Most travelers dabbling in points and miles wind up facing a choice: Should you pay up for a premium travel card to unlock benefits like airport lounge access and money-saving travel credits? Or stick with something cheaper without all the extra perks?

The *capital one venture x* splits the difference. Four years after launching to great fanfare, Capital One's premium travel card remains one of our favorite cards on the market – if not the top option, period.

It starts with a big, limited-time welcome offer of 100,000 Capital One miles after spending $10,000 in the first six months – miles you can easily use to cover the cost of cheap flights (and countless other travel expenses) or send on to an excellent array of Capital One transfer partners to get even more value. But then Capital One ups the ante with top-notch travel perks like lounge access, a $300 Capital One Travel credit, a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus (beginning in year two), unbeatable travel insurance coverage, and more.

Similar premium travel cards with these kinds of perks carry annual fees of nearly $800 (or more). But the Capital One Venture X credit card costs travelers just $395 a year, with an easier path to recoup that cost (and then some) than you'll find on any other top-dollar credit card. Along with all the other premium benefits, we believe that makes the Venture X a strong contender for many travelers looking to elevate their experience in 2025 and beyond.

Read on for our review of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and a full breakdown of all the card's benefits.

Read More: Sick of Annual Fees & ‘Coupons’? Get the Capital One Venture X

 

*capital one venture x*
Learn more about the *capital one venture x*

 

 

Full Card Benefits Overview

Venture X Card Welcome Offer Bonus

Capital One recently rolled out a best-ever offer on the Venture X, making now the perfect time to add this card to your arsenal. For a limited-time, you can earn 100,000 Capital One miles after spending just $10,000 in the first six months. 

While the spending requirement is higher, Capital One is giving you twice as long to meet it – six full months instead of three! For frequent travelers or anyone planning a big trip or purchase, that’s a much longer runway to earn a six-figure bonus … especially with the holiday shopping season and tax time upon us.

Considering you earn at least 2x miles on every dollar you spend, you'll actually earn at least 120,000 miles once all is said and done. Since Capital One miles are worth at least 1 cent apiece toward travel – and potentially much more when using transfer partners – that bonus alone is worth at least $1,200 towards travel.

Need some ideas? Read our list of the best ways to use your Capital One miles

 

An Annual $300 Travel Credit

Each year of card membership, Venture X cardholders get up to a $300 Capital One Travel credit to use to book flights, hotels, vacation rentals, or rental cars through the Capital One Travel portal. Simply book your travel through Capital One, and you'll automatically get up to $300 in credit toward your purchase.

Think of it this way: Do you plan to spend $300 or more on travel each year? Then this card's annual fee isn't $395 – it's more like $95. That automatically makes this card a brilliant alternative to the popular *capital one venture*.

Not to mention, you'll also earn 10x Capital One miles on hotels and rental cars and 5x miles on flights and vacation rentals booked via Capital One Travel … but only once you've exhausted that $300 credit. 

Read more: Everything You Need to Know About Capital One Venture X $300 Travel Credit

 

Capital One Lounge & Priority Pass Lounge Access

This is a big one.

Capital One Venture X cardholders get complimentary access to the new Capital One Lounges, the first of which officially opened its doors in Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) back in 2021. It took a few years, but you can now visit Capital One lounges in Denver (DEN), Washington, D.C.-Dulles (IAD), Las Vegas (LAS), and New York City (JFK), too.

Plus, Capital One also offers cardholders access to its hybrid airport lounge-restaurant concept called Capital One Landings. The one in Washington, D.C.-Reagan (DCA) is already open, with another at New York City-LaGuardia (LGA) on the way.

Each lounge is a bit different, but they've all got a great design, fun amenities, and absolutely outstanding food and drinks – easily among the best airport lounges in the U.S., period. Capital One puts a big emphasis on offering excellent food and drinks, with a local flair – and once you're in the door, it's all free.

 

capital one lounge jfk with chairs and benches

 

Finally, the Capital One Venture X will also comes with a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, giving you access to even more airport lounges across the world. Again, the quality and offerings in Priority Pass lounges can vary quite a bit. But even the worst Priority Pass lounge is still better than sitting at the gate in the terminal. 

Venture X cardholders get unlimited complimentary access for themselves and two guests at all these lounges until Feb. 1, 2026. At that time, guests will incur an extra cost … unless you spend $75,000 per year on your card. 

Read more: A Complete Guide to Capital One Lounges & Landings

 

The Premier & Lifestyle Collection of Hotels

In early 2023, Capital One launched The Premier Collection – a portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts, bookable with exclusive benefits for Venture X cardholders, similar to American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts®.

Just log into your account and head for the Capital One Travel portal, where you'll see the option to search for Premier Collection properties in addition to flights, stays, packages, rental cars, and activities.

