Chase Sapphire Reserve? vs. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Which is right for you?
Fortune Recommends? has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends? and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefits guide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Fortune Recommends? has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends? and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefits guide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
When it comes to additional benefits and perks, the Chase Sapphire Reserve stands out with its comprehensive suite of offerings. Cardholders of the Reserve card benefit from a $300 annual travel credit, lounge access for themselves and up to two guests through a Priority Pass? Select Membership, and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck? fee statement credit.
The Venture X offers similar perks, including a $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel, Priority Pass? Select Membership, and up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck?. Venture X also provides up to 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary, which can be used toward travel. Notably, the Venture X also offers free authorized user cards, which the Chase Sapphire Reserve charges for.
Winner: Both cards offer strong travel protections and airport lounge access benefits, but the Venture X edges out with a lower annual fee and additional anniversary miles.
Pro tip:
Getting free authorized user cards is a huge perk of the Venture X, especially since each person can get their own Priority Pass membership. My kid gets Capital One Lounge and Priority Pass entry even when flying without me, which is not only a luxury but a money-saver since Capital One Lounges encourage you to take food to go.
Another card to consider
If you’re seeking luxury travel perks and are open to a higher annual fee, theThe Platinum Card? from American Express is worth considering. With a $695 annual fee, it offers a comprehensive set of benefits including 5x Membership Rewards? Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), access to the largest available network of airport lounges, a $200 airline fee credit, and credits for Uber, Saks Fifth Avenue, and more. The Platinum Card is a powerhouse for frequent travelers who want premium services and extensive lounge access.
To view rates and fees of the Amex-PlatinumCard-CardName, see this page.
The takeaway
Choose the Venture X for: better value with its lower fee and free authorized user card benefits along with its ease of use.
Choose the Sapphire Reserve for: transfers to a travel partner only offered by Chase or if you want the ability to redeem for cash back.
You won’t go wrong with either the Sapphire Reserve and the Venture X as both offer strong bang for your annual fee buck.
Fortune Recommends? has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends? and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefits guide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X offer flexible redemption options that cater to different preferences. Both cards also offer the ability to transfer to travel partners as we’ll discuss below.
Chase Sapphire Reserve: Points can be redeemed through theChase Ultimate Rewards? portal for cash back, gift cards, and more at one cent each. When redeemed for travel through the portal, points are worth 1.5 cents each. This is a great option for tours, which is how I recently used Ultimate Rewards in Panama.
Capital One Venture X: Miles can be redeemed for 1 cent each on travel through Capital One Travel or statement credits for travel purchases. However, if you want to use them for cash the value is reduced to 0.5 cents each.
Winner: The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers more value per point when redeemed for travel through the Chase portal, making it a strong option for those looking to maximize their points for travel. It also wins because you could use cash back to pay for any purchases instead of just travel at 1 cent each.
Pro tip:
You can use Capital One miles toward travel purchases made within the past 90 days. This means that you don’t need to earn a welcome bonus before you spend it! I opened the Capital One Venture and retroactively redeemed Capital One miles for a five-star stay at a castle near Galway, Ireland. Joseph Hostetler, Fortune contributor
Transfer partners
One of the key benefits of both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X is the ability to transfer points or miles to travel partners, allowing for flexibility and potentially more value. However, their partners differ as you’ll see below.
Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Capital One Venture X transfer partners side by side
Program | Chase Sapphire Reserve | Capital One Venture X |
|---|---|---|
Airlines | ||
Air Canada Aeroplan | X | X |
Air France/KLM Flying Blue | X | X |
British Airways Executive Club | X | X |
Emirates Skywards | X | X |
JetBlue TrueBlue | X | X |
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | X | X |
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club/Virgin Red | X | X |
Aer Lingus AerClub | X | |
Iberia Plus | X | |
Southwest Rapid Rewards | X | |
United MileagePlus | X | |
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles | X | |
Avianca Lifemiles | X | |
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | X | |
TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go | X | |
Aeromexico Club Premier | X | |
Etihad Guest | X | |
EVA Air Infinity MileageLands | X | |
Finnair Plus | X | |
Qantas Frequent Flyer | X | |
Qatar Airways Privilege Club | X | |
Hotels | ||
Hyatt | X | |
IHG Rewards Club | X | |
Marriott Bonvoy | X | |
ALL Accor Live Limitless | X | |
Choice Privileges | X | |
Wyndham Rewards | X |
Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve offers an easier-to-use range of 1:1 transfer partners, particularly Hyatt Hotels, making it more attractive if you’re looking to maximize value through transfers.
Welcome Offer
Both the Sapphire Reserve and Venture X cards feature generous welcome offers to entice new cardholders.
The Reserve card offers 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
In comparison, the Venture X offers 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening(That’s $750 toward travel through Capital One Travel).
Winner: The winner here will vary depending on limited time offers, but in general the Sapphire Reserve will offer more value on points redeemed through Chase Travel thanks to the elevated 1.5 cent redemption rate.
Perks
When it comes to additional benefits and perks, the Chase Sapphire Reserve stands out with its comprehensive suite of offerings. Cardholders of the Reserve card benefit from a $300 annual travel credit, lounge access for themselves and up to two guests through a Priority Pass? Select Membership, and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck? fee statement credit.
The Venture X offers similar perks, including a $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel, Priority Pass? Select Membership, and up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck?. Venture X also provides up to 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary, which can be used toward travel. Notably, the Venture X also offers free authorized user cards, which the Chase Sapphire Reserve charges for.
Winner: Both cards offer strong travel protections and airport lounge access benefits, but the Venture X edges out with a lower annual fee and additional anniversary miles.
Pro tip:
Getting free authorized user cards is a huge perk of the Venture X, especially since each person can get their own Priority Pass membership. My kid gets Capital One Lounge and Priority Pass entry even when flying without me, which is not only a luxury but a money-saver since Capital One Lounges encourage you to take food to go.
Another card to consider
If you’re seeking luxury travel perks and are open to a higher annual fee, theThe Platinum Card? from American Express is worth considering. With a $695 annual fee, it offers a comprehensive set of benefits including 5x Membership Rewards? Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), access to the largest available network of airport lounges, a $200 airline fee credit, and credits for Uber, Saks Fifth Avenue, and more. The Platinum Card is a powerhouse for frequent travelers who want premium services and extensive lounge access.
To view rates and fees of the Amex-PlatinumCard-CardName, see this page.
The takeaway
Choose the Venture X for: better value with its lower fee and free authorized user card benefits along with its ease of use.
Choose the Sapphire Reserve for: transfers to a travel partner only offered by Chase or if you want the ability to redeem for cash back.
You won’t go wrong with either the Sapphire Reserve and the Venture X as both offer strong bang for your annual fee buck.
Fortune Recommends? has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends? and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefits guide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with a hefty annual fee of $550, making it the more expensive option of the two. On the other hand, the Capital One Venture X offers a slightly more affordable annual fee of $395.
Both cards offer credits to help offset their onerous annual fees. The Sapphire Reserve offers an annual $300 annual travel credit toward any travel purchase while the Venture X offers a $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel—and $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel that can be redeemed in any way you choose.
Winner: The lower annual fee of the Venture X makes it a more accessible option if you want premium benefits with a lower price tag.
Pro tip:
When I took my kids to Disneyland, I still managed to use my Venture X miles to buy park tickets by getting them through Get Away Today, a discount travel provider, instead of directly from Disney, which isn't a travel merchant. You'll have a hard time getting that kind of flexibility with other travel rewards programs. Ben Luthi, Fortune Contributor
Earning Rewards
Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X offer enticing rewards to cardholders, albeit with different reward structures.
The Reserve is tailored for people who frequently travel and dine out, offering substantial rewards in these categories. It offers 10X points on Chase Dining through Chase Travel?, 5x points on flights through Chase Travel? after the first $300 spent annually on travel purchases, and 10x points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel? immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually, among other rewards.
The Venture X keeps earnings simple, offering 10X Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5X Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, and 2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day.
Winner: While the rewards structure of the Reserve card is higher on travel and dining, the Venture X’s flat 2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day make it a better option for daily use.
Redeeming rewards
Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X offer flexible redemption options that cater to different preferences. Both cards also offer the ability to transfer to travel partners as we’ll discuss below.
Chase Sapphire Reserve: Points can be redeemed through theChase Ultimate Rewards? portal for cash back, gift cards, and more at one cent each. When redeemed for travel through the portal, points are worth 1.5 cents each. This is a great option for tours, which is how I recently used Ultimate Rewards in Panama.
Capital One Venture X: Miles can be redeemed for 1 cent each on travel through Capital One Travel or statement credits for travel purchases. However, if you want to use them for cash the value is reduced to 0.5 cents each.
Winner: The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers more value per point when redeemed for travel through the Chase portal, making it a strong option for those looking to maximize their points for travel. It also wins because you could use cash back to pay for any purchases instead of just travel at 1 cent each.
Pro tip:
You can use Capital One miles toward travel purchases made within the past 90 days. This means that you don’t need to earn a welcome bonus before you spend it! I opened the Capital One Venture and retroactively redeemed Capital One miles for a five-star stay at a castle near Galway, Ireland. Joseph Hostetler, Fortune contributor
Transfer partners
One of the key benefits of both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X is the ability to transfer points or miles to travel partners, allowing for flexibility and potentially more value. However, their partners differ as you’ll see below.
Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Capital One Venture X transfer partners side by side
Program | Chase Sapphire Reserve | Capital One Venture X |
|---|---|---|
Airlines | ||
Air Canada Aeroplan | X | X |
Air France/KLM Flying Blue | X | X |
British Airways Executive Club | X | X |
Emirates Skywards | X | X |
JetBlue TrueBlue | X | X |
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | X | X |
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club/Virgin Red | X | X |
Aer Lingus AerClub | X | |
Iberia Plus | X | |
Southwest Rapid Rewards | X | |
United MileagePlus | X | |
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles | X | |
Avianca Lifemiles | X | |
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | X | |
TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go | X | |
Aeromexico Club Premier | X | |
Etihad Guest | X | |
EVA Air Infinity MileageLands | X | |
Finnair Plus | X | |
Qantas Frequent Flyer | X | |
Qatar Airways Privilege Club | X | |
Hotels | ||
Hyatt | X | |
IHG Rewards Club | X | |
Marriott Bonvoy | X | |
ALL Accor Live Limitless | X | |
Choice Privileges | X | |
Wyndham Rewards | X |
Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve offers an easier-to-use range of 1:1 transfer partners, particularly Hyatt Hotels, making it more attractive if you’re looking to maximize value through transfers.
Welcome Offer
Both the Sapphire Reserve and Venture X cards feature generous welcome offers to entice new cardholders.
The Reserve card offers 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
In comparison, the Venture X offers 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening(That’s $750 toward travel through Capital One Travel).
Winner: The winner here will vary depending on limited time offers, but in general the Sapphire Reserve will offer more value on points redeemed through Chase Travel thanks to the elevated 1.5 cent redemption rate.
Perks
When it comes to additional benefits and perks, the Chase Sapphire Reserve stands out with its comprehensive suite of offerings. Cardholders of the Reserve card benefit from a $300 annual travel credit, lounge access for themselves and up to two guests through a Priority Pass? Select Membership, and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck? fee statement credit.
The Venture X offers similar perks, including a $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel, Priority Pass? Select Membership, and up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck?. Venture X also provides up to 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary, which can be used toward travel. Notably, the Venture X also offers free authorized user cards, which the Chase Sapphire Reserve charges for.
Winner: Both cards offer strong travel protections and airport lounge access benefits, but the Venture X edges out with a lower annual fee and additional anniversary miles.
Pro tip:
Getting free authorized user cards is a huge perk of the Venture X, especially since each person can get their own Priority Pass membership. My kid gets Capital One Lounge and Priority Pass entry even when flying without me, which is not only a luxury but a money-saver since Capital One Lounges encourage you to take food to go.
Another card to consider
If you’re seeking luxury travel perks and are open to a higher annual fee, theThe Platinum Card? from American Express is worth considering. With a $695 annual fee, it offers a comprehensive set of benefits including 5x Membership Rewards? Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), access to the largest available network of airport lounges, a $200 airline fee credit, and credits for Uber, Saks Fifth Avenue, and more. The Platinum Card is a powerhouse for frequent travelers who want premium services and extensive lounge access.
To view rates and fees of the Amex-PlatinumCard-CardName, see this page.
The takeaway
Choose the Venture X for: better value with its lower fee and free authorized user card benefits along with its ease of use.
Choose the Sapphire Reserve for: transfers to a travel partner only offered by Chase or if you want the ability to redeem for cash back.
You won’t go wrong with either the Sapphire Reserve and the Venture X as both offer strong bang for your annual fee buck.
