Should I Keep or Cancel My Capital One Venture X Card? The $395 Question

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card appeared in the shadows of the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® and The Platinum Card^® from American Express in late 2021. In just 2 years, it’s become wildly popular among the general public, especially with Upgraded Points staff members. I can easily say without any hesitation that it’s one of the top cards in my wallet.

The card offers clear and straightforward premium benefits and has a lower annual fee than its competitors. The Capital One Venture X card’s $395 annual fee (rates & fees) is slightly easier to digest, so it seems like a solid deal offering valuable perks. But an annual fee is an annual fee, so I still need to weigh this card’s benefits against its costs, just like I do with all the other cards in my wallet each year.

In my opinion, the Capital One Venture X card offers 1 extremely handy and unique benefit that makes it stand out from its competitors (besides its lower annual fee, of course). But is that enough to make me keep the card? Read on to join me in evaluating this card and deciding whether or not to keep or cancel my Capital One Venture X card this year.

Why Do Annual Credit Card Evaluations?

Regardless of when the cards in my wallet renew, I conduct an annual evaluation at the end of each year, including a financial plan and an analysis of the cards I’ll keep, cancel, and apply for in the coming year. I hope showing how I utilize my cards’ benefits makes it easier for you to start your own analysis.

Even if you think a certain credit card checks all the boxes, deciding to keep or cancel a card largely depends on your personal situation, spending, and finances. Card benefits and annual fees are constantly evolving, and new cards may enter the playing field, so you’ll want to consider if the card benefits you have access to will continue to fit your lifestyle.

Hot Tip:

Thinking of getting the Capital One Venture X card? You may be eligible for the welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.

Capital One Venture X Card Overview

My Capital One Venture X Card Evaluation

Besides explaining more about my spending situation in 2024, I’ll also run through the Capital One Venture X card benefits I find the most valuable, how I get the most out of Capital One Miles (the card’s rewards), what to know when choosing to keep or cancel the card, and the endgame decision: Will I cancel the Capital One Venture X card? Or will I keep it?

My Credit Card Situation

Here’s what you should know about my credit card situation before I begin my rundown of keeping or canceling the Capital One Venture X card.

Location

Since I live abroad, I don’t benefit from some of the card’s offerings, such as the card’s cell phone protection. However, it’s worth noting that this particular card doesn’t have as many U.S.-specific card benefits as some other premium credit cards on the market, which is something I really value as an expat.

Membership Length

I applied for the card as soon as it came out, so I’ve been a cardholder for a couple of years. I signed up thanks to the large welcome bonus offer, the flexibility of miles transferable to many partners, the ability to earn 2x miles on all purchases, and the card’s anniversary bonus, which none of my other premium cards offer.

Upcoming Spending in 2024

This year, I purchased my first home in Spain and am giving it a full makeover. Not many cards offer bonus categories that cover my many renovation costs or spending to decorate and furnish my new home.

While I already used some of the larger purchases to meet the spend bonus on The World of Hyatt Credit Card I most recently applied for, I have some upcoming spending at big box home stores that I could put on the Capital One Venture X card.

Christmas shopping is another expense; I’ll do most of that at department stores, toy stores, and clothing stores. This is a great way to earn 2x miles on purchases that aren’t normally a part of bonus categories on the main premium credit cards.

In addition, I spent a lot on dining, Uber Eats/food deliveries, and travel. Thanks to my location here in Europe, my airfare spending isn’t as predictable as a flyer in the U.S. loyal to an airline like Delta or American. I usually fly with Iberia, as well as low-cost airlines like easyJet or Ryanair.

My Credit Score

Thankfully, my credit score is in the very good/excellent range, so I’m not concerned about it temporarily getting slightly lower if I were to cancel my Capital One Venture X card. I still think my score would be high enough to get approved for other cards.

Cards in My Wallet

Part of my card evaluation isn’t just the card I’m focusing on — it’s also important to consider what other cards I have. This is what’s currently in my wallet as we end 2023:

• Amex Platinum card
• Capital One Venture X card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve card
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express^® Card
• World of Hyatt card

As a Spanish resident, I’m also an authorized user on 2 Spanish credit cards my husband holds: the Iberia Plus Icon Visa and the Tarjeta Gold American Express. The former allows him to earn Oneworld Ruby status by hitting a spend threshold and earn Iberia Avios. The latter has benefits similar to the U.S. version of the American Express^® Gold Card, with flexible points that transfer to partners like Iberia. Note that only Spanish residents and citizens can get these credit cards.

