Capital One Venture X Review: Is It Worth the Annual Fee?
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a premium travel credit card that offers a generous welcome bonus, valuable travel perks, and a solid rewards program. But is it worth the hefty annual fee?
In this review, we’ll take a deep dive into the Venture X’s features and benefits, as well as its drawbacks, to help you determine if it’s the right credit card for you.
Key Features
- Welcome Bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
- Annual Fee: $395
- Rewards Earning: 2 miles per $1 spent on all purchases.
- Travel Perks: Priority Pass Select membership, airport lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, and more.
- Redemption Options: Miles can be redeemed for travel, merchandise, gift cards, and more.
- Transfer Partners: Capital One miles can be transferred to a variety of airline and hotel loyalty programs.
Welcome Bonus
The Venture X’s welcome bonus is one of its biggest draws. You’ll earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. This is a substantial amount of miles that can be used for a variety of travel expenses.
Annual Fee
The Venture X’s annual fee is $395, which is on the higher end for travel credit cards. However, the card’s generous perks and rewards potential can offset the cost for some cardholders.
Rewards Earning
The Venture X earns 2 miles per $1 spent on all purchases, making it one of the most lucrative credit cards for earning miles.
Travel Perks
The Venture X offers a suite of valuable travel perks, including:
- Priority Pass Select membership: This perk grants you access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide.
- Airport lounge access: The Venture X also provides complimentary access to Capital One Lounges.
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit: The card covers the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
- Travel insurance: The Venture X offers a variety of travel insurance benefits, including trip cancellation, baggage delay, and medical evacuation.
- Hotel benefits: You’ll receive benefits like late checkout and room upgrades when you book through Capital One Travel.
Redemption Options
Venture X miles can be redeemed for a variety of travel expenses, including:
- Flights
- Hotels
- Car rentals
- Cruises
- Vacation packages
You can also redeem miles for merchandise, gift cards, and more.
Transfer Partners
Capital One miles can be transferred to a variety of airline and hotel loyalty programs, including:
- Aeroplan
- British Airways Executive Club
- Flying Blue
- Iberia Plus
- JetBlue TrueBlue
- Korean Air SkyPass
- Marriott Bonvoy
- Miles & More
- Peninsula Hotels
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
Benefits
The Venture X offers a number of benefits for cardholders, including:
- Excellent rewards earning potential
- Valuable travel perks
- Generous welcome bonus
- Flexible redemption options
- No foreign transaction fees
Drawbacks
The Venture X does have some drawbacks, including:
- High annual fee
- Limited transfer partners compared to other premium travel credit cards
- Miles expire after 5 years of inactivity
Who Is the Venture X Right For?
The Venture X is a good option for frequent travelers who value travel perks and rewards potential. The card’s high annual fee can be offset by the value of its benefits, but it’s not the right choice for everyone.
Alternative Cards
If you’re not sure if the Venture X is the right fit for you, here are a few alternative credit cards to consider:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve
- American Express Platinum Card
- The Platinum Card from American Express
Conclusion
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a solid option for travelers who are looking for a credit card with generous rewards potential and valuable travel perks. However, the high annual fee may make it unsuitable for casual travelers or those who are on a tight budget.