Fortune Recommends? has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends? and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefits guide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
at Cardratings.com
Welcome Bonus
75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$395
Our Take
The Venture X has the lowest fee of the premium cards we compared, but still offers top-tier perks. With both a $300 Capital One Travel credit and 10,000 anniversary bonus miles, Priority Pass membership, travel coverage and easy-to-use points are icing on the cake.
Rewards
10X Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
5X Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
Notable Perks
Free authorized user cards
Airport lounge access
of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Annual Fee
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with a hefty annual fee of $550, making it the more expensive option of the two. On the other hand, the Capital One Venture X offers a slightly more affordable annual fee of $395.
Both cards offer credits to help offset their onerous annual fees. The Sapphire Reserve offers an annual $300 annual travel credit toward any travel purchase while the Venture X offers a $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel—and $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel that can be redeemed in any way you choose.
Winner: The lower annual fee of the Venture X makes it a more accessible option if you want premium benefits with a lower price tag.
Pro tip:
When I took my kids to Disneyland, I still managed to use my Venture X miles to buy park tickets by getting them through Get Away Today, a discount travel provider, instead of directly from Disney, which isn't a travel merchant. You'll have a hard time getting that kind of flexibility with other travel rewards programs. Ben Luthi, Fortune Contributor
Earning Rewards
Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X offer enticing rewards to cardholders, albeit with different reward structures.
The Reserve is tailored for people who frequently travel and dine out, offering substantial rewards in these categories. It offers 10X points on Chase Dining through Chase Travel?, 5x points on flights through Chase Travel? after the first $300 spent annually on travel purchases, and 10x points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel? immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually, among other rewards.
The Venture X keeps earnings simple, offering 10X Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5X Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, and 2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day.
Winner: While the rewards structure of the Reserve card is higher on travel and dining, the Venture X’s flat 2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day make it a better option for daily use.
Redeeming rewards
Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X offer flexible redemption options that cater to different preferences. Both cards also offer the ability to transfer to travel partners as we’ll discuss below.
Chase Sapphire Reserve: Points can be redeemed through theChase Ultimate Rewards? portal for cash back, gift cards, and more at one cent each. When redeemed for travel through the portal, points are worth 1.5 cents each. This is a great option for tours, which is how I recently used Ultimate Rewards in Panama.
Capital One Venture X: Miles can be redeemed for 1 cent each on travel through Capital One Travel or statement credits for travel purchases. However, if you want to use them for cash the value is reduced to 0.5 cents each.
Winner: The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers more value per point when redeemed for travel through the Chase portal, making it a strong option for those looking to maximize their points for travel. It also wins because you could use cash back to pay for any purchases instead of just travel at 1 cent each.
Pro tip:
You can use Capital One miles toward travel purchases made within the past 90 days. This means that you don’t need to earn a welcome bonus before you spend it! I opened the Capital One Venture and retroactively redeemed Capital One miles for a five-star stay at a castle near Galway, Ireland. Joseph Hostetler, Fortune contributor
Transfer partners
One of the key benefits of both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X is the ability to transfer points or miles to travel partners, allowing for flexibility and potentially more value. However, their partners differ as you’ll see below.
Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Capital One Venture X transfer partners side by side
Program | Chase Sapphire Reserve | Capital One Venture X |
|---|---|---|
Airlines | ||
Air Canada Aeroplan | X | X |
Air France/KLM Flying Blue | X | X |
British Airways Executive Club | X | X |
Emirates Skywards | X | X |
JetBlue TrueBlue | X | X |
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | X | X |
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club/Virgin Red | X | X |
Aer Lingus AerClub | X | |
Iberia Plus | X | |
Southwest Rapid Rewards | X | |
United MileagePlus | X | |
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles | X | |
Avianca Lifemiles | X | |
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | X | |
TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go | X | |
Aeromexico Club Premier | X | |
Etihad Guest | X | |
EVA Air Infinity MileageLands | X | |
Finnair Plus | X | |
Qantas Frequent Flyer | X | |
Qatar Airways Privilege Club | X | |
Hotels | ||
Hyatt | X | |
IHG Rewards Club | X | |
Marriott Bonvoy | X | |
ALL Accor Live Limitless | X | |
Choice Privileges | X | |
Wyndham Rewards | X |
Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve offers an easier-to-use range of 1:1 transfer partners, particularly Hyatt Hotels, making it more attractive if you’re looking to maximize value through transfers.
Welcome Offer
Both the Sapphire Reserve and Venture X cards feature generous welcome offers to entice new cardholders.
The Reserve card offers 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
In comparison, the Venture X offers 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening(That’s $750 toward travel through Capital One Travel).
Winner: The winner here will vary depending on limited time offers, but in general the Sapphire Reserve will offer more value on points redeemed through Chase Travel thanks to the elevated 1.5 cent redemption rate.
Perks
When it comes to additional benefits and perks, the Chase Sapphire Reserve stands out with its comprehensive suite of offerings. Cardholders of the Reserve card benefit from a $300 annual travel credit, lounge access for themselves and up to two guests through a Priority Pass? Select Membership, and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck? fee statement credit.
The Venture X offers similar perks, including a $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel, Priority Pass? Select Membership, and up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck?. Venture X also provides up to 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary, which can be used toward travel. Notably, the Venture X also offers free authorized user cards, which the Chase Sapphire Reserve charges for.
Winner: Both cards offer strong travel protections and airport lounge access benefits, but the Venture X edges out with a lower annual fee and additional anniversary miles.
Pro tip:
Getting free authorized user cards is a huge perk of the Venture X, especially since each person can get their own Priority Pass membership. My kid gets Capital One Lounge and Priority Pass entry even when flying without me, which is not only a luxury but a money-saver since Capital One Lounges encourage you to take food to go.
Another card to consider
If you’re seeking luxury travel perks and are open to a higher annual fee, theThe Platinum Card? from American Express is worth considering. With a $695 annual fee, it offers a comprehensive set of benefits including 5x Membership Rewards? Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), access to the largest available network of airport lounges, a $200 airline fee credit, and credits for Uber, Saks Fifth Avenue, and more. The Platinum Card is a powerhouse for frequent travelers who want premium services and extensive lounge access.
To view rates and fees of the Amex-PlatinumCard-CardName, see this page.
The takeaway
Choose the Venture X for: better value with its lower fee and free authorized user card benefits along with its ease of use.
Choose the Sapphire Reserve for: transfers to a travel partner only offered by Chase or if you want the ability to redeem for cash back.
You won’t go wrong with either the Sapphire Reserve and the Venture X as both offer strong bang for your annual fee buck.
Fortune Recommends? has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends? and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefits guide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
at Cardratings.com
Welcome Bonus
75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$395
Our Take
The Venture X has the lowest fee of the premium cards we compared, but still offers top-tier perks. With both a $300 Capital One Travel credit and 10,000 anniversary bonus miles, Priority Pass membership, travel coverage and easy-to-use points are icing on the cake.
Rewards
10X Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
5X Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
Notable Perks
Free authorized user cards
Airport lounge access
of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Annual Fee
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with a hefty annual fee of $550, making it the more expensive option of the two. On the other hand, the Capital One Venture X offers a slightly more affordable annual fee of $395.
Both cards offer credits to help offset their onerous annual fees. The Sapphire Reserve offers an annual $300 annual travel credit toward any travel purchase while the Venture X offers a $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel—and $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel that can be redeemed in any way you choose.
Winner: The lower annual fee of the Venture X makes it a more accessible option if you want premium benefits with a lower price tag.
Pro tip:
When I took my kids to Disneyland, I still managed to use my Venture X miles to buy park tickets by getting them through Get Away Today, a discount travel provider, instead of directly from Disney, which isn't a travel merchant. You'll have a hard time getting that kind of flexibility with other travel rewards programs. Ben Luthi, Fortune Contributor
Earning Rewards
Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X offer enticing rewards to cardholders, albeit with different reward structures.
The Reserve is tailored for people who frequently travel and dine out, offering substantial rewards in these categories. It offers 10X points on Chase Dining through Chase Travel?, 5x points on flights through Chase Travel? after the first $300 spent annually on travel purchases, and 10x points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel? immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually, among other rewards.
The Venture X keeps earnings simple, offering 10X Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5X Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, and 2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day.
Winner: While the rewards structure of the Reserve card is higher on travel and dining, the Venture X’s flat 2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day make it a better option for daily use.
Redeeming rewards
Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X offer flexible redemption options that cater to different preferences. Both cards also offer the ability to transfer to travel partners as we’ll discuss below.
Chase Sapphire Reserve: Points can be redeemed through theChase Ultimate Rewards? portal for cash back, gift cards, and more at one cent each. When redeemed for travel through the portal, points are worth 1.5 cents each. This is a great option for tours, which is how I recently used Ultimate Rewards in Panama.
Capital One Venture X: Miles can be redeemed for 1 cent each on travel through Capital One Travel or statement credits for travel purchases. However, if you want to use them for cash the value is reduced to 0.5 cents each.
Winner: The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers more value per point when redeemed for travel through the Chase portal, making it a strong option for those looking to maximize their points for travel. It also wins because you could use cash back to pay for any purchases instead of just travel at 1 cent each.
Pro tip:
You can use Capital One miles toward travel purchases made within the past 90 days. This means that you don’t need to earn a welcome bonus before you spend it! I opened the Capital One Venture and retroactively redeemed Capital One miles for a five-star stay at a castle near Galway, Ireland. Joseph Hostetler, Fortune contributor
Transfer partners
One of the key benefits of both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X is the ability to transfer points or miles to travel partners, allowing for flexibility and potentially more value. However, their partners differ as you’ll see below.
Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Capital One Venture X transfer partners side by side
Program | Chase Sapphire Reserve | Capital One Venture X |
|---|---|---|
Airlines | ||
Air Canada Aeroplan | X | X |
Air France/KLM Flying Blue | X | X |
British Airways Executive Club | X | X |
Emirates Skywards | X | X |
JetBlue TrueBlue | X | X |
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | X | X |
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club/Virgin Red | X | X |
Aer Lingus AerClub | X | |
Iberia Plus | X | |
Southwest Rapid Rewards | X | |
United MileagePlus | X | |
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles | X | |
Avianca Lifemiles | X | |
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | X | |
TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go | X | |
Aeromexico Club Premier | X | |
Etihad Guest | X | |
EVA Air Infinity MileageLands | X | |
Finnair Plus | X | |
Qantas Frequent Flyer | X | |
Qatar Airways Privilege Club | X | |
Hotels | ||
Hyatt | X | |
IHG Rewards Club | X | |
Marriott Bonvoy | X | |
ALL Accor Live Limitless | X | |
Choice Privileges | X | |
Wyndham Rewards | X |
Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve offers an easier-to-use range of 1:1 transfer partners, particularly Hyatt Hotels, making it more attractive if you’re looking to maximize value through transfers.
Welcome Offer
Both the Sapphire Reserve and Venture X cards feature generous welcome offers to entice new cardholders.
The Reserve card offers 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
In comparison, the Venture X offers 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening(That’s $750 toward travel through Capital One Travel).
Winner: The winner here will vary depending on limited time offers, but in general the Sapphire Reserve will offer more value on points redeemed through Chase Travel thanks to the elevated 1.5 cent redemption rate.
Perks
When it comes to additional benefits and perks, the Chase Sapphire Reserve stands out with its comprehensive suite of offerings. Cardholders of the Reserve card benefit from a $300 annual travel credit, lounge access for themselves and up to two guests through a Priority Pass? Select Membership, and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck? fee statement credit.
The Venture X offers similar perks, including a $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel, Priority Pass? Select Membership, and up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck?. Venture X also provides up to 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary, which can be used toward travel. Notably, the Venture X also offers free authorized user cards, which the Chase Sapphire Reserve charges for.
Winner: Both cards offer strong travel protections and airport lounge access benefits, but the Venture X edges out with a lower annual fee and additional anniversary miles.
Pro tip:
Getting free authorized user cards is a huge perk of the Venture X, especially since each person can get their own Priority Pass membership. My kid gets Capital One Lounge and Priority Pass entry even when flying without me, which is not only a luxury but a money-saver since Capital One Lounges encourage you to take food to go.
Another card to consider
If you’re seeking luxury travel perks and are open to a higher annual fee, theThe Platinum Card? from American Express is worth considering. With a $695 annual fee, it offers a comprehensive set of benefits including 5x Membership Rewards? Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), access to the largest available network of airport lounges, a $200 airline fee credit, and credits for Uber, Saks Fifth Avenue, and more. The Platinum Card is a powerhouse for frequent travelers who want premium services and extensive lounge access.
To view rates and fees of the Amex-PlatinumCard-CardName, see this page.
The takeaway
Choose the Venture X for: better value with its lower fee and free authorized user card benefits along with its ease of use.