The Capital One Venture X Card Benefits I Value the Most

These are some of the Capital One Venture X card perks I find the most useful.

Annual Travel Credit

Cardholders get a $300 travel credit on travel booked through the Capital One Travel portal.

While I find this more limiting than the Chase Sapphire Reserve card’s $300 travel credit that’s valid on pretty much any type of travel, I still think this credit offers massive value that’s easy to take advantage of when booking travel.

Although I find prices in the Capital One Travel portal slightly more elevated than booking hotels directly or booking via other OTAs such as Booking.com or Hotels.com, using this annual credit is fairly simple and takes the $395 annual fee (rates & fees) down to just $95.

Bonus Categories

Capital One Venture X cardholders get 10x miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, and 2x miles on everything else.

Earning 10x miles per dollar spent on hotels is a generous bonus. While I prefer to book directly and wouldn’t usually use credit card travel portals to book hotels, I find this bonus category a plus, mainly when maximizing the $300 travel credit.

I find it particularly useful when booking hotels not part of a loyalty program for a few nights. I’ll use up the credit, then get 10x miles on whatever the balance is. My only trick here is making sure the hotel I’m choosing isn’t significantly cheaper elsewhere. While sometimes it is, I’ll go ahead and book with Capital One if the difference is only a few dollars.

The other bonus category I love is the 2x miles. Since most premium cards only offer 1x miles on general purchases outside of the bonus categories, the Capital One Venture X card shines here. I usually use the card for groceries in Europe to get 2x miles per dollar spent. My favorite grocery store here doesn’t accept American Express, and many Amex cards that offer bonus points for groceries are only valid at U.S. supermarkets anyway.

Transfer Partners

The majority of Capital One’s transfer partners transfer at a 1:1 ratio. You must transfer a minimum of 1,000 miles in all cases.

Although Capital One miles don’t transfer to Iberia Avios, they do transfer to British Airways, which means I can move Avios between my accounts. I also find Emirates, Finnair, Flying Blue, Singapore, TAP, Turkish, and some of the most worthwhile transfer partners.

Where the transfer partners lag behind American Express and Chase in the hotel realm. Only Wyndham and Choice transfer at a 1:1 ratio. I don’t recommend transferring miles to ALL – Accor Live Limitless at 2:1 unless you’re desperate to top off your balance for a timely redemption.

Flexibility of Miles

Besides redeeming Capital One miles by transferring them to partners, I like the option to book travel with the Capital One Travel portal and the ability to redeem miles against travel charges on my statement (within 90 days) for 1 cent per mile.

Although transferring miles is usually the best value, if I’m tight on cash and want to “repay” myself for a Ryanair plane ticket or boutique hotel I paid cash for, it’s a useful option to have.

Lounge Access

Capital One Venture X cardholders can register for access to the Partner Lounge Network, which includes unlimited access for themselves and 2 guests to Capital One Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, and Plaza Premium Lounges.

I used to have many layovers in Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), so I love that there’s a Capital One Lounge at DFW. Now that my post-pandemic travel is picking up, I already have a planned layover at DFW and am excited to visit the lounge. It’s new, modern, and bright, with endless seating options. It also features tasty food, including hot food and to-go options, perfect for a modern traveler who sometimes has time for a sit-down meal and other times needs to grab snacks on the go.

The DFW location also has a yoga room, coffee bar, shower suite, and a nursing room, which I was grateful for during a visit with my infant a few years back.

Free Authorized Users

Capital One Venture X cardholders can add up to 4 authorized users at no additional charge (rates & fees). This is a massive perk, especially considering the Amex Platinum card charges $195 per authorized user (rates & fees) and the Chase Sapphire Reserve card charges $75 per authorized user. Just remember that the authorized user limit is 4 — not unlimited.

I’ve taken advantage of this benefit, adding my father, uncle, and husband to the card for free. This is an excellent perk, considering my husband, who is European and not a U.S. citizen, can build credit for himself should we ever move to the U.S. He can also contribute to the family Capital One miles balance, even though he can’t get his own U.S.-based credit card. My family members (dad and uncle), much to my dismay, aren’t points people, so they don’t have any cards that offer them lounge access. That brings me to my next benefit.

My Favorite Capital One Venture X Card Benefit: Authorized User Lounge Access

Authorized users of the Capital One Venture X card not only get access to Capital One Lounges but also get their very own Priority Pass memberships, complete with the ability to bring their own 2 guests in.

