Capital One Venture

The Capital One Venture represents an outstanding first foray into the world of points and miles. But its palatable $95 annual fee, simple earning ability, and stellar 75,000 point intro bonus worth over $1200 worth of travel makes it a wallet contender for seasoned pros and newbies alike. Exclusive Taylor Swift pre-sale tickets don’t hurt either…

Its lack of perks might make its premium sibling, the Venture X, a better alternative for more frequent travelers, but a flat 2x points per dollar on every purchase means points can build on autopilot, stress free — perfect for the semi-frequent globetrotter who values simplicity.

Pros

• Solid 75,000 point intro bonus worth over $1200

• Simple flat rate of 2x points per dollar on all spending

• 5x points per dollar on hotels and rentals booked through the Capital One Travel portal

• Range of purchase and travel protections

• $100 statement credit for TSA Precheck and Global Entry

• Two lounge visits a year

• Low annual fee

Cons

• Flat rate points don’t maximize earning

• Points slightly less value than competing banks

• No significant perks