You Were Approved for the Venture X Card – Now What?

First of all… congrats! You just picked up one of the most valuable travel credit cards on the market. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (and its business counterpart, the Capital One Venture X Business ) comes loaded with perks, earning potential, and lounge access that can easily outweigh that annual fee.

But lots of people lose out on hundreds of free travel when they don’t activate those offers, take advantage of the credits, yada yada. Don’t be those people. 😌 

To make your new card pay off from day one, you’ll want to check a few boxes right away.

Meet the Welcome Offer

Right now, the Venture X ’s welcome offer is pretty sweet:

Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.

That’s worth hundreds of dollars toward travel when booked through Capital One’s travel booking site , or even more with transfer partners .

Meanwhile, the Venture X Business gets even crazier: Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening.

That’s a serious stash of points if you run a high-spend business, and you could even book some first-class flights and luxury hotel stays with those miles.

Creative Spending Ideas to Hit the Minimum

If $4,000 in three months feels intimidating, here are some ways to reach it without overspending.

Plan Ahead

• Prepay utility, internet, or phone bills.

• Buy gift cards for stores you already shop at (think Amazon, grocery chains, or gas).

• Cover big annual expenses like insurance premiums, tuition, or memberships.

• Book upcoming travel through Capital One Travel (you’ll earn bonus miles while working toward your minimum spend)

Add an Authorized User for a Bonus Boost

Sometimes Capital One tosses in a little extra something for adding an authorized user, though it isn’t always the case. And, starting Feb. 1, 2026, authorized users only get lounge access if you pay $125 per year for them.

Even without the initial offer, it’s a smart move since authorized users get their own card for daily spending, and you rack up the rewards. Just remember… you’re still responsible for their charges.

Activate Your Travel Perks Immediately

Your amazing new Venture X shouldn’t just sit there looking pretty. Its travel perks kick in as soon as you do a little setup.

Lounge Access, TSA PreCheck, and Rental Car Status

• Lounge access: You’ll get access to Capital One Lounges , Landings, and 1,300+ Priority Pass spots (enrollment required). Through Jan 31, 2026, you can still bring a couple of free guests. But starting Feb. 1, 2026 , guesting gets pricey: $45 per adult, $25 per child (ages 2 to 17), and Priority Pass guests cost $35 each. The only way around it? Spend $75,000 in a calendar year, and you’ll unlock free guest passes again for the next year.

• TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit: Every four years, you’ll get a statement credit up to $120  for the application fee.

• Hertz President’s Circle® status: Skip the rental counter and get upgrades when available (enrollment required).

$300 Travel Credit

Both the Venture X and the Venture X Business come with a $300 annual travel credit, but only when you book through Capital One’s travel booking site. You can use it on flights, hotels, rental cars, or vacation rentals. You should note that it won’t work for incidentals or bookings outside the portal. Think of it as a built-in discount off your annual fee.

When and Why to Use Capital One miles

Capital One’s flexibility is the sweetest perk here. You can either:

1. Redeem miles for travel purchases at a flat rate of one cent per mile (book anywhere, then “cover” the charge within 90 days).

2. Transfer miles to partners like Air France/KLM, Air Canada, or Cathay Pacific for insane value on premium flights and hotels.

Best Transfer Options for Flights and Hotels

• Air France/KLM Flying Blue: Monthly Promo Rewards can bring flights to Europe down to about 60,000 miles one way in business class.

• Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles: Business class to Europe or the Middle East for about 65,000 miles.

• Singapore KrisFlyer: Book Singapore’s premium cabins (including Suites) from about 97,000 miles one way.

• Hotels: Transfer to Wyndham or Choice at 1:1, or book boutique and luxury stays through Capital One’s Premier and Lifestyle Collections for perks like breakfast and property credits.

When the Portal Beats Transfers

Sometimes, simple is better. If you’re booking a cheap cash flight (like a $200 domestic short-haul), using the portal or the “Cover Your Travel Purchases” option gives you a fixed redemption without worrying about award availability.

The travel portal’s flight price prediction feature and its $50 credit if your fare drops within 10 days can sometimes save you more than a transfer would.

Bottom Line

The Venture X is one of those cards that can pay for itself quickly if you know where to start. Knock out the welcome offer, activate your lounge and TSA perks, and get familiar with when to use the portal versus transfer partners.

And don’t forget… the Venture X Business is a baller on its own, especially if your company racks up big monthly expenses. With its generous welcome offer, employee cards (that also earn rewards), and extra guest perks in Priority Pass, it’s a great option for all kinds of business owners.

If you check just two or three of these boxes in your first month, you’ll already be ahead of the game, and your annual fee will look a whole lot smaller compared to the value you’re getting out of this fan favorite.