Key facts
Don’t get hung up on the annual fee. We’ll explain below how you get the value back from the card’s annual fee – and more – with the card benefits.
Annual Fee:
$395Min. Credit Score for Approval:
800-850 * ExcellentOngoing APR:
19.99%-29.74% VariableBalance transfer fees
Balance Transfer Fee applies to balances transferred at a promotional rateForeign Transaction Fee:
0%Between airport lounge access that includes guests, primary car rental coverage, no foreign transaction fees, top tier car rental status, a a $300 annual travel credit and 10,000 miles at every renewal, this premium travel credit card pays for itself.
There are so many transfer bonuses to Avios, many 30% – 40%, that I don’t think you need to speculatively transfer on this one unless Capital One Miles are your only transferable point and you regularly use Avios anyway (meaning you know how you’ll use them in advance).
Otherwise, my usual thoughts apply:
Despite past shortfall domestic sweet spots evaporating, you can still transfer these miles over to Qatar Airways Avios where that same flight would be 9,500 miles (up from 6,000 but still cheaper than BA). And that’s the thing – you can transfer these Avios to any other Avios program airline including Finnair.
Also – outside of the US, BA still prices flights under 650 miles (i.e. SYD-MEL on Qantas) at 6,000 miles in Economy and only 12,500 miles in Business – hello, sweet spot!
BA does have a very favorable lap infant policy – 10% of the miles paid for the adult fare. Beware their draconian surcharges on long haul awards.
Reward multipliers
You’ll get an amazing 10X miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through the Capital One Travel Portal and 5X miles on flights booked in their Travel Portal. You’ll earn 2X miles on eligible purchases, meaning your everyday spending.
Earns bonus points for spend in the following bonus categories:
Only applies to bookings made via the Capital One Portal; Earn 2X otherwise.
Estimated Rewards Value: 16%
Only applies to bookings made via the Capital One Portal; Earn 2X otherwise.
Estimated Rewards Value: 16%
Only applies to bookings made via the Capital One Portal; Earn 2X otherwise.
Estimated Rewards Value: 8%
Estimated Rewards Value: 3.2%
Key features
Unique Card Benefits
Capital One Entertainment and A Free Year of PRIOR
Venture X customers will have the opportunity to book once-in-a-lifetime trips across the globe by purchasing or redeeming points on Capital One Entertainment. Plus, Venture X cardholders will receive a complimentary PRIOR Subscription (valued at $149) that includes access to global travel guides, early bookings and a twice-weekly newsletter.
The Capital One Premier Hotel Collection
You can earn unlimited 10X miles on luxury hotels and resorts when you book within the Premier Collection, exclusively for Venture X cardholders. Premier Collection hotels come with special perks. You’ll get an experience credit worth up to $100 USD (or the local equivalent) to use on dining, spa and other activities during your stay as well as daily breakfast for two and WiFi. When available upon arrival, you may receive extra perks like early check-in, late checkout, a room upgrade and more.
Airport Lounge Access
The Venture X includes unlimited complimentary access to many airport lounges, including Capital One Lounges and their Partner Lounge Network including Plaza Premium, the Virgin Clubhouses, and complimentary Priority Pass membership.
You’ll be able to bring 2 guests to each Capital One Lounge and Plaza Premium lounge you visit and unlimited guests with your Priority Pass membership (enrollment required)
Note: Priority Pass non-lounge airport experiences (like dining, retail shopping and spa discounts are not part of the Visa Infinite® benefit program for Venture X cardholders.
Additionally, authorized users, which are free, get their own Priority Pass membership so they can enjoy airport lounges even when traveling without the primary cardholder. They’ll also have access to the Capital One and Plaza Premium lounges.
Annual Statement Credits
You’ll get a total of $400 in annual statement credits as follows:
Each year you hold the Venture X credit card, starting immediately upon account opening, you will have $300 in credits to spend on travel booked via the Capital One Travel Portal, including flights booked, car rentals, and hotels.
You’ll also receive 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary (equal to $100 towards travel)
Primary Car Rental CDW Waiver
When you book and pay with your Capital One Venture X credit card and decline the Collision Damage Waiver, you’ll be covered against accidental damage to your rental vehicle. What is special about the coverage provided by the Venture X is that it’s primary, meaning that even if you have your own insurance, you won’t have to involve them.
As with all CDW credit card benefits, this does not include any other type of insurance, including liability and property, so it will not protect you in the event of an accident.
Grants Car Rental Status
Complimentary Hertz President’s Circle status for primary cardholders, authorized users and account managers.
This is their highest status and lets you choose a car from the President’s Circle lot as long as you rent a midsize or larger card.
Earns Transferable Points
You’ll earn Capital One miles which can be redeemed for cash at one cent per point or transfer to Capital One’s large range of airline and hotel transfer partners.
Capital One Miles never expire as long as you have your card.
