Why I keep the Capital One Venture Rewards card in my wallet
Editor's note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
I have a confession to make: I used to hate the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.
I know, I know — it was quite a controversial opinion among my TPG colleagues for the longest time. I'd always been a Chase girlie (the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) was my first travel credit card, and it still holds a top spot in my wallet), and the Venture Rewards always seemed overrated by comparison.
However, despite my misgivings, I applied for the card several years back to take advantage of a hefty 100,000-mile welcome offer. While that specific offer is no longer available, the current welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening is similarly tempting. Plus, upon approval, receive a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use during the first year.
Since adding the card to my wallet, it's actually become a mainstay favorite that I can't imagine getting rid of. Here's how the Capital One Venture Rewards changed my mind and became a favorite card of mine to recommend.
Double miles
As someone who already had the Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees), I initially overlooked the benefit of earning at least 2 miles per dollar spent on purchases. With my Freedom Unlimited, I can earn at least 1.5% back on all purchases . But that extra 0.5 miles does add up over time and makes a big difference in how fast I rack up rewards.
Last year, I spent almost $18,400 on my Venture, which earned around 36,800 Capital One miles. With my Freedom Unlimited, I would have only earned 27,600 Ultimate Rewards points on that non-bonused spending.
That's roughly $680 in value earned with the Venture Rewards versus $565 earned with the Chase Freedom Unlimited (since I also have the Chase Sapphire Preferred, my Freedom Unlimited points get the full value of Ultimate Rewards points), based on TPG's March 2025 valuations. Even though TPG currently values Chase Ultimate Rewards points higher than Capital One miles, the additional rewards I earn with Capital One's higher nonbonus spending rate more than make up for that difference.
Capital One transfer partners
Transferable points are a game changer for anyone who wants to save money on travel through points and miles. Capital One has really upped its game since first adding the ability to transfer miles to airline and hotel partners. Currently, Capital One has 15-plus transfer partners, most of which offer a 1:1 transfer ratio.
While my Chase, American Express and Bilt cards also allow me to transfer my rewards to hotel and airline partners, Capital One offers some unique options that my other cards do not, including EVA Air, Wyndham and Finnair Plus.
Plus, the ability to funnel rewards from multiple cards into one account (such as British Airways or Singapore Airlines — transfer partners of all multiple credit card issuers I mentioned) helps me maximize earning categories across cards while still combining rewards for larger redemptions.
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit
I didn't have Global Entry or TSA PreCheck before I got this card, and it has been such a game changer for me. If you've been in an airport recently, you know that security and customs lines are no joke. I've saved hours with Global Entry and TSA PreCheck, and I cannot imagine traveling without them at this point.
The Capital One Venture Rewards is one of few mid-tier travel rewards cards that offer a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit. In the first year, this benefit alone made it easy to enough value from this $95-per-year card to make the annual fee worth it.
Related: The top 11 credit cards with annual travel statement credits
Low annual fee
The benefits listed above are great, but the low annual fee solidifies this card's value. I get multiple perks with this card that most other travel cards in that sub-$100 annual fee range don't offer. As much as I adore my Chase Sapphire Preferred, for instance, it doesn't save me time at the airport by covering my Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee or earn great rewards on non-bonused spending.
Some cards offer even more benefits, like lounge access, travel credits and higher spending rates for certain categories — but they also come with much higher annual fees. At this point in my life, I can't justify spending thousands of dollars each year on high annual fees for multiple cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) and The Platinum Card® from American Express.
Thankfully, some great mid-tier cards out there make traveling much more convenient without breaking the bank — including the Venture Rewards. With only a $95 annual fee, it's easy to justify keeping this card in my wallet for the long haul.
Bottom line
I can admit when I'm wrong, and I definitely misjudged the Venture Rewards for a long time before I realized how much value it could add to my wallet. Now, it's one of my most recommended cards for newbies to the points and miles space looking for a card that's easy to use and maximize.
The Venture Rewards is a great first travel credit card with a low annual fee, easy-to-use rewards and solid benefits you don't get with other mid-tier cards. For points pros, it offers a great way to diversify your transfer partner options across cards and earn rewards on nonbonus purchases that other cards may not cover without adding hundreds of dollars in annual fees.
To learn more, read our full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards card.
Learn more: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Related: Capital One Venture Rewards vs. Capital One 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