Capital One Vs Chase Credit Cards - Which One Is Best?

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If you are looking for a new credit card for 2023 that offers cash back on purchases, balance transfers, and travel reward points - then Capital One and Chase credit cards are options you are probably already considering.

Both card providers have become popular choices with those looking to maximize the returns on their spending and collect some great rewards and discounts along the way.

But when it comes to rewards, transfer partners, cash back rates, and transferable points, which cards are the best for you and your spending habits?

Below we will break down everything you need to know about the best credit cards from Chase and Capital One so that you can make the best choice before you apply.

Chase vs Capital One Credit Cards - A Brief Summary

In terms of the types of perks, these credit cards offer - Chase has more high-end perks and partners than Capital One, meaning they might be a better fit for those who spend heavily or travel frequently. Chase cards also offer higher-value reward points and have high customer satisfaction rates.

In contrast, Capital One has a simpler approach to cards with more straightforward reward schemes. So, if you are simply looking for an uncomplicated card that offers low annual fees and set cashback rates. Capital one also offers secured credit cards which will help you if you want to build up your credit score.

Capital One vs Chase - Rankings and Comparisons

First, let's take a look at a breakdown of how each card provider performs across the main feature and functions credit card owners need to know about.

Current Customer Rankings

Customer satisfaction ratings amongst current card owners are healthy for both Chase and Capital One banks. With Capital One is ranked the 5th highest US card issuer and Chase is one position ahead at 4th.

Types of Cards Offered

Capital One offered a variety of different cards including:

• Luxury travel cards
• Travel cards
• Cash back cards
• Student credit cards
• Business cards
• Credit cards for building up credit.

Chase cards also offer a range of different cards that include:

• Luxury travel cards
• Travel credit cards
• Cash back credit cards
• Student cards
• Business credit cards

Travel Perks on Cards

There is no denying that when it comes to these perks, Chase has Capital One beat. Whereas Capital one cards offer better lounge access, Chase card holders can enjoy benefits that include better travel protection and higher-value travel reward points. The more Chase cards you hold, the more benefits you will be able to enjoy.

Value of Rewards Points

Chase is slightly ahead of Capital One when it comes to what reward points are worth. Chase rewards points are valued at approximately 1 cent when redeemed through the Capital One Travel Portal.

Chase Travel℠ points are valued between 1.25 and 1.5 cents when you redeem them through the Chase Travel℠ hub.

Partners to Redeem Points With Travel Partners

Capital One offers redemption values at the following rates:

• 1:1 transfer rate with 15 travel partners.
• 2:1.5 with one partner.
• 2.1 with one partner.

Chase credit cards holders enjoy the following reward redemption rates:

• 1:1 with 15 travel partners (including 3 domestic airlines.)

Capital One vs Chase - Card-by-Card Comparison

Now, let's take a look at the comparable credit cards on offer from each card provider to see which gives you the best benefits for your lifestyle.

Cash Back Credit Cards: Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs. Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Card

• $0 Annual Fees for both cards.
• Both cards offer a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months. After intro APR offer the following applies for the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards 19.99% - 29.99% and Chase Freedom Unlimited® 20.49%–29.24%
• Capital One Sign Up Bonus of $200 cash when you spend $500 using your card within the first 3 months of opening your account.
• Chase offers an extra 1.5% reward on all your spending up to the first $20, 000 on purchases. (That means you could access up to $300 cash back in your first year if you meet the spending requirements.)

Chase Freedom Unlimited® cardholders enjoy higher earning rates on spending than Capital One Quicksilver users. The Chase card offers 1.5% on general purchases and bonus reward points on spending on travel, in restaurants, and drugstores, and targets Walmart and wholesale clubs.

However, if you are looking for a card that has a flat cashback rate, then Quicksilver is a great, uncomplicated choice that offers a set rate on every purchase.

Chase Rewards Rates:

• 5% cash back when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠.
• 3% on drugstore, takeout, and dining purchases.
• 1.5% on all other purchases using the card.

