Comparing Chase vs. Capital One can be tricky. They’re two of the biggest credit card issuers, especially when it comes to high-value rewards credit cards and tempting welcome offers.
You’ll find plenty of similarities between the best Capital One credit cards and the best Chase credit cards, but there are important differences to note with Chase vs. Capital One. Ultimately, the best credit card for you depends on your spending habits and financial goals. We’ll break down the differences between the two issuers and look at their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide.
Comparing Chase vs. Capital One credit cards
When it comes to Chase vs. Capital One, both offer a range of rewards cards, as well as cards for people with average credit. Capital One tends to offer more options for people with lower credit scores, while Chase tends to offer more credit cards for people with excellent credit who want high-powered rewards.
Chase’s referral program rewards customers — often as much as 10,000 points — each time they refer a friend who is approved for a credit card. Capital One does not have a referral program.
Both issuers offer a handful of co-branded credit cards, or credit cards offered in conjunction with major retailers and popular rewards programs. Chase’s co-branded cards are largely focused in the travel space, earning rewards with airline frequent flyer and hotel loyalty programs. Capital One’s co-branded credit cards are retail-heavy, with store credit cards that earn rewards at places like Kohl’s, Walmart, and Saks Fifth Avenue.
When it comes to fraud protection with Chase vs. Capital One, both issuers have a zero fraud liability policy, which means you aren’t liable for any card purchases declared fraudulent.
What you need to know about Chase credit cards
The best Chase credit cards include some of the most coveted rewards cards, and there are plenty of options for using more than one Chase credit card to accumulate rewards even faster.
That said, they do have some idiosyncrasies when it comes to credit card approvals. The Chase 5/24 rule is the most prominent, and it limits approvals to people who have opened fewer than five credit cards in the past 24 months. If you’ve opened five or more credit cards in the past two years, you won’t be eligible for a Chase credit card.
What you need to know about Capital One credit cards
Capital One also has particular rules when it comes to credit card approvals. While you can have as many Chase credit cards as you’d like, Capital One won’t allow you to hold more than two of their personal credit cards at once. They also pull your credit report from all three bureaus when you submit an application, so you’ll get three inquiries on your credit history instead of one.
Chase vs. Capital One: Which one is better for you?
The battle of Chase vs. Capital One is tough, because both have their strengths and weaknesses. When deciding which credit card is best for you, it’s important to look closely at the type of credit card you’re interested in. Here are our picks for best issuer between Chase vs. Capital One, depending on the type of credit card you want.