 

Capital One Travel Premier & Lifestyle Collection hotel search

 

It's not just glamorous hotels and resorts that Capital One hopes will draw travelers in, either. Every Premier Collection booking unlocks a handful of additional perks that match (or exceed) the top levels of hotel status, including:

  • Free breakfast for two every morning
  • A $100 experience credit for dining, the spa, or other services at the property
  • Free Wi-Fi during your stay
  • Room upgrades, early check-in, and late check-out when available
  • Earn 10x miles per dollar on every booking
  • You can use your Venture X Card's $300 Capital One Travel credit for these hotel bookings

Additionally, Capital One has introduced the Lifestyle Hotel Collection, including brand names like Virgin, The Standard Design, and The LINE, as well as a number of boutique hotels around the world. While the Premier Collection is available exclusively to Venture X cardholders, the Lifestyle Collection will be available to other Capital One cardholders – including those with a *capital one venture*.

Cardholders will get perks usually reserved for those with hotel status or who hold a premium travel rewards credit card, such as earning more miles on stays, room upgrades, early check-in, and late checkout, as well as a $50 experience credit to use at bars, hotel restaurants, room service, or other activities.

 

Venture X $120 Credit for Global Entry or PreCheck

Add the Capital One Venture X to the growing list of credit cards offering up to a $120 credit for either TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry. Membership in either program is good for five years, and Venture X cardholders will get this credit every four years.

 

Global entry kiosk check-in machines

 

If you plan for any sort of international travel, spring for Global Entry, as it includes a TSA PreCheck membership. At just $120, the statement credit provided by the Venture X credit card will completely cover your membership cost for as long as you keep the card open.

Taking advantage of this credit is simple. Just use the card when you pay for your application, and voilà: Your credit will kick in to cover the entire cost.

Read more: Global Entry vs. TSA PreCheck: Which is Better for You?

 

10,000-Mile Anniversary Bonus

Each and every year on your account anniversary, you'll receive 10,000 bonus miles after paying your card's annual fee.

These miles are worth a minimum of $100 towards travel – and potentially much more by utilizing Capital One's list of transfer partners. You won't get this right when you open the card: This benefit starts in your second year and each year after that.

In our experience, Capital One deposits this 10,000-mile bonus about a month or two after paying your annual fee on the card, starting in your second year.

 

Venture x 10,000 Venture miles anniversary credit email notification

 

Read More: Wondering Whether to Renew Your Venture X Card? Make Sure You Read This

 

Earn Unlimited 2x Miles on Every Purchase

Like the regular Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, Capital One Venture X cardholders will earn 2x miles on every dollar spent on the card.

That's incredibly lucrative and could easily make the Venture X card a go-to option in your wallet for many expenses.

 

Earn Bonus Miles on Capital One Travel Purchases

In addition to the flat 2x miles that you'll earn on everyday purchases, Venture X cardholders earn a bigger bonus on travel purchases made through the Capital One Travel portal. 

You'll earn 10x miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars, and 5x miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel. 

 

Complimentary Hertz President's Circle Status

Venture X cardholders get complimentary Hertz President’s Circle status.

As the highest level of elite status in their Gold Plus Rewards program, President's Circle elite members who book an intermediate car or higher get guaranteed upgrades to the next available car class or the ability to choose a car from the President's Circle Ultimate Choice aisle.

Members can also skip the counter when renting a car, have access to a dedicated Hertz Rewards customer service line, and can add an additional driver at no extra cost.

Read our full story on why we love Hertz President's Circle status!

 

Travel Insurance & Rental Car Coverage

Premium travel credit cards typically come with some excellent travel protection policies, and the Venture X is no different.

This Capital One card is technically a Visa Infinite card, which is a distinction that doesn't matter much … until it comes to these benefits. Charge your rental car, flights, or any trip to your Venture X card, and you'll get added protections. 

 

Primary Rental Car Coverage

Some of the strongest rental car insurance you can get, nearly identical to what's available through the Chase Sapphire cards. Decline the rental car agency's policy and you'll have a strong insurance policy that will cover most damages or even the theft of the vehicle. It applies to rentals in the U.S. for up to 15 days and in most foreign countries for up to 31 days.

Check out the fine print of this policy.

 

Lost Luggage Reimbursement

Did an airline lose your luggage – or worse yet, did it get stolen? If you paid with your Venture X Card, you can get up to $3,000 to replace the bag and its contents (or $2,000 per bag for New York residents). The main cardholder and all immediate family members are covered when you use your card to pay for your flights.

 

Trip Delay Coverage

Get reimbursed for up to $500 in additional expenses like overnight hotel stays or new plane tickets if your travel is delayed by six hours (or more), or forces an overnight stay.

 

Cancellation and Interruption Coverage

If something goes seriously wrong on your trip, like an accident, illness, or death that forces you to cancel or cut it short, you're covered for up to $2,000 per person in expenses – and you, a spouse, and any dependent children are eligible.

That's on par with some of the best travel insurance policies from credit cards that we've ever seen. Just pay for your trip with your Venture X Card and you're set.

 

Venture X Annual Fee

The Venture X card has an annual fee of $395 each year. Compared to other premium travel credit cards, that's a bargain – so much so that it has us questioning how long it will last.

Ask yourself this: Are you the kind of person who plans to spend $400 a year or more on travel? If so, do the math, and you'll see that between the annual Capital One Travel credit and anniversary bonus, it's almost like you're getting paid to have this card.

