I've been using the Venture X for about a year. I got 100k bonus with it, but I figured I'd share my thoughts on those points. It's love/hate. The points transfer to a VERY slim number of partners. Most all of us will be stuck using the Capital One Travel portal to use them. Now, that's a good and bad thing. The good means you can use those points with any airline and any hotel. The bad is that I've had small issues with certain flights showing up on the carrier's website but not Capitol One's, and/or, the price is 2% higher on Capitol One's website, and/or, only the "basic" economy seat is available which costs extra for seat selection instead of the "regular" economy. etc etc Now then, I have found that if I just book the basic economy fare, my status with that airline then allows me to go into the carrier's app and select my seat/check a bag with no fees. So, overall, I'm doing pretty well with Capitol One Travel despite some hoop-jumping. But I could see how some people might have a different experience.

The regular Venture does not come with Priority Pass.... which honestly my experience with Priority Pass has been mixed too. Some lounges are overfilled and not allowing Priority Pass members. Or maybe they are, but you've got to wait awhile whereas other members walk right in. I waited over an hour in Vegas for entrance. First world problems for sure. But just telling you the real experience. It's not like having Admiral's Club or Centurion access, for example.

But as others have mentioned, the Venture X comes with a $300 travel credit and I also got a $200 AirBnB credit [thepointsguy.com] (don't see that called out anymore). Free global entry credit too, if you don't already have it.

I have a big charge coming up - which cards can give instant approval and card number without the multi-wk processing time?

I am trying to book an international flight and the same flight on CapOne site is $35 more expensive than on Google flights. I travelled domestically in December and during spring break. Rented a car on both occassions but CapOne was more expensive than Costco. I eventually booked with Costco travel because 10x points is not worth paying $150 difference in the price difference. Costco travel was cheaper for Budget rental (the one that I booked) plus cancellation was easy on Costco. Same with the Hotels as well, Hotels.com, Kayak showed me more variety of hotels than Capone.

In short, the Capone was pretty useless for flights. cars and hotels. Those 5x, and 10x points are also only worth it if you are able to maximize the benefits by transferring to certain airlines and getting offers for the limited seats if and when they are available. Reward travel has come a long way and has actually become a hassle IMO.

This is really helpful; they make it sound like it's super liberal and transfers to anything/everything. Apparently not so.

For those with experience with Venture X, is the $300 travel credit per calendar year like CSR, or once per AF billing cycle? Thinking of leaving CSR ( DW has one already), and moving to Venture X. TIA!

If approved do you can the card number right away to use while they ship the card?

If approved do you can the card number right away to use while they ship the card?