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A travel rewards card can help you pay for your next vacation and even reduce some of the stress associated with travel. With the Capital One Venture Rewards card, you can earn valuable rewards on your purchases, plus the card offers perks like auto rental coverage and travel accident insurance.

Capital One Venture Rewards card overview

Additional benefits

There are several added benefits you can take advantage of with your Capital One Venture Rewards card:

• Hertz Five Star Status: As a card member, you qualify for Hertz Five Star Status. You can skip the rental counter, and you can choose from a wider selection of car thanks to your status.

• Fee credit for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry: Receive a $100 statement credit to cover some of your fees for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.

• Auto rental damage collision waiver: If you turn down the rental car company’s coverage and use the Venture Rewards card to cover the cost of your reservation, you’re automatically covered against theft or damages.

• Travel accident insurance: Purchase your fare with your card, and you will be covered by accident insurance at no added cost.

How to earn rewards

The Capital One Venture Rewards card has a relatively simple rewards structure. You’ll earn the highest rewards rate — five miles per $1 spent — on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, but you’ll earn a flat two miles per $1 spent on all other purchases.

Here is how much you could earn in rewards if you spent $5,000 with your card:

Although the value of your miles may vary based on your redemption method, 16,000 miles could be worth as much as $160.

How to redeem rewards

You can redeem your miles in the following ways:

• Transfer miles to loyalty programs: You can transfer your miles to one of Capital One’s 15 loyalty program partners, such as British Airways Avios, Emirates Skywards, or Air Canada Aeroplan.

• Redeem for gift cards: Redeem your miles for gift cards to major retailers and merchants.

• Capital One Travel: You can redeem your miles for flights, hotel reservations, and car rentals through Capital One Travel.

• Cash: Redeem your miles for statement credits, or request a check.

• Amazon.com: You can also use your miles to pay for some or all of your purchase through Amazon.com.

• PayPal: Through PayPal, you can redeem your miles at checkout on purchases from major retailers.

In general, your miles are worth one cent each, but certain redemption methods, such as redeeming your miles at checkout with certain retailers, may give you less value.

Who is the Capital One Venture Rewards card best for?

If you love to travel, but want to avoid the hassle of keeping track of bonus spending categories or different rewards rates, the Capital One Venture Rewards card may be for you. You’ll earn a higher rewards rate on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and a simple, flat rewards rate on all other purchases.

Capital One Venture Rewards card pros

• No foreign transaction fees: The card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, so you can use it for purchases outside the U.S. without incurring added fees.

• Simple rewards structure: Instead of a complex rewards structure, you’ll earn a flat two miles per $1 spent on every purchase.

• Generous new cardmember bonus: For a card with a fairly low annual fee, the new cardmember offer is surprisingly generous. You’ll get a $250 credit to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 miles if you spend $4,000 within three months of opening an account — a $1,000 value.

Capital One Venture Rewards cons

• Limited travel benefits: Although the card has some travel benefits, it lacks common coverages like travel interruption/cancellation insurance or baggage delay reimbursement.

• No promotional APR on purchases: The card doesn’t offer a promotional APR on purchases or balance transfers. However, there are other cards with generous introductory APRs, which allow you to pay off your dream vacation without worrying about interest charges.

How to make a Capital One Venture Rewards payment

You can make a credit card payment online, through the Capital One mobile app, or by sending a check through the mail:

Capital One Venture Rewards card customer service info

Alternative cards to consider

If the Capital One Venture Rewards card isn’t right for you, consider these alternative travel rewards cards:

This article was edited by Rebecca McCracken

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