Capital One Rewards Rate:

• 1.5% cash back on each purchase you make.
• 5% cash back on hotels, airlines, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

0% Intro APR Credit Cards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card vs Chase Slate Edge^SM Card

• No Annual Fee.
• 0% intro APR for the first 18 months of using your card. This is for the Balance transfer for the Chase Slate Edge. After intro APR rates are variable 20.49% - 29.24%.
• Earn 20,000 bonus miles with your Capital One once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
• There is no signup bonus on the Chase Slate Edge® Credit Card.

The Chase Slate Edge™ is the perfect no-frills card if you are looking for a balance transfer option with 0% intro APR with a $5 or 3% for the first 60 days of account opening, $5 or 5% afterward, whichever is greater after 60 days. 

The Capital One Venture One Reward card also offers a long-lasting 0% intro APR for the first 18 months for you to enjoy while making purchases. The travel rewards miles available on this card mean that it is a good option if you are looking for a card that you can still use after the introductory period ends.

Travel Credit Cards: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card vs. Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

• $95 Annual Fee.
• No foreign transaction fees.

In terms of the most valuable travel cards available, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® is difficult to beat. The card offers users a higher earning rate and rewards points which are of more value and can be spent more flexibly.

The Capital One Venture card offers a more straightforward travel rewards program where you don't have to worry about navigating a variety of different bonus categories. It also offers two complimentary airport lounge visits each year, which the Chase Sapphire preferred® card doesn't.

Sign Up Bonuses:

• Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card - 75,000 bonus miles after you spend up to $4000 on purchases within 3 months of opening the card. (Equivalent to $750 to be spent on travel.)
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® - 60,000 rewards point bonus after spending $4,000 within the first three months of opening your account. ($750 value when redeemed through Chase Travel℠.)

Travel Protections:

• Capital One Venture Rewards - Travel accident insurance. Auto rental damage waiver and 24-hour travel assistance phone service.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred Card - Trip cancellation insurance, insurance on baggage delay, reimbursement of costs due to trip delays, and travel assistance services.

Travel Rewards Rate:

• Capital One Venture Rewards - 2x miles for each dollar spent, 5 miles on spending on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card - 5x points on travel purchases using Chase Travel℠, 3x points on dining purchases, and 2x points on all other travel purchases using the card.

Luxury Travel Credit Cards: Chase Sapphire Reserve® card vs. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee - $395 for Capital One Venture X and $550 for Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
• Priority Pass Membership.

Both Chase and Capital One offer elite travel cards which are well-suited to those who travel a lot for business or pleasure. However, when it comes to travel perks, the Capital One Venture X rewards card has slightly more on offer at a lower annual fee.

• Both credit cards offer Priority Pass lounge access however, if you are a Capital One cardholder you will be able to invite two guests in at no extra cost. You will also be able to access Plaza Premium Group airport lounges all over the world at no extra cost.

However, the Chase Sapphire Reserve does offer more value when points are redeemed and more flexibility when it comes to spending them.

Rewards Rates:

• Capital One Venture X- 2x miles per dollar, 10 miles per dollar on spending on hotels and car rentals using the Capital One Travel hub. 5x miles on spending on flights booked using the travel hub.
• Chase Sapphire Reserve- 5x rewards points on flights booked through Chase Travel℠, 10x rewards points on car rental, and hotels booked through the hub. Travel rewards will be earned after a $300 travel credit is used.

Sign Up Bonus:

• Capital One Venture X - $75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 within the first 3 months of opening your account. (Value $750 on travel, depending on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.)
• Chase Sapphire Reserve- 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 within 3 months of opening your account. ($900 towards travel when spent through Chase Travel℠.)

Travel Credits:

• Capital One - Up to $300 travel credit annually. Up to $100 towards TSA precheck of Global Entry every four years. An anniversary bonus of $100 towards travel costs.
• Chase - Up to $300 annual travel credit. Up to $100 for TSA Precheck, NEXUS, or Global Entry costs every four years.

Takeaway: Capital One vs Chase Credit Cards - Which one is Best?

Both Chase and Capital One offer a wide variety of cards that cater to different lifestyles and priorities. The best card for you will depend upon what you are hoping to get back from your spending. Before you apply for any card, you need to make sure that you know exactly what you are looking for.

Once you know what is most important to you, read through our article above again and choose which card seems the best match.