Travel Credit Card Showdown: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Vs. CapitalOne Venture Rewards

01 Find the Perfect Capital One Travel Card for Your Needs

Are you ready to take your travel experiences to the next level? Are you planning a spontaneous weekend escape or a meticulously crafted international journey? Do you have the itch to take a chance and visit somewhere on your bucket list this year? Choosing the right travel rewards card can make all the difference, helping you earn the miles you need to explore more and spend less.

When it comes to maximizing your travel rewards, Capital One stands out with two exceptional options: the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. Though their names are similar, each offers unique benefits tailored to different travel styles and financial preferences. Let’s dive into the specifics of each card to determine which one aligns best with your travel ambitions.

Both Capital One VentureOne Rewards Mastercard and Capital One Venture Rewards Mastercard allow you to earn and redeem miles for travel. While mile transferability is a key feature, the standout attraction for most users is the generous signup bonus each card offers, significantly boosting your mileage balance right from the start.

02 Distinct Benefits for Different Financial Situations

Both cards offer distinct benefits catering to different financial situations and ways of traveling:

• VentureOne Rewards
  • Ideal for those who want to earn miles from their travel purchases but currently lack the funds to pay them off.
  • Beneficial if you intend to pay off your balance in full by the end of the 15-month introductory period.
• Venture Rewards
  • Best suited for those who can pay their balance in full monthly, ensuring you maximize the rewards without incurring interest.

03 Point Transfer Partnerships

Capital One offers 1:1 mile transfer deals with members of the three major airline alliances:

• Oneworld
• Star Alliance
• SkyTeam

Specifically, Capital One partners with the following airline loyalty programs:

• Aeromexico Club Premier (SkyTeam)
• Air Canada – Aeroplan® (Star Alliance)
• Avianca LifeMiles (Star Alliance)
• British Airways Executive Club (Oneworld)
• Cathay Pacific – Asia Miles (Oneworld)
• Emirates Skywards (No Alliance)
• EVA Air Infinity MileageLands: 3 miles for every 4 Capital One Miles (Star Alliance)
• Etihad Guest (None)
• Finnair Plus (Oneworld)
• Flying Blue (AirFrance/KLM) (SkyTeam)
• Qantas Frequent Flyer (Oneworld)
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer (Star Alliance)
• TAP Miles&Go (Star Alliance)
• Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles (Star Alliance)
• Virgin Red (SkyTeam)

Capital One also partners with the following hotel loyalty programs:

• Accor Live Limitless: 1 mile for every 2 Capital One Miles spent.
• Choice Privileges®
• Wyndham Rewards

Special Transfer Rates:

• EVA Air Infinity MileageLands: 3 miles for every 4 Capital One Miles.
• Accor Live Limitless: 1 mile for every 2 Capital One Miles spent.

This flexibility enables you to redeem miles for luxury travel experiences, maximizing the value of your rewards.

04 When VentureOne Rewards Is the Best Fit

Imagine you’re a family of four traveling from Wichita to Sydney, Australia, to visit a relative. Here’s how VentureOne Rewards can make this journey more manageable: Travel Costs:

• Total Cost of Tickets: $7,500
• Alternative Loan Interest Rate: 10%
• Interest Over 15 Months: Approximately $1,000

VentureOne Rewards Benefits:

• Welcome Bonus: Earn at least $200 worth of miles.
• Mile Earnings:
  • Additional Miles: 9,375 miles (worth roughly $93.75 when redeemed for plane tickets) if you spend up to $7,500 on tickets.
• No Annual Fee: Unlike the Venture Rewards card, VentureOne Rewards doesn’t require an annual fee.
• TSA Pre-Check Reimbursement: Take advantage of this added benefit.

Total 15-Month Value Comparison:

• With VentureOne Rewards: $1,293.75
• With Venture Rewards: $830

VentureOne Rewards is perfect for those who want to earn points from their travel purchases but lack the funds to pay off the tickets immediately. With no annual fee and a generous welcome bonus, it offers significant value during the 15-month promotional period, making it an excellent choice for managing large expenses while still earning rewards.

While VentureOne Rewards is ideal for those needing flexibility, the Venture Rewards card caters to travelers who prefer to maximize their rewards without carrying a balance. Let’s explore how Venture Rewards can enhance your travel experiences.

