Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Quick Snapshot

• Annual Fee: $95
• APR: 19.74%–28.74% variable
• Rewards: 2x miles on everything, 5x on hotels/rentals through Capital One Travel
• Bonus: 75,000 bonus miles after $4,000 spend in 3 months ($750 value)
• Best For: Mid-tier travel rewards, flexible redemption, transfer partner access
• Credit Needed: Good to Excellent (670+)

Overview

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is the sweet spot in Capital One's travel card lineup—offering robust earning and flexibility without the premium price tag of the Venture X. With a modest $95 annual fee and one of the market's best flat-rate travel earning structures (2x miles on everything), this card appeals to travelers who want simplicity and flexibility without the complexity of rotating categories or the commitment to specific airline programs.

What makes the Venture stand out is its democratic approach to travel rewards. Every purchase earns the same strong 2x rate, and those miles can be redeemed flexibly: transfer 1:1 to 17+ airline and hotel partners for maximum value, or redeem at 1 cent per mile against any travel purchase. This flexibility means you're never locked into specific redemption channels or loyalty programs—your miles work for you however you want to use them.

The 75,000-mile welcome bonus (worth $750 in travel) is exceptional for a mid-tier card, requiring just $4,000 in spend over three months. For perspective, this bonus alone covers the annual fee for nearly eight years. Add the $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit (valuable every 4-5 years) and no foreign transaction fees, and you have a card that punches well above its weight class.

Unlike cards with complex category structures, the Venture rewards consistency. You earn 2x on groceries, gas, dining, travel, utilities—everything. For cardholders who value simplicity and don't want to track rotating categories or spending caps, this straightforward structure is liberating. The elevated 5x earning through Capital One Travel sweetens the deal for those willing to book through the portal.

APR Breakdown

• Purchase APR: 19.74%–28.74% variable
• Balance Transfer APR: 19.74%–28.74% variable
• Cash Advance APR: 29.99% variable
• Penalty APR: None specified

Note: No promotional intro APR offered. This card is designed for transactors who pay balances in full monthly to maximize rewards value.

Benefits Overview

Travel Benefits

• 2x miles on all purchases with no caps or spending limits
• 5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• No foreign transaction fees worldwide
• Up to $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee (renews every 4-5 years)
• 17+ transfer partners including Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways, Emirates, JetBlue, Marriott Bonvoy, Wyndham Rewards
• Capital One Travel portal access for booking flights, hotels, rental cars, and activities

Protection Benefits

• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance up to $1,500 per person, per trip
• Auto rental collision damage waiver (secondary coverage)
• Travel accident insurance up to $250,000
• Lost luggage reimbursement up to $3,000 per passenger
• 24-hour travel assistance services
• Extended warranty protection adds one year to eligible U.S. manufacturer warranties
• Purchase protection covers eligible purchases up to $500 per claim (90 days from purchase)

Additional Benefits

• Miles never expire as long as account remains open and in good standing
• No blackout dates when redeeming miles for travel
• Free authorized users at no additional cost
• Virtual card numbers for secure online shopping
• Account alerts for spending tracking and fraud prevention

Rewards & Earning Structure

• 2x miles per dollar on all purchases everywhere
• 5x miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• No earning caps or category limits
• No spending thresholds to activate earning rates

Redemption Options:

• Transfer partners: 1:1 transfers to 17+ airline and hotel loyalty programs (Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways Executive Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Emirates Skywards, Etihad Guest, EVA Air Infinity MileageLands, Flying Blue (Air France/KLM), JetBlue TrueBlue, Qantas Frequent Flyer, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, Choice Privileges, Marriott Bonvoy, Wyndham Rewards, Accor Live Limitless)
• Travel purchases: Redeem at 1 cent per mile for any travel booking (flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises, activities)
• Statement credit: Apply miles as statement credit for travel purchases at 1 cent per mile
• Gift cards: Exchange miles for gift cards (typically lower value)
• Cash back: Redeem for cash deposits or statement credits (lower value)

Capital One Venture miles are valued at approximately 1 cent per point when redeemed for travel purchases, but can be worth significantly more (1.5-3+ cents) when strategically transferred to airline partners for premium cabin award flights.

Welcome Bonus

Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.

This welcome bonus is worth $750 when redeemed for travel at the base 1 cent per mile rate. However, transferring to airline partners can yield substantially higher value. For example:

• 60,000 miles to Flying Blue can book round-trip economy flights to Europe
• 75,000 miles to Turkish Airlines approaches business class to Europe territory
• Multiple JetBlue flights redeemed for domestic travel

The $4,000 spending requirement over 3 months ($1,333/month) is attainable for most households with regular expenses.

