Capital One VentureOne Rewards for Good Credit Review: Travel Perks Without a Premium Price

Okay, I admit it. As much as I adore moving around the planet, I’m also kind of cheap. If I can get a similar product or service for free, why pay for one that costs, right?

Travel credit cards with high fees can be more than worth the price of admission, but if there is an annual fee-free option that includes a suite of valuable perks, that’s where I’ll gravitate. 

Watch on

Enter the Capital One VentureOne Rewards for Good Credit. I’m impressed by how much this travel credit card gives to the cardholder without charging excessive fees. 

But, is the Capital One VentureOne Rewards for Good Credit right for you? If you plan to take trips and prefer simplicity over strategy, it’s certainly worth considering.

Here’s what to know, how to apply, and when a different card may be preferable. 

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards for Good Credit is what’s known as a general travel credit card. Instead of being associated with a specific airline or hotel brand, it has many travel partners, and rewards are paid out in miles instead of cash.

It also includes a wide variety of advantages centered around the art of travel. 

No Annual or Foreign Transaction Fees

Although you can get far more out of a high annual fee travel card with all of its premium perks and benefits, when you don’t use or need them, it’s just a waste of money.

Which is why I like this card. There is no annual fee, so you won’t have to plan out how to maximize the benefits. 

Capital One VentureOne Rewards for Good Credit

CardRates Expert Rating

Capital One VentureOne Rewards for Good Credit

4.6/5.0

About this rating

Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.

See Our Review»

Ashley Fricker Senior Editor

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★★★★★ 4.6/5.0

Our Review »

• $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
• Earn 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
• Travel when you want with no blackout dates and fly any airline, stay at any hotel, anytime
• Miles won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how many you can earn
• Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Top rated mobile app

Show MoreShow Less See application, terms and details »

Intro (Purchases) N/A

Intro (Transfers) N/A

Regular APR 28.99% (Variable)

Annual Fee $0

Credit Needed Good

See Rates & Fees »

Another attractive feature kicks in when you make online purchases from international merchants or when you travel abroad. Foreign transaction fees can range from 1% to 3%, but this card doesn’t charge them at all.

That means if you splurge on a $5,000 wardrobe while in Milan (as one does), you can avoid a potential $150 being added to your bill just by using the Capital One VentureOne Rewards for Good Credit. 

Security and Purchase Protections

I know I’m not the only one who is anxious about identity theft and fraud. If you’re like me, you’ll be grateful for the robust security and purchase protection that comes with the Capital One VentureOne Rewards for Good Credit. 

First stop is $0 fraud liability. You won’t be responsible for any unauthorized charges if your card is lost or stolen. That will be a huge relief if you leave your card at a restaurant or have your wallet swiped on a crowded train.

Yes, both have happened to me, and it’s an awful feeling. 

You’ll also quickly learn if sketchy purchases were made with your account. Capital One will notify you by text, email, and by phone in the event it detects suspicious activity. Such security alerts will keep you in the know in real time. 

If you want even more security, definitely consider using the virtual card numbers when shopping online. They’re different from what is stamped on your card and change each time they are generated.

And if you do find that your physical card has been compromised, you can lock it in the app, on the website, or by calling the customer service number. Doing so will thwart thieves from making charges, but the virtual card numbers will still work for you when you shop online. 

Certainly, one of the most compelling reasons to get this card is the rewards program. The ability to earn miles without having to navigate complicated bonus categories is great. 

But you need to know how the program works to determine if you’ll spend enough to make it worth your while.

Earning Miles

The rewards structure is extremely straightforward because it is a flat-rate card. You will earn at least 1.25X miles for every dollar you spend on everyday purchases.

Whether it’s groceries, concert tickets, or filling up your gas tank, each dollar you spend will earn the same rate. Oh, and the rewards are unlimited, so you won’t cap out at a specific threshold, and they don’t expire. 

How much can you earn with the Capital One VentureOne Rewards for Good Credit? That depends on your habits, but imagine you consistently charge $1,000 every month.

Then you use it to pay for another $5,000 in assorted expenses that come up throughout the year. Annually, that amounts to $17,000 in spending, adding 21,250 miles to your rewards bank. 

Miles Boost On Travel Portal Transactions

Although the Capital One VentureOne Rewards for Good Credit is a flat-rate card, it also comes with the potential to earn a lot more. If you book hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars via Capital One’s Travel portal, you’ll earn 5X miles for every dollar you spend with your card.

