
If you're looking for a credit card that outshines the Chase Sapphire Preferred, consider the Citi Premier. This card offers a higher reward rate on dining and travel purchases, earning 3X points per dollar spent in these categories.
The Citi Premier also offers a $100 air travel credit, which can be a significant perk for frequent travelers. This credit can be used towards airfare, hotels, and other travel-related expenses.
One notable difference between the Citi Premier and the Chase Sapphire Preferred is the 60,000-point sign-up bonus offered by the Citi Premier. This bonus is worth $750 in travel when redeemed through the Citi ThankYou Rewards program.
The Citi Premier's annual fee of $95 is also a consideration, as it's lower than the Chase Sapphire Preferred's $95 annual fee. However, the Citi Premier's benefits and rewards may make up for the difference in cost.
Alternative Options
If you're looking for alternative options to the Chase Sapphire Preferred, there are several credit cards worth considering. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a 75k bonus offer, making it a compelling choice for those who want a lucrative rewards program.
For foodies, the American Express Gold Card is a great option, offering rewards that cater specifically to dining enthusiasts. Its rewards structure is designed to help you earn more points on the things you love.
If you're looking for a premium credit card, the Platinum Card from American Express is a top contender. However, be aware that these cards often come with higher fees and stricter qualification requirements.
Credit Options Excluding Sapphire Preferred:
If you're having trouble qualifying for the Chase Sapphire Preferred, there are other credit card options worth considering. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a 75k bonus offer, making it a great alternative for those who want to earn rewards on their purchases.
The American Express Gold Card is ideal for foodies, offering a range of benefits that cater to their interests. This card is perfect for those who dine out frequently and want to earn rewards on their purchases.
For those who want a premium credit card experience, the Platinum Card from American Express is a top choice. This card offers a range of benefits, including airport lounge access and travel insurance.
If you're looking for an airline credit card that offers incidental fees, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is a great option. This card offers a range of benefits, including airport lounge access and travel insurance.
Here are some other credit card options to consider:
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: 75,000 bonus miles
- Chase Sapphire Reserve: airline credit card with incidental fees
Ultimately, the best credit card for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. Be sure to research and compare different options before making a decision.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Program
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Program offers a generous rewards structure, with some benefits that make it easy to be reimbursed for travel purchases at maximum value.
You can earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, which is a huge advantage for frequent travelers.
The program also includes an annual $300 Capital One Travel credit, which can be used towards travel purchases.
New card members can earn a 75,000 miles bonus by spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, which is worth $750 in award travel.
This valuable signup bonus is a great incentive to sign up for the card, especially for those who plan to use it frequently.
The Venture X Rewards Program also offers airport lounge access for the cardholder and two companions, including Priority Pass and Capital One Lounge.
Additionally, you can earn up to $120 in Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credits, which can be a huge time-saver for frequent travelers.
Here are some of the key benefits of the Venture X Rewards Program:
- Annual $300 Capital One Travel credit
- Unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 10,000 bonus miles on each card anniversary
- Up to $120 in Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credits
- Primary rental car coverage
- Hertz President’s Circle status
- Cell phone protection (up to $800 per claim)
Redemption Options
Redemption Options can be a bit tricky, but I've got the lowdown.
You can redeem rewards earned with both cards for travel, gift cards, cash back, Amazon purchases, and transferring to travel partners. With the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you'll typically get one cent per point in value for most redemptions, except for Amazon purchases.
If you redeem points through Chase Travel℠, they're worth 25% more, which is a huge bonus. For example, you can use 60,000 points to pay for $750 in flights, rental cars, hotels, or cruises when you book through Chase Travel℠.