05 Where the Venture Rewards Card Works Best

Imagine you’re financially stable, rarely needing to use credit for unexpected expenses, and consistently spend around $5,000 each month. Here’s how Venture Rewards can enhance your travel experience: Monthly Spending:

• Average Monthly Spend: $5,000
• Annual Spend: $60,000

Venture Rewards Benefits:

• Welcome Bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months.
• Mile Earnings:
  • 2 Miles per Dollar: Earn 2 miles for every dollar spent on all purchases.
  • 5 Miles per Dollar: Earn 5 miles for every dollar spent on hotels, rental cars, and vacation rentals via Capital One Travel.
• Annual Fee: $95

Additional Perks:

• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Credit: Up to $120 credit.
• Complimentary Hertz Five Star Status: Skip the rental counter and choose from a wider selection of cars.
• Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver: Additional peace of mind during travels.

Total 12-Month Value Comparison:

• With Venture Rewards: $1,975 With VentureOne Rewards: $950

Venture Rewards is the ideal choice for those in strong financial standing who can comfortably pay off their balances each month. With a higher annual fee, a generous welcome bonus, and enhanced point-earning potential, this card maximizes rewards for substantial monthly spending. The additional perks, such as the Global Entry credit and complimentary Hertz status, elevate your travel experience, making Venture Rewards a superior option for dedicated travelers looking to capitalize on their expenditures. Let’s take a closer look at the fees, bonus points, and point values associated with the Capital One VentureOne Rewards card.

06 Capital One VentureOne Rewards: Fees, Bonuses, and Point Value Explained

Let’s break down the key aspects of the Capital One VentureOne Rewards card, including its fees, enrollment bonuses, and how points are valued. Annual Fee:

• $0

Bonus Points for Enrollment:

• 20,000 Bonus Miles: Earn 20,000 bonus miles once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
  • Note: This bonus is not valid if the applicant has received an enrollment bonus within the last 48 months for the same card.

Point Value:

• $0.01 per Mile: Each mile is equal to $0.01 when redeemed for a travel expense.
• Redemption Options:
  • Redeem miles within 90 days of the qualifying spend.
  • Alternatively, use miles to book via Capital One Travel.

How You Earn Points:

• 1.25 Points per Dollar: Earn 1.25 miles for every dollar spent on all purchases.
• 5 Points per Dollar: Earn 5 miles for every dollar spent on travel via CapitalOne Travel.

Key Benefits That Are Not Point Related:

• No Foreign Transaction Fees: Save money on purchases made outside the United States.

Low Intro APR: The introductory APR can benefit travelers needing to book expensive flights or make significant purchases, provided you pay them off within 15 months of card opening.

• Note: This is not a Low APR Card after the introductory period, so it's crucial to use this feature wisely.

These features make the VentureOne Rewards card a great choice for travelers looking to earn rewards without the added cost of an annual fee. Next, let’s explore how the Venture Rewards card stands out for those who prefer to maximize their rewards with consistent monthly spending.

07 Capital One Venture Rewards: Fees, Bonuses, and Point Value Explained

Let’s break down the key aspects of the Capital One Venture Rewards card, including its fees, enrollment bonuses, and how points are valued. Annual Fee:

• $95

Bonus Points for Enrollment:

• 75,000 Bonus Miles: Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on the card within 3 months.
  • Note: This bonus is not valid if the applicant has received an enrollment bonus within the last 48 months for the same card.

Point Value:

• Variable: Redemption is similar to VentureOne, where you can redeem 100 miles for $1 spent on travel, but this is not guaranteed.

How to Earn Points:

• 2 Points per Dollar: Earn 2 miles for every dollar spent on all purchases.
• 5 Points per Dollar: Earn 5 miles for every dollar spent on hotels, rental cars, and vacation rentals via Capital One Travel.

Key Benefits That Are Not Point Related:

• Ability to Transfer Miles to Other Programs: Capital One offers flexibility with multiple transfer partners.
• Up to a $120 Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®.
• Eligible Venture cardholders receive Complimentary Hertz® Five Star Status: Skip the rental counter and choose from a wider selection of cars.
• Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver.

These features make Venture Rewards a superior option for dedicated travelers looking to capitalize on their expenditures.

08 The Verdict: Choosing the Right Capital One Venture Card for Your Travel Needs

Capital One Venture Rewards is the clear winner if you are confident that you can pay off your credit card balances every month. Its higher welcome bonus, superior earning rates, and valuable perks make it ideal for high-spenders seeking maximum rewards.

However, if a 0% introductory APR on purchases can help out your financial situation, Capital One VentureOne Rewards could be the better option. With no annual fee and a solid welcome bonus, VentureOne Rewards is perfect for managing large expenses while still earning rewards.   Happy travels!