We may earn a commission if approved. Always read terms before applying. 21+ years old only.
Capital One VentureX
Giorgio Sarro
The Rich Grad Student
Capital One VentureX
Secure Application
We may earn a commission when you click on links and apply for credit cards. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site, but does not influence our editorial content, ratings, or recommendations.
Learn moreQuick Info
Points Program: Capital One Miles
Spend Requirement: $4,000 in 3 months
Why we opened it!
The Capital One Venture X offers great travel perks and pays you to keep the card ($5+/year)! Any graduate student should have it.
Access the beautiful Capital One lounges and landings, and priority pass lounges around the world!
Earn 10x on car rentals and hotels, including top status with Hertz. Earn 2x on everything else.
The travel portal of the Venture X price matches if you find a cheaper deal!
RGS Value Table
| Category | Points | Value (1.5cpp)Base travel value | Max Value (6cpp)Optimized redemption |
|---|---|---|---|
| Signup Bonus | 75,000+great | N/A | N/A |
| Annual Fee | $395 | N/A | N/A |
| Annual Credits | $400 | N/A | N/A |
| Net Annual Fee | $-5great | N/A | N/A |
| Travel | 10x (on travel portal)rgs wallet | 15% | 60% |
| Grocery | 2xgood | 3% | 12% |
| Gas | 2xgood | 3% | 12% |
| Dining | 2xgood | 3% | 12% |
| Pharmacy | 2xgood | 3% | 12% |
| Other Purchases | 2xrgs wallet | 3% | 12% |
| Lounge Benefits | Capital One Lounges
+ Priority Pass (no guest 🙁)rgs wallet | N/A | N/A |
| Partner Benefits | Hertz President’s Circle (even on the travel portal!) + Free Global Entryrgs wallet | N/A | N/A |
| Misc Benefits | No foreign transaction feesgood | N/A | N/A |
Signup Bonus
Key MetricAnnual Fee
Annual Credits
Net Annual Fee
Key MetricTravel
Key MetricGrocery
Gas
Dining
Key MetricPharmacy
Other Purchases
Lounge Benefits
Partner Benefits
Misc Benefits
Table Key:
*Point valuations shown are example redemptions; actual values vary by route, dates, and availability. Results not typical or guaranteed.
Additional Information
If you spend more than $400 a year on any travel, then the annual fee is automatically paid off (points are worth a minimum of 1cpp on the portal). 10x on rental cars, with the ability to use Hertz President Circle status within the portal, and to price match, is mind blowing! President’s circle allows you to choose any available car from the lot for free!
Capital One lounges are some of the most beautiful in the US. See our blog post on the Capital One lounge in DFW.
2x on everything is a great contestant to the Chase Freedom Unlimited. We use Venture X on everything else abroad given that the Unlimited has foreign transaction fees. The 2x is arguably being beaten by 3.25x on everything from the BILT Palladium card, that is only up until your housing spend, otherwise Flex and Venture X remain my favorites.
Insurance and travel protections are generous, in addition to cellphone protection!
Personal advice only. We are not a bank, lender, or financial advisor. Offers change, and banks do not endorse this content. Always read your cardmember agreement and fee schedule before applying or using any card. Use these recommendations at your own risk. You must be 21 years or older, and this website is not intended for undergraduate students. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, which may influence how or where these products appear. We only recommend products we genuinely believe benefit graduate students and decline offers that do not align with that goal.