Capital One Venture X Credit Card Review: Premium Benefits with an Affordable Annual Fee

Overview of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card marks the issuer’s entry into the premium travel rewards arena, delivering impressive value. With a competitive annual fee and a host of straightforward perks, this card is a great option for both luxury enthusiasts and budget-conscious travelers. Competitors like Chase and Amex should take note. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

* Card rating reflects the editorial opinion of TPG and is not influenced by the card issuer.

The Capital One Venture X stands among premium cards such as The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. It offers robust travel benefits and valuable credits, but with a significantly lower annual fee of $395 (see rates and fees).

With Capital One expanding its exclusive airport lounge network, the appeal of the Venture X card continues to grow. Alongside their initial lounge at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and a second at Washington D.C.'s Dulles International Airport, they’ve recently added a third at Denver International Airport. Venture X cardholders enjoy unlimited free access to these lounges, plus over 1,300 Priority Pass partner lounges for themselves and two guests.

If Dallas Fort Worth, Dulles, or Denver is your regular airport, this might be all the information you need to decide. However, if you're still weighing whether the Venture X is right for you, here's a complete guide before you hit that "apply" button. Note: this card requires excellent credit, so TPG suggests a credit score of 740 or above.

Pros and cons of the Capital One Venture X

Welcome offer for the Capital One Venture X

The Venture X card offers a sign-up bonus of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of opening your account. While this bonus isn't as generous as the initial launch offer, it still aligns with our guidelines for when to apply.

Based on TPG's June 2024 valuations, those 75,000 Capital One miles are worth approximately $1,388, thanks to the high value derived from transferring miles to Capital One's airline and hotel partners.

If managing transferable points isn't your thing, you can redeem your Capital One miles directly for travel at a straightforward rate of 1 cent per mile, giving the sign-up bonus a value of $750.

Perks of the Capital One Venture X

Although its $395 annual fee (see rates and fees) is lower than most high-end competitors, the Venture X card provides perks that can easily balance out the cost, making it a valuable option:

• Annual credit: Receive $300 in credits each year for bookings through Capital One Travel
• Anniversary bonus: Earn 10,000 bonus miles every year on your account anniversary, starting from the first (equivalent to $100 towards travel)
• Lounge access: Enjoy free access to Capital One Lounges and partner lounges for you and up to two guests per visit
• Additional cardholders: Add extra users for free (see rates and fees); they enjoy the benefits while you earn rewards on their spending
• Luxury hotel access: Access the Capital One Premier Collection with exclusive perks like experience credits, room upgrades (where available), and the Lifestyle Collection for more options.

• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck: Get up to $120 in statement credits for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.
• Trip delay coverage: Reimbursement up to $500 per person for reasonable expenses if your trip is delayed over six hours.*
• Cellphone protection: Pay your wireless bill with the card, and your phone is covered for the next month, with a $50 deductible per claim.*
• Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver: Enjoy built-in rental car insurance when you use your covered Visa Infinite card, letting you decline the rental agency's coverage*
• Extended Warranty: Automatically extend warranties on qualifying purchases made with your Venture X card*
• Return Protection: Benefit from 90 days of Return Protection for eligible purchases made with your card*

How to earn miles with the Capital One Venture X

The Venture X earns miles at these rates:

• 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel
• 5 miles per dollar spent on vacation rentals and flights booked via Capital One Travel
• 2 miles per dollar on all other purchases

This straightforward approach is an evolution of the $95-a-year Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees), which has been on the market for over ten years. The Venture X combines the best of both worlds — exceptional rewards for travel spending and a dependable earning rate for everyday purchases.

How to redeem miles with the Capital One Venture X

When it's time to use your Capital One miles, you have multiple choices. To maximize your rewards, consider transferring them to Capital One's network of over 15 hotel and airline partners.

If you prefer a straightforward approach, you can redeem your miles at a consistent value for these options:

• Book travel: Reserve your trips directly through the Capital One Travel portal.
• Cover travel expenses: Apply your miles to erase travel charges from your statement without the need to navigate loyalty programs.
• Gift card redemption: Exchange your miles for gift cards from a wide range of stores, eateries, and more.

Keep in mind that these fixed-value redemptions often fall short of TPG's June 2024 valuation of 1.85 cents per mile. It's best to avoid the cash-back option, as the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card or Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card provide better value for direct cash-back rewards.

The details for the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards card have been sourced independently by Dinogo. The card issuer has not reviewed or endorsed the information presented here.

Transferring your miles with the Capital One Venture X

For the best use of your Capital One miles, consider transferring them to any of Capital One's 15+ hotel and airline partners, with top choices like Air Canada Aeroplan and Choice Privileges.

For example, TPG's managing editor Matt Moffitt appreciates the flexibility of transferring his miles to Avianca LifeMiles for premium cabin trips on United to Sydney, or to British Airways Executive Club for direct domestic flights on American Airlines.

Whatever your travel style, you’ll discover solid value through Capital One's transfer partners.

Which cards are alternatives to the Capital One Venture X?

With a $395 annual fee (see rates and fees), the Venture X is part of the premium travel cards lineup. You may want to explore other high-end options if you're seeking benefits like broader lounge access or more versatile travel credits. And if a premium fee isn't for you, Capital One's mid-tier travel card can still offer some of the same perks.

• Looking for more perks? The Amex Platinum provides greater access to airport lounges and a comprehensive suite of benefits and perks that can easily justify its $695 annual fee (see rates and fees). For more insights, see our detailed Amex Platinum review.
• Seeking enhanced travel and dining rewards? With the Chase Sapphire Reserve, cardholders can earn 10 points per dollar on hotel and car rentals through Chase Travel℠, and 5 points per dollar on airfare, similar to the Venture X. Additionally, it offers 3 points per dollar on other travel and dining, surpassing the Venture X. For more information, read our comprehensive review of the Sapphire Reserve.
• Prefer a lower annual fee? The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has a much more modest $95 annual fee (see rates and fees) and offers the same solid earning rate of 2 miles per dollar. It also includes a credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. Learn more in our in-depth review of the Capital One Venture Rewards.

For even more alternatives, check out our top picks for premium travel cards.

Key takeaway

With straightforward rewards, excellent lounge access, and strong overall value, the Venture X stands out, particularly for those in the market for a premium travel rewards card. Plus, it offers numerous hidden perks, including Visa Infinite benefits that cover trip, baggage, car rental, and purchase protections. Combine that with an expanding network of airport lounges, fee-free additional cardholders (see rates and fees), Capital One's extensive transfer partners, and an upscale hotel program, and it’s a compelling choice.

Some benefits for Capital One products mentioned on this page may be offered by Visa® or Mastercard® and can differ based on the product. Refer to the Guide to Benefits for more details, as terms and exclusions may apply.