Fees Summary

• Annual Fee: $95
• Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
• Balance Transfer Fee: Either $5 or 3% of the amount transferred, whichever is greater
• Cash Advance Fee: Either $10 or 3% of the amount, whichever is greater
• Late Payment Fee: Up to $40
• Returned Payment Fee: Up to $40
• Authorized User Fee: $0

Who This Card Is Best For

Ideal For

• Regular travelers taking 2-4+ trips per year who want flexible rewards
• Those seeking simplicity who prefer flat-rate earning over category bonuses
• Flexible redeemers who want both transfer partners and travel portal options
• Mid-tier spenders not reaching premium card spending thresholds
• International travelers needing no foreign transaction fees
• Transfer partner enthusiasts who understand airline award charts
• Those valuing TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credits
• Travelers booking diverse destinations (not loyal to one airline/hotel)
• Cardholders wanting straightforward rewards without category tracking

Not Good For

• Infrequent travelers (annual fee won't be justified)
• Cash back preferred over travel rewards
• Category bonus maximizers seeking elevated dining, grocery, gas earning
• Loyalty program devotees committed to specific airline/hotel ecosystems
• Those seeking lounge access (no Priority Pass or airport lounge benefits)
• Balance carriers (high APR negates rewards value)
• Light spenders unable to meet $4,000 welcome bonus requirement
• Those preferring premium perks (no rental car elite status, hotel status, etc.)

Key Pros & Cons

Pros

• Generous 75,000-mile welcome bonus worth $750 in travel
• Simple unlimited 2x miles on all purchases (no category tracking)
• Elevated 5x earning on hotels/rentals through Capital One Travel
• Flexible redemption: transfer to 17+ partners OR redeem for any travel at 1¢/mile
• No foreign transaction fees for international travel
• $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit (renews every 4-5 years)
• Miles never expire with active account
• No earning caps or spending limits
• Free authorized users
• Comprehensive travel protection suite (trip cancellation, rental car, baggage)
• Lower annual fee ($95) than premium travel cards
• No blackout dates on travel redemptions
• Works for any airline, hotel, or travel provider

Cons

• $95 annual fee (not waived first year)
• Standard APR (19.74%–28.74%) with no intro 0% period
• 2x earning rate trails category-specific cards (Chase Sapphire Reserve 3x dining/travel)
• No airport lounge access (Priority Pass or proprietary lounges)
• No annual travel credits like Venture X ($300) or Chase Sapphire Reserve ($300)
• No anniversary bonus miles
• Capital One Travel portal may have limited inventory vs. booking direct
• Transfer partners fewer than Chase Ultimate Rewards ecosystem
• No elevated earning on dining, groceries, or gas beyond 2x
• Secondary rental car coverage (primary available on Venture X only)

Alternatives to Consider

How the Rewards Add Up

Example Annual Value

Assuming you're a moderate traveler spending $25,000 annually:

First Year Total Value: $1,310
Ongoing Annual Value: $560

Less annual fee: -$95
Net first-year value: $1,215
Net ongoing value: $465

For travelers who maximize Capital One Travel bookings—say $5,000 in hotels at 5x—you'd earn 25,000 miles ($250) from those bookings alone, increasing annual value to $700+ before the annual fee.

Premium Redemption Example: Transfer 60,000 miles to Flying Blue to book round-trip economy to Europe (often 50,000-60,000 miles), valued at $700-1,200 if purchased with cash, yielding 1.2-2 cents per mile value—nearly double the baseline redemption.

Should You Get This Card?

You Should Get It If...

• You travel regularly (2-4+ trips per year) and want simple flat-rate earning
• You can meet the $4,000 spend requirement in 3 months
• You value redemption flexibility (transfer partners OR travel portal)
• You prefer straightforward 2x on everything over category tracking
• You travel internationally and need no foreign transaction fees
• You want access to airline transfer partners without premium card fees
• You're willing to book through Capital One Travel occasionally for 5x
• You always pay balances in full (avoiding interest charges)
• You have good to excellent credit (670+) for approval
• You want comprehensive travel protections (trip insurance, rental car coverage)

You Should Skip It If...

• You travel infrequently (annual fee won't be justified)
• You prefer cash back over travel rewards
• You want elevated category bonuses (3x+ dining, groceries, gas)
• You're loyal to a specific airline/hotel program
• You need airport lounge access (Priority Pass, etc.)
• You carry credit card balances (high APR negates rewards)
• You prefer no annual fee cards (consider VentureOne)
• You want annual travel credits or anniversary bonuses
• You're seeking premium status perks (hotel elite, rental car status)
• You won't utilize transfer partners or Capital One Travel portal

Apply Now

Apply for Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Information accurate as of December 2025. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit the issuer's website for the most current information.