Anyone struck by a bad case of wanderlust will benefit from a travel rewards credit card. And if you find yourself taking trips more frequently, you may want to upgrade to a card that offers some luxurious benefits.
Capital One has three travel-focused consumer credit cards: the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. The cards offer similar rewards programs and nearly identical card benefits, but they differ in the number of miles you earn per dollar spent and the annual fee.
With the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, which ranks as one of our top credit cards for travel and rewards, you earn 5X miles per dollar on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and unlimited 2X miles on every dollar spent, as well as up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fee every four years.
Below, we break down Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card's rewards, benefits and fees to help you decide if it's the right card for you.
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has a reasonable annual fee and earns flexible travel rewards, which makes it a great travel card for beginners or heavy travelers.
- Valuable welcome offer worth at least $750 in travel
- You can transfer miles to over 15 Capital One partners, including Emirates Skywards, Choice Privileges and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- No foreign transaction fees
- Lacks ongoing travel benefits such as statement credits or lounge access
- Limited bonus spending category that only applies to certain Capital One Travel bookings
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app
Balance transfer fee
$0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
Foreign transaction fee
None
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card review
Welcome bonus
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has a strong offer: Earn 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel and you can potentially get even more value when transferring miles to one of Capital One's travel partners, which includes airlines like Air Canada Aeroplan and Air France-KLM.
Benefits and perks
The card offers a good amount of travel and purchase-related perks given its low annual fee.
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card's benefits include the following:
- Up to $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fee every four years
- Complimentary Concierge service* - Enjoy assistance 24 hours a day, from home and when you travel, with World Elite Mastercard Concierge
- Travel Assistance Services* - Available 24/7 to help connect you with local emergency and assistance resources when you're away from home
- MasterRental Insurance* - Use your card to rent an eligible vehicle and you may be covered for physical damage and theft of the rental vehicle
- Master RoadAssist®* - Take advantage of 24 hour toll-free assistance to help with services like towing, gas delivery, jumpstarts, and tire changes. Customer is responsible for any and all costs incurred
- Purchase Assurance* - Eligible purchases made with your card are covered if damaged or stolen within the first 90 days of purchase
- Access to the Capital One Travel portal, which includes benefits such as opt-in travel insurance, price drop protection and price match guarantee
- Exclusive access to premier culinary, music and sports events, such as the New York City Wine and Food Festival and the iHeartRadio Music Festival through the Capital One Experiences program
*Benefit available to accounts approved for the World Elite Mastercard product, subject to terms, conditions, and exclusions in the World Elite Mastercard Guide to Benefits. See Account Terms or Application Terms for more details. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply.
Capital One also provides a free credit score and report dashboard, CreditWise. It's free to use and anyone can join — you don't need to have a Capital One account. With CreditWise, users can learn more about the key factors that impact their credit scores, get email alerts whenever their credit report changes and monitor their credit information.
How to earn and redeem Capital One miles
Earning Capital One miles
If you're looking for a simple rewards program, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has you covered.
With this card, you will earn:
- 5X miles per dollar on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 2X miles for every dollar spent on all other eligible purchases
CNBC Select calculated how many rewards the average American can earn if they optimize the way they use their Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. We worked with the location intelligence firm Esri, who provided us with a sample annual spending budget of $22,126.
The budget includes six main categories: groceries ($5,174), gas ($2,218), dining out ($3,675), travel ($2,244), utilities ($4,862) and general purchases ($3,953).
Here's how many miles you can earn with your Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card in each category, annually:
- Groceries: 10,348
- Gas: 4,436
- Dining out: 7,350
- Travel: 4,488
- Utilities: 9,724
- General purchases: 7,906
- Total: 44,252
Based on the annual spending budget from Esri, the average American can earn an estimated $1,193 in rewards the first year of card membership (including the miles earned from the welcome bonus) and an estimated $2,965 in rewards after five years with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.
This assumes that cardholders are redeeming miles for a typical maximum value of 1 cent per mile. Extreme optimizers might be able to achieve more value, and you may earn a higher or lower return depending on your spending habits. Your rewards don't expire as long as your account remains open.
Redeeming Capital One miles
Capital One miles can be redeemed in several ways, including:
- Booking travel directly through Capital One Travel
- Using them as a statement credit toward past travel purchases
- Transferring them to various airline and hotel partners
- Redeeming them for gift cards
- Redeeming for cash back
Miles are worth a flat one cent apiece when redeemed as a statement credit for past travel purchases or to book future travel through Capital One Travel. This option is useful for those that want straightforward redemptions. Just keep in mind statement credit redemptions must be made within 90 days from the date your travel purchase posts to your account. Travel purchases include things like flights, hotels, cruises, train tickets, local transit and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft.
