Difference between Discover It® Miles and Capital One Venture
At a Glance
In the vast landscape of credit cards, determining which card offers the best perks and rewards for your spending is crucial. Two cards in particular, the Capital One Venture Card vs. Discover it Miles card, always spark debate amongst credit card aficionados. The distinction between Discover It Miles and Capital One Venture emerges in their reward structures, perks, and suitability for varying lifestyles and preferences. To delve deeper into these distinctions, let’s examine each card’s features more closely.
In this article, you’ll learn:
Comparing Discover it® Miles and Capital One Venture
Discover it® Miles
Bank of America® Travel Rewards
No two credit cards are exactly the same. After all, there are standard rewards credit cards, travel credit cards, student credit cards, and more. In looking at the Capital One Venture One vs. Discover it Miles, it happens to be looking at the difference between two travel credit cards. The breakdown for each is as follows:
Discover It® Miles: A closer look
Beginning the Discover it Miles card vs. Capital One Venture card debate, the Discover It Miles card epitomizes simplicity and adaptability. With a flat rewards rate of 1.5x miles for every dollar spent on all purchases, this card presents an attractive proposition, especially with its absence of annual fees during the cardholder’s tenure.
Pros:
- No annual fee: The lack of an annual fee makes it an appealing choice for those seeking rewards without additional costs.
- First-year match: Discover matches all the miles earned in the first year for new cardholders, effectively doubling the rewards for the initial year.
- Flexible redemption: Miles earned can be redeemed for various options, including statement credits, travel purchases, cashback to pay your bills, and even payments on Amazon and PayPal.
Cons:
- Limited travel benefits: While it offers decent travel perks, Discover It Miles might lag behind premium travel cards in terms of comprehensive travel benefits.
- Late payment fees: Those who are less responsible with their credit may be put off by the fact that there are late payment fees after the first missed payment.
Why should you consider Discover It® Miles?
Beyond its fundamental advantages, Discover It Miles offers further incentives. Its flexibility in redemption options makes it attractive to individuals seeking versatility in utilizing their earned rewards. Generally, a good to excellent credit score is sought for approval, though, which means the average person may have a challenging time getting approved. The fact that there are absolutely no standard fees on the card makes it an affordable option for anyone’s wallet, though, especially if you are seeking out a travel card.
Capital One Venture: A detailed view
Contrastingly, Capital One Venture shines with its higher rewards rate, providing 2x miles for every dollar spent on all purchases. Cardholders can also earn a special 5x miles per dollar when purchasing hotels or rental cars through the Capital One travel portal. While it does come with an annual fee, it’s relatively low at $95 and is offset by the 75,000 miles bonus for members who open accounts and make $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Pros:
- Higher rewards rate: The 2x miles on all purchases increase the earning potential significantly compared to Discover It Miles’ 1.5x miles.
- Global entry or TSA precheck credit: A notable perk that aids frequent flyers by covering the cost of Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees.
- Transfer partners for miles: Capital One Venture allows users to transfer miles to various airline partners, expanding redemption options.
Cons:
- Annual fee: While it offers substantial rewards, the annual fee might deter individuals seeking fee-free options.
- Limited airline transfer partners: Compared to some competitors, Capital One Venture has a narrower range of airline transfer partners.
Which card earns the most?
In terms of pure earning potential, Capital One Venture takes the lead with its 2x miles on all purchases. That’s not even including the bonus 5x miles that can be earned on travel purchases through the Capital One portal. However, depending on spending habits and preferences, Discover It Miles’ simplicity might appeal to those seeking a straightforward rewards structure. If your spending habits align more with the Discover it Miles card, you might actually be able to earn more in rewards off of that card as opposed to the Capital One Venture card.
Another point to consider when looking at Discover it Miles vs. Capital One Venture is that you’ll be able to earn more in the first year with the former card due to its matching benefit. It’s also worth noting that those seeking a cheaper version of the Capital One Venture card can choose to apply for the VentureOne card that comes with no annual fee. Unfortunately, this comes at the cost of a reduced rewards rate of only 1.25x miles on purchases. With that said, the Discover it Miles vs. Capital One VentureOne is a debate for another day.
Spending examples of Discover It® Miles and Capital One Venture cards
To illustrate their practical benefits, consider the following examples:
- Everyday spending: For someone spending $1,000 monthly, Capital One Venture’s 2x miles would accumulate to 24,000 miles annually, while Discover It Miles’ 1.5x miles would reach 18,000 miles.
- Travel expenses: Capital One Venture’s transfer partners and higher rewards rate might yield more significant rewards for frequent travellers compared to Discover it Miles. For example, if a cardholder of the Capital One Venture books a $2,000 hotel through the travel portal, they will earn 10,000 miles for the transaction, whereas they would only earn 3,000 miles with the Discover it Miles card.
FAQs
The answer to Discover it Miles vs. VentureOne, Venture, or any other variant is subjective and depends on individual preferences. Capital One Venture may suit frequent travellers due to its higher rewards rate on travel booked through the portal, whereas Discover It Miles offers simplicity and fee-free benefits. Typically, miles on the Capital One Venture card are valued at around 1.8 cents per mile on average. However, they can be worth as little as just 0.5 cents when redeemed for cash back. At their greatest value, they can be redeemed for 10 cents per mile if transferred to a partner. That means that with the 75,000 bonus offer, a person could have $750 worth of travel funds. Capital One Venture allows miles transfer to various airline partners, offering flexibility in airline choices. There are currently 14 airlines to choose from when looking at transferring points including: AeroMexico, Air Canada, Air France and KLM, Air Portugal, Avianca, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad, EVA Air, Finnair, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, and Turkish Airlines.
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