Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Capital One Venture X
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
Capital One Venture X wins 4-2. Premium travel, $395 fee easily offset by $300 travel credit + 10K anniversary miles. Chase Freedom Unlimited is still the right call if no-fee everyday card; pairs perfectly with sapphire preferred.
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Chase Freedom Unlimited | Capital One Venture X |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · $395 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | · 5% (travel) | 10% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | · 1.5% | 2% |
| Forex markup | · 3% | No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = $200 cash back after $500 spend in first 3 months + 5% gas/groceries on first $12K | = 75,000 miles after $4,000 spend in first 3 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = N/A (no fee) | = No waiver |
| Min income | = None stated | = None stated |
| Min credit score | 670 | · 720 |
| Editorial rating | · 4.6/5 | 4.7/5 |
Benefits compared
Chase Freedom Unlimited
- 5% on travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 3% on dining (incl. takeout & delivery)
- 3% on drugstore purchases
- 1.5% on everything else
- No annual fee
- 0% intro APR for 15 months
Capital One Venture X
- 10x miles on hotels + rental cars via Capital One Travel
- 2x miles on every purchase
- $300 annual Capital One Travel credit
- 10,000 miles anniversary bonus (worth $100)
- Unlimited Priority Pass + Capital One Lounges access
- Up to $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
FAQ
›Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Capital One Venture X: which is better?
Capital One Venture X wins on more dimensions (4 vs 2). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern. Run your own monthly spend through the maximizer to see which one pays you more.
›Can I get both?
Yes, if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Chase Freedom Unlimited for its best categories, Capital One Venture X for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Chase Freedom Unlimited: $200 cash back after $500 spend in first 3 months + 5% gas/groceries on first $12K. Capital One Venture X: 75,000 miles after $4,000 spend in first 3 months.