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)
Capital One often sweetens the deal with extra miles if you add an authorized user and make a purchase in the first few months. 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.
💡 Pro Tip: Don’t get a credit card just to get a credit card. No amount of miles and points is worth any debt spiral. Credit cards are great tools, but with great power comes great responsibility!
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: Venture X cardholders get complimentary entry to Capital One Lounges and Priority PassTM lounges (after enrollment). The Venture X Business also includes two complimentary Priority PassTM guests per visit (after enrollment), while the personal Venture X is tightening guest access starting in 2026 (guests will cost $35 each unless you spend $75,000 annually).
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:
Redeem miles for travel purchases at a flat rate of one cent per mile (book anywhere, then “cover” the charge within 90 days).
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 Price Drop Protection and price prediction tools in the travel portal can save you more than transfers 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.
