Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Side-by-side comparison of Chase Sapphire Preferred and Capital One Venture X: annual fees, rewards rates, travel credits, lounge access, and which card is right for your travel style.
Quick Answer
The Venture X is better if you fly 3+ times per year and want lounge access with a $395 fee that pays itself back through credits. The Sapphire Preferred is better if you want a low $95 fee, premium travel protections, and access to Chase's Ultimate Rewards transfer partners like Hyatt and United. The Venture X wins on lounge access and 2x miles on everything; the Sapphire Preferred wins on dining rewards and rental car coverage.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
The best mid-tier travel credit card in 2026 — 3x points on dining and 2x on travel, $95 annual fee, and a 60,000-point welcome bonus worth $750 in travel.
Key Features
Regions
US
Pros
- +Excellent 60,000-point welcome bonus worth $750 through Chase Travel
- +Points transfer at 1:1 to 14+ airline and hotel partners including Hyatt, United, and Southwest
- +Primary rental car insurance and comprehensive trip cancellation coverage included
- +Earns 3x on dining and 2x on travel with no spending cap
Cons
- −$95 annual fee with no first-year waiver for new applicants
- −No airport lounge access — you need the Sapphire Reserve for that
- −Only 1x points on non-bonus category spending like groceries and gas
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The premium travel card with a reasonable $395 fee, 2x miles on everything, and up to $300 in travel credits plus 10,000 bonus miles annually.
Key Features
Regions
US
Pros
- +Annual $300 travel credit plus 10,000 bonus miles fully offset the $395 fee
- +Unlimited 2x miles on all purchases with no category tracking needed
- +Priority Pass Select and Capital One Lounge access (1,300+ lounges)
- +75,000-mile welcome bonus on only $4,000 spend in 3 months
Cons
- −$300 travel credit is restricted to bookings through Capital One Travel portal
- −No bonus categories for dining, gas, or groceries — just flat 2x miles
- −Capital One Lounges are still limited to only a few airports as of 2026
Real-World Scenarios
You want lounge access and premium perks
You fly frequently and want Priority Pass lounge access, travel credits, and anniversary bonuses without paying Amex-level fees.
You want low annual fees and strong travel protections
You travel 1-2 times per year and want comprehensive trip cancellation insurance, primary rental car coverage, and a low annual fee.
You value flexible point transfers to airlines and hotels
You want to transfer points to multiple airline and hotel partners for maximum redemption value on premium cabins and aspirational properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which card has a lower annual fee?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred costs $95/year. The Capital One Venture X costs $395/year, but includes $300 in annual travel credits plus 10,000 anniversary bonus miles that fully offset the fee if you use them.
Which card offers better lounge access?
The Capital One Venture X provides Priority Pass Select and Capital One Lounge access (1,300+ lounges). The Sapphire Preferred has no lounge access — you need the Sapphire Reserve for that.