A potentially more valuable option is to transfer your miles to one of Capital One's hotel or airline partners. Depending on the redemption, you may be able to get two cents or more in value per mile this way, especially when booking business and first-class award flights.
Capital One's 18 transfer partners include:
- Aeromexico Club Premier
- Air Canada Aeroplan
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue
- ALL Accor Live Limitless
- Avianca LifeMiles
- British Airways Executive Club
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
- Choice Privileges
- Emirates Skywards
- Etihad Guest
- EVA Air Infinity MileageLands
- Finnair Plus
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go
- Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
- Virgin Red
- Wyndham Hotels
Although the majority of these are international programs, they're still useful for U.S.-based travelers. For example, you can book United Airlines flights through Turkish Airlines and American Airlines flights through British Airways.
Capital One cardholders can also redeem miles toward cash back and miles via Amazon.com. The company joins American Express, Chase, Citi and Discover to provide the convenient Shop with Points redemption option to cardholders. Cardholders have the flexibility to use as many or as few rewards as they like on purchases at Amazon.com. The redemption rate is 125 miles are worth $1 on Amazon. Note that this is the least valuable option, so if you want to earn cash back consider a cash-back credit card instead.
Rates and fees
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has a $95 annual fee for the first year, putting it right in between the no annual fee Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card and $395-per-year Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
There's no introductory 0% APR period, and the regular APR is 19.49% - 28.49% variable on new purchases and balance transfers. Travelers going overseas can take advantage of no foreign transaction fees, which is a huge plus when venturing abroad. A 3% fee is charged for balances transferred at a promotional APR and none for balances at the regular APR. No fee for amounts transferred at the Transfer APR.
Find the best credit card for you by reviewing offers in our credit card marketplace or get personalized offers via CardMatch™.
Card comparison
Capital One Venture Rewards vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card packs a punch for a $95 annual fee card, offering annual travel credits, comprehensive travel protections and more.
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
- Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase TravelSM
- 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
The closest comparison to Capital One Venture Rewards is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees). For the same $95 annual fee, it offers 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 5X points on Lyft rides (through September 30, 2027), 3X points on dining, 3X points on select streaming services and online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs), 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points on all other purchases. Sapphire Preferred cardholders also enjoy an anniversary points bonus equal to 10% of their total purchases made the previous year. Overall, the card offers more bonus categories, but the Venture Rewards still offers a better return on everyday purchases.
While the Sapphire Preferred doesn't come with any lounge access or TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credits, it still offers an array of valuable perks, including the up to $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, a complimentary DashPass membership for a minimum of one year (must activate by Dec. 31st, 2027), primary rental car insurance and more. At the end of the day, the best card will depend on your individual preferences and spending habits.
Learn more: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card vs. Capital One Venture Card: Which $95 annual fee travel card is better?
Capital One Venture Rewards vs. American Express® Gold Card
The American Express Gold Card is great for earning valuable Membership Rewards® points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets.
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You'll know upfront exactly how much you'll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Foreign transaction fee
None
If most of your spending is on dining at restaurants or groceries at U.S. supermarkets, the American Express® Gold Card can be a great asset with its 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. Terms apply. The card has a slightly higher annual fee of $325 (see rates and fees) but also comes with more statement credits to make up for it.
In addition to the bonus for restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, cardholders earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com amextravel.com and 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. Benefits include up to $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Point caps and terms apply. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub(including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. Enrollment required. Terms Apply.
Is the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card right for you?
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card holders need to spend approximately $4,750 a year to earn enough rewards to break even on the $95 annual fee. This should be manageable considering the average American spends approximately $22,126 annually, according to consumer spending data from location intelligence firm Esri. But if you have other travel rewards cards that charge an annual fee, you might not want to add another to your wallet.
That said, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card's annual fee is effectively offset once every four years if you take advantage of the $100 credit for a Global Entry application.
Bottom line
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a competitive rewards card that provides premium benefits for cardholders. If you're looking to earn flat-rate rewards on everyday spending or higher rewards in bonus categories, this card can be a great fit. And when you take advantage of the added plus of Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, you can help offset its $95 annual fee.
Travelers looking to receive some of the benefits found with luxury travel cards but don't want to pay a large annual fee upfront will find more value in this card, versus the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card, which is a better choice for consumers who want to avoid an annual fee while taking advantage of special financing. However, if you want more premium perks, such as unlimited airport lounge visits and a $300 Capital One Travel annual credit to use toward purchases made through Capital One Travel, you may want to get the high-end Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card instead.
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At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best credit cards.
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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.
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For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.