Choose the Sapphire Reserve for: transfers to a travel partner only offered by Chase or if you want the ability to redeem for cash back.
You won’t go wrong with either the Sapphire Reserve and the Venture X as both offer strong bang for your annual fee buck.
Fortune Recommends? has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends? and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefits guide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
at Cardratings.com
Welcome Bonus
75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$395
Our Take
The Venture X has the lowest fee of the premium cards we compared, but still offers top-tier perks. With both a $300 Capital One Travel credit and 10,000 anniversary bonus miles, Priority Pass membership, travel coverage and easy-to-use points are icing on the cake.
Rewards
10X Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
5X Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
Notable Perks
Free authorized user cards
Airport lounge access
of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Annual Fee
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with a hefty annual fee of $550, making it the more expensive option of the two. On the other hand, the Capital One Venture X offers a slightly more affordable annual fee of $395.
Both cards offer credits to help offset their onerous annual fees. The Sapphire Reserve offers an annual $300 annual travel credit toward any travel purchase while the Venture X offers a $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel—and $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel that can be redeemed in any way you choose.
Winner: The lower annual fee of the Venture X makes it a more accessible option if you want premium benefits with a lower price tag.
Pro tip:
When I took my kids to Disneyland, I still managed to use my Venture X miles to buy park tickets by getting them through Get Away Today, a discount travel provider, instead of directly from Disney, which isn't a travel merchant. You'll have a hard time getting that kind of flexibility with other travel rewards programs. Ben Luthi, Fortune Contributor
Earning Rewards
Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X offer enticing rewards to cardholders, albeit with different reward structures.
The Reserve is tailored for people who frequently travel and dine out, offering substantial rewards in these categories. It offers 10X points on Chase Dining through Chase Travel?, 5x points on flights through Chase Travel? after the first $300 spent annually on travel purchases, and 10x points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel? immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually, among other rewards.
The Venture X keeps earnings simple, offering 10X Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5X Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, and 2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day.
Winner: While the rewards structure of the Reserve card is higher on travel and dining, the Venture X’s flat 2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day make it a better option for daily use.
Redeeming rewards
Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X offer flexible redemption options that cater to different preferences. Both cards also offer the ability to transfer to travel partners as we’ll discuss below.
Chase Sapphire Reserve: Points can be redeemed through theChase Ultimate Rewards? portal for cash back, gift cards, and more at one cent each. When redeemed for travel through the portal, points are worth 1.5 cents each. This is a great option for tours, which is how I recently used Ultimate Rewards in Panama.
Capital One Venture X: Miles can be redeemed for 1 cent each on travel through Capital One Travel or statement credits for travel purchases. However, if you want to use them for cash the value is reduced to 0.5 cents each.
Winner: The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers more value per point when redeemed for travel through the Chase portal, making it a strong option for those looking to maximize their points for travel. It also wins because you could use cash back to pay for any purchases instead of just travel at 1 cent each.
Pro tip:
You can use Capital One miles toward travel purchases made within the past 90 days. This means that you don’t need to earn a welcome bonus before you spend it! I opened the Capital One Venture and retroactively redeemed Capital One miles for a five-star stay at a castle near Galway, Ireland. Joseph Hostetler, Fortune contributor
Transfer partners
One of the key benefits of both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X is the ability to transfer points or miles to travel partners, allowing for flexibility and potentially more value. However, their partners differ as you’ll see below.
Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Capital One Venture X transfer partners side by side
Program | Chase Sapphire Reserve | Capital One Venture X |
|---|---|---|
Airlines | ||
Air Canada Aeroplan | X | X |
Air France/KLM Flying Blue | X | X |
British Airways Executive Club | X | X |
Emirates Skywards | X | X |
JetBlue TrueBlue | X | X |
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | X | X |
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club/Virgin Red | X | X |
Aer Lingus AerClub | X | |
Iberia Plus | X | |
Southwest Rapid Rewards | X | |
United MileagePlus | X | |
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles | X | |
Avianca Lifemiles | X | |
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | X | |
TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go | X | |
Aeromexico Club Premier | X | |
Etihad Guest | X | |
EVA Air Infinity MileageLands | X | |
Finnair Plus | X | |
Qantas Frequent Flyer | X | |
Qatar Airways Privilege Club | X | |
Hotels | ||
Hyatt | X | |
IHG Rewards Club | X | |
Marriott Bonvoy | X | |
ALL Accor Live Limitless | X | |
Choice Privileges | X | |
Wyndham Rewards | X |
Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve offers an easier-to-use range of 1:1 transfer partners, particularly Hyatt Hotels, making it more attractive if you’re looking to maximize value through transfers.
Welcome Offer
Both the Sapphire Reserve and Venture X cards feature generous welcome offers to entice new cardholders.
The Reserve card offers 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
In comparison, the Venture X offers 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening(That’s $750 toward travel through Capital One Travel).
Winner: The winner here will vary depending on limited time offers, but in general the Sapphire Reserve will offer more value on points redeemed through Chase Travel thanks to the elevated 1.5 cent redemption rate.
Perks
When it comes to additional benefits and perks, the Chase Sapphire Reserve stands out with its comprehensive suite of offerings. Cardholders of the Reserve card benefit from a $300 annual travel credit, lounge access for themselves and up to two guests through a Priority Pass? Select Membership, and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck? fee statement credit.
The Venture X offers similar perks, including a $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel, Priority Pass? Select Membership, and up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck?. Venture X also provides up to 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary, which can be used toward travel. Notably, the Venture X also offers free authorized user cards, which the Chase Sapphire Reserve charges for.
Winner: Both cards offer strong travel protections and airport lounge access benefits, but the Venture X edges out with a lower annual fee and additional anniversary miles.
Pro tip:
Getting free authorized user cards is a huge perk of the Venture X, especially since each person can get their own Priority Pass membership. My kid gets Capital One Lounge and Priority Pass entry even when flying without me, which is not only a luxury but a money-saver since Capital One Lounges encourage you to take food to go.
Another card to consider
If you’re seeking luxury travel perks and are open to a higher annual fee, theThe Platinum Card? from American Express is worth considering. With a $695 annual fee, it offers a comprehensive set of benefits including 5x Membership Rewards? Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), access to the largest available network of airport lounges, a $200 airline fee credit, and credits for Uber, Saks Fifth Avenue, and more. The Platinum Card is a powerhouse for frequent travelers who want premium services and extensive lounge access.
To view rates and fees of the Amex-PlatinumCard-CardName, see this page.
The takeaway
Choose the Venture X for: better value with its lower fee and free authorized user card benefits along with its ease of use.
Choose the Sapphire Reserve for: transfers to a travel partner only offered by Chase or if you want the ability to redeem for cash back.
You won’t go wrong with either the Sapphire Reserve and the Venture X as both offer strong bang for your annual fee buck.
Fortune Recommends? has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends? and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefits guide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
at Cardratings.com
Welcome Bonus
75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$395
Our Take
The Venture X has the lowest fee of the premium cards we compared, but still offers top-tier perks. With both a $300 Capital One Travel credit and 10,000 anniversary bonus miles, Priority Pass membership, travel coverage and easy-to-use points are icing on the cake.
Rewards
10X Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
5X Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
Notable Perks
Free authorized user cards
Airport lounge access
of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Annual Fee
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with a hefty annual fee of $550, making it the more expensive option of the two. On the other hand, the Capital One Venture X offers a slightly more affordable annual fee of $395.
Both cards offer credits to help offset their onerous annual fees. The Sapphire Reserve offers an annual $300 annual travel credit toward any travel purchase while the Venture X offers a $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel—and $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel that can be redeemed in any way you choose.
Winner: The lower annual fee of the Venture X makes it a more accessible option if you want premium benefits with a lower price tag.
Pro tip:
When I took my kids to Disneyland, I still managed to use my Venture X miles to buy park tickets by getting them through Get Away Today, a discount travel provider, instead of directly from Disney, which isn't a travel merchant. You'll have a hard time getting that kind of flexibility with other travel rewards programs. Ben Luthi, Fortune Contributor
Earning Rewards
Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X offer enticing rewards to cardholders, albeit with different reward structures.
The Reserve is tailored for people who frequently travel and dine out, offering substantial rewards in these categories. It offers 10X points on Chase Dining through Chase Travel?, 5x points on flights through Chase Travel? after the first $300 spent annually on travel purchases, and 10x points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel? immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually, among other rewards.
The Venture X keeps earnings simple, offering 10X Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5X Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, and 2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day.
Winner: While the rewards structure of the Reserve card is higher on travel and dining, the Venture X’s flat 2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day make it a better option for daily use.
Redeeming rewards
Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X offer flexible redemption options that cater to different preferences. Both cards also offer the ability to transfer to travel partners as we’ll discuss below.
Chase Sapphire Reserve: Points can be redeemed through theChase Ultimate Rewards? portal for cash back, gift cards, and more at one cent each. When redeemed for travel through the portal, points are worth 1.5 cents each. This is a great option for tours, which is how I recently used Ultimate Rewards in Panama.
Capital One Venture X: Miles can be redeemed for 1 cent each on travel through Capital One Travel or statement credits for travel purchases. However, if you want to use them for cash the value is reduced to 0.5 cents each.
Winner: The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers more value per point when redeemed for travel through the Chase portal, making it a strong option for those looking to maximize their points for travel. It also wins because you could use cash back to pay for any purchases instead of just travel at 1 cent each.
Pro tip:
You can use Capital One miles toward travel purchases made within the past 90 days. This means that you don’t need to earn a welcome bonus before you spend it! I opened the Capital One Venture and retroactively redeemed Capital One miles for a five-star stay at a castle near Galway, Ireland. Joseph Hostetler, Fortune contributor
Transfer partners
One of the key benefits of both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X is the ability to transfer points or miles to travel partners, allowing for flexibility and potentially more value. However, their partners differ as you’ll see below.
Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Capital One Venture X transfer partners side by side
Program | Chase Sapphire Reserve | Capital One Venture X |
|---|---|---|
Airlines | ||
Air Canada Aeroplan | X | X |
Air France/KLM Flying Blue | X | X |
British Airways Executive Club | X | X |
Emirates Skywards | X | X |
JetBlue TrueBlue | X | X |
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | X | X |
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club/Virgin Red | X | X |
Aer Lingus AerClub | X | |
Iberia Plus | X | |
Southwest Rapid Rewards | X | |
United MileagePlus | X | |
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles | X | |
Avianca Lifemiles | X | |
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | X | |
TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go | X | |
Aeromexico Club Premier | X | |
Etihad Guest | X | |
EVA Air Infinity MileageLands | X | |
Finnair Plus | X | |
Qantas Frequent Flyer | X | |
Qatar Airways Privilege Club | X | |
Hotels | ||
Hyatt | X | |
IHG Rewards Club | X | |
Marriott Bonvoy | X | |
ALL Accor Live Limitless | X | |
Choice Privileges | X | |
Wyndham Rewards | X |
Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve offers an easier-to-use range of 1:1 transfer partners, particularly Hyatt Hotels, making it more attractive if you’re looking to maximize value through transfers.
Welcome Offer
Both the Sapphire Reserve and Venture X cards feature generous welcome offers to entice new cardholders.
The Reserve card offers 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
In comparison, the Venture X offers 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening(That’s $750 toward travel through Capital One Travel).
Winner: The winner here will vary depending on limited time offers, but in general the Sapphire Reserve will offer more value on points redeemed through Chase Travel thanks to the elevated 1.5 cent redemption rate.
Perks
When it comes to additional benefits and perks, the Chase Sapphire Reserve stands out with its comprehensive suite of offerings. Cardholders of the Reserve card benefit from a $300 annual travel credit, lounge access for themselves and up to two guests through a Priority Pass? Select Membership, and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck? fee statement credit.
The Venture X offers similar perks, including a $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel, Priority Pass? Select Membership, and up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck?. Venture X also provides up to 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary, which can be used toward travel. Notably, the Venture X also offers free authorized user cards, which the Chase Sapphire Reserve charges for.
Winner: Both cards offer strong travel protections and airport lounge access benefits, but the Venture X edges out with a lower annual fee and additional anniversary miles.
Pro tip:
Getting free authorized user cards is a huge perk of the Venture X, especially since each person can get their own Priority Pass membership. My kid gets Capital One Lounge and Priority Pass entry even when flying without me, which is not only a luxury but a money-saver since Capital One Lounges encourage you to take food to go.
Another card to consider
If you’re seeking luxury travel perks and are open to a higher annual fee, theThe Platinum Card? from American Express is worth considering. With a $695 annual fee, it offers a comprehensive set of benefits including 5x Membership Rewards? Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), access to the largest available network of airport lounges, a $200 airline fee credit, and credits for Uber, Saks Fifth Avenue, and more. The Platinum Card is a powerhouse for frequent travelers who want premium services and extensive lounge access.
