Capital One VentureOne vs. Venture vs. Venture X

Trying to navigate the Capital One Venture lineup? The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card all offer rich rewards, straightforward redemptions, a lack of foreign transaction fees, and access to Capital One’s travel transfer partners. 

But when it comes to the annual fees, rewards, and travel perks, these three cards significantly differ. Here’s what you need to know.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card vs. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card vs. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card vs. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card vs. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Annual fee

When it comes to the annual fee, there’s a clear winner: the VentureOne Rewards card. For $0 a year, VentureOne Rewards cardholders get modest rewards and a decent welcome bonus. 

However, you’ll also get more perks by paying the higher annual fee on the Venture Rewards and Venture X Rewards cards.

The Venture Rewards card has a $95 annual fee, but cardholders receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® along with a $50 experience credit.

For those seeking amore luxurious travel experience, the $395-annual-fee Venture X Rewards Cardis worth considering. It offers premium perks such as $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel, 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary, up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®, and lounge access through a Priority Pass membership. Venture X cardholders gain unlimited entry to Capital One Lounges, too.

While you’ll need to pay a higher annual fee to unlock these extra benefits, the choice between the cards hinges on your willingness to pay the price and whether the perks would be useful to you.

Winner: Toss-up

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card vs. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card vs. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Welcome bonus

All three cards offer generous welcome bonuses. 

With the VentureOne Rewards card, you’ll earn 20,000 miles after spending $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening. Assuming a redemption value of 1 cent per 1 mile, this translates to $200 or an impressive 40% rate of return. Transferring your rewards to one of Capital One’s loyalty transfer partners could yield even greater value per point.

The Venture and Venture X cards offer identical welcome bonuses: Cardholders receive 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. Assuming a redemption value of 1 cent per 1 mile, this is worth $750—or an 18.75% rate of return. As with the VentureOne, this could potentially be even greater value if transferred to a loyalty partner. 

Although the VentureOne Rewards welcome bonus boasts a higher rate of return, the Venture and Venture X bonuses take the lead—a 75,000 mile bonus can go a long way when it comes to redeeming your points for travel or other purchases.

Winner: Venture

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card vs. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card vs. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Earning miles

All of the cards offer a flat rewards rate on all eligible purchases plus a higher rate on travel purchases booked through the Capital One Travel Portal. 

With the VentureOne Rewards card, you’ll earn 1.25x miles per dollar on every purchase and 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. 

Though you’ll have to cough up a higher annual fee with the Venture Rewards and Venture X Rewards cards, the trade-off is better rewards. Venture and Venture X rewards cardholders earn a flat rewards rate of 2x miles per dollar on all eligible purchases. So, what exactly is the difference between the two cards? 

Venture Rewards cardholders earn 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. 

Venture X cardholders get a more generous rate on travel purchases booked through Capital One of 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5x miles on flights booked through the issuer.

While Venture X Rewards cardholders earn higher rewards rates on travel booked through Capital One, the difference between the Venture X and Venture Rewards isn’t substantial, especially for cardholders who don’t plan on booking a lot of travel through the portal and just want to earn rewards on everyday spending. For that reason, the Venture Rewards card narrowly beat out the Venture X. 

Winner: Venture

How to redeem Capital One Miles

When you’re ready to put your miles to use, there are a variety of ways you can use them, whether it’s by using them to book hotel stays through Capital One, transferring them to a loyalty program or even just earning cash back. 

Cover past travel purchases

If you don’t book travel through Capital One, you can use your miles to cover past travel purchases like hotels, car rentals, and cruises. Just book travel with your Capital One credit card, and then you can opt to receive a statement credit to cover your costs.

Book travel through Capital One

You can use your points to book flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and more through the Capital One Travel portal. Generally, when you redeem points this way one mile is worth 1 cent.

Transfer points to travel partners

If you’re a member of a hotel or airline loyalty program, you may be able to transfer your Capital One miles to that program. Capital One has more than 15 travel partners, including Air Canada – Aeroplan, Flying Blue, Wyndham Rewards, and more. 

To transfer miles to these loyalty programs, you’ll need a minimum of 1,000 Capital One miles. Most partners offer a 1:1 transfer value. The value of your miles transferred this way could be worth more or less than 1 cent, depending on the cash price of the flight.

