Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology.
Stephen is an established voice in the credit card space, with over 70 to his name. His work has been in publications like The Washington Post, and his Au Points and Awards Consulting Services is used...
With a degree in media and journalism, Stella has been in the points and miles game for more than 6 years. She most recently worked as a Corporate Communications Analyst for JetBlue. Find her work in ...
Juan has extensive experience in writing and editing content related to credit cards, loyalty programs, and travel. He has been honing his expertise in this field for over a decade. His work has been ...
We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.
Upgraded Points: Expertise You Can Trust
Our seasoned and experienced team brings years of expertise in the credit card and travel sectors. Committed to integrity, we offer data-driven guides to help you find the card(s) that best fit your requirements. See details on our intensive editorial policies and card rating methodologies.
Content by Leading Industry Experts
Routine Updates and Fact-Checks
First-Hand Credit Card Experience
Shared Across 200+ Top Outlets
Methodical “U.P. Rating
The U.P. Rating System
The ratings for these cards have been determined
by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards
as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect
our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
” System
1060+ Expert Credit Card Guides
Capital One and Citi are 2 large financial institutions in the U.S. Both offer standard banking products like checking accounts, savings accounts, and a variety of credit cards.
Citi seems to be shrinking in the world of credit cards compared to its heyday, while Capital One continues to grow every year. Still, both credit issuers offer compelling credit card products worthy of consideration.
But choosing the right card for your situation can seem overwhelming, especially if you’re considering not 1, but 2 credit card issuers.
In this guide, we’ll look at separate credit card categories and isolate the 2 best products available in each segment.
Before we do that, however, let’s look at how Capital One miles compare to Citi ThankYou Rewards.
Comparing Capital One Miles and Citi ThankYou Rewards
Capital One’s proprietary rewards program is called Capital One Miles, and the miles you earn and redeem are Capital One miles.
Similarly, Citi’s proprietary rewards program is called Citi ThankYou Rewards, and the points you earn and redeem are Citi ThankYou Points.
Currently, Citi has a small portfolio of credit cards that participate in ThankYou Rewards, while Capital One’s portfolio is slightly larger.
Remember, Citi and Capital One operate independent points programs, but Capital One miles can be redeemed in these ways:
Capital One Miles and Citi ThankYou Rewards both share similar redemption pathways, but you’ll almost always want to avoid PayPal, Amazon.com, online shopping, or cash-back, as these will yield the lowest redemption value. You’ll often get less than 1 cent per point through these redemptions.
Overall, we believe Capital One has a slight edge over Citi, simply because of how valuable Air Canada and British Airways are as frequent flyer programs.
Still, Citi’s enhanced transfer ratio with Choice Privileges of 1:2 allows savvy travelers to book Preferred Hotels for some terrific value.
In the end, we value Capital One miles at 1.8 cents each and Citi ThankYou Points at 1.6 cents each.
Bottom Line: Capital One miles are slightly more valuable than Citi ThankYou Points, thanks to partnerships with British Airways Executive Club and Air Canada Aeroplan. However, Citi can be more beneficial for booking hotel stays, thanks to a 1:2 transfer partnership with Choice Privileges.
Best Overall Travel Rewards Card
Between Capital One and Citi, travel rewards credit cards are a big focus. Let’s take a look at our winning products in this section!
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
Earn 70,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $700 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
70,000 points
$1,120
$95
21.24%- 29.24% Variable APR
The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card is a great all-around travel rewards card that allows you to earn big rewards on a variety of purchases like air travel, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and more, along with flexible redemption options, all for a modest annual fee.
Pros
10x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
3x points on air travel, other hotel purchases, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and EV charging stations
Earn 70,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $700 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
Earn 10 points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
Earn 3 points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
$100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
This midtier rewards credit card offers impressive overall travel rewards with a streamlined structure that’ll make it easy to maintain all personal expenses on a single card while earning lots of rewards.