To view rates and fees of the Amex-PlatinumCard-CardName, see this page.
The takeaway
Choose the Venture X for: better value with its lower fee and free authorized user card benefits along with its ease of use.
Choose the Sapphire Reserve for: transfers to a travel partner only offered by Chase or if you want the ability to redeem for cash back.
You won’t go wrong with either the Sapphire Reserve and the Venture X as both offer strong bang for your annual fee buck.
Fortune Recommends? has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends? and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefits guide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
vs
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
at Cardratings.com
Welcome Bonus
75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$395
Our Take
The Venture X has the lowest fee of the premium cards we compared, but still offers top-tier perks. With both a $300 Capital One Travel credit and 10,000 anniversary bonus miles, Priority Pass membership, travel coverage and easy-to-use points are icing on the cake.
Rewards
10X Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
5X Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
Notable Perks
Free authorized user cards
Airport lounge access
of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Annual Fee
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with a hefty annual fee of $550, making it the more expensive option of the two. On the other hand, the Capital One Venture X offers a slightly more affordable annual fee of $395.
Both cards offer credits to help offset their onerous annual fees. The Sapphire Reserve offers an annual $300 annual travel credit toward any travel purchase while the Venture X offers a $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel—and $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel that can be redeemed in any way you choose.
Winner: The lower annual fee of the Venture X makes it a more accessible option if you want premium benefits with a lower price tag.
Pro tip:
When I took my kids to Disneyland, I still managed to use my Venture X miles to buy park tickets by getting them through Get Away Today, a discount travel provider, instead of directly from Disney, which isn't a travel merchant. You'll have a hard time getting that kind of flexibility with other travel rewards programs. Ben Luthi, Fortune Contributor
Earning Rewards
Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X offer enticing rewards to cardholders, albeit with different reward structures.
The Reserve is tailored for people who frequently travel and dine out, offering substantial rewards in these categories. It offers 10X points on Chase Dining through Chase Travel?, 5x points on flights through Chase Travel? after the first $300 spent annually on travel purchases, and 10x points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel? immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually, among other rewards.
The Venture X keeps earnings simple, offering 10X Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5X Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, and 2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day.
Winner: While the rewards structure of the Reserve card is higher on travel and dining, the Venture X’s flat 2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day make it a better option for daily use.
Redeeming rewards
Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X offer flexible redemption options that cater to different preferences. Both cards also offer the ability to transfer to travel partners as we’ll discuss below.
Chase Sapphire Reserve: Points can be redeemed through theChase Ultimate Rewards? portal for cash back, gift cards, and more at one cent each. When redeemed for travel through the portal, points are worth 1.5 cents each. This is a great option for tours, which is how I recently used Ultimate Rewards in Panama.
Capital One Venture X: Miles can be redeemed for 1 cent each on travel through Capital One Travel or statement credits for travel purchases. However, if you want to use them for cash the value is reduced to 0.5 cents each.
Winner: The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers more value per point when redeemed for travel through the Chase portal, making it a strong option for those looking to maximize their points for travel. It also wins because you could use cash back to pay for any purchases instead of just travel at 1 cent each.
Pro tip:
You can use Capital One miles toward travel purchases made within the past 90 days. This means that you don’t need to earn a welcome bonus before you spend it! I opened the Capital One Venture and retroactively redeemed Capital One miles for a five-star stay at a castle near Galway, Ireland. Joseph Hostetler, Fortune contributor
Transfer partners
One of the key benefits of both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X is the ability to transfer points or miles to travel partners, allowing for flexibility and potentially more value. However, their partners differ as you’ll see below.
Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Capital One Venture X transfer partners side by side
Program | Chase Sapphire Reserve | Capital One Venture X |
|---|---|---|
Airlines | ||
Air Canada Aeroplan | X | X |
Air France/KLM Flying Blue | X | X |
British Airways Executive Club | X | X |
Emirates Skywards | X | X |
JetBlue TrueBlue | X | X |
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | X | X |
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club/Virgin Red | X | X |
Aer Lingus AerClub | X | |
Iberia Plus | X | |
Southwest Rapid Rewards | X | |
United MileagePlus | X | |
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles | X | |
Avianca Lifemiles | X | |
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | X | |
TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go | X | |
Aeromexico Club Premier | X | |
Etihad Guest | X | |
EVA Air Infinity MileageLands | X | |
Finnair Plus | X | |
Qantas Frequent Flyer | X | |
Qatar Airways Privilege Club | X | |
Hotels | ||
Hyatt | X | |
IHG Rewards Club | X | |
Marriott Bonvoy | X | |
ALL Accor Live Limitless | X | |
Choice Privileges | X | |
Wyndham Rewards | X |
Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve offers an easier-to-use range of 1:1 transfer partners, particularly Hyatt Hotels, making it more attractive if you’re looking to maximize value through transfers.
Welcome Offer
Both the Sapphire Reserve and Venture X cards feature generous welcome offers to entice new cardholders.
The Reserve card offers 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
In comparison, the Venture X offers 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening(That’s $750 toward travel through Capital One Travel).
Winner: The winner here will vary depending on limited time offers, but in general the Sapphire Reserve will offer more value on points redeemed through Chase Travel thanks to the elevated 1.5 cent redemption rate.
Perks
When it comes to additional benefits and perks, the Chase Sapphire Reserve stands out with its comprehensive suite of offerings. Cardholders of the Reserve card benefit from a $300 annual travel credit, lounge access for themselves and up to two guests through a Priority Pass? Select Membership, and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck? fee statement credit.
The Venture X offers similar perks, including a $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel, Priority Pass? Select Membership, and up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck?. Venture X also provides up to 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary, which can be used toward travel. Notably, the Venture X also offers free authorized user cards, which the Chase Sapphire Reserve charges for.
Winner: Both cards offer strong travel protections and airport lounge access benefits, but the Venture X edges out with a lower annual fee and additional anniversary miles.
Pro tip:
Getting free authorized user cards is a huge perk of the Venture X, especially since each person can get their own Priority Pass membership. My kid gets Capital One Lounge and Priority Pass entry even when flying without me, which is not only a luxury but a money-saver since Capital One Lounges encourage you to take food to go.
Another card to consider
If you’re seeking luxury travel perks and are open to a higher annual fee, theThe Platinum Card? from American Express is worth considering. With a $695 annual fee, it offers a comprehensive set of benefits including 5x Membership Rewards? Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), access to the largest available network of airport lounges, a $200 airline fee credit, and credits for Uber, Saks Fifth Avenue, and more. The Platinum Card is a powerhouse for frequent travelers who want premium services and extensive lounge access.
To view rates and fees of the Amex-PlatinumCard-CardName, see this page.
The takeaway
Choose the Venture X for: better value with its lower fee and free authorized user card benefits along with its ease of use.
Choose the Sapphire Reserve for: transfers to a travel partner only offered by Chase or if you want the ability to redeem for cash back.
You won’t go wrong with either the Sapphire Reserve and the Venture X as both offer strong bang for your annual fee buck.
Fortune Recommends? has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends? and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefits guide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
of the Chase Sapphire Reserve?
vs
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
at Cardratings.com
Welcome Bonus
75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$395
Our Take
The Venture X has the lowest fee of the premium cards we compared, but still offers top-tier perks. With both a $300 Capital One Travel credit and 10,000 anniversary bonus miles, Priority Pass membership, travel coverage and easy-to-use points are icing on the cake.
Rewards
10X Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
5X Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
Notable Perks
Free authorized user cards
Airport lounge access
of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Annual Fee
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with a hefty annual fee of $550, making it the more expensive option of the two. On the other hand, the Capital One Venture X offers a slightly more affordable annual fee of $395.
Both cards offer credits to help offset their onerous annual fees. The Sapphire Reserve offers an annual $300 annual travel credit toward any travel purchase while the Venture X offers a $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel—and $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel that can be redeemed in any way you choose.
Winner: The lower annual fee of the Venture X makes it a more accessible option if you want premium benefits with a lower price tag.
Pro tip:
When I took my kids to Disneyland, I still managed to use my Venture X miles to buy park tickets by getting them through Get Away Today, a discount travel provider, instead of directly from Disney, which isn't a travel merchant. You'll have a hard time getting that kind of flexibility with other travel rewards programs. Ben Luthi, Fortune Contributor
Earning Rewards
Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X offer enticing rewards to cardholders, albeit with different reward structures.
The Reserve is tailored for people who frequently travel and dine out, offering substantial rewards in these categories. It offers 10X points on Chase Dining through Chase Travel?, 5x points on flights through Chase Travel? after the first $300 spent annually on travel purchases, and 10x points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel? immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually, among other rewards.
The Venture X keeps earnings simple, offering 10X Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5X Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, and 2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day.
Winner: While the rewards structure of the Reserve card is higher on travel and dining, the Venture X’s flat 2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day make it a better option for daily use.
Redeeming rewards
Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X offer flexible redemption options that cater to different preferences. Both cards also offer the ability to transfer to travel partners as we’ll discuss below.
Chase Sapphire Reserve: Points can be redeemed through theChase Ultimate Rewards? portal for cash back, gift cards, and more at one cent each. When redeemed for travel through the portal, points are worth 1.5 cents each. This is a great option for tours, which is how I recently used Ultimate Rewards in Panama.
Capital One Venture X: Miles can be redeemed for 1 cent each on travel through Capital One Travel or statement credits for travel purchases. However, if you want to use them for cash the value is reduced to 0.5 cents each.
Winner: The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers more value per point when redeemed for travel through the Chase portal, making it a strong option for those looking to maximize their points for travel. It also wins because you could use cash back to pay for any purchases instead of just travel at 1 cent each.
Pro tip:
You can use Capital One miles toward travel purchases made within the past 90 days. This means that you don’t need to earn a welcome bonus before you spend it! I opened the Capital One Venture and retroactively redeemed Capital One miles for a five-star stay at a castle near Galway, Ireland. Joseph Hostetler, Fortune contributor
Transfer partners
One of the key benefits of both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X is the ability to transfer points or miles to travel partners, allowing for flexibility and potentially more value. However, their partners differ as you’ll see below.
Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Capital One Venture X transfer partners side by side
Program | Chase Sapphire Reserve | Capital One Venture X |
|---|---|---|
Airlines | ||
Air Canada Aeroplan | X | X |
Air France/KLM Flying Blue | X | X |
British Airways Executive Club | X | X |
Emirates Skywards | X | X |
JetBlue TrueBlue | X | X |
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | X | X |
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club/Virgin Red | X | X |
Aer Lingus AerClub | X | |
Iberia Plus | X | |
Southwest Rapid Rewards | X | |
United MileagePlus | X | |
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles | X | |
Avianca Lifemiles | X | |
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | X | |
TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go | X | |
Aeromexico Club Premier | X | |
Etihad Guest | X | |
EVA Air Infinity MileageLands | X | |
Finnair Plus | X | |
Qantas Frequent Flyer | X | |
Qatar Airways Privilege Club | X | |
Hotels | ||
Hyatt | X | |
IHG Rewards Club | X | |
Marriott Bonvoy | X | |
ALL Accor Live Limitless | X | |
Choice Privileges | X | |
Wyndham Rewards | X |
Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve offers an easier-to-use range of 1:1 transfer partners, particularly Hyatt Hotels, making it more attractive if you’re looking to maximize value through transfers.
Welcome Offer
Both the Sapphire Reserve and Venture X cards feature generous welcome offers to entice new cardholders.
The Reserve card offers 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
In comparison, the Venture X offers 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening(That’s $750 toward travel through Capital One Travel).
Winner: The winner here will vary depending on limited time offers, but in general the Sapphire Reserve will offer more value on points redeemed through Chase Travel thanks to the elevated 1.5 cent redemption rate.
Perks
When it comes to additional benefits and perks, the Chase Sapphire Reserve stands out with its comprehensive suite of offerings. Cardholders of the Reserve card benefit from a $300 annual travel credit, lounge access for themselves and up to two guests through a Priority Pass? Select Membership, and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck? fee statement credit.
The Venture X offers similar perks, including a $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel, Priority Pass? Select Membership, and up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck?. Venture X also provides up to 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary, which can be used toward travel. Notably, the Venture X also offers free authorized user cards, which the Chase Sapphire Reserve charges for.
Winner: Both cards offer strong travel protections and airport lounge access benefits, but the Venture X edges out with a lower annual fee and additional anniversary miles.
Pro tip:
Getting free authorized user cards is a huge perk of the Venture X, especially since each person can get their own Priority Pass membership. My kid gets Capital One Lounge and Priority Pass entry even when flying without me, which is not only a luxury but a money-saver since Capital One Lounges encourage you to take food to go.
