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CNN
14-05-2025
- Business
- CNN
Capital One Venture X is a premium travel card with perks to justify its annual fee
CNN Underscored reviews financial products based on their overall value. We may receive a commission through our affiliate partners if you apply and are approved for a product, but our reporting is always independent and objective. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit to learn more. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is one of our favorite credit cards at CNN Underscored, and it comes with tons of valuable perks that help justify its $395 annual fee. New card holders can earn a sign-up bonus of 75,000 Capital One miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months. With the card's baseline earning rate of 2 miles per dollar spent, this equates to at least 83,000 miles, which you can redeem for at least $830 in travel — or potentially more when you transfer them to travel partners. Some of our favorite perks from the card include the following. $300 in annual travel credits for bookings made through Capital One Travel 10,000 bonus miles annually, starting with your first account anniversary (worth at least $100 in travel) Priority Pass Select membership with access to 1,300+ airport lounges Complimentary access to Capital One Lounges for you and two guests $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Cell phone insurance, primary rental car insurance, trip delay and interruption coverage, and no foreign transaction fees These advantages combine to make the Venture X an excellent pick if you're looking for premium benefits at a relatively affordable price point. The Venture X keeps things simple while still offering impressive reward potential. Here's what you earn. 2 miles per dollar on every purchase 5 miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel When you redeem miles, you have two primary options. Fixed-value redemptions let you erase travel purchases at 1 cent per mile (e.g., 10,000 miles = $100), which is valid for most travel expenses and must be redeemed within 90 days. Transfer miles to travel partners for potentially greater value. For savvy travelers, transferring Capital One miles to travel partners can unlock significantly more value. Capital One currently partners with 19 travel loyalty programs. Capital One airline transfer partners Aeromexico Club Premier Air Canada Aeroplan Air France-KLM Flying Blue Avianca LifeMiles British Airways Avios Cathay Pacific Asia Miles Emirates Skywards Etihad Guest EVA Air Infinity MileageLands Finnair Plus JetBlue TrueBlue Qantas Frequent Flyer Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Virgin Red Capital One hotel transfer partners Accor Live Limitless Choice Privileges Wyndham Rewards Most partners offer 1:1 transfer ratios, with a few exceptions (e.g., EVA Air offers 2:1.5, Accor gives 2:1). As such, transferring miles can yield great value. For example, this Air France flight from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) costs $633 when you pay cash. Meanwhile, you can transfer your Capital One miles to Air France-KLM Flying Blue and book the same economy-class seat for 18,750 miles plus $101. By using miles, you get get 2.8 cents per Capital One mile ($633 airfare minus $101 award taxes and fees, divided by 18,750 miles). Capital One Venture X card holders enjoy perks typically reserved for ultra-premium cards. Some of those perks include the below. Capital One Lounge access for you and up to two guests in airports such as Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Denver International Airport (DEN) and Washington's Dulles International Airport (IAD), with more lounge additions planned Priority Pass Select membership (includes more than 1,300 lounges worldwide) $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck reimbursement every four years Hertz President's Circle status Cell phone protection (up to $800 per claim, $50 deductible) Trip delay reimbursement, lost luggage coverage, travel accident insurance and primary car rental coverage No foreign transaction fees Plus, you can add up to four authorized users at no additional cost. These users receive many of the same perks, including lounge access. Despite its strengths, the Venture X has a few drawbacks: No bonus categories outside Capital One Travel bookings (flat 2 per dollar elsewhere) No intro APR on purchases or balance transfers $395 annual fee, though offset by credits and bonus miles Limited US-based transfer partners, with a steep learning curve for using international partner programs Hotel elite benefits are often not honored when bookings are made via Capital One Travel If you're looking for a Capital One card with a lower annual fee, it might be worth considering the Capital One Venture Card, which has a $95 annual fee and the same transfer partners. Capital One's premium travel card stands out for offering a strong mix of valuable benefits at a relatively modest price point. While the $395 annual fee might seem steep at first glance, it's notably lower than many other premium cards — and it's easy to recoup much of that cost through the $300 annual travel credit and 10,000 bonus miles awarded on each account anniversary. With complimentary lounge access, straightforward rewards and practical perks that frequent travelers actually use, the card offers solid value. And as Capital One continues to expand its airport lounge footprint, the overall utility of the card is likely to increase. If you're looking for a feature-rich premium card without a sky-high annual fee, the Venture X remains a compelling choice. The following FAQs have been answered by credit card expert and CNN Underscored travel editor Kyle Olsen. What's the credit limit of the Capital One Venture X? What's the credit limit of the Capital One Venture X? There's no fixed minimum or maximum credit limit for the Capital One Venture X, as credit lines are assigned based on individual creditworthiness, income and credit history. That said, many users report initial credit limits of $10,000 to $50,000, which aligns with the card's premium positioning. Is it hard to get approved for Capital One Venture X? Is it hard to get approved for Capital One Venture X? The Capital One Venture X generally requires excellent credit (a credit score of 720 or higher). Applicants should also have a strong income and credit history. Preapproval tools on Capital One's website can help estimate your chances without impacting your credit score. It's also important to note that Capital One uses the Equifax, Experian and TransUnion credit reporting agencies when performing hard credit checks, while most issuers only use one credit reporting agency. What's the annual fee on the Capital One Venture X? What's the annual fee on the Capital One Venture X? The annual fee for the Capital One Venture X is $395, which is on the lower end for premium travel cards. With the $300 travel credit and 10,000 anniversary bonus miles (valued at $100), you can effectively offset the annual fee entirely if you use those benefits. As a credit cards and travel rewards expert, Kyle Olsen covers travel gear, loyalty programs and premium travel credit cards. He's a Capital One Venture X cardholder himself and earns over 100,000 Capital One miles per year. He evaluates each credit card through hands-on experience and rigorous benefit analysis. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Top travel credit cards for 2025
Travel credit cards aren't only for jet-setting world travelers. You can score deep discounts and valuable perks whether you only fly once per year or you're determined to check off multiple bucket list destinations. The key is choosing the right travel credit card for you. That means an annual fee that fits your budget and rewards that align with your regular expenses and travel preferences — as well as great benefits to keep maximizing value each time you travel. Why we like it: The Capital One Venture card is a winning travel card for earning and redeeming miles, no matter how you like to travel. The simple 2x miles on every purchase can help you earn toward future trips with everything you buy. And redemptions are just as far-reaching: You can use miles to book future trips through Capital One Travel, reimburse yourself for travel purchases you make with your card, or transfer miles to Capital One's 15+ travel partners. It has only a few added benefits, including a credit toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fees, Five Star Status with Hertz rental cars, and a $50 experience credit when you book a stay with the Lifestyle Collection hotels. But the Venture card's value really comes from how simple it is to maximize the miles you earn and redeem. If you're looking for a flexible way to get the best value on travel without committing to a booking site, travel brand, or type of trip, this card is tough to we like it: The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card has a solid welcome offer and rewards on a mix of travel and everyday categories, so you can rack up points no matter how often you vacation. On top of that, you'll get an anniversary points bonus worth 10% of your overall spending from the past year. But you'll get the most value from this card when it's time to redeem. Points redeemed for travel through Chase Travel℠ get a 25% boost — so 10,000 points would be worth $125, for example. Perks such as up to $50 in statement credits each anniversary year for hotels booked through Chase Travel and partner benefits with Lyft, DoorDash, and Peloton can also save you money at home or while traveling. And if you have a Chase cash-back card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited® or Chase Freedom Flex®, you can pool the rewards you earn with those cards with your Chase Sapphire Preferred and take advantage of the redemption boost across your we like it: Premium travel cards are often reserved for only very frequent travelers who can afford to pay high annual fees while still getting enough value from airport and travel benefits to make the cost worth it. We like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card because it has no shortage of great perks and rewards, but offers a relatively lower annual fee. Plus, it has the same straightforward rewards and flexible redemption options as the regular Venture card. As for those great perks, you'll get a $300 annual travel credit for bookings with Capital One Travel; 10,000 bonus miles each year after your first anniversary; a credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fees; access to Capital One Lounges and partner lounge networks; a $100 experience credit when you book stays with the Premier Collection; Hertz President's Circle status; and more. Combined, these perks more than outpace the card's annual fee — but consider your travel plans to ensure you'll be able to take full advantage and get the maximum possible value from your Venture X we like it: You might not expect a travel credit card to offer some of the best rewards on your most frequent budget items, but the American Express Gold Card does just that. With 4x points at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 in purchases annually) and 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 in purchases annually), it's easy to earn rewards on your year-round food spending to put toward an upcoming trip — in addition to travel rewards categories. The Amex Gold Card's added benefits can also help you save at home and while traveling. These include up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually (up to $100 per year, with enrollment) when you use your card at a restaurant on Resy in the U.S.; up to $7 in monthly statement credits (up to $84 per year, with enrollment) for U.S. Dunkin purchases; up to $10 in monthly statement credits (up to $120 per year, with enrollment) when you use your card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, and Five Guys; and more. Combined with travel savings, travel rewards, and flexible redemption options (including transferring to Amex's partner travel programs), Amex Gold offers great value even if you travel only a few times per we like it: The U.S. Bank Altitude Connect may be a no annual fee card, but the rewards and perks it offers can bring just as much value as more costly options. Like the other cards on our list, you can earn rewards across a range of travel and everyday categories: 5x points on prepaid hotels and rental cars booked through U.S. Bank's Altitude Rewards Center; 4x points on other travel and at gas stations or EV charging stations (up to $1,000 spent per quarter); 2x on dining purchases, streaming services, and grocery stores; and 1x on everything else. Redemption options may be slightly more limited than other cards on our list, but you can redeem rewards for a deposit to your U.S. Bank account, travel, gift cards, and more. Beyond rewards, added benefits also offer major value, especially for a no annual fee card. These include a statement credit toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fees and complimentary Priority Pass Select membership for airport lounge access (four free visits per year). Finally, a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for the first 12 billing cycles after account opening (17.25%-28.24% variable APR after that) could be useful if you're looking to pay down some existing debt over a few months but want a card that you can continue to use for travel longer-term. Why we like it: The Citi Strata Premier card is another travel card with a straightforward rewards structure but plenty of potential value. Earning rewards is simple — get 10x points when you book hotels, rental cars, and attractions through and 3x points across other hotel purchases, air travel, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and EV charging stations (everything else earns 1x points). In addition to redemptions through and for gift cards, you can transfer points to Citi's partner airline programs. You might get the most value from this card if you stay at hotels often, but you aren't loyal to any single hotel chain and don't mind booking through Citi's travel portal. You can combine the 10x points on hotels booked through with the card's $100 annual hotel benefit, which gives you $100 off a single booking of $500 or more through each calendar year. Then, get the full redemption value for your points by using them to book future award stays through the portal. Why we like it: The Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card works a bit like a flat rewards card — with a boost. You'll earn 2x points on travel and dining with an unlimited 1.5x on everything else, which means you're still getting the 1.5x multiplier no matter what you use your card to buy at home or away. Even better, you may be eligible to increase your rewards earnings even more. If you're a Preferred Rewards member with Bank of America, you can earn 25% to 75% extra on every purchase, depending on your combined balances across eligible deposit and investment accounts. That could increase your travel and dining rewards to 2.5x to 3.5x and everything else to 1.87x to 2.62x per dollar. The Premium Rewards card's welcome bonus and annual fee align with the others on our list, but you'll also get some statement credits that can help increase your value beyond points. There's a credit toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fees every four years and an annual credit up to $100 for airline incidental charges like seat upgrades, in-flight purchases, and more. Bank of America has no travel transfer partners, but you can redeem your points for statement credits, gift cards, and travel purchases through the Bank of America Travel Center. General travel cards like the ones above can be great for scoring points and miles toward any type of travel. But if you always prefer flying with a certain airline or booking with a specific hotel chain, a co-branded travel card might be more rewarding. We included hotel and airline cards in our overall travel card ratings, and the cards below are the top-scoring options. Just remember: a co-branded travel card only makes sense if you fly often enough with that airline or stay frequently enough at the hotel to justify its value over a more general card. Make sure you look at your recent travel and any upcoming plans before deciding. The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card has a solid welcome offer and rewards on a combination of everyday spending and Alaska purchases — plus it offers an affordable way to score Alaska's Companion Fare every year. You'll earn a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees) each account anniversary when you spend at least $6,000 in the year prior, or about $500 per month. With 3x rewards on Alaska Airlines spending and 2x on gas, EV charging, cable, streaming services, and local transit (plus 1x on everything else), you can meet that threshold with a combination of travel and everyday purchases while boosting your rewards. If you're already a Bank of America customer with an eligible Bank of America checking or savings account or an eligible investment account with Merrill, you can get even more annual value from a 10% annual rewards bonus on the miles you earn. Say you spent the $6,000 you need to earn Companion Fare on purchases in the 2x rewards category — you'd earn 12,000 points on your spending and an additional 1,200 with the relationship bonus to put toward a future Alaska you're planning a trip to Hawaii, the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard can offer amazing savings on your trip. In addition to the bonus miles you'll get from the welcome offer, you'll also get a one-time companion discount for 50% off a roundtrip coach ticket between Hawaii and North America. Even after the one-time discount, you'll still save when you fly to Hawaii with a $100 companion discount every account anniversary which also applies to roundtrip travel between Hawaii and North America on Hawaiian Airlines. The purchases you make with the airline earn 3x miles per dollar. Even when you're not flying to Hawaii, you can earn miles toward a future trip with 2x miles on gas, dining, and eligible grocery store purchases (plus 1x on everything else).United and Chase offer multiple co-branded card options for frequent United Airlines flyers, but we like the The New United Quest Card for a few reasons. The annual fee is higher than some other options, but you'll get plenty of benefits that can help make up the cost if you fly United at least a few times per year. Perks you can use when you travel includ a $200 United travel credit and 10,000-mile award flight discount on each account anniversary; a 10,000-mile award flight discount after spending $20,000 each calendar year; a $100 property credit when you book Renowned Hotels and Resorts for United Cardmembers; 1 Premier-qualifying point for every $20 you spend (up to 18,000 PQPs per calendar year) toward Premier status with United; and more. In addition, get a solid welcome bonus and a wide range of ongoing rewards, from 3x miles on United purchases, 2x miles on other travel, dining, and select streaming services, and 1x on everything else. For travelers who prefer to stay in IHG Hotels (which includes brands like InterContinental, Kimpton, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, and more), the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card offers a solid balance of rewards potential and annual benefits. You can earn up to 26x points on IHG hotel stays; 5x points on travel, dining, and at gas stations; and 3x points on everything else. For the added benefits, you'll get more value the more you spend with your card and stay at IHG properties. Annual perks include automatic Platinum Elite status (qualify for Diamond when you spend at least $40,000 in a calendar year); an anniversary free night worth up to 40,000 points; a $100 statement credit and 10,000 points when you spend $20,000 in a calendar year; your fourth night free on eligible reward stays; and up to $50 United TravelBank Cash each calendar year when you connect your card to your United MileagePlus account. As one of the most extensive hotel programs in the world, a co-branded Marriott credit card can be a great tool for traveling the world no matter what type of property you prefer. With the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card, you'll get benefits when you stay, like an annual free night award (worth up to 35,000 points) and a path to elite status with 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year plus one additional Elite Night Credit for every $5,000 you spend. On top of that, get automatic Silver Elite status and Gold Status if you spend $35,000 in a calendar year. You'll earn the most points toward future Marriott stays when you make purchases with Marriott, at up to 17x points per dollar, but you can also get rewarded for everyday spending at home, with 3x points on the first combined $6,000 at gas stations, grocery stores, and on dining. Everything else earns 2x points per dollar. All information about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card has been collected independently by and is no longer available through Yahoo Finance. If you're a Hyatt traveler, the World of Hyatt Credit Card has plenty to offer for savings on your hotel and resort stays. For ongoing rewards, you'll earn up to 9x points on purchases at Hyatt hotels; 2x points at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly with airlines, local transit and commuting, and fitness club and gym memberships; and 1x points on everything else. Compared to other co-branded travel cards, this lineup of rewards categories is pretty unique, which could make it a good pick if those categories line up with your budget while at home or when you travel. Like the hotel cards above, the World of Hyatt card also has plenty of potential annual savings on your Hyatt spending. You'll get a free night each year after your account anniversary for any Category 1-4 hotel or resort, another free night at a Category 1-4 property when you spend at least $15,000 in a calendar year, automatic Discoverist status, five qualifying nights per year toward your next-highest status, and 2 more qualifying night credits for every $5,000 in purchases with your card. Travel credit cards offer points and miles rewards on your spending, which you can use toward travel-related redemptions, such as flights, hotel stays, and car rentals. You'll often earn the highest rewards rate on travel purchases with a travel credit card, though many also offer boosted rewards on everyday purchases like groceries, gas, and more. Many travel cards also provide travel benefits and perks, which could include airport lounge access, annual travel or airline credits, companion airfare, or elite status with an airline or hotel loyalty credit cards are worth it if you get enough value from the card's benefits and rewards to outweigh any potential costs, such as an annual fee. Unlike some other rewards cards, like cash-back credit cards, travel cards are more likely to carry annual fees in exchange for their high rewards rates and annual benefits. They might not be worth it if you don't travel enough to take advantage of these card benefits and rewards. However, a travel card can still be worth it if you're not a frequent traveler. Even if you travel only once or twice per year, you can accumulate points throughout the year to offset your airfare and hotel costs when you do go on a you're comparing travel credit cards, it can be useful to separate them into two distinct types: general travel rewards cards and co-branded airline and . With a general travel credit card, you'll have a number of flexible redemption options when you're ready to redeem your points and miles. You may also have a broader range of benefits. Some general travel credit cards include: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card American Express Gold Card Travel card issuers generally have their own travel portals, like Chase Travel or American Express Membership Rewards. You can use these to book flights, hotels, rental cars, and more. They may also have a number of travel partners, to which you can directly transfer points or miles. For example, American Express Membership Rewards points transfer to Delta SkyMiles at a rate of 1: flexibility of general travel cards means you can travel with any number of different airlines or hotel brands and get the best bang for your buck. Each time you're ready to book, simply shop around between the portal or partners and compare the best options for your specific travel plans. These credit cards also allow other redemption options, such as statement credits, gift cards, and cash back. But you'll generally get the best value by redeeming points or miles for travel. Airline and hotel credit cards are typically co-branded between the card issuer and the airline or hotel chain. Here are a few examples: Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card United Quest Card Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card These cards are best suited for travelers who prefer to fly with a specific airline or stay at a certain hotel chain. Maybe you live near a hub airport, frequent a destination where a specific airline offers the most direct flight options, or you enjoy the perks of a specific hotel's loyalty program. Instead of flexible rewards points or miles, you'll earn points or miles within the airline or hotel rewards program, like Marriott Bonvoy points or American Airlines AAdvantage miles — and get a boosted rewards rate when you spend directly with the airline or hotel. These cards often offer a faster path to elite status tiers within these programs as well. You'll typically get the best redemption rate when you use rewards for flights with the airline or stays at a hotel, but many programs offer other redemptions, too. Some airline and hotel rewards programs may even allow you to transfer your points and miles to other travel partners like you can with general travel rewards programs. The added benefits of co-branded cards are designed to appeal to loyal airline or hotel customers. For example, your airline card may get you priority boarding, upgrades, free checked bags, and in-flight discounts. And your hotel card may offer early check-in or late checkout, annual free night awards, and on-site credits. Co-branded travel cards aren't for everyone, but they can add a lot to your travel experience if you have a strong airline or hotel preference. Here are a few key details to look for in any new travel credit card: No matter your budget, there's a travel credit card with an annual fee that fits. You can find solid no annual fee options, like the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature card. But there are also plenty of premium travel cards with steep fees — The Platinum Card® from American Express, for example, may set you back $695 per year (see rates and fees) but comes with an abundance of valuable benefits and perks that can potentially give you even more value back each year. The most important thing to keep in mind when deciding whether an annual fee is worth it for you is whether you can get enough out of the rewards and benefits to outweigh the cost — without spending more than you otherwise would or can afford. For new cardholders, a sign-up bonus can offer major first-year value. These bonuses may be worth anything from 10,000 to over 100,000 bonus points or miles — which can translate to hundreds of dollars in rewards value. However, you should compare the terms of the bonus to your own budget before you apply. For example, you may need to spend $4,000 within the first three months of opening your card before you can earn the 60,000 bonus points. If that's not within your typical spending, be careful not to take on debt to meet the spending threshold. Accruing high interest on balances can quickly outpace even the best bonus. One smart strategy is opening a new travel credit card when you're booking a trip you've been saving for. You may already be prepared to spend more than usual, which can help you reach the bonus requirement faster. Plus, you can earn rewards on those travel purchases to put toward future trips. Also look out for limited-time offers from top travel credit cards. Occasionally, issuers will increase the welcome bonus for a period of time — if you see a promotional offer that fits within your budget, that could be a great time to apply for a new card. Rewards are one of the biggest reasons for many people to open a travel credit card. Earning rewards with travel cards often works in one of two ways. You'll either earn rewards on your everyday spending (groceries, gas stations, restaurants) to redeem toward future travel, or earn rewards on your travel spending to put toward future travel. Some cards offer a combination of these rewards, but knowing which type of spender you are can be useful. If your monthly budget is largely dedicated to everyday spending, you may get more value from the former. But if you travel frequently and spend a lot of money on flights, hotels, and rental cars, you can quickly rack up more points with travel-based rewards categories. Many travel rewards credit cards — especially the most premium cards with high annual fees — really shine when it comes to added perks and benefits. These benefits can help you offset the annual fee and save money each time you travel. Take the $395 annual fee Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, for example. Each year, you'll get a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel and 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) on your account anniversary. Already, that's enough to wipe out the annual cost — before accounting for any rewards and other benefits (like up to $120 in fee credits toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry and Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership). Just remember: Choose a card with benefits that help you save on purchases you would still have made otherwise. If you tend to arrive shortly before takeoff and don't care about airport lounge access, you won't actually get the $200 potential value from that benefit. One unique aspect of travel credit cards is the protections you can get as a cardholder when you travel. Common protections offered by travel credit cards include trip cancellation and interruption insurance, car rental insurance, trip delay reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, access to emergency assistance services, and more. As long as you pay for your travel expenses with the card (booking flights, hotels, tours, etc.) you can qualify for these travel protection benefits. Like any coverage, though, you should make sure to read the fine print of what your individual card offers. These benefits can vary greatly between different travel cards, so make sure to look for details in your card rewards credit cards can make a great addition to your wallet, even if you only travel a few times per year. Be sure to compare different travel card options to find the combination of annual fee, rewards, benefits, and sign-up bonus that works best for your travel plans and spending. There may be a few reasons why a travel credit card isn't right for you, though: You're already in credit card debt. Avoid adding another card — especially one with a potentially high annual fee — to your wallet if you already have high-interest debt. Eliminating those balances will help you save a lot more in interest than any value travel rewards could offer. You don't want to keep up with a rewards strategy. Travel credit cards can be most lucrative if you maximize how you earn and redeem rewards. If you don't want to spend the time strategizing bonus categories and the best redemption options, a credit card with a simpler rewards structure may be better for you. You don't have great credit. Travel credit cards generally require a good-to-excellent credit score to qualify for approval. If your credit isn't in a great place right now, focus on improving your score before you apply for a new card. If you are ready to open a travel credit card, time your application wisely. The spending thresholds to earn your welcome bonus can be high, so you may want to plan your application around your next trip. The money you've already saved can help you score the bonus when you book your travel, and you'll also earn bonus points or miles for your next trip. If you're new to travel credit cards, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a great place to start — you can earn 2x miles on everything, and it's easy to redeem your miles through Capital One's travel portal. Before you apply for any new travel card though, look at your frequent spending and travel to find the best one for your individual goals. When traveling abroad, look for credit cards that don't charge foreign transaction fees. All of the cards on the list above waive foreign transaction fees, so you won't have to worry about extra charges when you use them to travel internationally. One thing to keep in mind while traveling abroad is worldwide acceptance of your card. It can be useful to travel with more than one credit card on different card networks (these include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover). For a premium travel experience, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is our top pick. However, there are other premium travel cards with valuable benefits for travelers — including annual credits, elite status, bonus rewards, and more — for higher annual fees. We began our search for the best travel cards with a list of 70 credit cards that offer travel rewards and benefits. This list includes general travel cards with flexible rewards programs, as well as co-branded hotel and airline cards that earn points and miles within a specific program. Our methodology focuses on cards that offer the greatest value to the broadest range of cardholders — without a significant annual cost. We start with each card's welcome offer, which we rate based on the value of the bonus, the spending required to qualify, and a ratio comparing the bonus points or miles earned to the card's annual fee. The more you're spending to own the card, the more value we believe you should get in return. Another large portion of the overall ratings is rewards and ongoing benefits. We give preference to cards with rewards categories that span both travel and everyday spending (gas stations, supermarkets, dining, streaming services, etc.) to help ensure you can maximize points even when you're not on-the-go. We also consider redemption options for each card, with the most flexible rewards programs earning higher scores. Finally, we compare travel benefits like annual statement credits, airline status and award nights, companion offers, and other ongoing perks that might make opening a travel card worth it over the long-term. We also look at each card's annual fee, ongoing APR, credit score access, and foreign transaction fees — as well as issuer-specific information like customer service contact information, mobile app user ratings, and fraud protections. These are details we evaluate for every type of credit card. The final picks on our list are the travel credit cards with the highest overall ratings given each of the criteria above. We sort out general travel cards first — these are the options that make up the primary list, because they are more flexible for a larger number of travelers. But we also include top-scoring hotel and airline co-branded cards. These are great options for some travelers, though you should consider how often you travel with the hotel or airline before you consider one of these cards.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card review: Build your credit while earning cash back
The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card can help people build their credit history while providing at least 1.5% cash back on every eligible purchase. Learn more about the QuicksilverOne from Capital One, including how to earn and redeem rewards. In addition to its earning potential, the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card features valuable benefits for cardholders. Automatic credit line reviews. Capital One will automatically review your credit limit for a potential increase in as little as six months. No foreign transaction fees. Avoid hidden charges of up to 3% when making foreign purchases. Free credit score monitoring. Access and track your credit score for free with CreditWise. Monitor your progress toward your credit score goals to qualify for credit cards with higher rewards and additional benefits. The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card has three primary ways to earn rewards. Booking reservations through Capital One Travel. When you book hotels and rental cars with Capital One Travel, you'll earn 5% on every purchase. Everyday purchases. This card earns an unlimited 1.5% cash back on every eligible purchase. There aren't multiple bonus categories to remember or special offers to activate to earn rewards on all of your spending. Referring friends and family. Log into your Capital One account to get your personalized referral link. You'll earn additional rewards when your friends and family use your link and get approved. The cash-back rewards earned from the QuicksilverOne from Capital One never expire as long as your account is open and in good standing. You can redeem your rewards anytime and for any amount through multiple redemption options: Get cash back. Receive cash back as a statement credit on your account or as a check in the mail. Cover your purchases. Redeem rewards to cover some or all of a recent purchase on your credit card. Buy gift cards. Purchase gift cards from dozens of popular retailers and restaurants to use yourself or give as gifts. Book travel. Use your rewards to book travel through the Capital One Travel portal. The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card makes sense if you want to build your credit while earning cash-back rewards. If you already have a good or excellent credit score, consider applying for better rewards credit cards. Use your card responsibly, and you may be rewarded with a credit line increase in as little as six months. Capital One automatically reviews accounts, so you don't have to ask for the bank to raise your limit. The bank also offers CreditWise, which is a free tool that offers access to your credit score and includes tools to help you monitor your credit. Less strict credit recommendations for approval (note that having a certain credit score doesn't guarantee your approval, as it's up to the card issuer and based on multiple creditworthiness factors) Automatic credit line reviews in as little as six months Straightforward rewards rate No foreign transaction fees Charges a $39 annual fee Does not offer a welcome bonus or intro APR offer No common bonus categories to maximize rewards The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is an excellent choice for purchases anywhere credit cards are accepted. When your account is opened, you'll receive either a Visa or Mastercard, which are two of the most widely accepted card networks. Since the QuicksilverOne doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, you can use it most anywhere you travel. Whether you're shopping around town or traveling across the ocean, you won't have to pay hidden foreign transaction fees of up to 3% that some competing cards may charge. Make payments online at Set up automatic recurring payments Pay over the phone at (800) 227-4825 Use the Capital One mobile app (Apple, Google) Mail payments to Capital One, Attn: Payment Processing, PO Box 71087, Charlotte, NC 28272-1087 Overnight payments to Capital One, Attn: Payment Processing, 6125 Lakeview Rd, Suite 800, Charlotte, NC 28269 In-person at a Capital One Cafe, branch, or ATM location Customer service is available 24/7 Phone number: (800) 227-4825 or the number on the back of your card Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card login page The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is an excellent choice for people who want to earn cash-back rewards while building their credit, but it won't be the best fit for everyone. Consider these alternatives for more options. Why we like it: The Capital One Quicksilver Secured is similar to the Capital One QuicksilverOne, but it may have less strict credit requirements as a secured card. You can still earn valuable cash-back rewards, but you have to put down a minimum $200 refundable security deposit that acts as your credit we like it: The Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card makes earning rewards on everyday purchases easy with its elevated bonus categories. You can also take advantage of multiple card benefits, including receiving $7 back each month after spending $9.99+ monthly on an eligible Disney Bundle subscription (enrollment required).Why we like it: The Capital One Savor has a $0 annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and intro APR offers on purchases and balance transfers. It's also among the most rewarding cash-back cards for everyday shopping, including at grocery stores, dining out, entertainment, and popular streaming article was edited by Ben Walker (CEPF, CFEI®) Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. All opinions belong solely to Yahoo Finance and are not those of any other entity. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank's website for the most current information. This site doesn't include all currently available offers. Credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Get up to $1,000 toward travel with Capital One Venture's limited-time welcome offer
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card — already one of our favorite travel cards — just got even better. Starting today, there's a two-part welcome bonus for new Capital One Venture cardholders that's equal to $1,000 in travel: Get a one-time $250 welcome credit when you open your new account Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend at least $4,000 within the first three months of account opening Here's more about the offer and how you can take advantage for your upcoming travel you open a new Capital One Venture card, you'll first get a $250 welcome credit. This credit is valid for one year and applies to Capital One Travel purchases. You can use it when you book flights, hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars through the portal. In addition to the credit, you'll earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening. When you use Capital One miles for travel spending, you'll get a value of one cent per mile, making the 75,000-mile bonus worth $750. This is the card's standard welcome bonus, but only gets more valuable when paired with the one-time credit. In total, this bonus offer is worth up to $1,000 toward future total, this bonus offer is worth up to $1,000 toward future travel. But don't forget about the extra miles you'll earn while you work toward the bonus. To earn the 75,000 bonus miles, you'll need to spend $4,000 within the first three months. At the Venture card's rewards rate of 2x miles per dollar, you'll earn an extra 8,000 miles on your way to the welcome bonus. In total, you would have 83,000 miles after you earn the bonus (8,000 miles from your spending plus the 75,000 bonus miles). Let's say you're planning a trip over Memorial Day weekend to Washington, D.C. Holiday weekends are always pricey, but you can use those 83,000 miles to offset the cost when you book through Capital One Travel. For example, you can put 80,301 miles toward a three-night stay in this Hilton hotel less than a mile from the National Mall instead of paying the cash value of $803.01. And don't forget about your $250 credit. Take this nonstop route between Los Angeles and Honolulu later in the summer for example. For a weeklong trip between Aug. 16 and 23, you'll pay just $267.40 for airfare through the portal. Using your welcome credit to help offset the cost, you can pay just $17.40 you'll only be able to use the $250 one-time welcome credit on bookings through Capital One Travel, the miles you earn are much more flexible. One of the most potentially lucrative redemption options is transferring your miles to Capital One's 15+ transfer partners. These partner airline and hotel programs include Flying Blue, Virgin Red, Emirates Skywards, Wyndham Rewards, and more. Many partners transfer at a 1:1 ratio, but these ratios can vary. Make sure you check the details before your transfer. Recently, Capital One added JetBlue's TrueBlue program to its list of partners; you can convert your miles to TrueBlue points at a 5:3 ratio. If you transfer the 75,000 Capital One miles earned through the welcome bonus to JetBlue's loyalty program at the 5:3 ratio, you'd have 45,000 TrueBlue points to use toward your next flight. Let's say you live in Boston and want to escape lingering chilly weather with a long weekend in San Diego in early April. Right now, you could book a flight to San Diego on Thursday, April 3 for as low as 19,700 points one way and a return overnight flight to Boston landing early on Monday, April 7 for 15,900. That's a total of 35,600 for your trip — leaving nearly 10,000 remaining miles for your next JetBlue Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the best travel credit cards available today. In fact, it's our top overall pick among travel cards right matter where you spend your money, it's easy to maximize spending with the Capital One Venture's flat 2x miles on every purchase. Even if you only travel a few times per year, you can earn rewards on the things you buy regularly to use toward those trips. On the other hand, frequent travelers can make the most of flexible miles rewards — and the increased 5x miles on eligible Capital One Travel purchases — to ensure great value on each trip. The Capital One Venture Rewards Card does have a $95 annual fee, but a few annual benefits go a long way toward offsetting it each year. These include up to a $120 statement credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fees, a $50 experience credit when you book eligible stays with the Lifestyle Collection hotels, complimentary Hertz Five Star status, and more. Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. All opinions belong solely to Yahoo Finance and are not those of any other entity. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank's website for the most current information. This site doesn't include all currently available offers. Credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