Pay with points and buy gift cards

Cardholders can use their points for online shopping, too. You can pay for purchases on Amazon and PayPal, the value of a mile is worth 0.7 cents per mile this way.

You can also use rewards to purchase gift cards from a wide variety of merchants which is generally worth 1 cent per mile although it can vary.

Earn cash back

Even though all three cards are travel credit cards, you can redeem your miles for cash by either getting a statement credit or check. However, we don’t recommend this option as cash-back for anything other than a previous travel purchase on the Capital One Venture cards is worth just 0.6 cents per point.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card vs. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card vs. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Travel perks

There are notable differences between the VentureOne, Venture, and Venture X cards when it comes to perks.

The VentureOne is a no-frills card for budget-conscious customers, so the perks are minimal . The Venture Card, though, is just one step above the VentureOne. 

The Venture is best for occasional travelers or those who can’t stomach a steep annual fee but can benefit from the statement credit to cover TSA PreCheck or Global Entry costs and two complimentary visits per year to Capital One Lounges or lounges in the Partner Lounge Network, which include Priority Pass and Plaza Premium Lounges. These perks alone are worth more than the annual cost to own the card.

Venture cardholders also get a $50 experience credit which they can use to upgrade their travel experience. The credit can be used to pay for room service, purchases at hotel restaurants, and more when you book a hotel stay through the Lifestyle Collection.

The Venture X Rewards card, however, stands tall for its premium benefits including unlimited lounge access, $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel portal, and 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary. This travel credit can only be used. 

Though the Venture X has the highest price tag, clocking at $395 a year, the perks can outweigh the cost if fully utilized.

Venture X cardholders also get unlimited access to Capital One, Plaza Premium and Priority Pass lounges for themselves and up to two guests. Plus, all authorized users also get this perk, making it a must-have for those who travel in large groups. multiple experience credits for hotel stays booked through the Lifestyle and Premium Collections. When cardholders book a hotel stay through the Premium Collection, they can use their $100 experience credit to cover dining or spa purchases. And when they book through the Lifestyle Collection, they get a $50 experience credit.

All-in-all, the Venture X rewards card’s benefits knock it out of the park, especially for cardholders who prioritize a premium travel experience.

Winner: Venture X 

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card vs. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card vs. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Travel protections and insurances

While both the Venture One and Venture Rewards cards offer the same protections and insurances—travel accident insurance and an auto rental collision damage waiver for those who are approved for the Visa Signature version of the card—the Venture X Rewards card takes travel benefits to the next level. 

Whether your trip is delayed or your luggage gets lost, Venture X cardholders are covered. Venture X cardholders receive lost luggage reimbursement, travel delay reimbursement, and trip cancellation and interruption benefits. Plus, Venture X cardholders get cell phone protection, worth up to $800 per year, which kicks in if your phone is damaged or lost.

The Venture X Rewards card emerges as the top choice, offering a robust set of protections and insurances that go beyond the standard offerings of its counterparts.

Winner: Venture X Rewards card

Is the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card or Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card card right for you?

Though the Venture X Rewards emerges as the winner between the three cards, the luxury credit card might not be the best fit for everyone. 

The Venture X Rewards Card is a great choice for frequent travelers who prioritize luxury perks, unlimited lounge access, and comprehensive travel protections. With an annual travel credit, an anniversary bonus, airport lounge access, the Venture X is tailored for those willing to invest in a premium travel experience. 

For travelers looking to avoid the Venture X’s $395 annual fee, the Venture Rewards emerges as a solid option for individuals who want stellar rewards and a reasonable annual fee. With a $95 annual fee, cardholders get a solid 2X miles back on all eligible purchases and benefits like a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. It’s ideal for individuals seeking enhanced travel benefits without the higher annual fee.

But if paying an annual fee for a credit card holds little appeal, the VentureOne Rewards Card could be a fitting choice. With its $0 annual fee, it offers 5x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One and 1.25X miles per $1 spent on all eligible purchases.  It may be an appealing entry-level option for cardholders who don’t travel frequently but want to redeem their rewards for flights, hotels, cruises and more.

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