It earns 10x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com. It earns 3x ThankYou Points on air travel, gas stations, hotels booked elsewhere, restaurants, EV charging stations, and supermarkets. On all other purchases, you earn 1x ThankYou Points.
This credit card also offers an annual $100 hotel savings benefit when a single stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) is booked through CitiTravel.com.
You get access to Citi Entertainment, contactless payments, digital wallets, no foreign transaction fees, and no-additional fee authorized user cards, too.
Runner-Up: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!
Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!
Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel.
$250 Capital One Travel Credit + 75,000 miles
$1,600
$95
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent Credit (670-850)
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Cardis one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.
Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.
Pros
5x miles per $1 on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
The Capital One Venture card has been around for many years — over time, its benefits and rewards have transformed, and today, it earns up to 5x Capital One miles:
5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel
2x miles on all other purchases
As we mentioned earlier, Capital One miles are worth 1.8 cents per mile, translating to a maximum return on spending of 9%. You’ll also find that the Capital One Venture card earns at least 2x miles on purchases, guaranteeing a minimum return on spending of 3.6%.
Finally, there are no additional annual fees for authorized users with this credit card (rates & fees).
Bottom Line: The Citi Strata Premier card and the Capital One Venture card are 2 credit cards always competing for market share in the travel rewards segment. We believe the Citi Strata Premier card outranks the Capital One Venture card because of its impressive list of bonus categories; however, it can hold its own, especially with its travel benefits beyond rewards.
Best Overall Business Card
If you’re running a business, you’ll need the best business card possible to help you be successful, and the best overall business cards, in this instance, are issued by Capital One.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
The Capital One Venture X Business card offers at least 2x miles on all purchases, and comes packed with premium perks.
The Capital One Venture X Business card offers at least 2x miles on all purchases, and comes packed with premium perks.
Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
150,000 miles
$2,700
$395
All charges made on this account are due and payable in full when you receive your periodic statement. The minimum payment due is the New Balance as indicated on your statement.
The information regarding the Capital One Venture X Business card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The Capital One Venture X Business card is a great all-around premium rewards card that helps you rack up miles on all of your business expenses.
From 2x miles on all purchases, airport lounge access, an annual travel credit, complimentary employee cards, and more, there is plenty to love about the Capital One Venture X Business card.
Pros
10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
5x miles per $1 on flights and vacation rentals purchased through Capital One Travel
Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
This card has no preset spending limit, so you get purchasing power that adapts to your spending needs. The annual fee on this card is $395
Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get the best prices on thousands of options
Every year, you’ll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Travel
Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
Skip the lines with up to a $100 statement credit on TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry. Then enjoy unlimited complimentary access to Capital One Lounges and a network of 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Priority Pass™ and Plaza Premium Group lounges
This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
Financial Snapshot
APR: All charges made on this account are due and payable in full when you receive your periodic statement. The minimum payment due is the New Balance as indicated on your statement.
The Capital One Venture X Business Card* is our favorite overall business card, as it is incredibly easy to rack up a ton of miles on everyday purchases.
The card offers a sizeable welcome bonus offer: Earn 150,000 miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening. You’ll earn unlimited 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, and unlimited 2x miles on all other purchases.
You’ll also receive many travel perks that can help you run your business, such as complimentary access for you and 2 guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network, benefits through Premier or Lifestyle Collections, and up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
*(Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
The Capital One Spark Miles card is a low-annual-fee business card that earns 2x transferable miles on every $1 you spend. (Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)
The Capital One Spark Miles card is a low-annual-fee business card that earns 2x transferable miles on every $1 you spend. (Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)
Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
50,000 miles
$900
$0 intro for the first year, $95 after that
26.24% (Variable)
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
The Capital One Spark Miles for Business is a great option for business owners looking for an uncomplicated rewards card that earns double miles on every purchase they make and offers access to transfer partners, all for a low annual fee.
