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.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.