Capital One Platinum Secured vs Chase Sapphire Preferred: Which Is Better In 2026?

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why we believe the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card stands out from the competition.

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• It earns valuable rewards on everyday purchases, especially in popular categories like dining and travel.
• You have incredible flexibility when it comes to redeeming your points, including valuable transfers to airline and hotel partners.
• The card comes packed with useful travel protections and benefits that add peace of mind to any trip.

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Pros

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• Flexible point transfers to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs.
• Strong travel protections, including primary auto rental collision damage waiver and trip interruption insurance.
• Valuable partner benefits, such as a complimentary DoorDash DashPass subscription.

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Cons

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• The card has an annual fee, which may not be justifiable for infrequent travelers.
• Reward rates are lower on everyday purchases that fall outside of the main bonus categories.
• Strict application rules can make approval challenging, and some benefits are limited to bookings made through Chase's travel portal.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® vs Capital One Platinum Secured

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the Capital One Platinum Secured or Chase Sapphire Preferred®, depends entirely on your financial goals and credit history. These two cards are designed for completely different purposes and consumers.

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• Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card: This is a credit-building tool designed for individuals looking to establish or rebuild their credit profile. It acts as a valuable stepping stone for those who may not yet qualify for traditional unsecured cards.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: This is an entry-level travel rewards card best suited for frequent travelers who want to maximize rewards on travel and dining. It's considered a top choice for those getting started with travel rewards programs.

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Redemption

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Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card: As a credit-building card, this option does not earn rewards like cash back or points. Its main purpose is to help you establish a positive payment history to improve your credit score.

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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: This card earns flexible rewards points that are particularly valuable when redeemed for travel. You can book trips through the Chase travel portal or transfer points to various airline and hotel partners.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos is a financial companion that helps you compare thousands of credit cards using your real spending data to find the most rewarding options for your wallet.

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• Test drive credit cards: The platform's Test Drive feature lets you simulate potential earnings with any card based on your actual transaction history before you apply.
• Personalized recommendations: Get card suggestions tailored to your spending habits to maximize your rewards.
• Approval odds: Receive a detailed analysis of your chances of being approved for a card based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, Kudos will match it.
• New user incentives: New members can unlock rewards like the $100 Kudos Kickstart+ or get $20 back on their first eligible purchase.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your regular card rewards when you shop at participating stores.

Who Should Choose the Capital One Platinum Secured?

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The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is designed for individuals who need to build or rebuild their credit profile. This makes it an ideal choice for students, recent immigrants, or anyone with a limited or poor credit history looking for a straightforward path to establishing positive credit. It's particularly well-suited for those who can provide a small security deposit and want to leverage features like automatic credit line reviews and reporting to all three major credit bureaus to improve their financial standing.

Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred®?

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers and those looking for a powerful yet accessible entry-level travel rewards card. It particularly suits individuals who spend regularly on travel and dining, as the card offers accelerated points in these popular categories. Furthermore, anyone who values comprehensive travel protections and flexible redemption options, like transferring points to airline and hotel partners, will find this card highly beneficial.

Alternatives to Consider

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If you're still searching for the right card after comparing the Capital One Platinum Secured vs Chase Sapphire Preferred®, you're in luck. These two cards serve very different financial needs, and plenty of other options might be a better match for your goals.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score to ensure it aligns with the card’s typical requirements.

• Review any issuer-specific rules, like the Chase 5/24 rule, that could affect your approval.

• Confirm the card’s benefits and rewards structure align with your spending habits and goals.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application with large purchases to meet spending requirements naturally.

• Don’t settle for a low welcome offer; some issuers let you decline and reapply without a hard credit pull.

• For secured cards like the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card, have your security deposit ready.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Who is the Capital One Platinum Secured card designed for?

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The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is intended for individuals who are looking to build or rebuild their credit. It's a secured card, which means it requires a refundable security deposit to open the account.

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What kind of credit score do I need for the Chase Sapphire Preferred?

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a premium rewards card that generally requires a good to excellent credit score, typically 690 or higher. Approval depends on your overall financial profile, not just your credit score.

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Can I upgrade from the Capital One Platinum Secured to the Chase Sapphire Preferred?

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No, you cannot directly upgrade from a Capital One card to a Chase card as they are issued by different banks. You would need to apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card separately once your credit profile meets its requirements.

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