Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Some offers mentioned below are no longer available.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is lauded for its premium benefits, including up to $300 in travel credits, 10,000 bonus miles on your account anniversary, access to airport lounges, TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry credits and more. However, all of these perks come alongside a $395 annual fee.
Below, CNBC Select breaks down the rewards, benefits and fees associated with the Capital One Venture X to help you decide if it's the right travel credit card for your needs.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a premium credit card with a myriad of benefits and a lower annual fee than other high-end cards with similar features.
- Annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Travel
- 10,000 bonus miles after every card anniversary
- Unlimited complimentary access to 1,300+ airport lounges, including Capital One Lounge and Landing locations
- Long list of valuable travel and shopping protections, including return protection, rental car coverage and trip delay reimbursement (Benefit(s) only available to accounts approved for the Visa Infinite card. Terms apply.)
- Limited bonus spending categories compared to other premium credit cards
- High annual fee
- High credit score requirement (excellent credit)
Highlights
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 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 and Landing locations and participating 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
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 fees
$0
Welcome bonus
The Capital One Venture X card is offering a large welcome bonus to entice new cardholders to sign up. Right now, you can earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 6 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
Benefits and perks
The benefits of the Capital One Venture X card mainly cater to travelers, so if you're at least a semi-frequent traveler and want additional perks for your adventures, this may be a great card for you.
The Capital One Venture X offers the following benefits:
- Up to $300 back in statement credits each year for bookings made through Capital One Travel
- A 10,000-mile bonus on each account anniversary, starting on your first card anniversary
- Up to $120 statement credit for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Airport lounge access: You will have access to over 1,300 Priority Pass™ lounges, as well as Capital One Lounges and Landings. Venture X cardholders and authorized users will get unlimited access to Capital One and Priority Pass lounges, along with free entry for up to two guests per visit. It's $45 per visit for additional guests.
- Access to the Capital One Travel portal, which includes benefits such as opt-in travel insurance, price drop protection and price match guarantee
- Access to in-person events through the Capital One Experiences program, such as dining and sports events
- Primary cardholders can earn up to 100,000 miles per year for referring friends to the Venture X card (up to four referrals per year; 25,000 miles awarded per referral)
- Complimentary Hertz President Circle* status for primary cardholders, authorized users and account managers. Benefits include: skip the counter and e-return, the widest vehicle selection, guaranteed upgrades, free additional driver, and more.
- Complimentary cell phone insurance, up to $800 in coverage**
- No additional annual fee to add authorized users
*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
**Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Refer to your Guide to Benefits for more details.
In the first year, you'll receive $300 in travel credits and 75,000 miles worth at least $750 in travel from the welcome bonus, which makes this card easier to justify.
CNBC Select calculated how many points the average American can earn in a year when using their Capital One Venture X 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 what the average consumer would earn using this card:
- Groceries: 10,348 Capital One miles
- Gas: 4,436 Capital One miles
- Dining out: 7,350 Capital One miles
- Travel: 11,220 Capital One miles (Assuming all travel earns 5X miles for every dollar spent on flights through Capital One Travel)
- Utilities: 9,724 Capital One miles
- General purchases: 7,906 Capital One miles
With all spending considered, this would give a cardholder 50,984 Capital One miles in the first year, and if you include the 75,000 miles welcome bonus, 125,984 miles. Over a five year period, cardholders could earn 229,920 Capital One miles. Cardholders could earn more (or less) miles depending on their annual spending habits.
But arguably the best part of the card is earning Capital One miles that can be redeemed in a number of ways.
How to earn and redeem Capital One miles
Earning Capital One miles
Earning Capital One miles is simple as Capital One offers several travel credit cards, including the Capital One Venture X card, with excellent spending categories.
With the Venture X card, you will earn:
- 2X miles for every dollar spent on all eligible purchases
- When booking travel through the Capital One Travel portal, you will earn 5X miles for every dollar spent on flights and 10X miles for every dollar spent on hotels and rental cars
This means that all purchases outside of Capital One Travel bookings will earn you a minimum of 2% back in value, which is a respectable return. And if you prefer to book through Capital One Travel you'll be rewarded handsomely.
If you enjoy earning Capital One miles, but don't want to pay a large annual fee upfront, be sure to also consider the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.
Redeeming Capital One miles
Capital One miles can be redeemed in several ways, including:
- Booking travel directly through Capital One Travel
- Transferring them to the 15+ different airline and hotel partners (like Air France-KLM Flying Blue and Air Canada Aeroplan)
- Use them for recent travel purchases on your credit card statement
- Redeem them for gift cards
- Redeem for cash back (note: this is the least valuable option. If you want to earn cash back, consider a cash-back credit card)
The most valuable way to redeem Capital One miles is to transfer them to the various travel partners and book business or first-class award flights. The 15+ partners include: Aeromexico, Air Canada, Air France-KLM, ALL Accor Live Limitless, Avianca, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Choice Privileges, Emirates, Etihad, EVA Air, Finnair, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines and Wyndham Hotels.
While the majority of these are international programs, they're still great to book U.S. based flights. For example, you can send your miles to Turkish Airlines and book one-way United Airlines flights to Hawaii for 7,500 miles in economy and 12,500 miles in first class.
By transferring them, you're able to have more control over the value of your miles. This is different than redeeming them through Capital One Travel or erasing travel purchases, which gives Capital One miles a fixed value of one cent per point.
Rates and fees
The card has a $395 annual fee. It does not have any foreign transaction fees. The balance transfer fee is $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) and late payment fees can be up to $40.
If you plan on carrying a balance month to month, this card may not be the best. It has a high interest rate range of 19.49% - 28.49% variable APR. If you want to avoid accruing interest, consider a credit card with a 0% introductory APR offer.