This is the benefit I love most about this card and what sets it apart from its competitors. It’s worth its weight in gold! Even though I already get Priority Pass lounge access through other cards, I can ensure my parents, aunt and uncle, husband, and son have lounge access using the Capital One Venture X card, even when they’re traveling without me.

While some may argue that there aren’t many great Priority Pass lounges in the U.S., those who frequently travel to Europe or Asia know there are so many amazing lounges in the Priority Pass network. I love that my parents, who often have a layover in Dallas from Tucson before flying to Spain on Iberia, can go to the Capital One Lounge in DFW, then hit up the Sala VIP in Madrid before heading home stateside — all thanks to Capital One Venture X card authorized user benefits.

Finally, all Sala VIPs in Spanish airports, lounges run by the Spanish airport corporation AENA, are part of the Priority Pass program. However, Priority Pass members can only bring in 1 guest, and these lounges also don’t allow people to use more than 1 membership to enter. Once my son turns 6, he’ll count as a second guest, so the additional complimentary membership my husband holds will come in handy so all 3 of us can enter any Sala VIP airport lounges in Spain.

I find this benefit extremely valuable — the ability to offer my elderly family members a comfortable place to rest before a very long day of international travel and have my whole immediate family enter airport lounges in Spain every time we travel. To me, this benefit is worth worlds above the $395 Capital One Venture X card’s annual fee (rates & fees).

Anniversary Bonus

Cardholders get 10,000 miles each year as an anniversary bonus, worth ~$180 according to our valuation of Capital One miles. Thanks to this benefit and the $300 travel credit, the card has already paid for its $395 annual fee (rates & fees) without even considering the bonus categories, lounge access, or authorized user benefits I value so highly.

Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credit

Capital One Venture X cardholders get up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every 4 years.

While many other cards I have offer this, I always find it useful to have this credit to renew my own Global Entry or gift it to friends and family members.

Premier Collection and Lifestyle Collection Benefits

In 2023, Capital One debuted its Premier Collection for Capital One Venture X cardholders, a collection of luxury, hand-selected hotels. Cardholders can book with the collection to get elevated benefits, such as a $100 resort credit, daily breakfast for 2, complimentary Wi-Fi, room upgrades, early check-in, and late checkout.

Cardholders can also get a $50 credit, room upgrades, early check-in, and late checkout when available at Lifestyle Collection properties.

I haven’t dabbled much in either collection, but I certainly plan to this year. Although many cardholders were targeted with a $200 Capital One Travel credit for their first Premier Collection booking, I didn’t get that offer. It rivals the Amex Platinum card’s prepaid hotel statement credit of up to $200 for booking Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection properties. Still, I’ll definitely consider booking hotels from these 2 collections via Capital One Travel in the future, and I look forward to exploring the program further.

No Foreign Transaction Fees and Versatility of Visa

The Capital One Venture X card is a Visa credit card that doesn’t come with foreign transaction fees (rates & fees).

Living abroad, I only get cards with no foreign transaction fees for obvious reasons. I’ve also previously mentioned that I can use this card a lot to earn 2x miles for basic purchases because Visa cards are accepted at most spots. This makes it easy to spend and earn more miles.

Capital One Travel Price Drop Protection

Cardholders who book flights in the Capital One Travel portal get price drop protection. This service from Capital One monitors the flight price for 10 days after booking. If the price drops, you’ll get up to $50 in travel credit to help cover the difference.

I haven’t utilized this feature yet, but it entices me to consider booking a flight on the Capital One Travel portal, especially once I get the new $300 travel credit. I really like that this feature is automatic and doesn’t require me to claim or do any additional work to get the credit, assuming I’m eligible.

Price Match Guarantee

Flight, hotel, and rental car purchases made through Capital One Travel are eligible for price matches if you find a cheaper itinerary elsewhere and submit a price match guarantee claim through an agent by calling Capital One Travel at 844-422-6922 within 24 hours.

This feature is useful because I often notice Capital One Travel is more expensive than other booking sites, which deters me from using the portal to book travel.

So far, I haven’t had the time to consider booking and submitting a claim, but perhaps 2024 will be the year I do so. While I don’t love that this requires so much work on the part of the cardholder and isn’t automatic like the flight price protection feature, it’s nice that Capital One offers this.

Travel Insurance Benefits

The Capital One Venture X card offers various travel insurance and protections when you book eligible trips using the card:

• Primary car rental loss and damage insurance
• Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance
• Trip delay reimbursement
• Lost luggage reimbursement
• Travel accident insurance

Thankfully, I’ve never had to use any of these, but it’s nice to know they’re around in case I need them.

