In the interest of full disclosure, OMAAT earns a referral bonus for anyone that’s approved through some of the below links. These are the best publicly available offers (terms apply) that we have found for each product or service. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of the bank, credit card issuer, airline, hotel chain, or product manufacturer/service provider, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Please check out our advertiser policy for further details about our partners, and thanks for your support!
Now is the time to apply for the Capital One Venture X rewards credit card.
Capital One has a premium credit card. The Capital One Venture rewards credit card has been Capital One's flagship travel credit card for many years.
A lot of Capital One Venture card members are wondering if they are eligible for the Venture X if they have the Venture. In this post, I want to address that topic.
Why the Venture X is better than the Venture
The Capital One Venture X is more compelling than the Capital One Venture. There are many things that the cards have in common.
I don't understand why I think the Venture is better than the Venture. The card's annual fee is more expensive, but you're getting it for less.
The same excellent welcome bonus of 75,000 Venture miles after spending $4,000 within three months
A $300 credit valid through Capital One Travel every cardmember year, which you can apply toward flights, hotels, and rental cars
10,000 Venture bonus miles on your account anniversary every year, which you can transfer to Capital One’s airline and hotel partners, or can be redeemed for one cent each toward a travel purchase
A Priority Pass membership, access to Plaza Premium Lounges, and Capital One Lounge access (the DFW lounge is amazing); these benefits apply not only to the primary cardmembers, but also to up to four authorized users, which you can add to your card at no cost
Hertz President’s Circle status, which will score you upgrades and more when renting with Hertz
A variety of protection benefits on account of this being a Visa Infinite Card, including cell phone protection
Bonus miles for purchases through Capital One Travel, including 10x miles on hotel and rental cars, and 5x miles on flights
Here, the math works out very well. Capital One Travel credit will cover the extra cost of the Venture X. You will receive an endless amount of perks, like the anniversary bonus miles, lounge access for you and up to four authorized users.
How should you acquire the Venture X if you have the Venture?
If you have the Capital One Venture you can pick up the Capital One Venture X. What is the best way to move forward? You can either apply directly or upgrade your card. The details, pros and cons of each option will be explained.
Apply outright for the Venture X and receive the bonus
You can still apply for the Capital One Venture X even if you don't have the Capital One Venture. This is the most profitable way to get the card.
You’d be eligible for the welcome bonus of 75,000 Venture miles after spending $4,000 within the first three months
You don’t have to pick up the phone, as you can apply for the card directly online
The downside to this method is that this would be like any other credit card application, so your credit would be pulled, and you’d have to be approved for the card; that being said, there are lots of reports of instant approvals on the card, and you may even end up with a significantly higher credit line than you have on the Venture
Product change & upgrade to the Venture X
If you have had a card for at least a year, most credit card issuers will allow you to swap cards in the same family. This will be an option for a lot of people.
You don’t receive the welcome bonus if you product change or upgrade from the Venture to the Venture X
Some cardmembers may be targeted for an upgrade offer if upgrading from the Venture to the Venture X; however, this is targeted (so check your email or online account), and for that matter, the bonus won’t be nearly as good as the bonus for new cardmembers
The benefit of this option is that there’s generally no credit pull when product changing (though you’ll want to officially verify when you make the request, based on your situation); so this could be useful if you don’t think you’d be approved, or if you’re trying to stay under Chase’s 5/24 limit
The strategy I’d take for acquiring the Venture X
If I were you, I would try to apply for the Capital One Venture X straight away. It seems like the best bet if you don't know why this would be problematic. The welcome bonus of Capital One miles is worth around $1,275 to me, which is excellent.
Even if I had the Venture Card, I would apply straight away. Even if you don't get approved for the application, you can still try to change to the Venture X.
Bottom line
The Capital One Venture X makes a lot of money. I think it is a good idea to get this card over the Capital One Venture. There are many perks that should prove worthwhile for anyone who travels frequently.
If you already have the Venture, there are two ways to get the Venture X. You can change the product. You won't be eligible for a bonus.
Are you getting the Capital One VentureX? What are you doing?