Discover it® Cash Back Card
vs. Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Updated: November 5, 2024

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If you're seeking a credit card with no annual fee and introductory APR offers, you may be considering the Discover it Cash Back Card and the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card. The Discover it Cash Back Card is the better choice for those who spend strategically in rotating categories, offering a cash back match at the end of the first year.

In contrast, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is ideal for travel enthusiasts looking for a simple miles reward system and a one-time bonus. Both cards cater to good-to-excellent credit profiles and provide a 15-month 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers, but your spending habits will dictate the best fit.

Credit Card logo for Discover it® Cash Back Card
Discover it® Cash Back Card
Credit Card logo for Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
MoneyGeek Rating
4.9/ of 5
MoneyGeek Rating
3.7/ of 5
On Issuer's Site
On Issuer's Site

Discover it® Cash Back Card vs. Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card: Which Is Better for You?

You might prefer the Discover it® Cash Back Card if: If you're looking for a card that maximizes your cash back potential. With an effective reward rate of 2.43, you can earn significant cash back on rotating categories each quarter, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, Discover's first-year cash back match can effectively double your rewards in the first year. The card also boasts a high customer satisfaction rating, suggesting a positive user experience.

You might prefer the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card if: If you value travel rewards and a straightforward rewards structure. This card offers unlimited 1.25 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day, and five miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. With no annual fee and an introductory offer of 20,000 miles, it's a solid choice for those with good-to-excellent credit who want to earn travel rewards without worrying about rotating categories or spending caps.

MoneyGeek's Take on the Discover it® Cash Back Card

With an effective reward rate of 2.44%, The Discover it Cash Back Card caters to those who appreciate earning cash back on their purchases. It features 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined quarterly purchases in various categories upon activation, which can add up to significant savings for strategic spenders.

Additionally, the card offers a 0% intro APR for 15 months on both purchases and balance transfers, providing a window of opportunity for large purchases or to manage existing debt. The absence of an annual fee and the unique first-year cash back match further enhance its appeal. Discover Bank issues this card, which is best suited for individuals with good-to-excellent credit scores, ranging from 670 to 850.

Discover it® Cash Back Card
Credit Card logo for Discover it® Cash Back Card
MoneyGeek Rating
4.9/ of 5
On Issuer's Site

Regular APR
18.24%–28.24% variable
0% APR Offer
0% for 15 months on purchases
Balance Transfer Offer
0% for 15 months on balance transfers
Rewards Summary
Earn 1%–5% cash back
Recommended Credit
670–850 (good to excellent)

MoneyGeek's Take on the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is a solid contender in this category. With a $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, this card is tailored for individuals who desire a cost-effective way to earn travel rewards. It's particularly suitable for those who appreciate a straightforward rewards program with unlimited earning potential.

The card's welcome offer allows new cardholders to earn 20,000 miles, which can be a significant boost to jump-start their travel savings. Additionally, the card offers a generous 0% introductory APR for 15 months on both purchases and balance transfers, catering to those who plan to make large purchases or want to move existing balances. The recommended credit score range for this card is 670-850 (good to excellent), making it accessible to a wide range of consumers with established credit histories.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
Credit Card logo for Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
MoneyGeek Rating
3.7/ of 5
On Issuer's Site

Regular APR
19.74% - 29.74% variable
0% APR Offer
0% for 15 months on purchases
Balance Transfer Offer
0% for 15 months on balance transfers
Rewards Summary
Earn 1.25 miles on every purchase
Recommended Credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)

Details Comparison: Discover it® Cash Back Card vs. Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Our breakdown will help you compare APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards, introductory offers and other features of the Discover it® Cash Back Card and the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card. This section is designed to guide you through each card's specifics, such as the Discover it® Cash Back Card's unique first-year cash back match or the Capital One VentureOne's travel rewards.

By examining these details side by side, you'll be able to identify which card aligns with your spending habits and financial goals. For instance, if you frequently travel and book hotels, the Capital One VentureOne might be more beneficial, whereas the Discover it® Cash Back Card could be more rewarding for those who maximize the rotating bonus categories.

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    Regular APR

    For those considering interest rates as a deciding factor, the Discover it Cash Back Card offers a more favorable regular APR range of 17.24% to 28.24% variable APR compared to the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card with an APR range of 19.99% to 29.99% variable. This makes the Discover it Cash Back Card a better option for individuals looking for lower interest rates.

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    Annual Fee

    Both cards have a $0 annual fee. This feature makes neither card superior based on the cost of ownership alone.

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    Introductory 0% APRs

    Both cards offer a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months. This makes them equally beneficial for someone looking to make a large purchase or transfer a balance and pay it off over time without accruing interest. For more details on cards with introductory 0% APR offers, consider exploring great cards that have 0% introductory APRs.

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    Rewards

    Discover it Cash Back Card offers 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined quarterly purchases in rotating categories upon activation, and 1% on all other purchases. Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card provides five miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and 1.25 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day. The choice between these cards depends on whether you prefer cash back with rotating categories or steady travel rewards.

    rewards icon

    Welcome Offers

    The Discover it Cash Back Card offers a unique welcome bonus by matching all the cash back earned at the end of the first year, with no limit on the amount that can be matched. In contrast, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card provides a straightforward bonus of 20,000 miles after a $500 spend within the first three months, equivalent to $200 in travel. The better card depends on the user's spending habits.

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    Recommended Credit Score

    Both cards require a credit score range of 670-850 (good to excellent), making them equally accessible to individuals with good-to-excellent credit. This comparison does not favor one card over the other based on the recommended credit score.

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    Penalties and Fees

    Discover it® Cash Back Card offers a more lenient approach to late payments with no fee for the first occurrence, then up to $41, compared to Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card's up to $40. Both cards do not charge a penalty APR or foreign transaction fees, making them equally attractive in those aspects.

    However, for cash advances, Capital One VentureOne is slightly more favorable for the first 15 months with a 3% fee. Discover it® Cash Back Card is slightly better for those concerned about penalties and fees.

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    Issuer Satisfaction

    Discover Bank, the issuer of the Discover it® Cash Back Card, has a higher issuer satisfaction rating than Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.

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    Other Features & Perks

    For international travelers, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is better due to its no foreign transaction fees. Conversely, the Discover it® Cash Back Card excels for those looking to maximize cash back in the first year with its cashback match feature.

FAQ: Discover it® Cash Back Card vs. Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

What are the APRs for the Discover it® Cash Back Card and the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card?
How do the fees for these cards compare?
What credit score is required for each card?
How do the rewards programs differ between the two cards?
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About Doug Milnes, CFA


Doug Milnes, CFA headshot

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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