciding to get both—depends on which fits your travel lifestyle and preferences better.