Travel rewards · comparison
Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Capital One Venture: Which Card Wins in 2026?
These are the two classic $95 travel cards, and most first-time travel-card shoppers end up choosing between them. Both are excellent — the difference is maximize-everything vs keep-it-simple.
Updated for 2026 · Independent & ad-supported
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase- Annual fee$95
- Rewards5x points on travel booked through Chase Travel, 3x on dining, select streaming, and online groceries, 2x on other travel, and 1x on everything else
- Welcome bonus100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months (limited-time elevated offer — confirm the current offer on the issuer site)
- Regular APR19.24%–27.49% variable
Capital One Venture Rewards
Capital One- Annual fee$95
- RewardsUnlimited 2x miles on every purchase, plus 5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Welcome bonus75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months
- Regular APR19.49%–28.49% variable
See how to apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred →
The quick verdict
The Chase Sapphire Preferred rewards more if you use bonus categories (dining, travel) and Chase’s transfer partners — it is the maximizer’s $95 card.
The Capital One Venture is the simpler card: a flat 2x miles on everything and easy redemptions. If you do not want to think about categories, it is the easier pick.
Rewards compared
Chase Sapphire Preferred: 5x on travel booked through Chase Travel, 3x on dining, select streaming, and online groceries, 2x on other travel, and 1x on everything else.
Capital One Venture: unlimited 2x miles on every purchase, plus 5x on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
The Sapphire Preferred earns more in its bonus categories; the Venture earns a guaranteed 2x on everything with nothing to track.
Annual fee and APR
Both cards have a $95 annual fee. The Sapphire Preferred carries a 19.24%–27.49% variable APR; the Venture a 19.49%–28.49% variable APR. Neither is meant to carry a balance.
Welcome bonus
Chase Sapphire Preferred: 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months (often a limited-time elevated offer).
Capital One Venture: 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
Flexibility and who each is best for
Both transfer to airline and hotel partners, but the Sapphire Preferred’s ecosystem and category bonuses reward people who optimize. The Venture is the “set it and forget it” 2x card.
Choose the Sapphire Preferred if you spend on dining and travel and want to maximize. Choose the Venture if you want a simple, flat, no-category travel card.
Frequently asked questions
- Which $95 travel card is better?
- For maximizers who use dining and travel categories, the Sapphire Preferred earns more. For simplicity, the Venture’s flat 2x on everything is hard to beat.
- Do both transfer to travel partners?
- Yes — both let you transfer points/miles to airline and hotel partners, though the specific partners and ratios differ. Confirm current partners on each issuer’s site.
- Which has the bigger welcome bonus?
- The Sapphire Preferred’s 100,000-point offer (after $5,000 spend) is typically larger than the Venture’s 75,000 miles (after $4,000 spend), but it requires more spend. Confirm current offers before applying.
See how to apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred →
Advertiser disclosure: this comparison is supported by advertising and is for general information only — not financial advice. Card terms change; always confirm current terms on each issuer's official site before applying.