That means if you book a special vacation and spend $6,000 through the Capital One Travel portal, you will earn 30,000 miles. 

Be aware that you can also book flights through the travel portal, but they will only generate the standard 1.25X miles. Only purchases in the three categories I mentioned (hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars) will earn the 5X miles boost.

How to Redeem Miles

There are many ways to redeem the miles that you earn with your card. The first, and perhaps most important if you’re considering a travel card, is travel redemption.

You can use your miles to book everything from hotels and rental cars to flights and concert tickets by jumping on Capital One’s shopping portal. This includes the travel portal as well as Capital One Entertainment for all kinds of live events.

Simply find the arrangements you want and choose the rewards redemption option at check-out. You will see how many miles are needed for the transaction. If you don’t have enough, you can make up the difference with cash. You will get at least one cent per mile.

Another cool option that is also a penny per mile? Erase any non-portal-based travel purchases you made in the last 90 days with a statement credit. These may include purchases like flights, cruises, and even rideshares like Uber and Lyft.

You can also transfer your miles to use with any of Capital One’s extensive list of airline or hotel partners. This can be a really lucrative choice, because your miles may be worth 1.5 cents or more when transferred.

To take advantage of the elevated reward rate by transferring your points, you’ll need to have a frequent flyer or loyalty number for that partner program. Then, just sign in to your Capital One account, go to your rewards dashboard, and look for the option to transfer rewards to that partner.

If it’s your first time, you’ll need to link your accounts before you enter the amount you want to transfer. There is usually a 1,000-mile minimum, and you should be sure this is what you want to do, because once you transfer the miles, you can’t bring them back to your Capital One account. 

You may also use your accumulated miles to buy gift cards. You’ll see what is available when you log into your account or open the app.

While the redemption value for gift cards may be less than one cent per mile, some gift cards are discounted, so you can still come out ahead. In some cases, a $100 gift card may only cost you $75. 

Your miles can be redeemed as cash back or a statement credit, but the redemption value will be only 0.5 cents per mile.

You may choose instead to shop with them on Amazon, where you can apply the miles at checkout, or PayPal, where you can use your miles at online stores. The redemption value with those options is typically 0.8 cents to 1 cent per mile. 

As the name suggests, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards for Good Credit is developed for people who have good credit. However, Capital One has its own criteria that go beyond mere numbers.

This card is designed for people who haven’t declared bankruptcy or defaulted on a loan in the past five years. You should also have a credit card or loan, but not have been more than 30 days late on any of those payments in the last year.

It’s very important to check your credit status before you apply for any credit card, including this one. If you don’t qualify, it will result in an unnecessary hard credit inquiry on your credit report, which can shave some points off your score.

So check your credit report to make sure everything is accurate, and then review your credit scores to see what range you fall into.

Tip: with Capital One’s CreditWise tool, you can get your FICO® Score 8 for free, and you don’t even need an account. Credit scores range from 300 to 850, with the “good” range starting at 670. 

I strongly suggest going through the preapproval process before you apply. It only takes a minute or two, and it won’t damage your credit score.

Just follow the easy online steps to share limited information about your finances and credit. Capital One will notify you about which cards may be right for you, and if this is among them, you can continue on with the application process.

Editor’s Note: No application was submitted during this process. This walkthrough is for informational purposes only, and application information could change.

I went through the steps involved in applying, so here’s exactly what you can expect when you do:

Step 1: Full Name

The first screen I come to has rectangular boxes, inviting me to write in my legal first name, last name, and optional middle initial.

Under the blue “Continue” button, I see the rate and fees summary for this account. I press the button to move onto the next screen. 

Step 2: Citizenship Status

Now I see a screen with a “Nice to meet you” message that includes my name. Then, I declare my citizenship status.

If I am a US citizen, I click “Yes,” and if I’m not, I click “No.” I click the “Yes” button, which takes me to another screen that asks if I have citizenship in another country. I click the “No” button.

If I indicated that I was not a citizen, I’d have to select one of two additional options: Either that I am a resident or a non-resident. If I click the non-resident button, it would bring me to a dropdown menu with a large list of countries, and I would need to select the one in which I hold citizenship. 

Instead, I answer the first two questions and click the blue “Continue” button. 

Step 3: Residential and Mailing Address

On this screen, I am asked to complete the form about where I live. If my mailing address is different from my residential address, I am instructed to add that.

I complete the form and click “Continue” again.

Step 4: Phone Number and Email

Now I see a screen that asks how Capital One can communicate with me. One field is for my email address.

