Cap. One Venture Rewards Card

I would also appreciate some more detailed info on this card as well.

Both the wife and I have it and been very pleased, we typically use it just for sky miles purchases.

I've had one for many years and have nothing but praise for it. The points are basically worth 1 cent per point towards travel and you get 2 points for every dollar you spend. Back in the day you could only use them through booking at Travelocity but they now have it where ANY travel-related expense can be reimbursed. Even things like Uber rides.

You can also use the points towards a purchase eraser or other gifts but the dollar value is essentially halved (ex: if you purchased a 100 dollar blender you could use purchase eraser but it would cost you 20,000 points).

Customer support has always been great and the few issues I have had they quickly sided in my favor, no questions asked. They can be a bit protective of funky purchases, though, and will block the card for an odd foreign transaction and random ATM withdrawals. This is both good and bad as you know you are being protected but having to call them ahead of time to let them know you are about to buy something from China or use a random ATM at a strip club can be burdensome (not that I know anything about the strip club part :) ).

Definitely recommend it if you do a lot of traveling. I haven't paid for a flight or hotel in years because of it.

I've had the venture card for 4 or 5 years now. No complaints at all. In addition to getting $.01 per mile for travel, you can get the same rate for gift cards to places like Amazon, best buy, cvs, itunes, sears, etc.

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I would look at the citi double cash

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I'd probably get the Venture card for the signup bonus but after that this is probably the right answer.

Once you remove the first year and signup bonus, the Cap One card is giving you 2% cash back that can only be applied to travel purchases. For this privilege you get to pay $59.

The Citi Double Cash is basically 2% cash back on every thing (as long as you pay the damn bill like you should) with $0 fee. While this would equal itself out with Cap One if you consistently redeem towards "travel," (a broad category that includes parking) you will never be able to make up for the $59 annual fee in comparison to the no fee Double Cash.

Therefore, between these two, after the signup bonus, Double Cash is better as you will ALWAYS be $59 a year ahead of Cap One.

If you count the Cap One signup bonus 40,000 points ($400) the Double Cash will pass it after 7.77 years, hence, you should pump and dump Cap One as you start losing the money you gained after year 1.

This analysis would be different if Capital One gave you some benefits with that $59, like club access or something, but they don't yo!

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Does Citi double cash or Chase Sapphire have no foreign transaction fees?

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Cap One - No
Sapphire - No
Double Cash - Yes; looks like 3%

You'd have to spend $2,000 overseas a year on the Double Cash I think to even out the fee on the Cap One. If my math is right: $59/.03=$1966.66

Of course, you then have all your other options on the table. I'm just trying to keep this thread on topic and not bring in the 30 other options

Cap1 has great cards if you want to be a 1 card only person. If you want to play the credit card game, they aren't going to be at the top of any list.

The venture and quicksilver are both great cards for good, simple rewards structures.

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Never even thought to treat my cc's like I do cable and internet

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Ya pretty common. I'd do it with other cards, but I don't see the point with Cap One since the card just isn't worth the trouble.

Also, you may not know this but if you're military some companies waive the fee altogether as well. Barclay's Arrival+ being one.

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For instance, the Citi Double Rewards you have to request a check. If you do an account credit you do not get double rewards because it isn't a true payment (1% for spend & 1% for payment).

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You end up at 1.99% in this scenario. 1.99 > 1.5 but I see what you mean I guess.

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I agree but it just seems so stupid for them to do it that way. I don't want to deal with the mail or the bank or an app to make a deposit.

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I see the logic giving the incentive to induce payment.

But it does come out like a little messy that's for sure.

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Is this a better card than the Barclay's Arrival? It offers 2 points for each dollar spent, and can use on any travel option as well.

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Once the new Barclay changes go into effect which lower the return rate from 2.2% to 2.1%, you can make the argument that Cap One Venture is now better due to its lower annual fee. The $89 fee at Barclay's is no longer supportable because they are cutting the things that could have justified it, such as a free TripIt Pro subscription (valued at $50 a year).

However, I am becoming stronger in my contention that a 2% cash back defeats both of these cards after you collect the sign up bonus. I will win this argument and keep posting until I do.

I think its a pretty easy decision personally. Get the signup bonus for Cap One and Barclay's dump it, and use a 2% card.*

*Unless you want to start using other premium travel cards that may provide better than 2% returns.