If you’re like me, you’re always looking for ways to make your adventures more affordable and fun. That’s why you can earn points and miles. They help me travel longer, better and cheaper.
Today I’d like to talk about a card that has become increasingly popular over the past few years: the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. Designed for travelers who want to easily accumulate miles without having to figure out bonus categories.
And in the last few years, they’ve really improved this card. I love this card’s travel portal, transfer partners, and all the perks that come with it, so it’s currently one of my primary cards.
With a generous sign-up bonus, premium travel benefits, and an impressive rewards structure, Venture X is worth considering if you’re looking for a new card. Here’s what you need to know about this card and why I think you should consider getting it.
What is the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card?
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a travel rewards card issued by Capital One. What I like about this card is its miles system. Earn 2 miles for every dollar spent. This (along with the low-fee Capital One Venture Rewards Card) is unique among travel credit cards. There are also no additional fees for up to four authorized users, making it a good option for families who need multiple cards.
In addition to earning at least 2x Miles on every purchase, you can also earn Miles by:
75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 5x miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
Additional perks and benefits of Capital One Venture X
In addition to earning miles, Venture X offers a variety of benefits.
$300 travel credit when you book through the Capital One portal Up to $120 credit with Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Unlimited complimentary access to Capital One, Priority Pass, and Plaza Premium Lounges 10,000 bonus miles every year starting on your 1st anniversary $100 Experiences Premium benefits included with every hotel and vacation rental booked through Premier Collection, including credits Travel insurance coverage, including key rental car insurance, trip interruption and cancellation, and baggage refunds No foreign transaction fees
With an annual fee of $395, it’s also the cheapest premium travel card (and if you can use the $300 travel credit, the fee drops to a manageable $95).
How to use Capital One miles
Capital One miles can be redeemed in several ways. One way is to book your trip directly through Capital One’s portal. I don’t usually recommend booking through credit card portals, but to get the most out of your Venture X travel credits, you should book at least $300 worth of travel this way.
Another option is to use your miles to get reimbursed for your travel purchases. Refunds are available at a redemption rate of 1 cent per mile for 90 days after making such a purchase. You can use your miles for cash back after 90 days and on all other purchases at a redemption rate of 0.5 cents per mile (but don’t do this as it’s not a great deal).
However, you can get the most out of your miles by transferring them to Capital One’s 15+ airline and hotel partners. While the actual value will vary depending on your reservation, flight and hotel awards are typically worth much more than the 1 cent per mile mentioned above. (The process is very easy and can be done through your Capital One account.)
Capital One’s current travel partners include:
Accor Live Limitless Aeromexico Club Premier Air Canada Aeroplan Air France/KLM Flying Blue Avianca LifeMiles British Airways Executive Club Cathay Pacific Asia Miles Choice Benefits Emirates Skywards Etihad Airways Guest EVA Air Infinity Mileageland Finnair Plus Qantas Frequent Flyer Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Virgin Red Wyndham Rewards
If you want to maximize the value of your miles, using a transfer partner can be a game-changer. So unless I find a super cheap flight or hotel room (less than $150 USD), I always transfer my miles to Capital One’s travel partners. This is especially true when booking business class flights or luxury hotel rooms. You can get more value than your money.
Plus, with tools like points.me and Awayz (a search engine that helps you find the best flights and hotels to book with miles), finding the best redemption option is easier than ever. I did.
Advantages of Capital One Venture
Great Welcome Offer 2x Miles on Every Purchase $300 Annual Travel Credit Over 15 Transportation Partners Travel Accident and Rental Car Insurance Up to $120 Credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck Capital One and Priority Pass Airport Lounges Access to No Foreign Transaction Fees
Cons of Capital One Venture
High annual fee of $395 Requires use of Capital One’s travel portal for some benefits (e.g. 10x miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals, and car rentals) Slight lack of transportation partners (no US airlines, not the best hotels)
Who is this card for?
Capital One Venture X is perfect for frequent travelers who want an easy card with higher earning percentages on every purchase. If you fly frequently, stay in hotels, and don’t mind paying an annual fee for premium benefits, this card is for you.
Who is this card not suitable for?
On the other hand, if you’re not a frequent traveler or don’t spend enough to offset the $395 annual fee, Venture X may not be the best fit for you. It’s also not ideal if you’re looking for a card with high reward rates in specific categories like meals and groceries.
If you travel occasionally or want a lower annual fee, you may want to choose a different card that fits your spending habits and how often you travel. Because there is no such thing as a proper card. There is only the card that is best for you.
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The Capital One Venture Weigh the pros and cons to see if it’s right for your travel lifestyle. As I said at the beginning, this is one of my favorite cards and I highly recommend getting it.
Travel booking: logistics tips and tricks
Book a flight
Find cheap flights with Skyscanner. This is my favorite search engine. We search websites and airlines from all over the world, so you always know that every step is taken.
Book your accommodation
You can book hostels on Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, Booking.com always has the best deals on guesthouses and hotels.
Don’t forget travel insurance
Travel insurance protects you from illness, injury, theft, and cancellation. Comprehensive protection in case something goes wrong. I never travel without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
Want to travel for free?
With a travel credit card, you can earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation without spending extra. Check out our guide to choosing the right card and my current favorites to see the latest deals.
Having trouble finding activities for your trip?
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.
Ready to book your trip?
Check out my resources page for the best companies to use when traveling. I’ll list everything I use when I travel. It’s the best in its class, so you can definitely use it while traveling.