The other is for my primary phone number, and I need to indicate if it is a mobile, home, or work phone number by clicking the appropriate button. I do, then move to the next screen. 

Step 5: Employment Details

I’m over halfway there! That’s what this screen begins with, then it asks about my employment status. There are six choices, and I can choose the one that is correct for me: employed, self-employed, retired, student, unemployed, or other.

Choosing the employed, self-employed, or “other” option brings up a field to fill in with my occupation. I fill everything out and move on by clicking “Continue”. 

Step 6: Income Information and Monthly Housing Costs

Here, Capital One would like to get a quick snapshot of my financial situation. The first field asks me to list my total annual income. A small blue button is underneath, and if I click on “What can you include?” a list pops up.

I may include personal income from full-time, part-time, or seasonal jobs, self-employment, interest or dividends, retirement, and public assistance. I may also include shared income (money from somebody else that is regularly deposited into my individual account or into a joint account).

I see that if I am 21 or over, I may also include somebody else’s income that is regularly used to pay my expenses.

I type in my annual income, and then my monthly rent or mortgage payment in the space underneath it. I continue to the next page. 

Step 7: Bank Account Info and Cash Advance Question 

Now I see a screen asking if I have any bank accounts. The options are checking and savings, checking only, savings only, and neither.

Underneath that is an optional question about whether or not I intend to use my credit card for cash advances. I click no, then move on. 

Step 8: Add an Authorized User

I am now taken to a screen asking if I would like to add an authorized user to my account. If yes, I check the box. A small blue button is underneath the box, which explains that an authorized user is someone I can add to my account without any additional application or credit check.

They’ll get their own card to share my line of credit and certain benefits, but as the primary cardholder, I’m responsible for all charges made by an authorized user.

I also see that I can add an authorized user later, and it won’t affect my chances of approval either way.

Step 9: Date of Birth and Social Security Number

I see another encouraging message explaining that I really am almost done. Here, I just need to add some final details that will help Capital One verify my identity.

In one field, I enter my date of birth, and in the next, my Social Security number. A small blue box with the question “Why do we need this?” explains that my Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number is used to identify me and to process my application.

I fill everything in and click the “Continue” button

Step 10: Language and Statement Preferences

On this screen, I see that I am to finish my application by checking a box to agree to paperless communications and statements.

I also choose between English and Spanish by clicking one of the corresponding options. I do, and click the blue “Next” button.

Step 11: Read Disclosures and Submit

I have now reached the end! On this final screen, I see the disclosures and acknowledgment about the account. It shows all of the account’s terms in a box that I can scroll through. 

If I click the green “Submit Application” button at the bottom of the page, I confirm that I have read all the disclosures, that the information I provided is correct, and that I authorize Capital One to check my credit and employment history.

I also agree to let Capital One use a third-party service to validate my identity, and give consent and permission to be contacted about all of my relationships with Capital One and companies working on its behalf. 

If I submit my application, I should find out if I am approved quickly. 

I also see a notice underneath the “Submit Application” button that says if I don’t qualify, Capital One may consider me for other cards. It will only check my credit once, however, and it won’t affect my Capital One VentureOne Rewards for Good Credit application.

As a long-time Capital One cardholder, I have used the Capital One Mobile app for years and can attest to how user-friendly it is. With it, you can do almost all of your banking business, no matter where you are in the world or what time it is.

You can check your transactions and balances, pay bills, deposit checks, lock and unlock your card, redeem rewards, send cash via Zelle, and get instant spending alerts. 

You also have access to CreditWise on the app. If you really want to micromanage your credit score, you can check it daily. You can also view your full TransUnion credit report.

There is a Credit Simulator that allows you to learn how credit decisions, like paying a debt off early or closing a credit card, can impact your score. It’s fun to play around with. 

As helpful as apps can be (and Eno, the virtual assistant, that can answer general questions), sometimes you just want to talk to a real person on the phone.

I have always found Capital One customer support to be excellent. If you’re in the U.S., call 1-800-227-4825 for credit card support; if you’re traveling internationally, call 1-804-934-2001. I’ve never had to wait longer than 10 minutes to get a live representative. 

I’ve always found it frustrating that you won’t know what credit limit will be associated with your account until you are approved. However, based on my research, a typical starting limit for the Capital One VentureOne Rewards for Good Credit card is somewhere between $3,000 and $8,500.

