Why I’m Still Loyal to My Capital One Venture X Card After 3 Years

In November 2021, Capital One introduced the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card as its foray into the premium travel rewards card market. The card looked incredibly promising, so I submitted my application the day it became available to the public.

At the time, the Capital One Venture X card offered numerous travel perks and benefits, lounge access, credits to offset the $395 annual fee, and, most importantly, a massive welcome bonus offer.

As we approach the third anniversary of the Capital One Venture X card, I’ve myself if this card had still upheld its value, especially compared to other luxury travel cards. Here’s a look at why I had an easy, definitive answer and my 4 favorite benefits on the card.

Capital One Venture X Card Overview

LIMITED-TIME OFFER

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: 19.99% - 28.99% (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^®

Financial Snapshot

• APR: Purchases: 19.99% - 28.99% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

 

Although there isn’t a single credit card that is best for all situations, some cards are much better than others. However, if you’re looking for an all-around card, few are as great as the Capital One Venture X card.

In addition to being an excellent all-around card, it is also a fantastic travel rewards credit card that earns highly valuable Capital One Miles. In fact, the card routinely makes our list of the best travel credit cards on the market.

While there are plenty of benefits on the Capital One Venture X card, I’ll talk about a select few that are standouts.

Why the Capital One Venture X Card Is Worth It

Here’s a look at what makes the Capital One Venture X card a no-brainer.

1. $300 Annual Capital One Travel Credit

Although the Capital One Venture X card is a luxury credit card, it has credits that can help offset the annual fee. Namely, there’s a $300 travel credit for bookings made through Capital One Travel.

Although the credit is somewhat restricted in that you can only use it with Capital One Travel, I still take this travel credit at face value.

The credit can easily partly — or in some cases, entirely — cover flights, hotels, or car rentals. I have been able to use the $300 travel credit each year in full for travel I was already planning. Although travel portals often have higher prices, I have been selective when using the travel credit to ensure I get the maximum value.

2. Bonus Miles Each Card Anniversary

Capital One Venture X cardholders earn an anniversary bonus of 10,000 miles every year starting on their first anniversary. The miles are deposited into your account after your first anniversary with no enrollment required.

Since we value Capital One Miles at 1.8 cents apiece, this anniversary bonus is worth $180 alone. Best of all, you get this just for keeping the card active for another year.

Combined with the $300 Capital One Travel credit, I already get a minimum of $400 of base value from the card each year. This doesn’t even account for all the other benefits and rewards-earning potential the card has to offer.

3. Access to Capital One Travel Partners

Thanks to their flexibility and numerous transfer options, Capital One Miles are among the most valuable points currencies out there. According to our valuations, Capital One Miles are worth 1.8 cents apiece, only behind Amex Membership Rewards points and Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

As expected, there are countless ways to redeem Capital One Miles. However, the best way to redeem these miles is by transferring these points to Capital One’s airline and hotel transfer partners.

Although Capital One Miles are not as highly regarded as Amex Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards, I find them just as valuable. Some of Capital One’s transfer partners, such as Air Canada Aeroplan, Avianca Lifemiles, The British Airways Club, and Air France-KLM Flying Blue have allowed me to experience incredible premium cabins on some of the best airlines in the world. In 2024 alone, I have redeemed more than 250,000 Capital One Miles to save over $8,000 on travel.

4. Airport Lounge Access

Like any good premium credit card, the Capital One Venture X card offers airport lounge access. Although the lounge access is not as robust as other cards, there are still plenty of options.

Capital One Venture X cardmembers receive a Priority Pass Select membership, which grants access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide.

However, what differentiates the Capital One Venture X card from others is that cardmembers can access Capital One Lounges, which are considered to be among the best airport lounges.

Although I have only visited one Capital One Lounge in the past, I had an incredible experience. Fortunately, there is a Capital One Lounge at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) where I will be flying to and from quite often in the future.

Final Thoughts

Over the past 3 years, Capital One Venture X card has become one of my favorite travel rewards credit cards. It has also been one of my most used cards since I’ve had it, thanks to its fantastic all-around rewards-earning potential.

Between the Capital One Travel credit and anniversary bonus miles, I already get more value than the card’s annual fee. That doesn’t account for the numerous additional benefits the card provides, such as access to Capital One’s travel partners and airport lounge access.

Personally, I think very few premium rewards cards are for everybody, though the Capital One Venture X card is a clear exception. I plan to keep the Capital One Venture X card in my wallet unless the issuer plans to increase the annual fee or remove important benefits or credits.