Why the Venture X is a mainstay in my wallet
Editor's Note
I'll admit it — I'm addicted to premium travel rewards cards. Most people choose just one or two of the most popular top-tier cards — such as The Platinum Card® from American Express, Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card — but I have all three.
That being said, the Venture X is the premium card I most often recommend to points-and-miles collectors to get their foot in the premium travel card world.
Here are six reasons why.
$0 effective annual fee
This card has a $395 annual fee, an expense too high to gloss over. However, I reduce that annual fee by taking advantage of the $300 annual credit toward bookings through the Capital One travel portal. That brings the effective annual fee down to $95 — but there's more.
I also receive 10,000 anniversary bonus miles each year I have the card. Given that TPG's September 2024 valuations state that Capital One Venture Miles are worth 1.85 each, those 10,000 points are worth $185. That means that I'm actually "making" $90 a year by holding the card — and that's without taking into account all the other benefits below.
Capital One lounge access
While my Amex Platinum takes the cake for lounge privileges — including access to Centurion lounges and Delta Sky Clubs (when flying on Delta-operated or -marketed flights), amongst others — the Venture X is also a great option. It gives you a Priority Pass Select membership. Eligible Platinum Card Members will receive 10 Visits per Eligible Platinum Card per year to the Delta Sky Club or to Grab and Go when traveling on a same-day Delta-operated flight.
Cardholders also get access to Capital One's small (but growing) lounge network. Living in Austin, I often connect through Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), where the first Capital One Lounge opened in November 2021. This was the same month the card launched with a 100,000-point welcome bonus(no longer available). (Now, the current offer is 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in purchases on the first three months from account opening, worth $1,388 according to TPG valuations.)
My favorite part of the lounge is the grab-and-go food and drink options; these options are great when you have a short connection and want to save money by not purchasing overpriced airport food.
Four free authorized users
This card keeps on giving. You can add up to four authorized users to your card for free.
I've added two family members and two friends as authorized users. They can take advantage of all the lounge benefits I enjoy — most notably the more than 1,300 Priority Pass lounges worldwide. Plus, they can bring in two guests per visit with unlimited complimentary access.
Transferable miles
If there is anything I endeavor to teach a credit card rewards beginner, it's this: Don't put all your eggs in one basket by getting a card linked to just one airline or hotel loyalty program. Instead, earn flexible (or transferable) points.
Capital One miles can be transferred to 15-plus partners. I try to take advantage of transfer bonuses to convert my points to Air France-KLM Flying Blue for good-value business-class flights to Europe; Avianca LifeMiles for premium-cabin redemptions on United back home to Sydney; and British Airways Executive Club for nonstop flights within the U.S. and to Latin America on American Airlines.
Generous earning rate on nonbonus categories
While I use other cards to maximize my bonus earning on categories like groceries, flights and ride-hailing services, the Venture X is my go-to for nonbonus spending such as clothing, online purchases and fitness.
This card earns at least 2 miles per dollar spent on purchases, though it jumps to 5-10 points per dollar spent on specific bookings through the Capital One travel portal. However, I prefer to book directly to reduce headaches if I change or cancel a flight or hotel stay.
Car rental elite status
The Venture X offers complimentary Hertz President's Circle status* to the primary cardholder and authorized users (21 years or older). This allows for free upgrades, bonus points and a free additional driver.
I've status matched my top-tier Hertz status to Enterprise and Europcar. I would do so to Avis and National if I didn't already get complimentary status with them through my Platinum card.
*Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at that status level through the duration of the offer. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply
Bottom line
The Capital One Venture X is the most common premium travel rewards card that I recommend frequent travelers get. It has a relatively low annual fee that is easy to cover with an annual travel credit and bonus anniversary miles. You'll get luxury travel perks like Priority Pass lounge access and elite status with Hertz (and potentially other car rental companies). The ability to add multiple authorized users for free makes it a crowd favorite — and one of the top cards in my wallet.
For a deeper dive into the card's benefits, check out our full review of the Venture X.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees