Contrary to what you might believe based on trends in recent years, premium travel cards offer premium travel benefits without charging an annual fee of nearly $1,000 — and the earning rates and benefits don’t have to be complicated, either.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card was the first premium card I added to my wallet when it first launched, and it’s been my only one ever since.
In my opinion, this is an affordable option compared to other premium travel cards. Not to mention, it retains easy-to-use perks like $300 in annual travel credit*, 10,000 bonus anniversary miles starting on your first anniversary, plus airport lounge access, and earn 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase.
The cherry on top? It offers new cardholders strong early-spending incentives: Currently, you can earn 100,000 bonus miles after you spend $10,000 in purchases within the first six months of account opening. **
Here are some of my favorite Venture X perks and how I use them during my travels and daily life in New York City.
More and more gorgeous airport lounges
Lounge access is a game changer when traveling and Venture X gives me access to many great lounges during my travels. ***
New York City happens to be home to the newest and largest Capital One Lounge at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Terminal 4, Capital One, which I had free access to with my Venture X card. The Capital One lounge at JFK is open 24 hours a day (which is music to my ears as someone who likes to book the earliest flights possible, which often prevents me from heading to lounges that don’t open earlier), and the space is the perfect place to hang out before takeoff.
Capital One also has lounges at Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas; Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA) and Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Washington, D.C.; Denver International Airport (DEN); and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) — with more planned for the future. I often connect through DFW when I’m back in Arkansas visiting family, and being able to use the Capital One lounge makes a world of difference during my layovers. The Venture X Card’s Priority Pass™ access gives me more options when I fly through airports that don’t yet have a Capital One lounge concept.
Of course, lounge access isn’t the only way my Venture X makes airport life easier. After I applied for Global Entry, My Venture X gave me a statement credit. **** As a frequent traveler, Global Entry and TSA PreCheck® help me get through the airport faster. I love a perk that allows me to spend less time in the security line and more time relaxing in the lounge.
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Premier Collection and generous travel points
Arguably one of the most difficult aspects of planning a trip is figuring out the best places to stay. No one wants to waste miles, money, or time off work on a sub-par stay.
Venture X has access to Capital One Travel’s Premier Collection, a curated list of hotels and vacation rentals where I can unlock premium benefits.
As a birthday present, I recently spent two nights at the Pendry Manhattan West, a Capital One Travel Premier Collection hotel located in New York City’s Hudson Yards neighborhood, and I can’t say enough about how much I loved it. The view from my room? Iconic. bed? Incredibly comfortable. Hotel bar and restaurant? mouth watering. Serve? Extraordinary.
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Madison Blancaflor/Essential Guy
But the best part? The great deals I got when I booked a Premier Collection hotel through Capital One Travel: daily breakfast for two, $100 experience credit***** that I used at Bar Pendry, late checkout, and even a room upgrade. Additionally, I had the option to book using a $300 annual travel credit or Capital One miles. Or, if I book with Capital One Travel using my Venture X card, I earn 10 miles for every $1 spent.
Venture X can also enhance your on-the-go experience
Two underrated perks Venture X offers cardholders is access to Capital One Entertainment and Capital One Dining. With this card, I can attend award-winning entertainment—from Broadway shows to concerts and more—and reserve hard-to-reserve seats.
I recently pre-ordered Mamma Mia! with Capital One Entertainment. 》Exclusive experience for cardholders. The Broadway show includes a pre-show reception, incredible show seats, and exclusive post-show Q&A with some of the cast. We even have special merchandise to take home.
The show was incredible and full of fun, but the reception before the show was an unexpected highlight. Capital One reserved nearby Souvlaki GR Midtown West restaurant for cardholders to enjoy Greek hors d’oeuvres, drink “Mamma Mia!” themed cocktails and have personalized charm keychains made before the show. It was a perfect pre-show event.
Of course, I’m a fan of great Broadway shows, but Capital One Entertainment really has something for everyone—from sporting events to concerts to comedy. I also have my eye on tickets to concerts by some of my favorite artists and different comedy shows, all of which can be purchased at Capital One Entertainment.
I love the flexibility and options of using rewards for more than just hotels and flights. I can book these experiences by redeeming miles or paying with my Venture X card on Capital One Entertainment and earn 5 miles per $1 spent.
Capital One’s exclusive cardholder offers are more than just a show
Prefer baseball to Broadway? Venture X allows you to redeem rewards for cardholder-only tickets to MLB games between your favorite teams. For music lovers, Capital One hosted a special pre-concert soundcheck party at the iHeartRadio Music Festival earlier this year, available for reservation only through Capital One Entertainment.
You can even book exclusive cardholder vacations through Capital One Entertainment. The previous trip was a four-day Rome itinerary planned by Capital One and its premium travel partner PRIOR, which included a stay at the Palazzo Thalia Small Luxury Hotel in the World Annex, private access to the Vatican Museums, a private dinner and more.
Whatever your passion, Venture X can unlock incredible experiences to help you get the most out of your travels.
Capital One Catering
Speaking of incredible experiences, another little-known benefit of Venture X is the access it provides to Capital One Dining.
Recently, I booked a prime-time room at Nubeluz, a rooftop venue with unparalleled views of the New York City skyline (and the cocktails and food by celebrity chef José Andrés certainly didn’t disappoint).
We made a sunset reservation and if you’ve never had a bird’s eye view of the New York City skyline while sipping delicious cocktails during prime time, you’re missing out. After sunset, the atmosphere in Nuberuz changed just like the city itself, and we enjoyed a delicious meal (I’m pretty sure you can’t go wrong no matter what you order, but we particularly enjoyed the tuna rolls and potato chip labneh).
Prime time reservations can be difficult here, but thankfully Capital One Catering allows me to make exclusive client reservations in cities across the U.S.
Why Venture X Got a Standing Ovation in My Wallet
The icing on the cake is that all these benefits are very easy to use. I don’t have to keep track of monthly points to feel like I’m getting full value. My Venture X benefits are easy to use so I can focus on what really matters: making the most of every moment.
$300 in annual travel credits are easily available through Capital One Travel. The 10,000-mile anniversary bonus can be redeemed with the rest of my Capital One miles, which are easy to accumulate since I earn at least 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase. Additionally, this card gives me access to unique experiences such as concerts, shows, and reservations that are hard to come by at home and while traveling.
Given that the card also has a lower annual fee than other premium travel cards, it’s a win-win for me and my wallet.
Remember, new cardholders can earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 in purchases within the first six months of account opening. So if you’ve been looking for ways to enhance your travel experience with a premium travel card and easy-to-use benefits, be sure to check out the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
*Each year, eligible Venture Each annual credit will expire on the next account opening anniversary. The points will be available within Capital One Travel and can be used towards purchases at checkout. Points can be used entirely for a single purchase or partially for multiple purchases. Rewards cannot be earned through points. If a purchase using points is canceled, the points will be reinstated if they have not expired. Upon cancellation, expired points will not be reinstated. A Venture X Card account must be open and in good standing to receive or use points.
**Existing or previous Cardmembers are not eligible for this product if they have received a New Cardmember Bonus for this product within the past 48 months.
***Lounge access includes access to participating Priority Pass lounges and Capital One lounges around the world. To enter a Capital One lounge, eligible cardholders must present their physical Venture X card or digital lounge pass (available on the Capital One mobile app). Access is not guaranteed and is subject to space availability. In order to access Priority Pass lounges, eligible cardholders need to register after card activation. To learn more about lounge access policies, please visit the applicable terms and conditions for more details.
****To receive up to $120 in statement credit, you must complete the Global Entry application and pay the application fee using your Venture X card, or complete the TSA PreCheck® application and pay the application fee. Credits will appear over two billing cycles and will apply to the program applied for first. Each account will receive a statement credit every four years, and your account must be open and in good standing when applying for the credit. Please see the Application or Account Terms for more details.
*****Premier Collection Hotel Experience Points will be used by the hotel at checkout towards eligible charges up to USD 100 or the local currency equivalent. Qualifying charges vary by location, are subject to availability, and must be charged to your room during the qualifying stay; contact the hotel directly to confirm qualifying experiences. For some experiences, advance booking is recommended. Additional terms apply; see Travel.capitalone.com/terms-of-service for details.
