The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has a $95 annual fee while the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has a $395 annual fee. But Venture X provides many benefits the Venture doesn’t have, including unlimited airport lounge access, cell phone protection, and a $300 annual travel credit.
So which card is better?
It depends, but frequent travelers may prefer the Venture X credit card. Let’s compare Capital One Venture versus Capital One Venture X to see which card will better fit your wallet.
Capital One Venture vs. Capital One Venture X
The Capital One Venture and Venture X credit cards offer similar earning rates and redemption options. However, the two cards have different annual fees and benefits. The Venture X card comes with a higher annual fee but has plenty of additional perks and benefits, including more travel and purchase coverage.
Here's how the main highlights of the Capital One Venture and Capital One Venture X credit cards compare. Consider their annual fees, credit score requirements, overall benefits, and potential values to you.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card |
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card |
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Card type | Travel | Travel |
Credit card issuer | Capital One | Capital One |
Credit card network | Mastercard | Visa |
Annual fee | $95 | $395 |
Welcome bonus | Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening | Earn 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening |
Earning rate | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day, 5 miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5 miles per dollar on Capital One Entertainment purchases through 12/31/25 | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day; 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, and 5 miles per dollar on Capital One Entertainment purchases through 12/31/25 |
Redemption methods |
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Annual credits | None |
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Travel perks |
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Other benefits |
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Foreign transaction fee | None | None |
Credit needed | Excellent, Good | Excellent |
Learn More | Learn More |
What both cards excel at
Capital One Venture and Venture X are two of the best travel credit cards issued by Capital One. This means they both earn travel rewards and share other similarities.
- Welcome offers: The Capital One Venture and Venture X cards typically have a welcome bonus for new cardholders. This can help you quickly earn a good number of reward miles soon after account opening.
- Redemption options: The redemption options on both cards are the same. This includes redeeming Capital One miles for flights and hotel stays through the Capital One Travel portal. You can also transfer miles to over a dozen loyalty program partners such as Avianca LifeMiles and British Airways Executive Club.
- No foreign transaction fees: Like many travel credit cards, you don’t have to worry about foreign transaction fees with the Capital One Venture and Venture X cards.
- TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credits: You can use Capital One Venture or Venture X to receive up to a $120 statement credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fees. This benefit is available once every four years.Â
- Capital One Entertainment: Most Capital One credit cards receive access to the Capital One Entertainment ticketing platform. This platform provides eligible cardmembers access to exclusive tickets and events, among other perks. This includes tickets to music, sports, and dining experiences.
7 important differences between Capital One Venture and Capital One Venture X
Capital One Venture and Venture X share some similarities, but it’s easy to see how Capital One Venture has lower fees and fewer perks than Capital One Venture X. There are seven important differences between both cards that can help you decide which card works for you.
1. Annual fees
The Capital One Venture card has a $95 annual fee, while the Capital One Venture X card has a $395 annual fee. The Venture has the advantage here when we don’t consider other features or benefits.
Winner: The Capital One Venture card has a lower fee compared to the Capital One Venture X card, making it more attractive to budget-conscious people.
Read our Capital One Venture Card review for more details.
2. Credit scores
You may need a good or excellent credit score to qualify for the Capital One Venture card, while the Venture X card typically requires an excellent credit score for approval.
Here are the credit score ranges associated with the FICO scoring model, one of the most popular and widely accepted credit scoring models:
- Poor: 300 to 579
- Fair: 580 to 669
- Good: 670 to 739
- Very Good: 740 to 799
- Excellent: 800 to 850
According to this credit scoring model, you probably need at least a 670 credit score to qualify for the Capital One Venture. Meanwhile, you probably need at least an 800 credit score to qualify for the Venture X credit card.
Note
These credit scores are provided as guidelines only and are not a guarantee of approval.Winner: Capital One Venture likely has better approval odds, though actual approval depends on your credit score, among other factors.
3. Rewards rates
The Capital One Venture offers 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day, 5 miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5 miles per dollar on Capital One Entertainment purchases through 12/31/25.
The Capital One Venture X offers 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day; 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, and 5 miles per dollar on Capital One Entertainment purchases through 12/31/25.
As you can see, the earning rates are similar between the Capital One Venture and Capital One Venture X cards. But Venture X offers higher overall earning potential.
Check out our Capital One Venture X review for more details.
Winner: Capital One Venture X offers a higher earning rate than Capital One Venture.
4. Premium travel benefits
Capital One Venture offers several travel benefits, such as two complimentary visits per year to Capital One or Plaza Premium lounges, and up to a $120 statement credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.
However, Capital One Venture X travel benefits are better than Capital One Venture. For example, the Venture card provides up to two free visits per year and doesn’t include Priority Pass lounges. The Venture X provides unlimited access for you and up to two guests to the Capital One Lounge, Priority Pass, and Plaza Premium networks.