The Capital One Venture X Card Benefits I Value the Least

While I appreciate a significant amount of the Capital One Venture X card benefits, there are a few perks I’m unable to take advantage of or that just don’t add much value to my daily life and spend.

Hertz President’s Circle Status

Capital One Venture X cardholders get complimentary President’s Circle status with Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, which offers discounts, upgrades, and additional rewards.

While I think this is a nice perk to offer U.S. residents who tend to frequently rent cars, here in Europe, I rarely rent cars or drive. If we rent a car, my husband, who holds a Spanish driver’s license and is much more familiar with the European road rules, usually rents and drives. He also has Hertz President’s Circle status from a Spanish credit card.

However, I’ve noticed that local European companies tend to provide more personalized treatment and lower prices, at least in the Mediterranean countries. We often rent with companies such as Orlando, PlusCar, or Europcar instead of Hertz.

Capital One Dining and Capital One Entertainment

Cardholders have access to events and gastronomic experiences, music, sports, dining reservations, and exclusive access to presales, tickets, and more.

For now, I haven’t been able to use these perks, and while I enjoy the occasional concert, I’m not a Swiftie, so I don’t see these types of benefits being useful to me now.

Vinous Subscription, Cultivist Membership, and PRIOR subscription

Capital One Venture X cardholders get a 6-month premium subscription to Vinous (a $105 value), a 6-month Enthusiast membership to The Cultivist (a $220 value), which offers access to over 60 of the world’s best museums, and an ongoing PRIOR subscription ($149 annual value), which features access to destination guides, travel experiences, and more.

I love that Capital One prioritizes culture, art, travel, and gastronomy. But living in Spain, I can access wine and wine experiences through other routes. I looked into joining The Cultivist, but none of its 60 museums are in Spain, though Berlin residents are spoiled for choice. Regarding PRIOR, I plan travel for a living, so I just don’t feel like I need it now. If I lived in the U.S., I might be more inclined to sign up for all these opportunities.

Cell Phone Protection

If your cell phone is stolen or damaged, you’re in luck if you hold the Capital One Venture X card. Capital One will reimburse you up to $800 if your phone is stolen or damaged, assuming you pay the bill with your Capital One Venture X card.

I definitely think this benefit has value, but I’m unfortunately unable to use it, as my cell phone is part of a larger family account that includes my Wi-Fi at home, TV access, and my partner’s cell phone, all a part of a European package that’s charged to my European card.

Should I Cancel or Keep My Capital One Venture X Card?

You’ve probably already figured out I’ll keep my Capital One Venture X card for at least another year. I find that the yearly anniversary bonus and the $300 travel credit easily offset the $395 annual fee (rates & fees), and I’m able to really take advantage of many of the card’s benefits, even while living abroad — something I can’t say the same about many of the other cards in my wallet.

But, what’s really keeping this card in my wallet is the benefits, like lounge access, that extend to my complimentary authorized users. Not only do many of the Capital One Venture X card’s competitors charge for authorized users, but many authorized users on other credit cards don’t get their own Priority Pass card and account. If Capital One begins charging for authorized users, I’ll have to rethink my card membership, but for now, the Capital One Venture X card has a firm spot in my wallet and card rotation for at least another year.

Hot Tip:

Other Upgraded Points staff members have debated whether or not to keep the Capital One Venture X card. Find out if Senior Content Contributor Victoria M. Walker deems her Capital One Venture X card worth it 1 year later.

Don’t Forget About Retention Offers

In the case of the Capital One Venture X card, the yearly anniversary bonus of 10,000 miles feels like a built-in retention offer that the issuer just gives to everyone. Thanks, Capital One!

However, if you’re on the fence about keeping the card or can’t get enough value out of the card to offset the fee, you may want to call in anticipation of your renewal date to see if the issuer will grant you a retention offer.

Retention offers can be bonus miles or statement credits that may entice you to stick with the card. Make sure to set calendar alerts to track your renewal date so you don’t forget and can call before your annual fee hits and your card renews.

Bottom Line:

Are you ruminating about whether to keep or cancel your Capital One Venture X card (or any other credit card)? A retention offer may help sweeten the deal. Consider these best strategies for getting credit card retention offers.

How To Do An Annual Credit Card Evaluation

Doing a yearly evaluation of each and every card in your wallet is an easy and straightforward way to complement any financial or spending plan. Although you can do this at any time of year or right before your card renews, I recommend doing this at the end of the year so you can start the new year fresh and ready to spend, save, and re-familiarize yourself with any annual benefits, fees, and beyond.