Another card to consider
If you’re seeking luxury travel perks and are open to a higher annual fee, theThe Platinum Card? from American Express is worth considering. With a $695 annual fee, it offers a comprehensive set of benefits including 5x Membership Rewards? Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), access to the largest available network of airport lounges, a $200 airline fee credit, and credits for Uber, Saks Fifth Avenue, and more. The Platinum Card is a powerhouse for frequent travelers who want premium services and extensive lounge access.
To view rates and fees of the Amex-PlatinumCard-CardName, see this page.
The takeaway
Choose the Venture X for: better value with its lower fee and free authorized user card benefits along with its ease of use.
Choose the Sapphire Reserve for: transfers to a travel partner only offered by Chase or if you want the ability to redeem for cash back.
You won’t go wrong with either the Sapphire Reserve and the Venture X as both offer strong bang for your annual fee buck.
Fortune Recommends? has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends? and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefits guide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
at Cardratings.com
Welcome Bonus
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$550
Our Take
The Sapphire Reserve offers a $300 annual travel credit and a large suite of protections including primary car rental coverage, trip delay, cancellation and baggage insurance. It also has top-tier transfer partners including United Airlines and Hyatt.
Rewards
10x points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel?
5x points on flights through Chase Travel?
3x points on other travel and dining
1x point on all other purchases
Notable Perks
Airport lounge access
Comprehensive travel insurances
of the Chase Sapphire Reserve?
vs
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
at Cardratings.com
Welcome Bonus
75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$395
Our Take
The Venture X has the lowest fee of the premium cards we compared, but still offers top-tier perks. With both a $300 Capital One Travel credit and 10,000 anniversary bonus miles, Priority Pass membership, travel coverage and easy-to-use points are icing on the cake.
Rewards
10X Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
5X Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
Notable Perks
Free authorized user cards
Airport lounge access
of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Annual Fee
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with a hefty annual fee of $550, making it the more expensive option of the two. On the other hand, the Capital One Venture X offers a slightly more affordable annual fee of $395.
Both cards offer credits to help offset their onerous annual fees. The Sapphire Reserve offers an annual $300 annual travel credit toward any travel purchase while the Venture X offers a $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel—and $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel that can be redeemed in any way you choose.
Winner: The lower annual fee of the Venture X makes it a more accessible option if you want premium benefits with a lower price tag.
Pro tip:
When I took my kids to Disneyland, I still managed to use my Venture X miles to buy park tickets by getting them through Get Away Today, a discount travel provider, instead of directly from Disney, which isn't a travel merchant. You'll have a hard time getting that kind of flexibility with other travel rewards programs. Ben Luthi, Fortune Contributor
Earning Rewards
Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X offer enticing rewards to cardholders, albeit with different reward structures.
The Reserve is tailored for people who frequently travel and dine out, offering substantial rewards in these categories. It offers 10X points on Chase Dining through Chase Travel?, 5x points on flights through Chase Travel? after the first $300 spent annually on travel purchases, and 10x points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel? immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually, among other rewards.
The Venture X keeps earnings simple, offering 10X Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5X Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, and 2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day.
Winner: While the rewards structure of the Reserve card is higher on travel and dining, the Venture X’s flat 2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day make it a better option for daily use.
Redeeming rewards
Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X offer flexible redemption options that cater to different preferences. Both cards also offer the ability to transfer to travel partners as we’ll discuss below.
Chase Sapphire Reserve: Points can be redeemed through theChase Ultimate Rewards? portal for cash back, gift cards, and more at one cent each. When redeemed for travel through the portal, points are worth 1.5 cents each. This is a great option for tours, which is how I recently used Ultimate Rewards in Panama.
Capital One Venture X: Miles can be redeemed for 1 cent each on travel through Capital One Travel or statement credits for travel purchases. However, if you want to use them for cash the value is reduced to 0.5 cents each.
Winner: The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers more value per point when redeemed for travel through the Chase portal, making it a strong option for those looking to maximize their points for travel. It also wins because you could use cash back to pay for any purchases instead of just travel at 1 cent each.
Pro tip:
You can use Capital One miles toward travel purchases made within the past 90 days. This means that you don’t need to earn a welcome bonus before you spend it! I opened the Capital One Venture and retroactively redeemed Capital One miles for a five-star stay at a castle near Galway, Ireland. Joseph Hostetler, Fortune contributor
Transfer partners
One of the key benefits of both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X is the ability to transfer points or miles to travel partners, allowing for flexibility and potentially more value. However, their partners differ as you’ll see below.
Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Capital One Venture X transfer partners side by side
Program | Chase Sapphire Reserve | Capital One Venture X |
|---|---|---|
Airlines | ||
Air Canada Aeroplan | X | X |
Air France/KLM Flying Blue | X | X |
British Airways Executive Club | X | X |
Emirates Skywards | X | X |
JetBlue TrueBlue | X | X |
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | X | X |
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club/Virgin Red | X | X |
Aer Lingus AerClub | X | |
Iberia Plus | X | |
Southwest Rapid Rewards | X | |
United MileagePlus | X | |
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles | X | |
Avianca Lifemiles | X | |
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | X | |
TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go | X | |
Aeromexico Club Premier | X | |
Etihad Guest | X | |
EVA Air Infinity MileageLands | X | |
Finnair Plus | X | |
Qantas Frequent Flyer | X | |
Qatar Airways Privilege Club | X | |
Hotels | ||
Hyatt | X | |
IHG Rewards Club | X | |
Marriott Bonvoy | X | |
ALL Accor Live Limitless | X | |
Choice Privileges | X | |
Wyndham Rewards | X |
Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve offers an easier-to-use range of 1:1 transfer partners, particularly Hyatt Hotels, making it more attractive if you’re looking to maximize value through transfers.
Welcome Offer
Both the Sapphire Reserve and Venture X cards feature generous welcome offers to entice new cardholders.
The Reserve card offers 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
In comparison, the Venture X offers 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening(That’s $750 toward travel through Capital One Travel).
Winner: The winner here will vary depending on limited time offers, but in general the Sapphire Reserve will offer more value on points redeemed through Chase Travel thanks to the elevated 1.5 cent redemption rate.
Perks
When it comes to additional benefits and perks, the Chase Sapphire Reserve stands out with its comprehensive suite of offerings. Cardholders of the Reserve card benefit from a $300 annual travel credit, lounge access for themselves and up to two guests through a Priority Pass? Select Membership, and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck? fee statement credit.
The Venture X offers similar perks, including a $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel, Priority Pass? Select Membership, and up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck?. Venture X also provides up to 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary, which can be used toward travel. Notably, the Venture X also offers free authorized user cards, which the Chase Sapphire Reserve charges for.
Winner: Both cards offer strong travel protections and airport lounge access benefits, but the Venture X edges out with a lower annual fee and additional anniversary miles.
Pro tip:
Getting free authorized user cards is a huge perk of the Venture X, especially since each person can get their own Priority Pass membership. My kid gets Capital One Lounge and Priority Pass entry even when flying without me, which is not only a luxury but a money-saver since Capital One Lounges encourage you to take food to go.
Another card to consider
If you’re seeking luxury travel perks and are open to a higher annual fee, theThe Platinum Card? from American Express is worth considering. With a $695 annual fee, it offers a comprehensive set of benefits including 5x Membership Rewards? Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), access to the largest available network of airport lounges, a $200 airline fee credit, and credits for Uber, Saks Fifth Avenue, and more. The Platinum Card is a powerhouse for frequent travelers who want premium services and extensive lounge access.
To view rates and fees of the Amex-PlatinumCard-CardName, see this page.
The takeaway
Choose the Venture X for: better value with its lower fee and free authorized user card benefits along with its ease of use.
Choose the Sapphire Reserve for: transfers to a travel partner only offered by Chase or if you want the ability to redeem for cash back.
You won’t go wrong with either the Sapphire Reserve and the Venture X as both offer strong bang for your annual fee buck.
Fortune Recommends? has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends? and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefits guide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
at Cardratings.com
Welcome Bonus
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$550
Our Take
The Sapphire Reserve offers a $300 annual travel credit and a large suite of protections including primary car rental coverage, trip delay, cancellation and baggage insurance. It also has top-tier transfer partners including United Airlines and Hyatt.
Rewards
10x points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel?
5x points on flights through Chase Travel?
3x points on other travel and dining
1x point on all other purchases
Notable Perks
Airport lounge access
Comprehensive travel insurances
of the Chase Sapphire Reserve?
vs
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
at Cardratings.com
Welcome Bonus
75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$395
Our Take
The Venture X has the lowest fee of the premium cards we compared, but still offers top-tier perks. With both a $300 Capital One Travel credit and 10,000 anniversary bonus miles, Priority Pass membership, travel coverage and easy-to-use points are icing on the cake.
Rewards
10X Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
5X Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
Notable Perks
Free authorized user cards
Airport lounge access
of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Annual Fee
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with a hefty annual fee of $550, making it the more expensive option of the two. On the other hand, the Capital One Venture X offers a slightly more affordable annual fee of $395.
Both cards offer credits to help offset their onerous annual fees. The Sapphire Reserve offers an annual $300 annual travel credit toward any travel purchase while the Venture X offers a $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel—and $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel that can be redeemed in any way you choose.
Winner: The lower annual fee of the Venture X makes it a more accessible option if you want premium benefits with a lower price tag.
Pro tip:
When I took my kids to Disneyland, I still managed to use my Venture X miles to buy park tickets by getting them through Get Away Today, a discount travel provider, instead of directly from Disney, which isn't a travel merchant. You'll have a hard time getting that kind of flexibility with other travel rewards programs. Ben Luthi, Fortune Contributor
Earning Rewards
Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X offer enticing rewards to cardholders, albeit with different reward structures.
The Reserve is tailored for people who frequently travel and dine out, offering substantial rewards in these categories. It offers 10X points on Chase Dining through Chase Travel?, 5x points on flights through Chase Travel? after the first $300 spent annually on travel purchases, and 10x points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel? immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually, among other rewards.
The Venture X keeps earnings simple, offering 10X Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5X Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, and 2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day.
Winner: While the rewards structure of the Reserve card is higher on travel and dining, the Venture X’s flat 2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day make it a better option for daily use.
Redeeming rewards
Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X offer flexible redemption options that cater to different preferences. Both cards also offer the ability to transfer to travel partners as we’ll discuss below.
Chase Sapphire Reserve: Points can be redeemed through theChase Ultimate Rewards? portal for cash back, gift cards, and more at one cent each. When redeemed for travel through the portal, points are worth 1.5 cents each. This is a great option for tours, which is how I recently used Ultimate Rewards in Panama.
Capital One Venture X: Miles can be redeemed for 1 cent each on travel through Capital One Travel or statement credits for travel purchases. However, if you want to use them for cash the value is reduced to 0.5 cents each.
Winner: The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers more value per point when redeemed for travel through the Chase portal, making it a strong option for those looking to maximize their points for travel. It also wins because you could use cash back to pay for any purchases instead of just travel at 1 cent each.
Pro tip:
You can use Capital One miles toward travel purchases made within the past 90 days. This means that you don’t need to earn a welcome bonus before you spend it! I opened the Capital One Venture and retroactively redeemed Capital One miles for a five-star stay at a castle near Galway, Ireland. Joseph Hostetler, Fortune contributor
Transfer partners
One of the key benefits of both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X is the ability to transfer points or miles to travel partners, allowing for flexibility and potentially more value. However, their partners differ as you’ll see below.
Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Capital One Venture X transfer partners side by side
Program | Chase Sapphire Reserve | Capital One Venture X |
|---|---|---|
Airlines | ||
Air Canada Aeroplan | X | X |
Air France/KLM Flying Blue | X | X |
British Airways Executive Club | X | X |
Emirates Skywards | X | X |
JetBlue TrueBlue | X | X |
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | X | X |
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club/Virgin Red | X | X |
Aer Lingus AerClub | X | |
Iberia Plus | X | |
Southwest Rapid Rewards | X | |
United MileagePlus | X | |
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles | X | |
Avianca Lifemiles | X | |
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | X | |
TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go | X | |
Aeromexico Club Premier | X | |
Etihad Guest | X | |
EVA Air Infinity MileageLands | X | |
Finnair Plus | X | |
Qantas Frequent Flyer | X | |
Qatar Airways Privilege Club | X | |
Hotels | ||
Hyatt | X | |
IHG Rewards Club | X | |
Marriott Bonvoy | X | |
ALL Accor Live Limitless | X | |
Choice Privileges | X | |
Wyndham Rewards | X |
Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve offers an easier-to-use range of 1:1 transfer partners, particularly Hyatt Hotels, making it more attractive if you’re looking to maximize value through transfers.
Welcome Offer
Both the Sapphire Reserve and Venture X cards feature generous welcome offers to entice new cardholders.
The Reserve card offers 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
In comparison, the Venture X offers 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening(That’s $750 toward travel through Capital One Travel).
