When the Capital One Venture X Credit Card launched in late 2021, I used to be one in every of the first to use — and it has been a staple in my pockets ever since.
As a frequent traveler, I’ve used this card extensively over the previous three years, taking full benefit of its invaluable journey perks, premium lounge entry and robust incomes potential.
So, it is no shock that The Points Guy topped Venture X as the Best Premium Travel Credit Card at the 2024 TPG Awards.
In this information, I’ll break down precisely what makes this card stand out, share my private experiences and allow you to resolve whether or not it deserves a spot in your pockets, too.
Valuable early spend bonus
Venture X has one in every of the most respected early spend bonuses on the market. New cardholders can earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first three months from account opening.
So, what can these miles get you? One of the easiest redemption choices is to cowl journey purchases made in your Venture X card in the final 90 days. So, you could possibly use the 75,000-mile early spend bonus to cowl a $750 Airbnb keep or a $750 flight to Japan.
You also can switch your miles to one in every of Capital One’s 15-plus airline and lodge companions. Last yr, I transformed 50,000 miles into Flying Blue miles to fly enterprise class again from the Paris Olympics. During the 11-hour Air France flight, I savored French delicacies, skilled heat hospitality and took a day nap earlier than arriving residence. These are solely two examples of the some ways you possibly can redeem your miles.
Reasonable annual price
Venture X’s $395 annual price (see charges and charges) is decrease than a few of its premium card opponents, and two advantages, particularly, greater than make up for it, which means this card is price holding onto yr after yr.
First, the $300 annual journey credit score can be utilized to ebook flights, inns, trip leases and rental vehicles by means of Capital One Travel. Terms apply. That drops the efficient annual price to $95. I used this yr’s journey credit score to completely cowl the price of a weeklong Hertz automobile rental — and I obtained a automobile improve as a result of this card additionally grants you top-tier Hertz President’s Circle standing*. Terms apply.
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You’ll additionally obtain 10,000 bonus miles in your first card anniversary after which yearly after that, which Capital One values at $100.
With these two perks, price $400 collectively, you are successfully being “paid” $5 to carry the card every year.
Premium lounge entry
Capital One has a fast-growing lounge community, with lounges open at Denver International Airport (DEN), Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, Dulles International Airport (IAD) close to Washington, D.C., and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), which I go to often, as I’m primarily based in Texas.
Last yr, Capital One debuted an modern, high-end eating idea known as the “Capital One Landing” at D.C.’s Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Here, you possibly can get pleasure from an a la carte menu curated by famend Spanish American chef José Andrés, in addition to signature cocktails and barista-made espresso.
A second Capital One Landing at New York City’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and a full lounge at the metropolis’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) are additionally scheduled to reach quickly.
On high of that, cardholders obtain limitless entry for themselves and as much as two company to 1,300-plus taking part Priority Pass™ lounges round the world.**
High incomes charges
Venture X is my go-to card for on a regular basis purchases, particularly when touring overseas. It earns 2 miles per greenback spent on virtually every little thing — from groceries to gasoline to live performance tickets — whereas charging no international transaction charges (see charges and charges).
And that incomes charge is boosted once you ebook by means of Capital One Travel. You’ll earn 5 miles per greenback spent on flights and trip leases and 10 miles per greenback spent on inns and automobile leases booked by means of Capital One Travel.
Plus, if the worth of a flight booked by means of Capital One Travel drops in the 10 days after you purchase it, Capital One will mechanically refund you the distinction (as much as $50) in the type of a journey credit score.
And if you wish to elevate your journey even additional, Venture X cardholders have entry to the Premier Collection by means of Capital One Travel, a curated checklist of luxurious inns, resorts and trip leases that include unique advantages, together with:
- Enjoy day by day breakfast for two (inns solely)
- A $100 property credit score that may cowl extras like spa providers, dinner or drinks
- A room improve, early check-in and late checkout (topic to availability)
Fast-track airport safety
If you need to get by means of airport safety and customs extra shortly, Venture X will help. Every 4 years, you will obtain a credit score of as much as $120 for a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership, which presents expedited safety and customs screening.
My suggestion is to use for Global Entry, because it features a complimentary TSA PreCheck membership anyway. I used Venture X to cowl my $120 Global Entry renewal at the begin of 2025, permitting me to make use of each providers by means of 2029.
Bottom line
If you are a frequent traveler who values premium perks, easy rewards and a seamless airport expertise, Venture X is a top-tier selection. That’s why it has been in my pockets because it launched in late 2021.
With a beneficiant early spend bonus, credit that absolutely offset the annual price and aggressive incomes charges — particularly on journey purchases — you will maximize each greenback spent. Plus, Capital One’s increasing lounge community and Priority Pass membership make sure you’ll journey in type wherever you go.
Ready to raise your journey expertise? Read our full overview to dive into the particulars and study extra about Venture X — your subsequent journey begins now.
*Upon enrollment, accessible by means of the Capital One web site or cellular app, eligible cardholders will stay at that standing stage by means of the period of the provide. Please notice, enrolling by means of the regular Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment course of (e.g., at Hertz.com) is not going to mechanically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders is not going to be mechanically upgraded to the relevant standing tier. Terms and exclusions apply.
**Prices, facilities and hours of operation are topic to alter at any time and with out prior discover. Cardholders is not going to be compensated for adjustments in places, charges or insurance policies. Access isn’t assured and is topic to area availability. To qualify for complimentary or discounted Lounge and Landing entry, card accounts should be in good standing and cardholders should current their eligible Capital One card. Additionally, cardholders and company should current a boarding go with a confirmed seat task for a departing or connecting same-day flight. We is not going to admit cardholders or company with boarding passes for arriving flights with no connection or with no intent on touring to a different vacation spot. Guests could enter as much as 3 hours earlier than their departure time. Guests underneath 18 should be accompanied by an grownup. Must be of authorized consuming age to devour alcoholic drinks. Please drink responsibly. Any individual displaying or taking part in inappropriate conduct or failing to stick to Lounge and Landings guidelines, together with, however not restricted to, conduct that’s disruptive, abusive or violent is topic to elimination. Learn extra about Capital One Lounge and Landing entry insurance policies right here.