In the world of travel credit cards, the options can be overwhelming. You can also earn cash back, miles, points — or even luxury benefits like airport lounge access or fast track to elite status. Plus, each card you open can affect which cards and bonuses you’re eligible for in the future. So you want to make sure that the card you apply for is right for you.
Two of the best options are the Capital One and Chase cards. Both banks issue a variety of rewards credit cards.
Below, we dig into the details to determine which cards are the best in various categories.
Capital One vs Chase Card Comparison
The information for Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business is independently collected by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Chase vs. Earn rewards with Capital One
All cards that earn Capital One miles earn 1.5 to 2 miles per dollar on every purchase. You’ll also get certain bonus categories, such as hotels and rental cars booked Capital One Travel.
With Chase, it depends on which card you have. For example, both Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve earn bonus points on travel and dining. The Inc. Business Preferred Credit Card, on the other hand, earns 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 in combined purchases in each account anniversary year in this category:
- journey
- Shipping
- Including telecom, internet, cable and phone services
- Buy ads through social media sites and search engines
All non-bonus purchases made with this Chase card earn just 1 point per dollar. However, if you combine your premium card with the no-annual-fee Chase Freedom Unlimited or Chase Freedom Flex, you can unlock more bonus categories.
Given how easy it is to earn unlimited double miles everywhere with Capital One Venture Rewards and Capital One Spark Miles, you’ll find it easier to earn Capital One miles if you don’t spend heavily in Chase’s bonus categories.
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If you have the right card pair, you can even convert your Capital One cash-back rewards into transferable miles, making them even more valuable.
the winner: bind. Both issuers offer valuable earning rates based on the card you get.
Chase vs. Redeeming Rewards with Capital One
As of September 2024 from TPG Valuation, Capital One miles are worth 1.85 cents each, and Chase points are worth 2.05 cents each. This value is based on the average value you can expect to receive when transferring travel partners.
You can also use your rewards as fixed-value points to cover travel costs or pay for travel. You can use Capital One miles to cover eligible travel charges at a rate of 1 cent per mile, but Ultimate Rewards points can top that number in some ways.
First, Chase Points can be redeemed as cash back for 1 cent each or used to pay for travel booked through Chase Travel℠. When you use points to pay for travel booked through the Chase portal, they’re worth 1.25 cents with a Sapphire Preferred or Ink Business Preferred credit card. If you have a Chase Sapphire Reserve, that number increases to 1.5 cents each.
the winner: Chase Ultimate Rewards is the winner when it comes to redeeming rewards, thanks to its better transfer ratio and more attractive travel partners.
Related: Neelam Preferred Vs. Sapphire Reserve
Chase vs. Transferring rewards with Capital One
Flexibility is the key to getting the most value from credit card rewards. Transferable points and miles are your best friends, and both Capital One and Chase issue cards that earn these rewards.
You earn transferable miles with this Capital One card:
The information for Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business is independently collected by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
And you can earn transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards points with these Chase cards:
Travel Partners: Capital one mile Transfers to 15-plus airline and hotel partners While Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to 15 programs — but the number of transfer partners doesn’t tell the whole story.
You need to consider the utility of partner loyalty programs. Capital One has valued partners, including Air Canada’s Aeroplan, Avianca LifeMiles, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer and Air France-KLM’s Flying Blue.
Chase points also transfer with Singapore Airlines and other top partners with Flying Blue, such as Virgin Atlantic (best for ANA and Delta awards, although recently devalued for Delta awards), United Airlines (Bookstar Alliance awards) and Hyatt (appealing for high-end luxury living).
the winner: chase. Overall, its points are more valuable because of its transfer options.
Who should get the Capital One Card?
Most of the Capital One card offers are great if you prioritize simplicity. For example, two of these The top Capital One cards, the Venture Rewards Card and the Spark Miles for Business card, both have a $95 ongoing annual fee (waived for the first year for Spark Miles) and earn 2 miles per dollar (see Rates and Fees for Venture Rewards; Spark Miles for Business (see rates and fees for
If you don’t want to worry about juggling cards in your wallet to maximize bonus categories, any of these cards is a great choice to maximize your spending. Plus, the rewards you earn are super easy to use, and there’s a great value in not having to spend hours figuring out how to squeeze the most out of your miles.
Related: Best Capital One Credit Cards
Who Should Get a Chase Card?
Many of the best airline credit cards, top hotel cards and most valuable general travel cards are issued by Chase. So it makes sense to get it before you get locked out by the 5/24 rule.
Related: Why Chase Sapphire Preferred Should Be Your First Card
Should I take cards from both banks?
Among the restrictions, Capital One limits you to being approved for one Capital One card every six months.
With Chase, you cannot hold both Sapphire cards together. Also, if you have received a welcome bonus on a Sapphire card in the previous 48 months, you will not be able to open a new Sapphire card.
The bottom line
When it comes to earning credit card rewards, the top two issuers are Capital One and Chase. Among these banks you can easily find a card that suits your needs. Chase has cards that earn super valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which transfer to useful hotel and airline loyalty programs. Capital One has a lineup of cards that earn 2 miles per dollar or 2% cash back on every purchase, so you can’t beat the convenience.
Which card is best for you depends a lot on your travel goals and what you want to get out of the card. In most cases, Chase has more rewarding options, but if cash back is what you’re after, you might want to check out what Capital One has to offer.
Related: The best travel credit cards