The Best Capital One Credit Card Offers for Travel

Much like American Express, Chase and Citi, Capital One offers a few credit cards specifically for travelers. These travel rewards cards, which feature a variety of benefits, allow you to earn miles on your purchases and then redeem them towards things like airfare, hotel stays and other travel costs.

Two of Capital One’s credit cards are travel-focused: the ​​Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.

So, what is the best Capital One credit card for travel? Let’s look at the differences between these two cards and help you figure out which one is right for you.

A closer look at Capital One travel credit card offers

Welcome bonus

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is currently featuring a welcome offer of: Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Meanwhile, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is offering the following: Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

It’s not uncommon to see welcome offers change; in this case, the two cards offer an identical amount of bonus miles for the same spend level, leaving them wholly tied.

However, if you’re really looking to focus on earning miles, you may want to consider the ​​Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card because of its much lower annual fee compared to the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. More on this next.

» Learn more: How to make the most of your Capital One Venture Rewards Card

Annual fee

There is a significant difference between the two cards’ annual fees. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a mid-tier card and its annual fee reflects as such. You’ll pay just $95 per year to hold the card, though you’ll enjoy correspondingly fewer benefits as a result.

The feature-laden Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, meanwhile, competes with other premium reward credit cards with an annual fee of $395.

Perks shared by both cards

• Bonus miles earned. When not booking travel via Capital One’s travel portal, you’ll earn a flat two miles per dollar spent on all purchases with both cards.

• Travel insurance. Both cards come with travel insurance, including rental car insurance and a lost luggage reimbursement. (Benefits may change over time.)

• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. These cards offer a credit of up to $120 towards Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership, valid once every four years.

• No foreign transaction fees. Neither of these cards charges a foreign transaction fee when used overseas.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards might surprise you

Benefits unique to the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Featuring a lower annual fee compared to other high-end travel credit cards, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card still comes with a bevy of benefits.

$300 travel credit

Not as generous as the travel credit offered by the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card, you’ll still receive up to $300 each year towards travel purchases — as long as they’re booked through the Capital One Travel portal. This is valid for multiple types of travel, including flights, hotels and rental cars.

» Learn more: How to use the Venture X travel credit

Airport lounge access

Capital One has started building its own branded airport lounges, with three already open at Dallas-Fort Worth airport, Washington-Dulles and Denver International. Those who hold the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card receive complimentary unlimited access to these lounges.

In addition, cardholders receive a Priority Pass Select membership, which grants them entry to more than 1,300 airport experiences worldwide. This includes lounges and even massages. Cardholders can also bring up to two guests into the lounge for free.

Finally, you’ll also have unlimited access to the Plaza Premium lounge network, which features more than 100 locations around the globe.

» Learn more: The guide to Capital One lounges

Anniversary bonus

Starting on your first anniversary, those with the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card will receive a 10,000 mile bonus, which is worth $100 toward travel through Capital One’s travel portal.

Cell phone insurance

When you pay your cell phone bill with your card, you’ll be eligible for reimbursement of up to $800 if your phone is damaged or stolen. (Benefits may change over time.)

» Learn more: What to know about electronics insurance

Benefits unique to the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has just one unique benefit compared to its higher-end sibling.

As a cardholder, you’ll receive complimentary access to either a Capital One lounge or a Plaza Premium lounge twice per year.

Afterward, you can enjoy these lounges for just $45 per visit.

» Learn more: 5 reasons you should be using airport lounges

Redeeming Capital One Miles

Both cards earn Capital One Miles, which can be used in various ways. This includes redeeming them for statement credits, transferring them to hotel and airline partners or buying gift cards.

Be aware that not all redemptions are created equally. For example, Capital One will allow you to redeem miles at a value of one cent per point towards purchases made within their travel portal. However, these miles are valued at up to 1.2 cents each by NerdWallet, which is made possible by redeeming miles with transfer partners instead.

Capital One’s hotel and airline transfer partners

Capital One has a total of 17 different hotel and airline transfer partners, but not all are created equal. Some are typically a better value than others.

Its partner roster includes airlines from SkyTeam, Star Alliance and Oneworld alliance.

It’s important to note that while most of these transfer at a 1:1 ratio, which means one Capital One mile becomes one hotel or airline point, there are a few exceptions. Capital One miles transfer to ALL - Accor Live Limitless at a 2:1 ratio and to EVA Air Infinity MileageLands at a 2:1.5 ratio.

» Learn more: The guide to Capital One transfer partners

If you’re considering a Capital One credit card …

Capital One’s two Venture cards aim to serve various travel customers. Those who aren’t interested in a high annual fee can opt for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, while those who’d like a more premium travel experience may enjoy the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.

Before picking the card that’s right for you, consider how you’ll make use of the card. How often do you travel? Do you enjoy spending time in airport lounges? Will you benefit from an annual travel credit? Answering these questions can help steer you toward the right Capital One card for your needs.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.