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The Capital One Venture credit cards are an excellent choice for travelers who want to earn miles, redeem rewards, and enjoy travel perks—all without the complexity of some competing credit cards. Whether you’re a casual explorer or a frequent flier, the Venture portfolio has something for everyone.
Here’s a breakdown of the three cards:
- Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card: perfect for beginners, with no annual fee
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: a well-rounded option with travel perks and a $95 annual fee
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: the premium card with a $395 annual fee, packed with luxury travel benefits and credits that more than offset the annual fee
Let’s dive into the details to help you understand why these cards are good for travelers and how to pick the right one for you.
Rack up mega-miles easily
All three Venture cards come with excellent welcome bonuses to get you started:
- VentureOne: Earn 20,000 miles after spending $500 in the first three months with the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.
- Venture: Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in three months with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.
- Venture X: Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in three months with the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
Beyond the bonuses, every card rewards your everyday spending:
- VentureOne: Earn 1.25 miles per dollar on everything, plus 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
- Venture: Earn 2 miles per dollar on all purchases and 5 miles per dollar on travel booked through Capital One.
- Venture X: Enjoy the most rewards, with 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars and 5 miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One, and 2 miles on everything else.
Get lounge access
To compete with Chase and American Express, Capital One has expanded into the airport lounge space with its own Capital One Lounges and chef-driven Capital One Landings, which we think are some of the best lounge experiences in the biz. In addition, the Venture X provides a Priority Pass Select membership on par with other top-tier travel cards.
- VentureOne: no lounge access
- Venture: discounted lounge access at Capital One Lounges and Landings ($45/visit)
- Venture X: unlimited lounge access at Capital One Lounges for you and two guests; unlimited access at Capital One Landings for you and one guest; Priority Pass membership for you, granting entry to 1,600+ lounges worldwide alongside two guests, free of charge
Score hotel and vacation rental perks
- Venture and Venture X: access to Capital One’s Lifestyle Collection, a selection of boutique properties worldwide, with perks like $50 credits and room upgrades
- Venture X: additional access to the Premier Collection, a curated selection of top hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals, with $100 experience credits, daily breakfast for two, and space-available room upgrades
Earn annual credits
- Venture X: Receive $300 in annual travel credits when booking through Capital One Travel, reducing the effective annual fee to $95. Also receive an annual 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary (valued at $100 in travel). This further reduces the annual fee to below zero.
Get Global Entry and TSA PreCheck
- VentureOne: no credits
- Venture: up to $120 every four years for these trusted traveler programs
- Venture X: up to $120 every four years for these trusted traveler programs
Add users
All three Capital One Venture cards let you add authorized users without any additional fees. This feature makes the Venture X (annual fee: $395) a true standout in the premium travel credit card market because it’s the only high-fee card allowing free additional cardholders while still granting lounge benefits. A primary cardmember can add up to four authorized users; each will have individual access to Capital One lounges (plus two guests), Capital One Landings (plus one guest), and a Priority Pass membership (with entry for themselves plus two guests). Additionally, authorized users have access to Capital One Travel’s Premier Collection and Lifestyle Collection. This is truly an exceptional value.
Which card is right for you?
While all three cards offer valuable rewards, the main differences are in the annual fees and travel benefits. Choosing the best Venture card depends on your travel style and budget:
- VentureOne: great for occasional travelers who want to avoid annual fees
- Venture: ideal for those who want some perks without breaking the bank
- Venture X: perfect for frequent travelers who can maximize the extensive benefits and want to add authorized users
Overall, these three Venture cards are strong choices thanks to hefty welcome bonuses, excellent earnings on everyday spending, and solid travel perks. For many, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers the best balance of perks and cost, with a $95 annual fee and up to $750 in travel value from the 75,000-mile welcome bonus. That said, if you travel often, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card pays for itself with credits, lounge access, and premium perks. The $395 annual fee is effectively offset by annual travel credits and anniversary miles. Combine that with exceptional lounge access and generous authorized user benefits, and it’s clear why this card is a top choice throughout much of the credit card community.
While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they are subject to change at any time, and may have changed or may no longer be available.
This article was originally published September 2023. It was updated with new information January 2025.