Pros
Unlimited 2x miles per $1 spent on all purchases
5x miles per $1 spent on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
2 complimentary visits to a Capital One Lounge per year
Cons
Annual fee: $0 intro for the first year, $95 after that
Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won’t expire for the life of the account
Unlimited 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Transfer your miles to 15+ travel loyalty programs
Redeem your miles instantly for any travel-related purchases, from flights and hotels to ride-sharing services
Skip the lines with up to a $100 statement credit on TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry
$0 intro annual fee for the first year; $95 after that
Free employee cards which also earn unlimited 2X miles from their purchases
The Capital One Spark Miles card is a fantastic card to have in your wallet, as it entitles you to great rewards on business purchases, low fees, and travel benefits.
Right now, you’ll find a welcome bonus on this card, as well as the ongoing ability to earn up to 5x Capital One miles on purchases:
5x miles on hotels and car rentals purchased via Capital One Travel
2x miles on other purchases
This credit card is one of the best cards for business owners because you can confidently use it and get a return on spending of at least 3.6%.
You won’t need to worry about any specific bonus categories; instead, you’ll earn at least 2x miles on all purchases.
The Capital One Spark Miles card also comes with an up to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit every 4 years.
Lastly, the Capital One Spark Miles card comes with purchase security, an extended warranty, no foreign transaction fees, and no-additional fee employee cards.
Best Premium Travel Rewards Card
Image Credit: Rebe Adelaida via Unsplash
If traveling in style is your top priority, getting a premium travel rewards card should be at the top of your to-do list.
Citi doesn’t really compete in this segment, but Capital One offers a fantastic product that fits this niche perfectly.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.
The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
75,000 miles
$1,350
$395
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Excellent (740-840)
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.
Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.
Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.
Pros
10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
5x miles per $1 on flights and vacation rentals purchased through Capital One Travel
Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!
Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!
Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening.
$200 cash back
$0
0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers, then 19.24% - 29.24% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Fair to Excellent (580-850)
The Citi Double Cash® Card has long been one of the top cash-back credit cards on the market, and the card now has the ability to earn Citi ThankYou Points!
This means that cardholders of the Double Cash card will now earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. Cash back is earned in the form of ThankYou Points. This means each billing cycle, you will earn 1 ThankYou point per $1 spent on purchases and an additional ThankYou point for every $1 paid on your purchase balance as long as there is a corresponding balance in your Purchase Tracker.
Citi has turned the Double Cash card into a top choice for those who are looking for an everyday, no-fuss credit card.
Pros
Uncapped 2% for every $1 spent (1% when you buy and another 1% when you pay)
Bonus Offer: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Citi Double Cash® Card Travel Portal Limited Time Offer: Earn a total of 5 ThankYou Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rental, and attractions, excluding air travel, when booked through the Citi TravelSM portal on ThankYou.com or by calling 1-800-Thankyou and saying “Travel.” Offer is valid through 11:59 PM Eastern Time (ET) 12/31/2024.
Financial Snapshot
APR: 0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers, then 19.24% - 29.24% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each purchase
The Double Cash card represents perhaps the most complete embodiment of the cash-back, low-fee credit card product.
Indeed, it even offers a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers, and it may even provide an additional cash-back offer as part of its welcome bonus.
The Double Cash card earns 2% cash-back on all purchases, which is split up into 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay.
Just remember that even though the Double Cash card’s rewards are ThankYou Points, you’ll only be able to transfer your points to Choice Privileges, JetBlue TrueBlue, and Wyndham Rewards at reduced ratios.
To get access to the complete list of airline partners, you’ll need to also hold the Citi Strata Premier card. If you do have the Citi Strata Premier card, your 2% cash-back is effectively convertible to 2x ThankYou Points, which is equivalent to a 3.2% return on spending.
Otherwise, you can use your ThankYou Points for a fixed value through cash-back, gift cards, or direct deposit.
This credit card also offers access to Citi Entertainment, no-additional fee authorized user cards, and fraud protection.
Runner-Up: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
The card offers unlimited miles at 1.25x per $1 and no annual fee. When you consider the flexible rewards, frequent travelers come out on top.