Winner: The winner here will vary depending on limited time offers, but in general the Sapphire Reserve will offer more value on points redeemed through Chase Travel thanks to the elevated 1.5 cent redemption rate.
Perks
When it comes to additional benefits and perks, the Chase Sapphire Reserve stands out with its comprehensive suite of offerings. Cardholders of the Reserve card benefit from a $300 annual travel credit, lounge access for themselves and up to two guests through a Priority Pass? Select Membership, and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck? fee statement credit.
The Venture X offers similar perks, including a $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel, Priority Pass? Select Membership, and up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck?. Venture X also provides up to 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary, which can be used toward travel. Notably, the Venture X also offers free authorized user cards, which the Chase Sapphire Reserve charges for.
Winner: Both cards offer strong travel protections and airport lounge access benefits, but the Venture X edges out with a lower annual fee and additional anniversary miles.
Pro tip:
Getting free authorized user cards is a huge perk of the Venture X, especially since each person can get their own Priority Pass membership. My kid gets Capital One Lounge and Priority Pass entry even when flying without me, which is not only a luxury but a money-saver since Capital One Lounges encourage you to take food to go.
Another card to consider
If you’re seeking luxury travel perks and are open to a higher annual fee, theThe Platinum Card? from American Express is worth considering. With a $695 annual fee, it offers a comprehensive set of benefits including 5x Membership Rewards? Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), access to the largest available network of airport lounges, a $200 airline fee credit, and credits for Uber, Saks Fifth Avenue, and more. The Platinum Card is a powerhouse for frequent travelers who want premium services and extensive lounge access.
To view rates and fees of the Amex-PlatinumCard-CardName, see this page.
The takeaway
Choose the Venture X for: better value with its lower fee and free authorized user card benefits along with its ease of use.
Choose the Sapphire Reserve for: transfers to a travel partner only offered by Chase or if you want the ability to redeem for cash back.
You won’t go wrong with either the Sapphire Reserve and the Venture X as both offer strong bang for your annual fee buck.
Fortune Recommends? has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends? and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefits guide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
at Cardratings.com
Welcome Bonus
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$550
Our Take
The Sapphire Reserve offers a $300 annual travel credit and a large suite of protections including primary car rental coverage, trip delay, cancellation and baggage insurance. It also has top-tier transfer partners including United Airlines and Hyatt.
Rewards
10x points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel?
5x points on flights through Chase Travel?
3x points on other travel and dining
1x point on all other purchases
Notable Perks
Airport lounge access
Comprehensive travel insurances
of the Chase Sapphire Reserve?
vs
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
at Cardratings.com
Welcome Bonus
75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$395
Our Take
The Venture X has the lowest fee of the premium cards we compared, but still offers top-tier perks. With both a $300 Capital One Travel credit and 10,000 anniversary bonus miles, Priority Pass membership, travel coverage and easy-to-use points are icing on the cake.
Rewards
10X Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
5X Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
Notable Perks
Free authorized user cards
Airport lounge access
of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Annual Fee
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with a hefty annual fee of $550, making it the more expensive option of the two. On the other hand, the Capital One Venture X offers a slightly more affordable annual fee of $395.
Both cards offer credits to help offset their onerous annual fees. The Sapphire Reserve offers an annual $300 annual travel credit toward any travel purchase while the Venture X offers a $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel—and $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel that can be redeemed in any way you choose.
Winner: The lower annual fee of the Venture X makes it a more accessible option if you want premium benefits with a lower price tag.
Pro tip:
When I took my kids to Disneyland, I still managed to use my Venture X miles to buy park tickets by getting them through Get Away Today, a discount travel provider, instead of directly from Disney, which isn't a travel merchant. You'll have a hard time getting that kind of flexibility with other travel rewards programs. Ben Luthi, Fortune Contributor
Earning Rewards
Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X offer enticing rewards to cardholders, albeit with different reward structures.
The Reserve is tailored for people who frequently travel and dine out, offering substantial rewards in these categories. It offers 10X points on Chase Dining through Chase Travel?, 5x points on flights through Chase Travel? after the first $300 spent annually on travel purchases, and 10x points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel? immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually, among other rewards.
The Venture X keeps earnings simple, offering 10X Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5X Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, and 2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day.
Winner: While the rewards structure of the Reserve card is higher on travel and dining, the Venture X’s flat 2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day make it a better option for daily use.
Redeeming rewards
Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X offer flexible redemption options that cater to different preferences. Both cards also offer the ability to transfer to travel partners as we’ll discuss below.
Chase Sapphire Reserve: Points can be redeemed through theChase Ultimate Rewards? portal for cash back, gift cards, and more at one cent each. When redeemed for travel through the portal, points are worth 1.5 cents each. This is a great option for tours, which is how I recently used Ultimate Rewards in Panama.
Capital One Venture X: Miles can be redeemed for 1 cent each on travel through Capital One Travel or statement credits for travel purchases. However, if you want to use them for cash the value is reduced to 0.5 cents each.
Winner: The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers more value per point when redeemed for travel through the Chase portal, making it a strong option for those looking to maximize their points for travel. It also wins because you could use cash back to pay for any purchases instead of just travel at 1 cent each.
Pro tip:
You can use Capital One miles toward travel purchases made within the past 90 days. This means that you don’t need to earn a welcome bonus before you spend it! I opened the Capital One Venture and retroactively redeemed Capital One miles for a five-star stay at a castle near Galway, Ireland. Joseph Hostetler, Fortune contributor
Transfer partners
One of the key benefits of both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X is the ability to transfer points or miles to travel partners, allowing for flexibility and potentially more value. However, their partners differ as you’ll see below.
Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Capital One Venture X transfer partners side by side
Program | Chase Sapphire Reserve | Capital One Venture X |
|---|---|---|
Airlines | ||
Air Canada Aeroplan | X | X |
Air France/KLM Flying Blue | X | X |
British Airways Executive Club | X | X |
Emirates Skywards | X | X |
JetBlue TrueBlue | X | X |
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | X | X |
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club/Virgin Red | X | X |
Aer Lingus AerClub | X | |
Iberia Plus | X | |
Southwest Rapid Rewards | X | |
United MileagePlus | X | |
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles | X | |
Avianca Lifemiles | X | |
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | X | |
TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go | X | |
Aeromexico Club Premier | X | |
Etihad Guest | X | |
EVA Air Infinity MileageLands | X | |
Finnair Plus | X | |
Qantas Frequent Flyer | X | |
Qatar Airways Privilege Club | X | |
Hotels | ||
Hyatt | X | |
IHG Rewards Club | X | |
Marriott Bonvoy | X | |
ALL Accor Live Limitless | X | |
Choice Privileges | X | |
Wyndham Rewards | X |
Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve offers an easier-to-use range of 1:1 transfer partners, particularly Hyatt Hotels, making it more attractive if you’re looking to maximize value through transfers.
Welcome Offer
Both the Sapphire Reserve and Venture X cards feature generous welcome offers to entice new cardholders.
The Reserve card offers 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
In comparison, the Venture X offers 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening(That’s $750 toward travel through Capital One Travel).
Winner: The winner here will vary depending on limited time offers, but in general the Sapphire Reserve will offer more value on points redeemed through Chase Travel thanks to the elevated 1.5 cent redemption rate.
Perks
When it comes to additional benefits and perks, the Chase Sapphire Reserve stands out with its comprehensive suite of offerings. Cardholders of the Reserve card benefit from a $300 annual travel credit, lounge access for themselves and up to two guests through a Priority Pass? Select Membership, and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck? fee statement credit.
The Venture X offers similar perks, including a $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel, Priority Pass? Select Membership, and up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck?. Venture X also provides up to 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary, which can be used toward travel. Notably, the Venture X also offers free authorized user cards, which the Chase Sapphire Reserve charges for.
Winner: Both cards offer strong travel protections and airport lounge access benefits, but the Venture X edges out with a lower annual fee and additional anniversary miles.
Pro tip:
Getting free authorized user cards is a huge perk of the Venture X, especially since each person can get their own Priority Pass membership. My kid gets Capital One Lounge and Priority Pass entry even when flying without me, which is not only a luxury but a money-saver since Capital One Lounges encourage you to take food to go.
Another card to consider
If you’re seeking luxury travel perks and are open to a higher annual fee, theThe Platinum Card? from American Express is worth considering. With a $695 annual fee, it offers a comprehensive set of benefits including 5x Membership Rewards? Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), access to the largest available network of airport lounges, a $200 airline fee credit, and credits for Uber, Saks Fifth Avenue, and more. The Platinum Card is a powerhouse for frequent travelers who want premium services and extensive lounge access.
To view rates and fees of the Amex-PlatinumCard-CardName, see this page.
The takeaway
Choose the Venture X for: better value with its lower fee and free authorized user card benefits along with its ease of use.
Choose the Sapphire Reserve for: transfers to a travel partner only offered by Chase or if you want the ability to redeem for cash back.
You won’t go wrong with either the Sapphire Reserve and the Venture X as both offer strong bang for your annual fee buck.
Fortune Recommends? has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends? and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefits guide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Chase Sapphire Reserve?
at Cardratings.com
Welcome Bonus
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$550
Our Take
The Sapphire Reserve offers a $300 annual travel credit and a large suite of protections including primary car rental coverage, trip delay, cancellation and baggage insurance. It also has top-tier transfer partners including United Airlines and Hyatt.
Rewards
10x points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel?
5x points on flights through Chase Travel?
3x points on other travel and dining
1x point on all other purchases
Notable Perks
Airport lounge access
Comprehensive travel insurances
of the Chase Sapphire Reserve?
vs
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
at Cardratings.com
Welcome Bonus
75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$395
Our Take
The Venture X has the lowest fee of the premium cards we compared, but still offers top-tier perks. With both a $300 Capital One Travel credit and 10,000 anniversary bonus miles, Priority Pass membership, travel coverage and easy-to-use points are icing on the cake.
Rewards
10X Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
5X Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
Notable Perks
Free authorized user cards
Airport lounge access
of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Annual Fee
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with a hefty annual fee of $550, making it the more expensive option of the two. On the other hand, the Capital One Venture X offers a slightly more affordable annual fee of $395.
Both cards offer credits to help offset their onerous annual fees. The Sapphire Reserve offers an annual $300 annual travel credit toward any travel purchase while the Venture X offers a $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel—and $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel that can be redeemed in any way you choose.
Winner: The lower annual fee of the Venture X makes it a more accessible option if you want premium benefits with a lower price tag.
Pro tip:
When I took my kids to Disneyland, I still managed to use my Venture X miles to buy park tickets by getting them through Get Away Today, a discount travel provider, instead of directly from Disney, which isn't a travel merchant. You'll have a hard time getting that kind of flexibility with other travel rewards programs. Ben Luthi, Fortune Contributor
Earning Rewards
Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X offer enticing rewards to cardholders, albeit with different reward structures.
The Reserve is tailored for people who frequently travel and dine out, offering substantial rewards in these categories. It offers 10X points on Chase Dining through Chase Travel?, 5x points on flights through Chase Travel? after the first $300 spent annually on travel purchases, and 10x points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel? immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually, among other rewards.
The Venture X keeps earnings simple, offering 10X Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5X Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, and 2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day.
Winner: While the rewards structure of the Reserve card is higher on travel and dining, the Venture X’s flat 2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day make it a better option for daily use.
Redeeming rewards
Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X offer flexible redemption options that cater to different preferences. Both cards also offer the ability to transfer to travel partners as we’ll discuss below.
Chase Sapphire Reserve: Points can be redeemed through theChase Ultimate Rewards? portal for cash back, gift cards, and more at one cent each. When redeemed for travel through the portal, points are worth 1.5 cents each. This is a great option for tours, which is how I recently used Ultimate Rewards in Panama.
Capital One Venture X: Miles can be redeemed for 1 cent each on travel through Capital One Travel or statement credits for travel purchases. However, if you want to use them for cash the value is reduced to 0.5 cents each.
Winner: The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers more value per point when redeemed for travel through the Chase portal, making it a strong option for those looking to maximize their points for travel. It also wins because you could use cash back to pay for any purchases instead of just travel at 1 cent each.
Pro tip:
You can use Capital One miles toward travel purchases made within the past 90 days. This means that you don’t need to earn a welcome bonus before you spend it! I opened the Capital One Venture and retroactively redeemed Capital One miles for a five-star stay at a castle near Galway, Ireland. Joseph Hostetler, Fortune contributor
Transfer partners
One of the key benefits of both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X is the ability to transfer points or miles to travel partners, allowing for flexibility and potentially more value. However, their partners differ as you’ll see below.
Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Capital One Venture X transfer partners side by side
Program | Chase Sapphire Reserve | Capital One Venture X |
|---|---|---|
Airlines | ||
Air Canada Aeroplan | X | X |
Air France/KLM Flying Blue | X | X |
British Airways Executive Club | X | X |
Emirates Skywards | X | X |
JetBlue TrueBlue | X | X |
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | X | X |
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club/Virgin Red | X | X |
Aer Lingus AerClub | X | |
Iberia Plus | X | |
Southwest Rapid Rewards | X | |
United MileagePlus | X | |
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles | X | |
Avianca Lifemiles | X | |
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | X | |
TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go | X | |
Aeromexico Club Premier | X | |
Etihad Guest | X | |
EVA Air Infinity MileageLands | X | |
Finnair Plus | X | |
Qantas Frequent Flyer | X | |
Qatar Airways Privilege Club | X | |
Hotels | ||
Hyatt | X | |
IHG Rewards Club | X | |
Marriott Bonvoy | X | |
ALL Accor Live Limitless | X | |
Choice Privileges | X | |
Wyndham Rewards | X |
Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve offers an easier-to-use range of 1:1 transfer partners, particularly Hyatt Hotels, making it more attractive if you’re looking to maximize value through transfers.
Welcome Offer
Both the Sapphire Reserve and Venture X cards feature generous welcome offers to entice new cardholders.
The Reserve card offers 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
In comparison, the Venture X offers 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening(That’s $750 toward travel through Capital One Travel).
Winner: The winner here will vary depending on limited time offers, but in general the Sapphire Reserve will offer more value on points redeemed through Chase Travel thanks to the elevated 1.5 cent redemption rate.
Perks
When it comes to additional benefits and perks, the Chase Sapphire Reserve stands out with its comprehensive suite of offerings. Cardholders of the Reserve card benefit from a $300 annual travel credit, lounge access for themselves and up to two guests through a Priority Pass? Select Membership, and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck? fee statement credit.
The Venture X offers similar perks, including a $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel, Priority Pass? Select Membership, and up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck?. Venture X also provides up to 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary, which can be used toward travel. Notably, the Venture X also offers free authorized user cards, which the Chase Sapphire Reserve charges for.
Winner: Both cards offer strong travel protections and airport lounge access benefits, but the Venture X edges out with a lower annual fee and additional anniversary miles.
Pro tip:
Getting free authorized user cards is a huge perk of the Venture X, especially since each person can get their own Priority Pass membership. My kid gets Capital One Lounge and Priority Pass entry even when flying without me, which is not only a luxury but a money-saver since Capital One Lounges encourage you to take food to go.
Another card to consider
If you’re seeking luxury travel perks and are open to a higher annual fee, theThe Platinum Card? from American Express is worth considering. With a $695 annual fee, it offers a comprehensive set of benefits including 5x Membership Rewards? Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), access to the largest available network of airport lounges, a $200 airline fee credit, and credits for Uber, Saks Fifth Avenue, and more. The Platinum Card is a powerhouse for frequent travelers who want premium services and extensive lounge access.
To view rates and fees of the Amex-PlatinumCard-CardName, see this page.
The takeaway
Choose the Venture X for: better value with its lower fee and free authorized user card benefits along with its ease of use.
Choose the Sapphire Reserve for: transfers to a travel partner only offered by Chase or if you want the ability to redeem for cash back.
You won’t go wrong with either the Sapphire Reserve and the Venture X as both offer strong bang for your annual fee buck.
Fortune Recommends? has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends? and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefits guide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Two of our favorite travel rewards cards are the Chase Sapphire Reserve? and theCapital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. Both of these cards are known for their rich rewards, valuable perks, and robust protections. Deciding which one is best for you requires a closer look at their annual fees, rewards structures, transfer partners, and additional benefits. Let’s dig deeper into the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X to help you figure out which one best suits your needs and lifestyle.
Chase Sapphire Reserve?
at Cardratings.com
Welcome Bonus
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$550
Our Take
The Sapphire Reserve offers a $300 annual travel credit and a large suite of protections including primary car rental coverage, trip delay, cancellation and baggage insurance. It also has top-tier transfer partners including United Airlines and Hyatt.
Rewards
10x points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel?
5x points on flights through Chase Travel?
3x points on other travel and dining
1x point on all other purchases
Notable Perks
Airport lounge access
Comprehensive travel insurances
of the Chase Sapphire Reserve?
vs
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
at Cardratings.com
Welcome Bonus
75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$395
Our Take
The Venture X has the lowest fee of the premium cards we compared, but still offers top-tier perks. With both a $300 Capital One Travel credit and 10,000 anniversary bonus miles, Priority Pass membership, travel coverage and easy-to-use points are icing on the cake.
Rewards
10X Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
5X Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
Notable Perks
Free authorized user cards
Airport lounge access
of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Annual Fee
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with a hefty annual fee of $550, making it the more expensive option of the two. On the other hand, the Capital One Venture X offers a slightly more affordable annual fee of $395.
Both cards offer credits to help offset their onerous annual fees. The Sapphire Reserve offers an annual $300 annual travel credit toward any travel purchase while the Venture X offers a $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel—and $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel that can be redeemed in any way you choose.
Winner: The lower annual fee of the Venture X makes it a more accessible option if you want premium benefits with a lower price tag.
Pro tip:
When I took my kids to Disneyland, I still managed to use my Venture X miles to buy park tickets by getting them through Get Away Today, a discount travel provider, instead of directly from Disney, which isn't a travel merchant. You'll have a hard time getting that kind of flexibility with other travel rewards programs. Ben Luthi, Fortune Contributor
Earning Rewards
Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X offer enticing rewards to cardholders, albeit with different reward structures.
The Reserve is tailored for people who frequently travel and dine out, offering substantial rewards in these categories. It offers 10X points on Chase Dining through Chase Travel?, 5x points on flights through Chase Travel? after the first $300 spent annually on travel purchases, and 10x points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel? immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually, among other rewards.
The Venture X keeps earnings simple, offering 10X Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5X Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, and 2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day.
Winner: While the rewards structure of the Reserve card is higher on travel and dining, the Venture X’s flat 2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day make it a better option for daily use.
Redeeming rewards
Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X offer flexible redemption options that cater to different preferences. Both cards also offer the ability to transfer to travel partners as we’ll discuss below.
Chase Sapphire Reserve: Points can be redeemed through theChase Ultimate Rewards? portal for cash back, gift cards, and more at one cent each. When redeemed for travel through the portal, points are worth 1.5 cents each. This is a great option for tours, which is how I recently used Ultimate Rewards in Panama.
Capital One Venture X: Miles can be redeemed for 1 cent each on travel through Capital One Travel or statement credits for travel purchases. However, if you want to use them for cash the value is reduced to 0.5 cents each.
Winner: The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers more value per point when redeemed for travel through the Chase portal, making it a strong option for those looking to maximize their points for travel. It also wins because you could use cash back to pay for any purchases instead of just travel at 1 cent each.
Pro tip:
You can use Capital One miles toward travel purchases made within the past 90 days. This means that you don’t need to earn a welcome bonus before you spend it! I opened the Capital One Venture and retroactively redeemed Capital One miles for a five-star stay at a castle near Galway, Ireland. Joseph Hostetler, Fortune contributor
Transfer partners
One of the key benefits of both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X is the ability to transfer points or miles to travel partners, allowing for flexibility and potentially more value. However, their partners differ as you’ll see below.
Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Capital One Venture X transfer partners side by side
Program | Chase Sapphire Reserve | Capital One Venture X |
|---|---|---|
Airlines | ||
Air Canada Aeroplan | X | X |
Air France/KLM Flying Blue | X | X |
British Airways Executive Club | X | X |
Emirates Skywards | X | X |
JetBlue TrueBlue | X | X |
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | X | X |
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club/Virgin Red | X | X |
Aer Lingus AerClub | X | |
Iberia Plus | X | |
Southwest Rapid Rewards | X | |
United MileagePlus | X | |
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles | X | |
Avianca Lifemiles | X | |
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | X | |
TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go | X | |
Aeromexico Club Premier | X | |
Etihad Guest | X | |
EVA Air Infinity MileageLands | X | |
Finnair Plus | X | |
Qantas Frequent Flyer | X | |
Qatar Airways Privilege Club | X | |
Hotels | ||
Hyatt | X | |
IHG Rewards Club | X | |
Marriott Bonvoy | X | |
ALL Accor Live Limitless | X | |
Choice Privileges | X | |
Wyndham Rewards | X |
Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve offers an easier-to-use range of 1:1 transfer partners, particularly Hyatt Hotels, making it more attractive if you’re looking to maximize value through transfers.
Welcome Offer
Both the Sapphire Reserve and Venture X cards feature generous welcome offers to entice new cardholders.
The Reserve card offers 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
In comparison, the Venture X offers 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening(That’s $750 toward travel through Capital One Travel).
Winner: The winner here will vary depending on limited time offers, but in general the Sapphire Reserve will offer more value on points redeemed through Chase Travel thanks to the elevated 1.5 cent redemption rate.
Perks
When it comes to additional benefits and perks, the Chase Sapphire Reserve stands out with its comprehensive suite of offerings. Cardholders of the Reserve card benefit from a $300 annual travel credit, lounge access for themselves and up to two guests through a Priority Pass? Select Membership, and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck? fee statement credit.
The Venture X offers similar perks, including a $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel, Priority Pass? Select Membership, and up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck?. Venture X also provides up to 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary, which can be used toward travel. Notably, the Venture X also offers free authorized user cards, which the Chase Sapphire Reserve charges for.
Winner: Both cards offer strong travel protections and airport lounge access benefits, but the Venture X edges out with a lower annual fee and additional anniversary miles.
Pro tip:
Getting free authorized user cards is a huge perk of the Venture X, especially since each person can get their own Priority Pass membership. My kid gets Capital One Lounge and Priority Pass entry even when flying without me, which is not only a luxury but a money-saver since Capital One Lounges encourage you to take food to go.
Another card to consider
If you’re seeking luxury travel perks and are open to a higher annual fee, theThe Platinum Card? from American Express is worth considering. With a $695 annual fee, it offers a comprehensive set of benefits including 5x Membership Rewards? Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), access to the largest available network of airport lounges, a $200 airline fee credit, and credits for Uber, Saks Fifth Avenue, and more. The Platinum Card is a powerhouse for frequent travelers who want premium services and extensive lounge access.
To view rates and fees of the Amex-PlatinumCard-CardName, see this page.
The takeaway
Choose the Venture X for: better value with its lower fee and free authorized user card benefits along with its ease of use.
Choose the Sapphire Reserve for: transfers to a travel partner only offered by Chase or if you want the ability to redeem for cash back.
You won’t go wrong with either the Sapphire Reserve and the Venture X as both offer strong bang for your annual fee buck.
Fortune Recommends? has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends? and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefits guide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Fortune Recommends? has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends? and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Two of our favorite travel rewards cards are the Chase Sapphire Reserve? and theCapital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. Both of these cards are known for their rich rewards, valuable perks, and robust protections. Deciding which one is best for you requires a closer look at their annual fees, rewards structures, transfer partners, and additional benefits. Let’s dig deeper into the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X to help you figure out which one best suits your needs and lifestyle.
Chase Sapphire Reserve?
at Cardratings.com
Welcome Bonus
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$550
Our Take
The Sapphire Reserve offers a $300 annual travel credit and a large suite of protections including primary car rental coverage, trip delay, cancellation and baggage insurance. It also has top-tier transfer partners including United Airlines and Hyatt.
Rewards
10x points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel?
5x points on flights through Chase Travel?
3x points on other travel and dining
1x point on all other purchases
Notable Perks
Airport lounge access
Comprehensive travel insurances
of the Chase Sapphire Reserve?
vs
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
at Cardratings.com
Welcome Bonus
75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$395
Our Take
The Venture X has the lowest fee of the premium cards we compared, but still offers top-tier perks. With both a $300 Capital One Travel credit and 10,000 anniversary bonus miles, Priority Pass membership, travel coverage and easy-to-use points are icing on the cake.
Rewards
10X Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
5X Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
Notable Perks
Free authorized user cards
Airport lounge access
of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Annual Fee
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with a hefty annual fee of $550, making it the more expensive option of the two. On the other hand, the Capital One Venture X offers a slightly more affordable annual fee of $395.
Both cards offer credits to help offset their onerous annual fees. The Sapphire Reserve offers an annual $300 annual travel credit toward any travel purchase while the Venture X offers a $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel—and $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel that can be redeemed in any way you choose.
Winner: The lower annual fee of the Venture X makes it a more accessible option if you want premium benefits with a lower price tag.
Pro tip:
When I took my kids to Disneyland, I still managed to use my Venture X miles to buy park tickets by getting them through Get Away Today, a discount travel provider, instead of directly from Disney, which isn't a travel merchant. You'll have a hard time getting that kind of flexibility with other travel rewards programs. Ben Luthi, Fortune Contributor
Earning Rewards
Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X offer enticing rewards to cardholders, albeit with different reward structures.
