15 Things To Do When You Get the Capital One Venture X Card [2025]

Your brand-new Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is sitting in your mailbox, and it’s time to start using it. But before you do so, there are some things to know about your credit card that can be helpful.

This card comes with numerous perks, but you’ll only be able to maximize them if you know exactly what they are and enroll in the ones that require it. Be sure to complete these steps as soon as you receive your card, so you can take advantage of all the great benefits it has to offer and maximize earning Capital One miles.

Capital One Venture X Card Overview

The Capital One Venture X card is one of the most lucrative cards on the market, especially when considering the massive value it provides, considering its middle-of-the-range $395 annual fee.

You’ll find more card details below:

LAST CHANCE

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Welcome Offer

Earn 100,000 bonus miles once you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 6 months from account opening - equal to $1,000 in travel.

100,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,800

Annual Fee

$395

APR

Purchases: 19.74% - 28.74% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points 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 (740-840)

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles per $1 on flights and vacation rentals purchased through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

• $395 annual fee
• Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status

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Card Highlights

• LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn 100,000 bonus miles once you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 6 months from account opening - equal to $1,000 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®
• Top rated mobile app

Financial Snapshot

• APR: Purchases: 19.74% - 28.74% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

 

1. Activate Your Credit Card

Capital One credit cards, including the Capital One Venture X card, usually take about 7 to 10 business days to arrive in the mail. That said, you might already have access to a virtual card number you can use upon approval. If so, add your virtual card to your Apple Wallet or Google Wallet so you can use your phone to pay for purchases. Either way, you must activate your physical card once it arrives in the mail.

You can activate your Capital One Venture X card in 3 different ways. Activate the card by using the Capital One website, logging in to the Capital One mobile app, or calling Capital One at 800-227-4825. Once you activate your card, it should be ready to use immediately.

2. Strategize Your Minimum Spending Requirement

Presently, the welcome offer on the Capital One Venture X card is:

• Earn 100,000 miles when you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 6 months.

We value Capital One miles at 1.8 cents per point, meaning you could receive up to $1,800 in value for this offer. At worst, if you use the miles to cover recent travel purchases or to book travel in Capital One Travel, you get 1 cent per mile, meaning the offer is worth at least $1,000.

Regardless of how you spend your miles, fulfilling the welcome offer requirements is key to getting the most value out of the card. Before mindlessly spending, strategize a plan to meet the spend threshold, figuring out if you have any large purchases or setting up a spending schedule to ensure you meet the minimum.

Setting up calendar alerts to ensure you make the last of the spend a few days before the deadline is a good idea. This way, all the purchases are credited to your statement in time and you should obtain the offer.

Hot Tip:

If you haven’t applied for the Capital One Venture X card yet, now is the time, as the welcome offer hasn’t been this high since the card’s initial launch, and there’s no guarantee how long it will last.

3. Enroll in Priority Pass

Capital One has revamped its lounge policies, limiting lounge access for Capital One Venture X card members. Starting February 1, 2026, Venture X cardholders will continue to receive complimentary visits to over 1,300 Priority Pass lounges; however, they will be required to pay $35 per guest for each visit. Authorized users of the card will not receive complimentary Priority Pass lounge access, either.

Still, it’s worth using this perk, especially if you frequently travel alone or with friends who have their own Priority Pass memberships.

The primary condition for this benefit is enrollment. Start by logging in to the Capital One app, then click on your Capital One Venture X card, click on Rewards and Benefits, then scroll down to click on All Benefits. Scroll down until you see Priority Pass lounge access. Once you click on it, you can either enroll or view your Priority Pass to check the status of your membership. You should be able to enroll a few days after becoming a Capital One Venture X cardholder.

After enrollment, you’ll get your physical Priority Pass Select membership card in the mail, and you can also create a digital membership card so you can get into the lounge using the Priority Pass app on your phone.

4. Use Your Annual Travel Credit

Each year, you get a $300 credit to use toward travel bookings in Capital One Travel. The flexibility of this credit is what makes it especially useful, as you can apply it toward hotels, flights, car rentals, or vacation rentals.

Ensure your booking triggers your Capital One Travel credit by using your Capital One Venture X card to pay for the reservation on the Capital One Travel portal.

5. Book Travel in Capital One Travel

Although we usually recommend booking travel directly for ease, booking via Capital One Travel has its perks. I personally love using the $300 for hotel bookings, because if I spend more than $300, I earn 10x Capital One miles on the purchase (and also for car rentals). You can also earn 5x miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel.

