Citi Diamond Preferred vs. Venture Credit Card Comparison

Name: Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card vs. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Item: Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card vs. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Author: Doug Milnes, CFA

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Both the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card are standout choices for individuals with good to excellent credit. They offer introductory APR periods and the reliability of Mastercard. If you're seeking a card primarily for balance transfers, the Citi Diamond Preferred Card is the clear winner, with its exceptional 21-month 0% introductory APR on balance transfers.

However, the Venture card is the superior option for those who prioritize travel rewards and a substantial welcome offer. Despite having an annual fee, the Venture card offers unlimited miles on travel and everyday expenses, along with flexible redemption options, making it a compelling choice for frequent travelers.

Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

MoneyGeek Rating

4.1/ of 5

Rates & Fees

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On Issuer's Site

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

Regular APR
17.49% - 28.24% variable
19.99% - 29.74% variable
0% APR Offer
0% for 12 months on purchases
-
Intro Offer
No current offer
Earn 75,000 miles
Rewards Summary
-
Earn 2X – 5X miles
Balance Transfer Offer
0% for 21 months on balance transfers
-
Balance Transfer Fee
5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum
4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that we may offer you. None for balances transferred at the Transfer APR.
Annual Fee
$0
$95
Recommended Credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
Penalty APR
Up to 29.99% variable, may apply indefinitely for late payment or returned payment
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Not sure?
The Citi Diamond Preferred has an exceptional balance transfer offer, with a 0% introductory APR for 21 months and no annual fee, making it suitable for debt consolidation.
The Venture card is a solid choice for its reward-earning potential and travel benefits despite its $95 annual fee.
If your focus is on paying down debt, the Citi Diamond Preferred may be the better choice. However, the Venture card offers more long-term value for frequent travelers and those who value rewards on every purchase.

Which Card Is Better for You?

You might prefer the Citi Diamond Preferred if you're planning to transfer a balance and want a lengthy 0% APR period to pay it off. With no annual fee and a competitive regular APR, it's a strong choice for those focused on debt management rather than rewards.

You might prefer the Venture card if you're a frequent traveler looking to earn miles on every purchase. Despite its annual fee, the card's generous welcome bonus and travel perks like Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit can offset the cost for avid adventurers.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features

Evaluating the Citi Diamond Preferred and Venture cards across APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards and other features can help you determine which card aligns with your financial habits. For instance, note the Citi Diamond Preferred's lack of an annual fee if you aim to minimize costs. On the other hand, frequent travelers might value the Venture's rewards on travel purchases.

Regular APR: Citi Diamond Preferred

For those prioritizing a lower regular APR, the Citi Diamond Preferred edges out the Venture card, offering a slightly lower APR range of 18.24% to 28.99% variable compared to Venture's 19.99% to 29.99% variable.

Annual Fee: Citi Diamond Preferred

For those looking to avoid annual fees, the Citi Diamond Preferred is the better option with its $0 annual fee, compared to Venture, which charges $95 per year.

Introductory 0% APRs: Citi Diamond Preferred

The Citi Diamond Preferred outperforms the Venture card in introductory 0% APR offers, providing 0% APR for 12 months on purchases and 21 months on balance transfers. The Venture card doesn't have a 0% APR offer.

Rewards: Venture

The Venture card outperforms the Citi Diamond Preferred in the rewards category, offering 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Miles do not expire, and there's no earning cap, making it a superior reward choice.

Welcome Offers: Venture

The Venture card is better for welcome offers, for a limited time – offering new cardholders the opportunity to earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 within the first three months, plus receive a one-time $250 Capital One Travel credit in your first cardholder year - that's equal to $1,000 in travel!. The Citi Diamond Preferred card does not offer a welcome bonus.

Recommended Credit Score: Tie

Both the Citi Diamond Preferred and the Venture card cater to individuals with good to excellent credit scores, ranging from 670 to 850. There is no difference in the credit score requirements for these cards, making them equally accessible to consumers within this credit range.

Penalties and Fees: Venture

The Venture card is better for penalties and fees, imposing no foreign transaction fees and no penalty APR. In contrast, the Citi Diamond Preferred has a penalty APR of up to 29.99% variable and a 3% fee on foreign transactions.

Issuer Satisfaction: Venture

The Venture card is issued by Capital One, which has a higher issuer satisfaction rating of 4.2 compared to Citibank's 4.1.

Other Features & Perks: Tie

Both cards offer unique perks. Venture provides a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, lounge access and the ability to transfer miles to various travel loyalty programs. Citi Diamond Preferred offers special access to events through Citi Entertainment and free FICO Score access. Choosing depends on your preference for travel benefits or entertainment and financial insights.

Methodology

MoneyGeek rates and reviews various credit cards like the Citi Diamond Preferred and Venture using a ranking process tailored to specific use cases, such as balance transfers. For this comparison, each card's highest scoring use case is presented.

The balance transfer score, which is the focus for both cards, is influenced primarily by the quality of the balance transfer offer and the terms of the introductory 0% APR on purchases. Other factors include issuer satisfaction and penalties, which impact the overall score less.

FAQ: Citi Diamond Preferred vs. Venture Card

What are the main differences in rewards between the Citi Diamond Preferred and the Venture card?

The Citi Diamond Preferred does not offer rewards, while the Venture card offers rewards on every purchase.

Does the Citi Diamond Preferred charge an annual fee?

No, the Citi Diamond Preferred has no annual fee.

What is the introductory APR offer for balance transfers on the Citi Diamond Preferred?

The card offers a 0% introductory APR for 21 months on balance transfers.

Can I earn miles on purchases with the Venture card?

Yes, you can earn 2X miles on every purchase with the Venture card from Capital One.

Are there foreign transaction fees on the Citi Diamond Preferred or the Venture card?

The Citi Diamond Preferred has a foreign transaction fee, while the Venture card has no foreign transaction fees.

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.

About Doug Milnes, CFA

Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.

Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.

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*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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