To get the best value for your Chase Ultimate Rewards points, consider transferring them to loyalty programs at a 1:1 ratio. Here are some of the transfer partners:
- Aer Lingus AerClub
- Air Canada Aeroplan
- British Airways Executive Club
- Emirates Skywards
- Flying Blue (KLM and Air France)
- Iberia Plus
- JetBlue TrueBlue
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
- United MileagePlus
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- IHG One Rewards
- Marriott Bonvoy
- World of Hyatt
The Capital One Venture Rewards doesn't offer a bonus value when redeeming miles through Capital One Travel, but you can easily redeem miles for one cent each toward any eligible travel purchase.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
The Chase Freedom Unlimited card is a great option for those looking for a no-annual-fee card with a solid rewards rate. It earns 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
This card pairs well with the Chase Sapphire Preferred, as it earns 1.5% (or points per dollar spent) on all purchases, which is 50% more than the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
Rewards and Benefits
The Capital One VentureOne Rewards card offers a flat-rate rewards structure, earning 1.25 miles per dollar on every purchase with no limits. This is a simpler approach compared to the Chase Sapphire Preferred's category-based rewards structure.
One notable benefit of the VentureOne card is its 5x miles on hotel and rental car bookings through Capital One Travel, which is a unique feature not found on the Sapphire Preferred. This makes it a great option for those who frequently book travel accommodations.
Here's a comparison of the rewards rates between the two cards:
In terms of overall rewards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred comes out on top due to its more opportunities to earn higher values.
Rewards
The rewards offered by credit cards can be a major draw, and it's essential to understand what you're getting before signing up. The Chase Sapphire Preferred and Capital One Venture Rewards are two popular options, each with its own set of benefits.
One of the key differences between these cards is their rewards structure. The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers a category-based rewards system, with 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 5X points on Lyft rides, and 3X points on dining, among others. In contrast, the Capital One Venture Rewards earns 5X miles on hotel and rental cars when paying with your card and booking through Capital One Travel.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred also provides an anniversary bonus, which is equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year. For example, if you spent $15,000 on purchases, you'll get 1,500 bonus points.
Here's a comparison of the rewards offered by the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Capital One VentureOne Rewards:
The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers more opportunities to earn higher rewards values, making it the winner in this category.
Rewards and Benefits
The rewards and benefits of credit cards can be overwhelming, but let's break it down.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers a $300 Capital One Travel credit and up to $120 in Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credits every four years. This card also comes with airport lounge access, unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and a 10,000 bonus miles on each card anniversary.
Some credit cards offer more redemption flexibility than others. For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred allows you to redeem your points for airfare, hotels, car rentals, and cruises through Chase Travel℠, giving you 25% more value.
The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card takes it a step further with a $100 hotel credit on bookings of $500 or more, which is higher than the Sapphire Preferred's $50 credit.
Here are some key benefits to consider:
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: $300 Capital One Travel credit, up to $120 in Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credits, airport lounge access, unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and a 10,000 bonus miles on each card anniversary.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred: 25% more value when redeeming points for airfare, hotels, car rentals, and cruises through Chase Travel℠, $50 annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, and complimentary access to DashPass.
- Citi Strata Premier℠ Card: $100 hotel credit on bookings of $500 or more, and a $95 annual fee.
These benefits can make a huge difference in your travel experience, and it's essential to consider them when choosing a credit card.
Comparison with Sapphire Preferred
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a highly-regarded credit card, but it's not the only game in town. The Citi Premier card has a higher points value, earning 3X points on travel, including gas stations.
One key difference between the two cards is the sign-up bonus. The Citi Premier offers a $600 bonus after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, compared to the Sapphire Preferred's $650 bonus after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
The Citi Premier also has no foreign transaction fees, making it a great choice for international travel. The Sapphire Preferred charges a 3% foreign transaction fee.
In terms of annual fees, the Citi Premier's $95 annual fee is lower than the Sapphire Preferred's $95 annual fee, but the Citi Premier offers more valuable rewards.
Credit Card Details
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers a 60,000-point bonus after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
One of the key features of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card is its 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Annual Fee
The annual fee is a crucial aspect to consider when choosing a credit card. The Chase Sapphire Preferred comes with a $95 annual fee, which is more than made up for with its robust bonuses and perks.
Some credit cards, like the Capital One VentureOne Rewards, don't charge an annual fee at all. This can be a huge advantage, especially for those who don't want to pay extra each year.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred's annual fee is a relatively small price to pay for its benefits, but it's still something to be aware of. On the other hand, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards is a great option for those who want to avoid annual fees altogether.