These are the current Capital One airline and hotel transfer partners:
Capital One Miles | ||
---|---|---|
Transfer Ratio | Expected Transfer Time | |
Air Canada (Aeroplan) | 1:1 | Instant |
Air France / KLM Flying Blue | 1:1 | Instant |
Avianca Lifemiles | 1:1 | Instant |
Aeromexico | 1:1 | Instant |
British Airways Avios | 1:1 | TBD |
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | 1:1 | Nearly instant |
Choice Hotels | 1:1 | 1 day |
Emirates Skywards | 1:1 | Instant |
Etihad Guest | 1:1 | 1-2 days |
Finnair | 1:1 | Instant |
Qantas | 1:1 | 1-2 days |
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | 1:1 | 1-2 days |
TAP Air Portugal | 1:1 | TBD |
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles | 1:1 | TBD |
Wyndham Rewards Hotel Program | 1:1 | Instant |
EVA | 2:1.5 | 1-2 days |
Accor Live Limitless (ALL) Hotel Program | 2:1 | 1-2 days |
Virgin Red | 1:1 | TBD |
No Fees for Authorized Users
You can add up to four authorized users at no cost. They will get their own airport lounge access and their own Hertz President’s Circle status upgrade.
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Capital One credit cards never charge you foreign transaction fees.
Global Entry / TSA PreCheck Reimbursement
Up to $120 in statement credits for either TSA PreCheck or Global Entry once every four years.
Extended Warranty
On all products with a manufacturer’s warranty of 3 years or less, paying in full with your Venture X card will grant you one additional year of warranty coverage.
Purchase Protection
When you use your Venture X credit card to purchase eligible items and the purchase is stolen or damaged within the first 90 days, Purchase Security (the Visa Infinite term for Purchase Protection) can replace, repair or reimburse the item – up to the total purchase price of Your item for a maximum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) per claim and fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) per cardholder, in the event of theft or damage.
Trip Protections
You’ll have access to Visa Infinite’s Trip Interruption insurance / Trip Cancellation benefits which include Trip Delay reimbursement for delays of 6 hours or more if you at purchased your common carrier (i.e. airfare, train ticket) with your Capital One Venture X credit card (or used the Capital One Travel portal to pay with your Capital One Miles.
This will also cover your spouse and children (under 22 years old).
Trip cancellation for covered reasons offers up to $2,000 per person for you as well as your immediate family members to be reimbursed for pre-paid / non-refundable tickets.
You’ll also have Lost Luggage Reimbursement coverage with up to $3,000 per covered instance if the airline loses or damages your checked luggage.
Metal Card
The Capital One Venture X is a metal credit card and weighs close to 0.04 pounds.
Cell Phone Protection
You’ll need to pay your monthly cell phone bill with your Capital One Venture X to be eligible for a claim on this benefit, which offers coverage of up to $800 per claim (max two claims and $1,600 per 12 months). There is a $50 deductible per claim.
Free Access to Credit Score
All Capital One cards with free access to your credit score via their included CreditWise offering. This can be accessed inside your Capital One online account.
Travel and Emergency Assistance Services
You will be able to call the Visa Infinite hotline for help with emergencies.
While all costs are your responsibility, they can help with things like referrals to emergency care, legal referrals, emergency transport, translation assistance, and more.
Earn more rewards by combining credit cards
Pros & cons
- The annual fee is more than covered by annual credits
- Comes with access to Capital One lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium lounges - all with generous guest policies
- Free authorized users also get the same airport lounge access benefits and Hertz status as the primary card holder
- The annual fee, while effectively negative $5 after credits, can feel like a lot.
- Aside from bonus points for booking through Capital One travel, there are no bonus categories. Still, all eligible purchases do earn 2X miles per dollar spent which is great.
- Points don't transfer to any domestic airlines, although you can use other partners to book domestic award tickets on domestic airlines.
Our review
The Capital One Venture X rewards credit card is an incredibly well rounded travel credit card that is easy to recommend to almost anyone. The first objection is always the annual fee, but once you see that the $300 annual travel credit and 10,000 miles anniversary bonus (worth $100 or more) nets out the annual fee, it’s much easier to go and focus on the benefits.
If you consider the annual fee to effectively be -$5 as I do based on the above though process, then you are looking a a TON of benefits for a card where you aren’t out a ton on the annual fee with nothing in return.
You’re getting Priority Pass, Plaza Premium, Capital One Lounges, and Virgin Clubhouse airport lounge access, free authorized users that get that get the same (even when not traveling with you), top tier car rental status, Global Entry (or PreCheck) fee reimbursement, the ability to earn up to 10X miles on travel booked via Capital One, primary car rental CDW, cell phone protection, Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, and travel benefits like trip delay or trip cancellation.
See, that’s a mouthful! You would expect to be paying a massive annual fee for all of that (without credits that net it out) and in this case, you’re just not. Of course, you’ll still have to pay the $395 fee upfront, but you’ll also be able to get that early spend bonus of 75,000 miles worth at least $750. I think that offsets it nicely!