These earning rates are high and are an excellent way to bulk up your miles balance without spending too much. For example, if I’m making a hotel booking for $1,000 in Capital One Travel, I spend just $700 using my credit and earn 7,000 miles thanks to the 10x miles.

6. Get (Or Gift) Global Entry or TSA PreCheck

Get up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck when you use your Capital One Venture X card to pay for the service. You can use this for yourself or gift it to someone else by paying for their membership on your card.

7. Start Making Everyday Purchases

One of the top perks of the Capital One Venture X card is that you can earn 2x miles on every purchase. This is why it’s an ideal card to use for everyday items that don’t normally fall into bonus categories. Use the card for purchases at department stores, for jewelry, for a new bicycle, or even for everyday utility bills. Basically, use the card for any purchases you won’t get a bonus on using any other card so you can earn that 2x.

8. Add Authorized Users

Add additional cardholders for no fee on your Capital One Venture X card. Although being an authorized user isn’t quite as lucrative as it once was because of the downgraded lounge access rules starting in February 2026, authorized users can still earn miles (including in the aforementioned bonus categories) on their cards, and their spending can help you reach your welcome bonus faster. Authorized users are also eligible for Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President’s Circle status.

Just remember that you’re responsible for paying off any charges authorized users make, so only add people you trust.

Bottom Line:

Being an authorized user on a Capital One Venture X card is no longer as valuable as it once was, due to limited lounge access starting in February 2026; however, it can still be beneficial, especially for the main cardholder.

9. Book Premier Collection Properties

Get a host of perks when booking Premier Collection properties via Capital One Travel. The Premier Collection is a curated group of luxury hotels and resorts, similar to Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection from American Express. Not only do you earn 10x miles for booking with your Capital One Venture X card, but you also get the following on your stay:

• Early check-in and late checkout
• $100 experience credit
• Daily breakfast for 2 people
• Room upgrade when available
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

You can also get a $50 experience credit on Lifestyle Collection bookings.

Hot Tip:

The Premier Collection benefits that come with the Capital One Venture X card can offer massive value. In fact, Victoria M. Walker, senior content contributor for Upgraded Points, got over $3,700 from this perk during a stay in Saint-Barthélemy.

10. Sign up for Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President’s Circle

Capital One Venture X cardholders are eligible for Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President’s Circle status. You get perks like guaranteed upgrades, a dedicated President’s Circle call center line, and more.

This benefit requires enrollment. Start by logging in to your Capital One account, heading to Explore Rewards, and then clicking on the benefits tab. Choose your card account and follow the prompts. Once you submit your request, you should get your upgraded status within 72 hours. Authorized users on the Capital One Venture X card also enroll in this benefit.

11. Get a Dose of Culture: Sign up for PRIOR and The Cultivist

If you’re into culture, make sure to take advantage of these 2 benefits: Capital One Venture X card members can sign up for a complimentary PRIOR subscription (a $149 value), which offers travel articles and inspiration, and get 50% off an Enthusiast Cultivist membership for 2 years, which gives you access to 60 of the world’s top museums.

Both of these benefits require enrollment, and you can find them in the benefits section of your card online or via the app. You have to click through and sign up via dedicated links.

12. Add Your Card to Your Cell Phone Bill

If you pay your cell phone bill with your Capital One Venture X card, you have solid cell phone protection. If your phone is stolen or damaged, you get reimbursed (up to $800 with a $50 deductible). This protection kicks in once you’ve paid for 1 billing cycle, and you also earn 2x on whatever you spend.

The best part? It’s valid for whoever else’s phones (family members or employees) are also on your bill.

13. Use Capital One Offers

Shop with Capital One Offers to earn cash-back or miles on your purchases as a statement credit. You find these in your account, and since it functions like a shopping portal, you need to click through to the business to access the perks (this can be done online or in the app).

14. Download the App

Download the Capital One app to do things like pay your bill, access and enroll in benefits, and see Capital One Offers.

15. Spend $75,000 for Added Lounge Benefits

Starting February 1, 2026, if you and any additional cardholders have a combined spending of $75,000 or more across your accounts, you can bring up to 2 complimentary guests to Capital One Lounges and 1 complimentary guest to Capital One Landings per visit. This access is valid in the year that you reach the spending threshold and the next year. It expires January 31 of the following calendar year. For example, if you reach the spending minimum in 2026, you can use this perk until January 31, 2028.

Final Thoughts

While it may be tempting to run off into the sunset with your brand-new Capital One Venture X card and start shopping, don’t. Instead, review this article to ensure you understand what you should enroll in, know how to organize to meet spending thresholds, and comprehend the benefits so you can maximize your card’s value.

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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.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above 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.