You might be considering Capital One Venture X or Chase Sapphire Reserve—two heavyweights in the world of high-end credit cards.
Both cards offer attractive benefits, lucrative rewards programs, and competitive fees, but which one provides the best value?
In this comprehensive comparison article, we’ll put these two cards head-to-head, breaking down their features, benefits, and costs.
Let’s get started.
Benefits
When choosing a premium credit card, the benefits offered are often the deciding factor.
Let’s take a closer look at the benefits offered by both the Capital One Venture X and the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Travel Credits
Both cards offer significant travel credits.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers an automatic $300 annual travel credit, which is applied to any travel purchase you make, from flights and hotels to car rentals and cruises.
The Capital One Venture X also offers a $300 annual travel credit, but it only covers bookings made through Capital One Travel.
This might limit your flexibility somewhat, but if you regularly use Capital One’s platform, it shouldn’t be a significant drawback.
Lounge Access
Airport lounge access is another key benefit for frequent travelers. Both cards offer Priority Pass membership, giving you access to over 1,300 lounges worldwide.
Both cards are stepping into the lounge game themselves.
Capital One has its first lounge open at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), and Chase has opened its first U.S. lounge in Boston.
With either card, you’ll have plenty of options for relaxing before your flight.
TSA Pre-Check/Global Entry Credits
Both cards also offer credits for Global Entry or TSA Pre-Check. These programs can save you time and stress at the airport, making them a valuable perk for frequent flyers.
Here’s a quick breakdown of these benefits:
| Benefit | Capital One Venture X | Chase Sapphire Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Travel Credit | $300 (for bookings through Capital One Travel) | $300 (for any travel purchase) |
| Lounge Access | Priority Pass + Capital One lounges | Priority Pass + Chase lounges |
| TSA Pre-Check/Global Entry Credit | Yes | Yes |
In terms of benefits, it’s a close call between the two cards. The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers more flexibility with its travel credit and lounge access, but the Capital One Venture X matches it in most other areas.
Your decision may come down to which benefits you’re likely to use most frequently and how you prefer to book your travel.
Rewards Program
After exploring the benefits, let’s dive into the rewards programs of the Capital One Venture X and Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Both cards offer attractive rewards, but the key lies in understanding how you can maximize these rewards based on your spending habits.
Earning Rates
The Capital One Venture X offers 10 miles per dollar on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on flights booked through the same, and 2 miles per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
Meanwhile, the Chase Sapphire Reserve provides a generous 10 points per dollar spent on hotels and car rentals via Chase Ultimate Rewards.
It offers 5 points per dollar on flights through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3 points per dollar on all other travel and dining expenses, and 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
To make things clear, here’s a comparison table:
| Spending Category | Capital One Venture X | Chase Sapphire Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Hotels and Car Rentals (booked through respective platforms) | 10 miles/dollar | 10 points/dollar |
| Flights (booked through respective platforms) | 5 miles/dollar | 5 points/dollar |
| All Other Travel and Dining | 2 miles/dollar | 3 points/dollar |
| All Other Eligible Purchases | 2 miles/dollar | 1 point/dollar |
Value of Points/Miles Earned
Now, let’s discuss the value of these points/miles.
The estimated value for Capital One miles is approximately 1.85 cents apiece, while Chase Ultimate Rewards points are worth around 2 cents each.
This means that the Chase Sapphire Reserve may offer more value in terms of rewards, especially for those who spend a lot on travel and dining.
However, it’s important to note that the actual value you get can depend on how you redeem these points/miles. The most rewarding way is usually by transferring them to respective travel partners.
To recap, both cards have robust rewards programs. The Chase Sapphire Reserve may offer more value for frequent travelers and diners, but the Capital One Venture X provides simplicity with a flat rate on all non-travel purchases.
Your choice between the two would depend on your spending patterns and how you prefer to earn and redeem your rewards.
Annual Fees
Now that we’ve compared the Capital One Venture X and Chase Sapphire Reserve cards, let’s talk about an important factor that could make or break your decision: annual fees.
Annual Fee Comparison
The Chase Sapphire Reserve carries an annual fee of $550, while the Capital One Venture X has a lower annual fee of $395.
Here’s a simple table for comparison:
| Card | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Capital One Venture X | $395 |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | $550 |
Offsetting the Annual Fee with Benefits
At first glance, these annual fees might seem steep. However, when you consider the benefits and credits each card offers, the effective cost can be significantly lower.
For instance, both cards offer a $300 travel credit. If you’re a frequent traveler and can take full advantage of this credit, it effectively reduces the annual fee of the Chase Sapphire Reserve to $250 and the Capital One Venture X to $95.
