Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Venmo Visa Signature Credit Card
On the criteria below, Chase Sapphire Reserve wins 4 of 5. The verdict depends on which criteria matter to you.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase
Venmo Visa Signature Credit Card
Synchrony
Chase Sapphire Reserve wins 4 of 5 criteria here, making it the stronger all-rounder.
Chase Sapphire Reserve wins on first-year math, earning ceiling, lounge access, and travel insurance; Venmo Visa Signature Credit Card wins on annual fee.
Pick the Chase Sapphire Reserve if year-one math is your priority; take the Venmo Visa Signature Credit Card if you want a cheaper card to keep long-term.
Who wins what
4 vs 1- First-year math Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase Sapphire Reserve wins on bonus value minus annual fee.
- Annual fee Venmo Visa Signature Credit Card
Venmo Visa Signature Credit Card is $795 cheaper to keep.
- Earning ceiling Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase Sapphire Reserve earns more on its best category (8× vs 3×).
- Lounge access Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase Sapphire Reserve includes lounge access; the other doesn't.
- Travel insurance Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase Sapphire Reserve carries built-in travel insurance.
By the numbers
- Annual fee
- $795
- Free
- Welcome offer (typical value)
- $1,700
- —
- First-year net
- +$905
- +$0
- Peak earning rate
- 8×
- 3×
- Top categories
- Chase Travel, Flights Direct, Hotels Direct
- Top Spend Category, Second Top Spend Category
- Lounge access
- chase-sapphire-lounge, priority-pass
- No
- Travel insurance
- Yes
- No
- Elite status
- Yes
- Yes
- Foreign transaction fee
- None
- None
- Reward currency
- Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Venmo Cash Rewards
Welcome-offer dollar values use each program's typical-tier valuation from our signup bonus calculator. See the methodology page for sourcing details.