The card offers unlimited miles at 1.25x per $1 and no annual fee. When you consider the flexible rewards, frequent travelers come out on top.
Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel.
20,000 miles
$360
$0
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable),0% intro on purchases for 15 months
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
Interested in a travel rewards credit card without one of those pesky annual fees? Then say hello to the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.
In addition to no annual fee, the Capital One VentureOne card offers no foreign transaction fees.
But is this card worth its salt, or is it merely a shell of the more popular Capital One Venture card?
Our second-favorite no-annual-fee credit card is the Capital One VentureOne card, which is a terrific choice if you have good credit and want to dip your toes in Capital One’s rewards ecosystem without committing to an annual fee just yet.
The rewards of up to 5x Capital One miles include:
5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
1.25x miles on other purchases
Additionally, the Capital One VentureOne card gets you access to Capital One miles without an annual fee, plus secondary car rental coverage, extended warranty, no foreign transaction fees (rates & fees), and no-additional-fee authorized users (rates & fees).
Winner: Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business
Our favorite no-annual-fee business credit card is the Capital One Spark Miles Select card, which we actually discussed above.
It’s worth mentioning again because you’ll earn at least 1.5x Capital One miles on all purchases, which is equal to a return on spending of 2.7%.
Here is the breakdown:
5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
1.5x miles on other purchases
This no-annual-fee credit card earns rewards that can be transferred to Capital One’s full list of travel partners, which is a game-changer for business owners looking to avoid annual fees.
Also, the Capital One Spark Miles Select card includes purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, roadside assistance, zero fraud liability for unauthorized purchases, secondary rental car coverage, no foreign transaction fees, and employee cards for no additional annual fees.
Runner-Up: Capital One Spark Cash Select for Excellent Credit
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
The Capital One Spark Cash Select card is a great no-annual-fee business credit card that earns 1.5% cash-back on all purchases.
The good news is that this card offers an impressive welcome bonus for a no-annual-fee card, plus the following rewards structure:
5% cash-back on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel
1.5% cash-back on all other purchases
Plus, the Capital One Spark Cash Select card has no-additional-fee employee cards, roadside assistance, no foreign transaction fees, and extended warranty.
Best Card for Cash-Back
Image Credit: Katie Harp via Unsplash
Cash-back is the most flexible type of reward. And for some people, it could be totally worth it.
In this section, we’ll show you some of the best credit cards that earn cash-back from Capital One and Citi.
Winner: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
An excellent cash-back card that offers rewards for categories like dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and grocery stores. (Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)
An excellent cash-back card that offers rewards for categories like dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and grocery stores. (Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)
Earn a one-time $300 cash bonus after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
$300
$95
20.74%-28.74% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Excellent (740-850)
When it comes to rewards credit cards, you can break up most savvy consumers into 2 camps: those who prefer travel rewards and those who prefer cash-back.
Both options can be very lucrative to you and your wallet, especially if you’re using the right card. For those who fall in the “cash is king” camp, you’ll likely find the Capital One Savor card quite compelling.
Pros
10% cash-back on Uber and Uber Eats
8% cash-back on Capital One Entertainment
5% cash-back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Cons
$95 annual fee
This is strictly a cash-back card, so it features no travel rewards like other cards offer
Earn a one-time $300 cash bonus after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Earn unlimited 4% cash back on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services, 3% at grocery stores and 1% on all other purchases.
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment.
No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how much you can earn.
Financial Snapshot
APR: 20.74%-28.74% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees:
The Capital One Savor card is among the most impressive cash-back credit cards available. With this card, you’re eligible to earn a welcome bonus, plus up to 10% cash-back in unlimited rewards:
10% cash-back for Uber and Uber Eats purchases
8% cash-back Capital One Entertainment purchases
5% cash-back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
4% cash-back on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services
3% cash-back at grocery stores
1% cash-back on other purchases
This credit card also offers shopping and travel benefits like extended warranty, zero fraud liability, no foreign transaction fees, and no-additional fee authorized users.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
Earn big on purchases in your top eligible spend category, up to the first $500 each billing cycle, with no annual fee!