If you're not the kind of person who spends $400-plus a year on travel, a premium travel card like this probably isn't the right fit for you.

Read more: Why The Capital One Venture X Annual Fee Shouldn't Scare You Off

 

No Foreign Transaction Fees

Because it's a Visa Infinite card, you won't pay foreign transaction fees when using your Capital One Venture X abroad.

Related reading: A Few Underrated Features Make the Capital One Venture X Best for International Travel

 

Redeeming Capital One Miles

Capital One flipped the travel world on its head by transforming Capital One miles into an indispensable travel rewards program for travelers who want to do more for less.

No other points or miles give you more flexibility and versatility to redeem them towards travel – any travel – than Capital One. Whether you’re just getting started with earning and redeeming miles and want a simple option, or consider yourself an advanced traveler who knows how to stretch your miles to the fullest, there’s a path for you with Capital One miles.

Here are a few of the best ways to redeem the miles earned with a Venture X card.

 

Cover Travel Purchases

Let’s start with the easiest route. This is what Capital One is really known for.

Just charge your flight, hotel, Airbnb, bucket-list golf trip, or almost any other travel expense to your Capital One card. A few days later, you can log in and remove that charge from your statement using miles.

 

Redeem Capital One Miles to Cover Travel Purchases

 

Read our step-by-step guide to covering travel purchases with Capital One miles!

Using Capital One miles this way, every one is worth 1 cent. That means you can book a $500 flight using 50,000 Capital One miles. That may not be earth-shattering value, but it’s easy as can be – and pairing it with a cheap flight deal can take you quite far, literally.

 

Book Through the Capital One Portal

Capital One has its own travel portal where you can search directly for flights, hotels, car rentals, and more, then book using miles.

Since the Capital One Venture X card earns bonus miles on flights, hotels, and rental cars booked through the portal, you really shouldn't be redeeming miles like this at all. Instead, you'd be better off using your card to pay for flights and other travel booked through the portal and then using your miles to cover the purchase later on

All that being said, there are a few other advantages to booking through the travel portal:

  • Capital One will automatically refund you if the price of your flight drops after booking. Those Price Drop Protection refunds are only available on flights where Capital One predicts that prices won’t fall, and they’re capped at up to $50 – or 5,000 Capital One miles – in refunds total. Still, that’s a nice feature.
  • You can freeze a fare through the portal for a small fee, then come back to buy it later at that price (within 14 days).
  • Much like Google Flights, Capital One allows you to set price alerts for the flights you want to book. That means you’ll get an email if the flights you’re looking at drop or increase in price.
  • Capital One offers an add-on “cancel for any reason” travel insurance policy, which is quite reasonably priced.

Unfortunately, the travel portal took a hit a couple of years ago when Capital One capped price drop refunds at $50 – and now, the portal's “Price Match Guarantee” gets paid out in travel credits instead of a refund to your card.

 

Level Up Using Capital One Transfer Partners

If you want the most value from your Capital One miles, you’ll want to look into Capital One transfer partners.

Capital One added the ability to transfer miles straight to airline programs back in late 2018. After steadily adding more and more partnersit’s now a bona fide option with some killer value. With few exceptions, every 1,000 Capital One miles you transfer gets you 1,000 airline miles or hotel points.

Here’s the full list.

 

ProgramTypeRatioTransfer Time
AeromexicoAirline1:1Instant
Air Canada Aeroplan Airline1:1Instant
Air France/KLMAirline1:1Instant
Avianca LifeMilesAirline1:1Instant
British AirwaysAirline1:1Instant
Cathay Pacific AsiaMilesAirline1:1Up to five business days
Emirates Airline1:1Instant
EtihadAirline1:1Up to 1 day
EVA AirAirline2:1.5Up to five business days
FinnairAirline1:1Instant
Japan AirlinesAirline2:1.5Instant
JetBlueAirline2:1.2TBD
QantasAirline1:1Instant
Qatar AirwaysAirline1:1TBD
SingaporeAirline1:1Instant
TAP Air PortugalAirline1:1Same day
Turkish AirlinesAirline1:1Same day
Virgin RedOther1:1Same day
AccorHotel2:1Up to two business days
Choice HotelsHotel1:1Same day
Preferred Hotels & ResortsHotel1:2TBD
WyndhamHotel1:1Same day

 

Read more: Save Points When Booking Flights: Transfer Them to an Airline Partner

 

Bottom Line

You can currently earn 100,000 miles after spending $10,000 in the first six months with the Venture X. Since you earn 2x miles on every dollar you spend, you'll end up with 120,000 miles worth a minimum of $1,200 towards travel.

Add in the card's easy-to-use $300 Capital One Travel credit and 10,000-mile anniversary bonus and it's quite easy to come out ahead of the $395 annual fee. Other perks like lounge access, top-notch travel protections, and rental car elite status sweeten the deal even further. 

If you're looking for a premium travel card without all the hassle and high fees, this is the one for you. 

 

*capital one venture x*

 

Learn more about the *capital one venture x*