APR
The APR, or annual percentage rate, is a crucial factor to consider when choosing a credit card. For the Chase Sapphire Preferred, the APR ranges from 21.49% to 28.49%.
Unfortunately, this card doesn't offer a promotional APR for purchases or balance transfers, which means you'll be charged the standard rate right away.

By contrast, the VentureOne Rewards card offers a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, giving you plenty of time to pay off your balance interest-free.
However, keep in mind that balance transfers come with a transfer fee of 3% of the amounts you transfer in the first 15 months.
The Capital One VentureOne Rewards card's 0% intro APR period is a game-changer for large purchases, making it a great option for those who charge air travel, hotel stays, or other big-ticket items.
Recommended Cards
If you're looking for a card that's similar to the Chase Sapphire Preferred, here are some options to consider.
The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card is a great choice, offering unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases with no annual fee. It's also worth noting that this card has a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months.
The Citi Double Cash Card is another option to consider, earning 2% cash back on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. This card also offers a $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening.

If you're looking for a card with travel benefits, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is still a top choice, but the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card is also worth considering, offering 2X points on local transit and commuting, and 2 EarlyBird Check-In each year.
Here are some alternative credit cards that might be a better fit for you:
Welcome Bonus and Fees
The welcome bonus is a great way to get started with a new credit card. With the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you can earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months.
The Capital One Venture Rewards offers a more generous welcome bonus of 75,000 miles for the same spending requirement.
The value of these bonuses can be significant, with the Chase Sapphire Preferred offering $750 in travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠.
Cons and Bottom Line
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card isn't perfect, and there are some notable downsides to consider. One major con is that you can't transfer your Chase points unless you have another annual-fee Chase product.
Other travel cards may offer higher rewards rates on certain spending categories, which could be a drawback if you're looking to maximize your earnings.
However, if you're looking for a card with powerful earning rates in everyday shopping categories and travel, the Sapphire Preferred is a great option.
Here are some key points to keep in mind:
- Other travel cards offer higher rewards rates on certain spending categories
- Doesn't earn points on mortgages
Cons
The Chase card has some notable drawbacks to consider. It's not ideal for those who want to transfer points to another card, as this is only possible if you're also using another annual-fee Chase product.
One major limitation is that the card can't be used to earn points on mortgages. This is a significant drawback for those who frequently make mortgage payments.
If you're looking for a card with high rewards rates in specific spending categories, you might find other travel cards offer better options. However, the Chase card's broad earning rates in everyday shopping categories and travel make it a strong choice for those who want simplicity in their wallet.
Here are some key cons to consider:
- Can't transfer Chase points unless paired with another annual-fee Chase product
- Doesn't earn points on mortgages
- Other travel cards offer higher rewards rates on certain spending categories
Bottom Line

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is an excellent travel rewards card, but it's got plenty of competition if you're looking for something cheaper or better.
If you're already a loyal Sapphire Preferred cardholder, you can expand your wallet with a card that's equally (or more) rewarding.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred and Capital One VentureOne Rewards credit cards are neck-and-neck in terms of the benefits and value they deliver to their cardholders.
The Sapphire Preferred edges out VentureOne in this head-to-head, but the best card for you will depend on your personal wants and needs.
If you prefer a no-fuss card with a flat-rewards structure and no annual fee, the VentureOne Rewards credit card is likely your best option.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred has a $95 annual fee, which may be a deterrent for some, but it offers more rewards opportunities that may more than offset the fee.
Sources
- https://johnnyjet.com/better-credit-card-than-chase-sapphire-preferred/
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/chase-sapphire-preferred-vs-capital-one-venture/
- https://money.slickdeals.net/articles/best-alternatives-chase-sapphire-preferred/
- https://thepointsguy.com/credit-cards/best-card-to-pair-with-the-chase-sapphire-preferred/
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/chase-sapphire-preferred-vs-capital-one-ventureone-rewards-credit-cards-which-is-better/
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