Earn big on purchases in your top eligible spend category, up to the first $500 each billing cycle, with no annual fee!
Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
$200
$0
0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%.
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Fair to Excellent (580-850)
The Citi Custom Cash® Card is inventive when it comes to cash-back credit cards. Instead of earning a set amount of cash-back on predetermined bonus categories, the Citi Custom Cash card earns 5% cash-back on your highest eligible spend category each billing cycle, without an annual fee.
Thanks to that unique perk, you’ll never need to worry about whether you’re using the right card for the right purchase, as your Citi Custom Cash card will always pay you 5% back on whichever category you end up spending the most on each month.
Pros
5% cash-back (on up to $500 each billing cycle) from your largest purchase category, including restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, and live entertainment
No annual fee
Multiple redemption options
Cons
Your 5% category is limited to $500 in spend ($25 in cash-back) each month
Not particularly rewarding for any purchases outside of your top 5% cash-back category
Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked via the Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2025.
No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
No Annual Fee
Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash® Card account per person.
Financial Snapshot
APR: 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%.
Foreign Transaction Fees: 3%
One of the best credit cards for cash-back, especially if you’re a relatively low spender from month to month, is the Citi Custom Cash card.
The card currently offers a welcome bonus plus a 0% introductory APR promotion on purchases and balance transfers.
The Citi Custom Cash card earns 5% cash-back in your top eligible spending category each billing cycle (up to the first $500 spent) from the list below:
Drugstores
Fitness clubs
Gas stations
Grocery stores
Home improvement stores
Live entertainment
Restaurants
Select streaming services
Select transit
Select travel
Although earning 5% cash-back on these categories is potentially fantastic, there’s a limit of just $500 per billing cycle in these purchases. On other purchases, you’ll earn 1% cash-back.
One of the secrets of this card, though, is that your rewards are earned as ThankYou Points, which means that you can convert your 5% cash-back to a maximum of 8% return on spending if you also have the Citi Strata Premier card.
The Citi Custom Cash comes with access to Citi Entertainment, contactless payments, digital wallet capabilities, zero fraud liability, and no-additional fee authorized users.
Best Business Card for Cash-Back
If you’re running significant expenses through your business, saving an extra 1% or 2% could make an enormous difference in the long run.
If you want to maximize your business’s transactions through cash-back cards, let’s look at our top picks.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
The Capital One Spark Cash Plus card offers an unlimited 2% cash-back on all purchases and helpful features for business owners.
The Capital One Spark Cash Plus card offers an unlimited 2% cash-back on all purchases and helpful features for business owners.
$2,000 cash back once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months. Earn an additional $2,000 cash bonus for every $500K spent during the first year.
Up to $4,000+
$150
N/A
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Excellent (740-850)
The information regarding the Capital One Spark Cash Plus Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The Capital One Spark Cash Plus Card is great for business owners looking to improve their bottom line by earning 2% cash-back on all purchases without a high annual fee. Further, with no preset spending limit, the ability to get your $150 annual fee refunded every year you spend at least $150,000, and no-additional-fee employee cards, there is something that every business owner will love (rates & fees).
Pros
Unlimited 2% cash-back on all purchases
5% cash-back on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
Earn a one-time cash bonus of $2,000 once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months
Earn an additional $2,000 cash bonus for every $500K spent during the first year. You can earn this bonus multiple times over the course of year 1!
Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
Enjoy purchasing power that adapts to your business. The Spark Cash Plus card has no preset spending limit, so it can adapt to your needs based on your spending behavior, payment history, credit profile and other factors
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Empower your teams to make business purchases while you earn rewards from their transactions with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
$150 annual fee – Spend $150,000 annually and Capital One will refund this fee every year
Spark Cash Plus has no APR because your balance is due in full every month
For businesses that need large spending capacity and want to maximize cash back
Financial Snapshot
APR: N/A
Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Our winning cash-back business card is the Capital One Spark Cash Plus card. Right now, you can qualify for a substantial welcome bonus, and this product happens to be a charge card with no preset spending limit.