In my opinion, this card is simply one of the best travel cards around in terms of both benefits and value for money.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Capital One Venture X have an annual fee?
Yes, it’s $395.
What credit bureaus will Capital One pull when you apply for the Venture X rewards credit card?
In most cases, Capital One will pull all three bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
Does the Venture X rewards credit card get you into airport lounges?
The Venture X includes unlimited access to many airport lounges, including Capital One Lounges and their Partner Lounge Network including Plaza Premium and Priority Pass.
You’ll be able to bring 2 guests to each Capital One Lounge and Plaza Premium lounge you visit and unlimited guests with your Priority Pass membership (enrollment required)
Is it hard to get the Capital One Venture X rewards credit card?
While many people get flummoxed by why they did not get approved for other Capital One cards, the Venture X seems to be an easy approval for those with good to excellent credit lines and Capital One seems to be generous with the credit line offered as well.
Is it worth getting the Capital One Venture X?
This card is simply one of the best premium travel credit cards around in terms of both benefits and value for money.
Is the Capital One Venture X rewards credit card Made of Metal?
The Capital One Venture X is a metal credit card and weighs close to 0.04 pounds.
How do I earn points / cash with the Capital One Venture X?
You’ll earn 2X Capital One miles per dollar spent on all purchases. If you buy airfare via the Capital One Travel Portal powered by Hopper, you’ll earn 5X miles on those purchases. Hopper is great because you’ll get free price drop protection. Hotels and car rentals booked via the Capital One Travel Portal will earn a generous 10 miles per dollar spent.
You can redeem the points towards travel at a penny each (i.e. 10,000 points equals $100 in travel) or you can transfer your miles to a variety of airline and hotel partners as described in this article.
Is there a better credit card than the Capital One Venture X rewards credit card?
It all depends on your individual preferences. Use our interactive card explorer to see if there is a card that has features and benefits that more closely align with what you want in a credit card.
Does the Capital One Venture X charge foreign transaction fees?
It does not. No Capital One cards do!
Does the Capital One Venture X rewards credit card have car rental coverage?
Yes, it comes with primary CDW coverage to protect against damage to rental cars.
Does the the Capital One Venture X come with any Elite Status?
The Venture X card comes with the status benefits of top tier President’s Circle status through 2024. It does not come with status in any hotel loyalty programs or airline loyalty programs.
Does the Capital One Venture X rewards credit card offer extended warranty?
Yes. On all products with a manufacturer’s warranty of 3 years or less, paying in full with your Venture X card will grant you one additional year of warranty coverage.
Does the Capital One Venture X offer purchase protection?
When you use your Venture X credit card to purchase eligible items and the purchase is stolen or damaged within the first 90 days, Purchase Security (the Visa Infinite term for Purchase Protection) can replace, repair or reimburse the item – up to the total purchase price of Your item for a maximum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) per claim and fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) per cardholder, in the event of theft or damage.
Does the the Capital One Venture X rewards credit card offer trip protections?
Yes, it offers Trip Cancellation and Interruption as well as Lost Luggage. See the article for more details.
Does the Capital One Venture X rewards credit card have cell phone protection coverage?
You’ll need to pay your monthly cell phone bill with your Capital One Venture X to be eligible for a claim on this benefit, which offers coverage of up to $800 per claim (max two claims and $1,600 per 12 months). There is a $50 deductible per claim.
What credit score do I need to get a Capital One Venture X rewards credit card?
We’ve heard ranges of 670 – 740, so if you have at least a 670, I would give it a shot!
What can I do with the points earned for spending on the Capital One Venture X rewards credit card?
You can either cash out your points like cash for travel purchases to easily cover travel expenses (for example, 10,000 points equals $100 in travel purchases, or you can transfer your miles to a range of airline and hotel partners as described in the article and in our Capital One Miles Guide.
Does the Capital One Venture X have Cell Phone Protection?
Yes. You’ll need to pay your monthly cell phone bill with your Capital One Venture X to be eligible for a claim on this benefit, which offers coverage of up to $800 per claim (max two claims and $1,600 per 12 months). There is a $50 deductible per claim.
Does the Capital One Venture X rewards credit card offer Roadside Assistance?
No, the Venture X does not offer a Roadside Assistance benefit.
Is there a lower fee version of the Capital One Venture X?
Yes, you could consider the Capital One Venture rewards credit card which has a $95 annual fee versus the higher annual fee of the Venture X, however you won’t get nearly the range of perks you get with the Capital One Venture X rewards credit card.
How does the Venture X rewards credit card compare to the Chase Sapphire Reserve?
You can compare both cards here.
How does the Venture X rewards credit card compare to the Platinum Card from American Express?
Of course, the Venture X earns Capital One miles and the American Express Platinum card earns Membership Rewards points, but you can compare both cards extensively here.