The Reserve is tailored for people who frequently travel and dine out, offering substantial rewards in these categories. It offers 10X points on Chase Dining through Chase Travel?, 5x points on flights through Chase Travel? after the first $300 spent annually on travel purchases, and 10x points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel? immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually, among other rewards.
The Venture X keeps earnings simple, offering 10X Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5X Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, and 2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day.
Winner: While the rewards structure of the Reserve card is higher on travel and dining, the Venture X’s flat 2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day make it a better option for daily use.
Redeeming rewards
Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X offer flexible redemption options that cater to different preferences. Both cards also offer the ability to transfer to travel partners as we’ll discuss below.
Chase Sapphire Reserve: Points can be redeemed through theChase Ultimate Rewards? portal for cash back, gift cards, and more at one cent each. When redeemed for travel through the portal, points are worth 1.5 cents each. This is a great option for tours, which is how I recently used Ultimate Rewards in Panama.
Capital One Venture X: Miles can be redeemed for 1 cent each on travel through Capital One Travel or statement credits for travel purchases. However, if you want to use them for cash the value is reduced to 0.5 cents each.
Winner: The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers more value per point when redeemed for travel through the Chase portal, making it a strong option for those looking to maximize their points for travel. It also wins because you could use cash back to pay for any purchases instead of just travel at 1 cent each.
Pro tip:
You can use Capital One miles toward travel purchases made within the past 90 days. This means that you don’t need to earn a welcome bonus before you spend it! I opened the Capital One Venture and retroactively redeemed Capital One miles for a five-star stay at a castle near Galway, Ireland. Joseph Hostetler, Fortune contributor
Transfer partners
One of the key benefits of both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X is the ability to transfer points or miles to travel partners, allowing for flexibility and potentially more value. However, their partners differ as you’ll see below.
Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Capital One Venture X transfer partners side by side
Program | Chase Sapphire Reserve | Capital One Venture X |
|---|---|---|
Airlines | ||
Air Canada Aeroplan | X | X |
Air France/KLM Flying Blue | X | X |
British Airways Executive Club | X | X |
Emirates Skywards | X | X |
JetBlue TrueBlue | X | X |
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | X | X |
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club/Virgin Red | X | X |
Aer Lingus AerClub | X | |
Iberia Plus | X | |
Southwest Rapid Rewards | X | |
United MileagePlus | X | |
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles | X | |
Avianca Lifemiles | X | |
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | X | |
TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go | X | |
Aeromexico Club Premier | X | |
Etihad Guest | X | |
EVA Air Infinity MileageLands | X | |
Finnair Plus | X | |
Qantas Frequent Flyer | X | |
Qatar Airways Privilege Club | X | |
Hotels | ||
Hyatt | X | |
IHG Rewards Club | X | |
Marriott Bonvoy | X | |
ALL Accor Live Limitless | X | |
Choice Privileges | X | |
Wyndham Rewards | X |
Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve offers an easier-to-use range of 1:1 transfer partners, particularly Hyatt Hotels, making it more attractive if you’re looking to maximize value through transfers.
Welcome Offer
Both the Sapphire Reserve and Venture X cards feature generous welcome offers to entice new cardholders.
The Reserve card offers 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
In comparison, the Venture X offers 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening(That’s $750 toward travel through Capital One Travel).
Winner: The winner here will vary depending on limited time offers, but in general the Sapphire Reserve will offer more value on points redeemed through Chase Travel thanks to the elevated 1.5 cent redemption rate.
Perks
When it comes to additional benefits and perks, the Chase Sapphire Reserve stands out with its comprehensive suite of offerings. Cardholders of the Reserve card benefit from a $300 annual travel credit, lounge access for themselves and up to two guests through a Priority Pass? Select Membership, and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck? fee statement credit.
The Venture X offers similar perks, including a $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel, Priority Pass? Select Membership, and up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck?. Venture X also provides up to 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary, which can be used toward travel. Notably, the Venture X also offers free authorized user cards, which the Chase Sapphire Reserve charges for.
Winner: Both cards offer strong travel protections and airport lounge access benefits, but the Venture X edges out with a lower annual fee and additional anniversary miles.
Pro tip:
Getting free authorized user cards is a huge perk of the Venture X, especially since each person can get their own Priority Pass membership. My kid gets Capital One Lounge and Priority Pass entry even when flying without me, which is not only a luxury but a money-saver since Capital One Lounges encourage you to take food to go.
Another card to consider
If you’re seeking luxury travel perks and are open to a higher annual fee, theThe Platinum Card? from American Express is worth considering. With a $695 annual fee, it offers a comprehensive set of benefits including 5x Membership Rewards? Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), access to the largest available network of airport lounges, a $200 airline fee credit, and credits for Uber, Saks Fifth Avenue, and more. The Platinum Card is a powerhouse for frequent travelers who want premium services and extensive lounge access.
To view rates and fees of the Amex-PlatinumCard-CardName, see this page.
The takeaway
Choose the Venture X for: better value with its lower fee and free authorized user card benefits along with its ease of use.
Choose the Sapphire Reserve for: transfers to a travel partner only offered by Chase or if you want the ability to redeem for cash back.
You won’t go wrong with either the Sapphire Reserve and the Venture X as both offer strong bang for your annual fee buck.
Fortune Recommends? has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends? and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefits guide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Fortune Recommends? has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends? and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Two of our favorite travel rewards cards are the Chase Sapphire Reserve? and theCapital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. Both of these cards are known for their rich rewards, valuable perks, and robust protections. Deciding which one is best for you requires a closer look at their annual fees, rewards structures, transfer partners, and additional benefits. Let’s dig deeper into the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X to help you figure out which one best suits your needs and lifestyle.
Chase Sapphire Reserve?
at Cardratings.com
Welcome Bonus
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$550
Our Take
The Sapphire Reserve offers a $300 annual travel credit and a large suite of protections including primary car rental coverage, trip delay, cancellation and baggage insurance. It also has top-tier transfer partners including United Airlines and Hyatt.
Rewards
10x points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel?
5x points on flights through Chase Travel?
3x points on other travel and dining
1x point on all other purchases
Notable Perks
Airport lounge access
Comprehensive travel insurances
of the Chase Sapphire Reserve?
vs
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
at Cardratings.com
Welcome Bonus
75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$395
Our Take
The Venture X has the lowest fee of the premium cards we compared, but still offers top-tier perks. With both a $300 Capital One Travel credit and 10,000 anniversary bonus miles, Priority Pass membership, travel coverage and easy-to-use points are icing on the cake.
Rewards
10X Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
5X Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
Notable Perks
Free authorized user cards
Airport lounge access
of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Annual Fee
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with a hefty annual fee of $550, making it the more expensive option of the two. On the other hand, the Capital One Venture X offers a slightly more affordable annual fee of $395.
Both cards offer credits to help offset their onerous annual fees. The Sapphire Reserve offers an annual $300 annual travel credit toward any travel purchase while the Venture X offers a $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel—and $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel that can be redeemed in any way you choose.
Winner: The lower annual fee of the Venture X makes it a more accessible option if you want premium benefits with a lower price tag.
Pro tip:
When I took my kids to Disneyland, I still managed to use my Venture X miles to buy park tickets by getting them through Get Away Today, a discount travel provider, instead of directly from Disney, which isn't a travel merchant. You'll have a hard time getting that kind of flexibility with other travel rewards programs. Ben Luthi, Fortune Contributor
Earning Rewards
Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X offer enticing rewards to cardholders, albeit with different reward structures.
The Reserve is tailored for people who frequently travel and dine out, offering substantial rewards in these categories. It offers 10X points on Chase Dining through Chase Travel?, 5x points on flights through Chase Travel? after the first $300 spent annually on travel purchases, and 10x points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel? immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually, among other rewards.
The Venture X keeps earnings simple, offering 10X Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5X Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, and 2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day.
Winner: While the rewards structure of the Reserve card is higher on travel and dining, the Venture X’s flat 2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day make it a better option for daily use.
Redeeming rewards
Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X offer flexible redemption options that cater to different preferences. Both cards also offer the ability to transfer to travel partners as we’ll discuss below.
Chase Sapphire Reserve: Points can be redeemed through theChase Ultimate Rewards? portal for cash back, gift cards, and more at one cent each. When redeemed for travel through the portal, points are worth 1.5 cents each. This is a great option for tours, which is how I recently used Ultimate Rewards in Panama.
Capital One Venture X: Miles can be redeemed for 1 cent each on travel through Capital One Travel or statement credits for travel purchases. However, if you want to use them for cash the value is reduced to 0.5 cents each.
Winner: The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers more value per point when redeemed for travel through the Chase portal, making it a strong option for those looking to maximize their points for travel. It also wins because you could use cash back to pay for any purchases instead of just travel at 1 cent each.
Pro tip:
You can use Capital One miles toward travel purchases made within the past 90 days. This means that you don’t need to earn a welcome bonus before you spend it! I opened the Capital One Venture and retroactively redeemed Capital One miles for a five-star stay at a castle near Galway, Ireland. Joseph Hostetler, Fortune contributor
Transfer partners
One of the key benefits of both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X is the ability to transfer points or miles to travel partners, allowing for flexibility and potentially more value. However, their partners differ as you’ll see below.
Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Capital One Venture X transfer partners side by side
Program | Chase Sapphire Reserve | Capital One Venture X |
|---|---|---|
Airlines | ||
Air Canada Aeroplan | X | X |
Air France/KLM Flying Blue | X | X |
British Airways Executive Club | X | X |
Emirates Skywards | X | X |
JetBlue TrueBlue | X | X |
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | X | X |
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club/Virgin Red | X | X |
Aer Lingus AerClub | X | |
Iberia Plus | X | |
Southwest Rapid Rewards | X | |
United MileagePlus | X | |
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles | X | |
Avianca Lifemiles | X | |
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | X | |
TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go | X | |
Aeromexico Club Premier | X | |
Etihad Guest | X | |
EVA Air Infinity MileageLands | X | |
Finnair Plus | X | |
Qantas Frequent Flyer | X | |
Qatar Airways Privilege Club | X | |
Hotels | ||
Hyatt | X | |
IHG Rewards Club | X | |
Marriott Bonvoy | X | |
ALL Accor Live Limitless | X | |
Choice Privileges | X | |
Wyndham Rewards | X |
Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve offers an easier-to-use range of 1:1 transfer partners, particularly Hyatt Hotels, making it more attractive if you’re looking to maximize value through transfers.
Welcome Offer
Both the Sapphire Reserve and Venture X cards feature generous welcome offers to entice new cardholders.
The Reserve card offers 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
In comparison, the Venture X offers 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening(That’s $750 toward travel through Capital One Travel).
Winner: The winner here will vary depending on limited time offers, but in general the Sapphire Reserve will offer more value on points redeemed through Chase Travel thanks to the elevated 1.5 cent redemption rate.
Perks
When it comes to additional benefits and perks, the Chase Sapphire Reserve stands out with its comprehensive suite of offerings. Cardholders of the Reserve card benefit from a $300 annual travel credit, lounge access for themselves and up to two guests through a Priority Pass? Select Membership, and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck? fee statement credit.
The Venture X offers similar perks, including a $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel, Priority Pass? Select Membership, and up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck?. Venture X also provides up to 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary, which can be used toward travel. Notably, the Venture X also offers free authorized user cards, which the Chase Sapphire Reserve charges for.
Winner: Both cards offer strong travel protections and airport lounge access benefits, but the Venture X edges out with a lower annual fee and additional anniversary miles.
Pro tip:
Getting free authorized user cards is a huge perk of the Venture X, especially since each person can get their own Priority Pass membership. My kid gets Capital One Lounge and Priority Pass entry even when flying without me, which is not only a luxury but a money-saver since Capital One Lounges encourage you to take food to go.
Another card to consider
If you’re seeking luxury travel perks and are open to a higher annual fee, theThe Platinum Card? from American Express is worth considering. With a $695 annual fee, it offers a comprehensive set of benefits including 5x Membership Rewards? Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), access to the largest available network of airport lounges, a $200 airline fee credit, and credits for Uber, Saks Fifth Avenue, and more. The Platinum Card is a powerhouse for frequent travelers who want premium services and extensive lounge access.
To view rates and fees of the Amex-PlatinumCard-CardName, see this page.
The takeaway
Choose the Venture X for: better value with its lower fee and free authorized user card benefits along with its ease of use.
Choose the Sapphire Reserve for: transfers to a travel partner only offered by Chase or if you want the ability to redeem for cash back.
You won’t go wrong with either the Sapphire Reserve and the Venture X as both offer strong bang for your annual fee buck.
Fortune Recommends? has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends? and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefits guide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
This story was originally featured on Fortune.com