Updated June 14, 2022

Capital One is introducing some meaningful update to cards across their portfolio and updating the bonus on the ever popular Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.

Let’s take a look at the details and how it impacts you.

 

Expanded Lounge Access

Capital One is expanding lounge access by adding access to an additional 100+ lounges worldwide. Cardholders of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card will receive unlimited complimentary access, and Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Spark Miles for Business Card card holders can use their two annual complimentary passes to now visit 100+ Plaza Premium Lounges worldwide.

Capital One has also added some additional lounge partners that you can access with the Venture X including the following:

  • All domestic Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses
  • Air France Lounge at Trudeau Airport in Montreal (YUL)
  • MERA Business Lounges at Cancun International Airport (CUN)

You can find the full list and access details over at Capital One.

 

Expanded Rental Car Benefits

Capital One has expanded rental car benefits on the Venture and Venture X.

Venture X cardholders will earn 10X miles per dollar on Turo through May 16, 2023, while Venture cardholders will earn 5X. Venture X will also earn 10X miles on rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and enjoy complimentary Hertz President’s Circle status.

Venture card holders will earn 5X miles on rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and complimentary Hertz Five Star Status.

Spark Miles and other cards that have access to Capital One Travel will earn 5X miles on rental cars booked through Capital One travel.

Venture Bonus now 75,000 Miles

The Capital One Venture Credit Card is now offering a new bonus of 75,000 points after spending $4,000 in spend within three months of account opening.

While this isn’t the highest bonus we’ve ever seen on the Venture card, it is one of the highest recently. The bonus on the Venture card typically stays at its standard offer for quite awhile, so now would be a good time to grab the Venture Card if you’ve been considering it.

Keep in mind that you can get the Venture if you’re over 5/24, and even with the elevated bonus there’s some great Chase opportunities out there to pursue before looking at the Venture card.

Earn More Points with Turo and Venture and Venture X

Capital One is introducing a new partnership with Turo. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and Venture credit card holders can now earn additional miles for purchases made with Turo.

Venture X cardholders will earn 10X miles per dollar when booking through the Turo app or on Turo.com through May 16, 2023.

Venture cardholders will earn 5X miles.

This presents a significant opportunity to earn more miles with Turo than with other cards.

Capital One Travel Expands to all Capital One Rewards Cards

In addition to the updates to the Venture and Venture X cards, Capital One is rolling out Capital One Travel to all of its rewards cards. All rewards cards, including cashback cards, now earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

You’ll also be able to redeem your cash back on these cards through Capital One travel. Cash rewards cardholders can redeem rewards at a 1-to-1 ratio. Your $1 in cash rewards is worth $1 towards travel through Capital One travel.

What Really Matters From These Updates

Just because an issuer makes updates, doesn’t always mean that they’re worthwhile. Here’s the takeaway of what really matters from these updates.

The Venture bonus is solid. Capital One has been improving their travel partners so much in recent years that they’re a serious contender in the travel rewards space now. If you’re able to get this card, and you’re over 5/24 it’s almost a no brainer to not jump on it.

Additional rewards through Turo are a nice perk, but not game changing. Many other cards already earned additional miles on “travel” which Turo sometimes codes as. I’d like to see this partnership mean that the rental car insurance offered on both cards extends to Turo, but that’s not clear and unlikely at this point. It isn’t a compelling enough reason to get the card if you don’t use Turo, but if you do then either the Venture X or Venture should be your go to for booking Turo.

The ability to access Capital One Travel on the other cards isn’t a big deal. If you’re earning cash back through those cards, you should just redeem the cash back directly and then pay for travel with a different card. By doing this you’ll earn more points on your travel and be entitled to additional travel benefits that aren’t offered on many of the cash back cards.

Just because an issuer makes updates, doesn’t always mean that they’re worthwhile...The Venture bonus is solid, additional rewards through Turn are nice but not game changing, and Capital One Travel through other cards doesn't matter.

Final Thoughts

Capital One has made some great changes with the updated bonus on the Venture card to 75,000 points, and the addition of earning bonus points on Turo through May 16th, 2023 on the Venture and Venture X.

Although Capital One is also expanding access and redemption ability through Capital One travel to their cash back cards as well, you’ll get more value by booking travel with another card and just redeeming the cash back normally. Plus, you’ll get more travel protections that way.