The Venture X offers 10,000 bonus miles every card anniversary, which is worth approximately $185 based on our earlier valuation. This further lowers the effective annual fee, making the Venture X an even more affordable premium card.
Credit Score Requirements
Both the Capital One Venture X and the Chase Sapphire Reserve are premium cards, and as such, they typically require a good to excellent credit score.
Capital One Venture X
However, credit score isn’t the only factor considered. Your income, existing debts, and credit history all play a role in the decision.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Similarly, the Chase Sapphire Reserve generally requires a good to excellent credit score. Most approved applicants have a FICO score of 700 or more.
Again, other factors such as your income, debt-to-income ratio, and credit history will be taken into consideration.
Here’s a simple comparison:
| Card | Typical Credit Score Required |
|---|---|
| Capital One Venture X | Good to Excellent (670+) |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | Good to Excellent (700+) |
It’s important to remember that these are guidelines rather than strict cutoffs. Each application is evaluated individually, and it’s possible to get approved with a slightly lower score or denied with a higher one.
Pros and Cons
Let’s round up our comparison between the Capital One Venture X and the Chase Sapphire Reserve by summarizing the pros and cons of each card.
Capital One Venture X
Pros:
- Lower annual fee of $395 compared to many premium cards.
- Generous welcome bonus of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first three months.
- Offers simplicity with a flat rate of 2 miles per dollar on all non-travel purchases.
- Provides access to Capital One and Priority Pass lounges.
- Comes with a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus.
Cons:
- The $300 travel credit is only applicable for bookings made through Capital One Travel.
- Lacks domestic airlines in its list of transfer partners.
- Does not offer as many bonus categories as the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Pros:
- Points are worth 50% more when redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
- Broad definition of travel category for earning points.
- Provides access to Chase, Priority Pass lounges, and partner lounges.
- Has domestic airlines and major hotel brands as transfer partners.
- Offers higher coverage amounts for travel insurance.
Cons:
- Higher annual fee of $550.
- Non-bonus purchases only earn 1 point per dollar.
- The welcome bonus of 60,000 points is lower than that of Venture X.
Both cards have their strengths and weaknesses. The Capital One Venture X offers simplicity and a lower annual fee, making it an affordable yet valuable premium card.
On the other hand, the Chase Sapphire Reserve could provide more value to frequent travelers and diners despite its higher fees.
Customer Support
The customer service you get from a credit card company will make a big difference in your overall experience.
Let’s compare the customer support options for the Capital One Venture X and the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
| Capital One Venture X | Chase Sapphire Reserve | |
|---|---|---|
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Online Chat Support | Yes | No |
| Mobile App Support | Yes | Yes |
| Social Media Support | Yes | No |
| Email Support | Yes | No |
| Branch Support | No | Yes |
Capital One Venture X and Chase Sapphire Reserve both offer solid customer support. For those who prefer digital communication, Capital One offers more online chat and social media support.
You may prefer face-to-face interaction if you prefer Chase’s branch support. Your decision will depend on your personal preferences and how you are most comfortable seeking assistance.
Final Verdict
After a comprehensive comparison between Capital One Venture X and Chase Sapphire Reserve, it’s clear that both cards offer compelling features for seasoned travelers.
However, each card has its unique strengths, making them suitable for different types of users.
Capital One Venture X
The X stands out with competitive perks at a lower annual fee of $395. It's a great choice for your first premium travel rewards card. The Venture X is appealing with a generous welcome bonus of 75,000 miles, a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus, and the option to add up to four authorized users at no additional cost.
Customer support options include phone, online chat, mobile app, social media, and email. However, the card’s statement credits are less flexible as they can only be used for bookings through Capital One Travel.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Sapphire Reserve, on the other hand, shines in terms of flexibility and value. Despite its higher annual fee of $550, the card offers valuable travel extras, including a broad definition of travel category for earning points, more robust travel insurance, and a more lucrative fixed-value redemption option.
The Sapphire Reserve also allows transferring rewards from other cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points, maximizing the point-earning potential. Furthermore, Chase provides a more seamless experience in terms of customer support, including branch support, which can be valuable for face-to-face interaction.
Conclusion
The decision between the Capital One Venture X and the Chase Sapphire Reserve largely depends on your personal preferences and travel habits.
If you prefer simplicity and a lower annual fee, Venture X could be the right choice for you.
On the other hand, if you’re a frequent traveler and diner who doesn’t mind a higher fee for more flexibility and value, the Sapphire Reserve might be a better fit.