Earn up to 5% cash-back on purchases:
5% cash-back on rental cars and hotels booked through Capital One Travel
2% cash-back on other purchases
Note that you’ll get your $150 annual fee refunded every year you spend at least $150,000.
Standard benefits include purchase protection, extended warranty, zero fraud liability, roadside assistance, no foreign transaction fees, and no-additional-fee employee cards.
Runner-Up: Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
Earn 4% cash-back on gas/EV charging purchases, 3% cash-back at restaurants and travel, 2% cash-back at Costco, and 1% on all other purchases.
Although the card is co-branded with Costco, you can earn cash-back on so much more than just Costco purchases.
Currently, the rewards of up to 4% cash-back are broken down as follows:
4% cash-back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year and 1% after that (including gas at Costco)
3% cash-back on eligible travel purchases worldwide and on restaurants
2% cash-back on other purchases from Costco or Costco.com
1% cash-back on other purchases
With this card, you can also use contactless payments, digital wallets, purchase protection, and Citi Entertainment. Lastly, there are no foreign transaction fees. There’s also no annual fee with your paid Costco membership, and authorized users come with no additional annual fees, too.
Final Thoughts
Citi and Capital One both possess unique credit card offerings that fit neatly into specific target markets.
That’s because Citi and Capital One offer excellent cards for travel or cash-back rewards. There are both ultra-premium options and no-annual-fee options, too.
And lastly, while we value Capital One miles slightly higher than Citi ThankYou Points, you might earn points more quickly with certain cards, such as the Citi Strata Premier card. With such a wide selection of options, you’re bound to find one you’re happy with!
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
Enrollment required through Capital One website or mobile app. Upon enrollment, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through December 31, 2024. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.
The information regarding the Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Capital One Spark Cash Select for Excellent Credit was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Capital One Spark Cash Plus Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Capital One Venture X Business Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Capital One Venture X Business Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Citi Double Cash® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Citi Custom Cash® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
Information regarding the Capital One Spark Miles for Business was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
Featured Image Credit: Clay Banks via Unsplash
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Capital One or Citi have better credit cards?
It really depends on what customer segment you fall under. We really like the Citi Strata Premier card for middle-of-the-road travel rewards, but it’s also hard to beat the Capital One Venture X card for premium travel rewards.
Consider also the Capital One Venture card, Double Cash card, Citi Double Cash card, Capital One Spark Miles card, or Capital One Spark Cash Plus card.
Are Capital One and Citi the same?
Capital One and Citi are not the same bank. Capital One is headquartered in Virginia, while Citi is headquartered in New York. Capital One and Citi are considered to be competitors.
What is Citi's best credit card?
Right now, Citi’s best credit card is probably the Citi Strata Premier card. It offers 10x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com and 3x points on air travel, hotels, supermarkets, restaurants, EV charging stations, and gas.
Does Capital One have good credit cards?
Capital One’s best cards are the Capital One Venture X card, Capital One Venture card, Capital One VentureOne card, and Capital One Savor card.
On the business side, the best cards are the Capital One Venture X Business card, Capital One Spark Travel Elite card, Capital One Spark Miles card, Capital One Spark Cash Plus card, Capital One Spark Miles Select card, or Capital One Spark Cash Select card.
Stephen is an established voice in the credit card space, with over 70 to his name. His work has been in publications like The Washington Post, and his Au Points and Awards Consulting Services is used by hundreds of clients.
This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.
![Capital One vs. Citi Credit Cards – Which Is Best? [2024]](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Credit-card-transaction-1.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1420&height=650&fit=crop)
![Citi Simplicity® Card — Review [2024]](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Citi-Simplicity-Card.png?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=700)
![Citi Premier Card — Full Review [2024]](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Citi-Premier-Credit-Card.png?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=700)
![Citi Prestige Card — Full Review [2024]](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Citi_ThankYou_Rewards_Prestige_Credit_Card.png?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=700)