Card comparison
The Capital One Venture X can provide great value for consumers who enjoy traveling and want perks to make their experience even better. But, is the Venture X the best travel-rewards credit card for you?
CNBC Select analyzed two other premium travel credit cards to see how they match up with one another.
Capital One Venture X vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve®
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a great premium travel credit card, but how does it match up to the Venture X?
It has a $795 annual fee, but it comes with a long list of benefits, including being able to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points. As you spend on the card, you will earn:
- 8X points on all purchases through Chase TravelSM, including The EditSM
- 4X points on flights and hotels booked direct
- 3X points on dining worldwide
- 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
The benefits of the card are very similar to the Capital One Venture X, as both include travel insurance, a $300 travel credit, airport lounge access through Priority Pass, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck® credit and rental car insurance.
The Capital One Venture X's welcome offer of 75,000 miles is less than the 100,000 points + $500 Chase TravelSM promo credit offered by the Sapphire Reserve (after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening). While Chase points are worth more when redeemed through Chase Travel℠ with the Sapphire Reserve, the flexibility of Capital One miles to cover recent travel purchases. However, Capital One miles are worth only 1 cent each when redeemed this way.
Capital One has more transfer partners than Chase, but Chase's partners include more hotel and domestic airline options. You'll want to evaluate how you'll redeem points to decide which program is more useful to you.
Overall, the Sapphire Reserve offers a few more benefits, like DoorDash memberships. But these are more so considered "lifestyle benefits". If you're specifically focused on travel-related benefits, the Capital One Venture X travel perk's more easily offset the annual fee compared the Sapphire Reserve.
Capital One Venture X vs. American Express Platinum Card®
The American Express Platinum Card® is a premium card loaded with annual statement credits, entertainment benefits, extensive airport lounge access, elite status perks and more. (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
- Access to 1,550+ airport lounges, including Priority Pass™ Select lounges (enrollment required) and Amex Centurion lounges
- Statement credit offers worth up to twice what the annual fee costs
- Elite status perks for hotels and rental cars (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
- High annual fee
- Many statement credit offers are complicated and are earned in increments or limited to specific purchases
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 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $12,000 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.
- Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges.* As of 07/2025.
- $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
- $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
- $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® to make eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you.
- $209 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
- Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
- $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That's up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®.* Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
- 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.
- $895 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Balance transfer fee
N/A
Foreign transaction fee
None
The American Express Platinum Card® is another premium travel card available to consumers, but how does it stack up against the Venture X?
The card has a $895 annual fee (see rates and fees), which is one of the highest annual fees around.
To get started with the card, you may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
As you spend on the card, you will earn:
- 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings
- 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year
- 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases
The card also comes with a long list of lifestyle and travel benefits, including:
- $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply. (Enrollment required)
- Up to $200 airline fee credit (Enrollment required)
- Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck® at no additional cost.
- $300 annual digital entertainment credit. (Enrollment required)
- Up to $300 per calendar year equinox credit. (Enrollment required) Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
- $155 Walmart+ credit. Plus ups not eligible. Subject to auto-renewal. Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.
- $209 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps to get you to your gate faster at 55+ airports nationwide and get up to $209 back in statement credits per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card.
- Access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, including Centurion lounges and Delta SkyClubs when flying Delta on the same day. (Enrollment required) Certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade.
- Complimentary gold status at Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors (Enrollment required)
- Comprehensive travel insurance
- Rental car loyalty program benefits
- Access to American Express concierge service
The Amex Platinum has now rebranded itself as a lifestyle card, rather than purely a travel card. Compared to the Venture X, one is not necessarily better than the other, as both cards target slightly different audiences.
If your goal is to grab a travel credit card purely for travel, the Capital One Venture X is likely the better choice. However, the Platinum has more travel perks than the Venture X, including better airport lounge access and complimentary hotel elite status with Hilton and Marriott. Most will have an easier time recouping the cost of the annual fee with the Venture X's simple travel credit and anniversary miles, but the Amex Platinum does offer over a whopping $3,500 in value annually.
Who the Capital One Venture X card is best for
The Capital One Venture X is a great addition to the credit card portfolio of someone who enjoys traveling and is not brand loyal. The points you earn can be used to cover any travel purchase, so this card is really best for someone who isn't focused on earning status with either a hotel or airline.
This card is a solid option for someone who values simplicity when it comes to earning back the value of their annual fee. By simply using the travel credit, earning the 10,000 miles anniversary bonus, and earning 2X points on every dollar spent on eligible purchases — cardholders will quickly make up for the cost of the $395 annual fee.
Additionally, if you have upcoming travel that you've not planned yet, this card would be a great addition for multiple reasons. You'd be able to take advantage of the credits for travel immediately after receiving the card, and the associated spending would get you even closer to meeting the minimum spend threshold to reach the 100,000-point welcome bonus.
Also, if you've trusted family members or friends, this card is great as there are no additional fees for authorized users. They will have equal access to airport lounges and help you earn even more Capital One miles along the way.
Lastly, if you have an iPhone or another smartphone that is worth a decent chunk of change, this card is great as it comes with cell phone insurance. All you need to do is pay your monthly bill with the card, and it is automatically covered in case of damage or theft.
Bottom line
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is arguably one of the best premium credit cards on the market right now. It has a modest annual fee (for a premium card) and delivers value quickly in the form of travel credits. And the welcome offer makes this card incredibly valuable in its first year.
However, before applying for this card, be sure that you have an excellent credit score as well as the ability to earn the welcome offer without overspending. But if you're an avid traveler and are able to meet the criteria for the card, this one is worth strongly considering.
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Read more
For rates and fees of the American Express Platinum Card®, click here.
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.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