I know this is a wide range, but it depends heavily on your income and housing expenses, as well as your creditworthiness at the time of application. In some circumstances, if you seem especially low risk, you could even start out with an even higher limit. 

Pro Tip: Once you have the card and start to use it, you can build a positive reputation with Capital One. Just pay on time, every time, and try to keep that revolving balance extremely low (if not at zero by paying your balance in full every month).

After three to six months of that kind of activity, you may get an automatic limit increase.

If you aren’t offered a higher credit limit, you can also request one. Call customer service and ask a representative, log in to your account via the website, or use the app. You’ll see the section that allows you to request a higher limit.

For consideration, you may have to update your financial information. But remember, they want to see plenty of regular, responsible card use, so it’s best to build up at least six months of positive activity. 

If you want more for less, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards for Good Credit card can be the ideal choice. You can earn meaningful rewards and get great perks without the burden of an annual fee, and you don’t need perfect credit to qualify.

On the other hand, if you really want the best perks available on a travel card, you may decide to go for one that does charge an annual fee.

Outside of that, though, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards for Good Credit can make a lot of sense if you crave simplicity as you earn and redeem miles. 

It’s always good to see what else is out there before diving into an application. Here are a couple of other options that may pique your interest:

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

CardRates Expert Rating

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

4.8/5.0

About this rating

Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.

See Our Review»

Ashley Fricker Senior Editor

Close

★★★★★ 4.8/5.0

Our Review »

• Earn a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Miles won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how many you can earn
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Top rated mobile app

Show MoreShow Less See application, terms and details »

Intro (Purchases) N/A

Intro (Transfers) N/A

Regular APR 19.49% – 28.49% (Variable)

Annual Fee $95

Credit Needed Excellent, Good

See Rates & Fees »

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards for Good Credit and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card are both designed for travelers, but they appeal to different types of spenders. VentureOne keeps costs low with no annual fee, while Venture Rewards charges one in exchange for a higher rewards rate and additional travel perks that can quickly offset the cost for frequent travelers.

For me, the choice comes down to how often you travel. If you want to earn travel rewards without paying an annual fee, VentureOne is a great fit. But if you travel regularly and can take advantage of the richer rewards and added benefits, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is likely to deliver more value over time.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

CardRates Expert Rating

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

4.8/5.0

About this rating

Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.

See Our Review»

Ashley Fricker Senior Editor

Close

★★★★★ 4.8/5.0

Our Review »

• Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
• Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
• No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
• Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.99% – 28.49%.
• No annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
• Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
• Member FDIC

Show MoreShow Less See application, terms and details »

Intro (Purchases) 0% Intro APR on Purchases 15 months

Intro (Transfers) 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers 15 months

Regular APR 18.99% – 28.49% Variable

Annual Fee $0

Credit Needed Good/Excellent

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards for Good Credit and Chase Freedom Unlimited® both offer strong value without a hefty annual fee, but they reward spending in different ways.

VentureOne is geared toward travelers who want to earn miles they can redeem for trips, while Chase Freedom Unlimited® focuses on cash back with higher rewards in several everyday spending categories.

The better card depends on your goals. If you’d rather earn travel rewards and keep things simple, VentureOne is a great choice. But if your priority is maximizing cash back on everyday purchases like dining and drugstore purchases, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® will likely put more money back in your pocket.

As much as I love to travel, I also love keeping costs to a minimum. For this reason, I’d definitely recommend the Capital One VentureOne Rewards for Good Credit.

It’s not going to cost you anything if you pay your entire bill before interest is added, and as you charge, you will earn miles on every purchase. The rewards program, from earning to redeeming, couldn’t be easier.

If you do decide to take a trip overseas, you won’t be charged extra in foreign transaction fees. I love the Capital One Travel portal because I can book flights, accommodations, car rentals, and activities from one platform, and can earn 5X miles on certain bookings. 

I think the VentureOne Rewards for Good Credit is the best no-annual fee card out there for globetrotting, with plenty of benefits. 

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards for Good Credit is really best for globetrotters who don’t need extreme perks. Passes to luxurious airport lounges aren’t included, nor are credits for customs services. You will just earn as you charge, and then you can use your miles in a wide variety of ways. Those flexible redemption options are pretty amazing.

Another advantage of this card is that you don’t need perfect credit to qualify. As the name suggests, it’s for applicants with good credit, which fits many people’s profiles. If you do get it, you will appreciate its security features and helpful app. The CreditWise tool is a winner. Like me, you just may get addicted to checking your score on a regular basis.