Additionally, Venture X cardholders receive $300 travel credit and 10,000 anniversary miles (worth at least $100 toward travel redemptions) every membership year. These benefits alone can completely offset the card’s $395 annual fee.
Winner: Capital One Venture X offers more comprehensive travel benefits, including unlimited lounge access, a $300 travel credit, and 10,000 anniversary miles.
5. Travel protections
The Capital One Venture card offers auto rental collision damage waiver, roadside dispatch, lost luggage reimbursement, and travel accident insurance.
The Capital One Venture X card offers the same benefits and more. Some additional travel protection Venture X carries includes travel and emergency assistance services, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, and trip delay reimbursement.
Credit card travel insurance — other than roadside dispatch, which is a pay-per-use roadside assistance program — typically only applies if you completely pay for travel expenses with your applicable credit card.
Having these types of protections in place has become essential for many travelers since you never know what hiccups you may encounter on a trip. Fortunately, both Capital One Venture and Venture X offer certain travel protections, but Venture X comes in first because its protections are more extensive.
Winner: Capital One Venture X offers an exhaustive list of travel protections that outweigh what Capital One Venture offers.
6. Additional protections
On top of travel protection, Capital One Venture has additional coverages, including purchase protection and extended warranty protection.
Capital One Venture X adds more coverage on top of that with cell phone protection and returns protection.
These benefits protect your eligible card purchases in one way or another. For example, purchase protection covers new purchases made with your card against damage or theft. While extended warranty protection typically extends an item’s eligible manufacturer’s warranty by an additional year.
Cell phone protection is similar to purchase protection but covers cell phones attached to your cell phone bill that you pay each month with your applicable card. Return protection can reimburse you for new purchases you no longer want but the store won’t take back.
Winner: The Venture X card is the clear winner because it offers more purchase protection than the Venture card.
7. Premier Collection hotels
Both the Capital One Venture and Venture X receive access to the Capital One Travel portal, including opportunities to book flights, hotels, and car rentals. But Venture X cardholders also receive access to booking hotels through the Premier Collection program.
Premier Collection is an exclusive luxury hotel and resort program that's only offered to Capital One Venture X cardholders. It's a curated group of hundreds of properties that provide additional benefits when you book, including daily breakfast for two, a $100 experience credit, and complimentary Wi-Fi. You can also receive room upgrades, early check-in, and late checkout depending on availability.
Using the Premier Collection could be helpful for its additional benefits if you were already planning on booking a certain stay for an upcoming trip. It could also make sense to use your $300 travel credit to help discount a luxury hotel stay.
Winner: The Venture X wins because the Capital One Venture doesn't provide this benefit.
Which card should you choose?
The Capital One Venture card has a lower $95 annual fee, but the Capital One Venture X card has more benefits and perks. Consider these scenarios to help you decide which card is best for you.
You may prefer the Capital One Venture card if:
- You want a travel credit card with simple earning rates.
- You want a lower annual fee.
- You don’t need the premium travel benefits from Capital One Venture X.
You may prefer the Capital One Venture X card if:
- You want a premium travel credit card with simple earning rates.
- You travel frequently and find value in travel benefits such as airport lounge access, annual travel credit, and anniversary miles.
- You want cell phone protection.
- You want comprehensive credit card travel insurance.
- You have an excellent credit score.
Keep in mind that both the Capital One Venture and Venture X are travel credit cards that earn travel rewards and offer travel benefits. If you prefer earning cash back or taking advantage of a 0% intro APR offer, compare the credit cards on our lists of best cashback credit cards and best 0% APR credit cards.
FAQs
Can you have Capital One Venture and Venture X?
Yes, you can have Capital One Venture and Capital One Venture X at the same time. Capital One doesn’t publish rules about how many of its credit cards you can have, but it’s understood that having two personal cards is typically the limit.
Can I upgrade Capital One Venture to Venture X?
Yes, you can upgrade Capital One Venture to Venture X through a product change. Qualifying for a product change often depends on your overall creditworthiness and standing with Capital One. You typically have to wait a year after opening a card to qualify for a product change, and you’ll likely forfeit earning a welcome offer on the new credit card.
Are the Capital One Venture cards made of metal?
Yes, the Capital One Venture and Capital One Venture X cards are made of metal. Other popular metal credit cards include:
Bottom line
Capital One Venture is better if you prefer a $95 annual fee rather than the $395 annual fee on Capital One Venture X. But if you want premium travel benefits — including airport lounge access and a $300 annual travel credit — the Venture X card is the clear winner.
These cards won’t be the right fit for everyone. If this is the case for you, check out our dedicated page to compare credit cards and find a card that makes more sense for your lifestyle.