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

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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.

Discover it® Cash Back Card

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

MoneyGeek Rating

4.9/ of 5

Rates & Fees

MoneyGeek Rating

3.7/ of 5

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

Regular APR
18.49% - 27.49%variable
19.49% – 29.49% variable
0% APR Offer
0% for 15 months on purchases
0% for 15 months on purchases
Balance Transfer Offer
0% for 15 months on balance transfers
0% for 15 months on balance transfers
Annual Fee
$0
$0
Rewards Summary
Earn 1%–5% cash back
Earn 1.25 miles on every purchase
Recommended Credit
670–850 (good to excellent)
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
Not sure?
The Discover it® Cash Back Card edges out the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card for those who maximize rotating category rewards, with a higher cash back rate and a unique introductory offer that matches cash back at the end of the first year. However, the VentureOne card is more straightforward, offering unlimited 1.25 miles per dollar on every purchase, which might appeal to those who prefer simplicity and travel benefits. Both cards have no annual fee, but the Discover it® Cash Back Card has a slightly lower APR range, which could be beneficial for those who carry a balance.

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

MoneyGeek Rating

4.9/ of 5

Rates & Fees

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

Regular APR

18.49% - 27.49%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)

If you're a strategic spender who doesn't mind tracking category bonuses to get high rewards, the Discover it® Cash Back Card could work for you. It features 5% cash back on rotating categories and a generous 0% intro APR period.
PROS
- Earn 5% cash back on rotating categories
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
- Cash back match in the first year
CONS
- Bonus categories have a quarterly cap and require activation
- Rotating bonus categories
- Low regular cash back rate
- Introductory Offers
  - Discover matches all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year, doubling your rewards without any spending minimums or maximums.
- Rewards
  - Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different locations each quarter, such as grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, up to a quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- APRS, Fees, and Penalties
  - Enjoy a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. After that, a standard variable APR of 18.49% to 27.49% applies, based on your creditworthiness.
  - No annual fee.
- Perks & Benefits
  - Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
  - Start shopping and earning rewards in minutes with our digital card, if eligible.
  - Discover helps reduce your personal information exposure online by removing it from select people-search sites, free of charge.

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

MoneyGeek Rating

3.7/ of 5

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

Regular APR

19.49% – 29.49% 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)

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card offers exceptional value and flexibility for both frequent travelers and everyday spenders. It allows you to earn 5X miles on hotel and rental car bookings made through Capital One Travel and 1.25X miles on all other purchases. The card also provides a generous welcome bonus of 20,000 miles when you spend $500 within the first three months. The enticing welcome bonus and the absence of annual and foreign transaction fees add further value to this card. While there are some considerations, such as a balance transfer fee and potentially higher ongoing APR, this card's overall quality and functionality make it a desirable option for consumers seeking flexibility and rewards.
PROS
- Unlimited earning potential
- Welcome offer with low spend requirement
- Decent intro APR offer on balance transfers and purchases
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
CONS
- Balance transfer fee of 3% for the first 15 months; 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time
- Somewhat short intro APR offer period
- High ongoing APR
- No impressive travel protections
- Introductory Offers
  - Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months, equivalent to $200 in travel.
- Rewards
  - Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day.
  - Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
- APRs, Fees, and Penalties
  - Enjoy a $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
  - Benefit from 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.49% - 29.49% variable APR after that, with a balance transfer fee.
- Perks & Benefits
  - Miles won't expire for the life of the account, and there's no limit to how many you can earn.
  - Transfer your miles to over 15 travel loyalty programs.
  - Use your miles to reimburse any travel purchase or book trips through Capital One Travel.

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.

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.

Annual Fee

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

The Discover it® Cash Back Card has a variable APR of 17.24% to 28.24%, while the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card ranges from 19.99% to 29.99% variable. Both cards offer zero interest introductory periods.

How do the fees for these cards compare?

Both cards have no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. The Discover it® Cash Back Card offers leniency on the first late payment, while the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card can charge up to $40 for late payments. Learn more about avoiding late fees.

What credit score is required for each card?

Both the Discover it® Cash Back Card and the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card recommend a credit score range of 670-850, which falls into the good-to-excellent category. Find out more about credit requirements.

How do the rewards programs differ between the two cards?

The Discover it® Cash Back Card offers 5% cash back on rotating categories and an end-of-year cash back match. The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card earns miles on every purchase. Compare their rewards on the best rewards credit cards page.

What are the introductory offers for each card?

The Discover it® Cash Back Card matches all cash back earned in the first year. The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card offers 20,000 bonus miles after spending $500 in the first three months. Check out introductory offers.

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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