However, it’s vital to consider the effect canceling a credit card can have on your credit score. It could negatively impact your score by lowering it, at least temporarily. Downgrading to a no-fee card is a valid alternative to help you avoid the annual fee without lowering your score. Don’t forget to read the fine print on what happens to your credit rewards. This varies by issuer, and you certainly don’t want to lose out on any of the points and miles you worked so hard to earn.

Here’s how to evaluate your cards:

• First, choose the card(s) you plan to evaluate.
• Note any upcoming large purchases and general spending you plan to do in the next year. Make sure to include things like your credit score, debt, or anything else that could factor into keeping or canceling a card.
• Consider the pros and cons of each card.
• Weigh these pros and cons against the annual fee to see if you’re coming out on top. The goal? To get as much value from the card as possible, or at least enough to outweigh the annual fee.
• Compare your card to other cards to see how things stack up against each other.
• Write down card renewal dates in your calendar, and call for any retention offers as these dates approach.
• Decide what to do with the card: keep, cancel, or downgrade it.

How To Downgrade Your Capital One Venture X Card

Capital One differs from some other card issuers in that downgrade offers are typically tailored specifically to the cardholder. So, if you’re considering downgrading, you could call to ask for a retention offer and ask what downgrade options are available to you. Those who are eligible for a downgrade can do this process online. If you don’t have any downgrade offers, your options would be to either keep or cancel your Capital One Venture X card.

If you’re certain you want to downgrade your card and don’t want to ask for a retention offer first, here’s how to do the process online:

Here’s the process to access your Capital One Venture X card downgrade offers online:

1. Go to Capital One’s website and log into your account.
2. After logging in, you’ll be directed to your account summary. Select your card.
3. On your credit card account page, look for the menu at the top with buttons including Add Account User, View Statements, and More Account Services.
4. Click the button that says More Account Services.
5. You’ll see a box pop up with many buttons. Go to the area that says Offers and Upgrades. Click View Offers and Upgrades.
6. If there are any current downgrade offers available for you, this is where you’ll see them.
7. Complete any forms needed and select your preferred credit card product to downgrade to.

What Card Should You Get if You Cancel Your Capital One Venture X Card?

Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® and The Platinum Card^® from American Express are valid alternatives to consider if you end up choosing to cancel or downgrade your Capital One Venture X card.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card also offers Priority Pass membership (with access to non-lounge experiences and restaurants) and gives higher bonuses for travel and dining purchases, ideal for those who are frequent travelers.

Meanwhile, the Amex Platinum card is perfect for shoppers or those who are organized enough to take advantage of the many statement credits the card offers upon enrollment. It does come with a substantial annual fee, though, so be ready to fork over $695 annually (rates & fees) for this premium card.

Bottom Line:

I hold all 3 of these cards — Amex Platinum card, Chase Sapphire Reserve card, and Capital One Venture X card — and have conducted similar analyses on whether or not to keep or cancel my Chase Sapphire Reserve card and keep or cancel my Amex Platinum card.

Card Comparisons: See How the Capital One Venture X Card Measures up Against Its Competitors

It’s not always apples to apples, but see how these popular premium cards stack up against the Capital One Venture X card:

• Capital One Venture X Card vs. Amex Gold card
• Capital One Venture X Card vs. Amex Platinum card
• Capital One Venture X Card vs. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Capital One Venture X Card vs. Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
• Capital One Venture X Card vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve card
• Capital One Venture X Card vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card
• Capital One Venture X Card vs. Citi Premier^® Card

Hot Tip:

Wondering how we decide which credit cards offer the most value? Learn more about how Upgraded Points reviews and rates credit cards.

Final Thoughts

This year, I’ll happily hang on to my Capital One Venture X card, feeling especially validated with my card membership when my parents send me blurry selfies of themselves living it up at the Capital One Lounge in Dallas. I’ll also reap the benefits of my annual anniversary bonus miles and travel credit, most likely using them for a Premier Collection property to get those additional perks such as a resort credit and free breakfast.

While you should definitely do a yearly evaluation to see if you want to keep or cancel your Capital One Venture X card, this card is fairly easy to justify if you utilize even just a few of its main perks. And this holiday season, a great gift would be giving a trusted friend or family member authorized user benefits, especially someone who would benefit from airport lounge access.

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For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa^® or Mastercard^® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

Enrollment required through Capital One website or mobile app. Upon enrollment, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through December 31, 2024. 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.