Is the Capital One Venture X worth the $395 annual fee?
Editor's Note
Most frequent travelers can benefit from a premium credit card like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. However, the steep annual fees mean it's important to carefully consider how useful the card's perks will be for you.
The Venture X is easier to justify than many other cards at its level since it has an annual fee of just $395. That's $200 cheaper than the next most affordable premium card from a major issuer, the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (see rates and fees).
Here are the benefits that could make the Venture X worth a spot in your wallet.
Welcome offer
The Venture X's current welcome bonus matches the best-ever offer: 100,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 in the first six months of account opening.
According to TPG’s November 2025 valuations, these miles are pegged at 1.85 cents apiece, making this bonus worth $1,850.
It’s worth noting that Capital One can be picky when approving credit card applications; the bank is known for being very sensitive about the information on your credit report, including the number of recent hard inquiries, new accounts and accounts with other issuers.
The value of this welcome bonus alone covers this card's annual fee a few times over, but I personally believe that a great welcome offer alone isn't enough to justify paying a premium annual fee. Fortunately, the Venture X has plenty of other perks to offer.
Related: The ultimate guide to credit card application restrictions
Travel credit
The easiest way to recoup most of the Venture X's annual fee is through its annual $300 Capital One Travel credit. This likely won't be enough to cover a hotel stay at a top property or a round-trip flight to Europe, but it's a great way to pay for a long weekend getaway or a short stay at a boutique hotel.
TPGers who hold the Venture X often highlight this credit as one of the top reasons they keep the card year after year. TPG senior points and miles writer Ben Smithson used his Venture X's Capital One Travel credit to cover a flight from Miami to the Caribbean. Contributing credit cards editor Matt Moffitt uses his to cover Hertz car rentals.
Related: How the Capital One Venture X travel credit can save you $300 on your next trip
Anniversary bonus miles
TPGers with the Venture X generally use the value of the anniversary bonus miles to offset the remaining portion of the card's annual fee after the Capital One Travel credit.
The Venture X offers 10,000 bonus miles after each account anniversary. According to our November 2025 valuations, that's $185 in value. Of course, that's assuming you transfer your miles to Capital One's travel partners.
Related: Who should (and shouldn’t) get the Capital One Venture X?
Lounge access
Venture X cardholders have access to two types of lounges: Priority Pass and Capital One’s own lounges for themselves and up to two guests (guest access will be restricted from Feb. 1, 2026).
While Capital One's lounge footprint isn't as extensive as American Express' Centurion Lounge network, gaining access to these lounges through your Venture X can mean a lot if you live near or frequently transit through an airport with one.
Priority Pass access comes with virtually every worthwhile premium card, but it's a valuable perk if you don't already have a card that provides it.
The exact monetary value of lounge access is hard to quantify since it depends on how often you visit lounges and what you actually do while you're there. I typically value each lounge visit at around $30, as that's likely what I'd spend on a nice meal if I weren't in the lounge.
However, if you aren't eating a lot when you visit lounges and aren't using the other amenities that may be included, you might value each visit a lot less.
Related: Best credit cards for airport lounge access
Car rental perks
If you're open to booking a rental car through an issuer's travel portal, the Venture X is a great option. You'll earn 10 miles per dollar spent on car rentals booked through the portal, one of the best returns of any premium card.
Venture X cardholders also receive top-tier Hertz President’s Circle status*. Assuming you rent a car once or twice a year, this perk can offer significant value.
After registering, you'll receive guaranteed upgrades, the widest choice of cars when starting your rental and a free additional driver (which typically costs $13.50 per day, up to a maximum of $189 during your rental).
*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 (i.e., 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.
Related: Stacking rental car perks with Hertz and the Venture X
Access to luxury hotel programs
Venture X cardholders can access Capital One's Premier Collection and Lifestyle Collection hotel programs. Cardholders can pay cash or redeem their miles at a rate of 1 cent each to book stays.
Benefits at top-tier Premier Collection properties include:
- $100 on-property credit for things like meals and spa visits
- Free daily breakfast for two people
- Room upgrades (when available)
- Free Wi-Fi during your stay
Lifestyle Collection properties are mostly lower-tier boutique properties, but they still offer useful benefits for Venture X cardholders, such as a $50 credit to use toward eligible charges and early check-in and late checkout (where available).
Since you'll book through Capital One Travel, you'll earn 10 miles per dollar spent when paying for your stay with the Venture X.
Related: A comparison of luxury hotel programs from credit card issuers: Amex, Capital One, Chase and Citi
Other key perks
Venture X cardholders receive reimbursement for their application fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. This benefit is available once every four years and is worth up to $120. I recommend Global Entry for any frequent traveler since it comes with TSA PreCheck.
Cardholders also have access to several travel and shopping protections when paying with their card:
- Cellphone protection
- Extended warranty and return protection
- Lost luggage reimbursement
- Primary rental car insurance
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
- Trip delay reimbursement
Related: 6 things to do when you get the Capital One Venture X
Valuable authorized user perks
One of the Venture X's big draws for many is its extensive authorized user perks. Cardholders can add multiple free authorized users to their accounts, who enjoy the following benefits:
- Access to Capital One lounges and Priority Pass lounges (additional $125 fee from Feb. 1, 2026)
- Purchase and travel protections, such as trip cancellation/interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement and cellphone protection
For comparison, the American Express Platinum Card® and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) both charge $195 for each authorized user (see rates and fees for the Amex Platinum).
Related: Why you should add authorized users on the Capital One Venture X
Bottom line
The Venture X is one of our favorite premium travel cards for a reason. It's easy to get outsize value from its $395 annual fee if you're able to maximize its annual $300 Capital One Travel credit and 10,000 anniversary bonus miles.
Plus, for a limited time, new cardholders have the opportunity to earn a best-ever offer. If the Venture X has been on your wish list for a while, now is the time to apply.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Capital One Venture X.
Learn more: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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 $6,000 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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 $6,000 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.