Best Capital One Travel Cards for Domestic & International Travel

If you’re an avid traveler like me—or aspire to be—you probably know that racking up points through credit cards is where the real gold is. But with so many options out there, choosing the right one is crucial. You don’t want to waste a hard credit pull on a card that doesn’t offer top-tier benefits.

Picking the right travel credit card can be the difference between VIP lounge access and sitting at the gate with an overpriced sandwich.

Which Capital One Card is Better for Travel?

If you travel often and want all the premium perks, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the clear winner. Unlimited lounge access, a $300 annual travel credit, and 10,000 anniversary miles? Yeah, it’s built for serious travelers.

But if you want a lower annual fee while still earning solid travel rewards, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is a strong alternative that won’t break the bank.

If you just wanted the quick answer, there it is. You could stop reading here and apply—I wouldn’t blame you.

But before you do, let me tell you about another solid option that, while not as premium, might actually be the better choice, depending on your situation.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card vs. Capital One VentureOne Credit Car

As you might have guessed, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the better of the two cards—but that premium status comes at a price. So the real question is: are you a serious traveler?

If you travel as much as I do, the $395 annual fee won’t faze you because you’ll easily redeem enough points and perks to justify the cost. With Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, you get more miles, more credits, and overall better rewards—but it’s probably not worth it if you don’t travel frequently.

On the other hand, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card card could be the perfect alternative. With no annual fee, it still offers great rewards and benefits without the hefty commitment.

Let’s break it down in a simple comparison chart:

Details	Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card	Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
Annual Fee	$395	$0
Interest Rates	19.99% – 29.24% (Variable)	0% intro APR for 15 months; 19.24% – 29.24% variable APR after that
Welcome Bonus	Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.	Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
Eligible Miles	10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars and 5 miles per dollar spent on flights.	Earn unlimited 1.25 miles per dollar on every purchase  Earn unlimited 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
Annual travel credit	Up to $300 when booked using Capital One Travel.	N/A
Annual Bonus	10,000 miles	N/A
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit	Up to $120 every four years.	N/A
No foreign transaction fees	Yes	Yes
Travel Insurance	Included, plus rental car insurance and a lost luggage reimbursement. (Benefits may change over time.)	Included, plus rental car insurance and a lost luggage reimbursement. (Benefits may change over time.)
Cell Phone Insurance	Up to $800.	N/A
Airport Lounge Access	Unlimited access to Capital One and partner lounges.	Discounted day passes at Capital One Lounges
APPLY NOW	Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card	Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Where Can You Use Capital One Miles?

Earning miles is great, but where can you actually use them? One of the biggest perks of Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and Venture is that you’re not locked into one airline—Capital One lets you transfer miles to over 15 travel partners.

That means your miles can get you there if you’re flying Air Canada, British Airways, Emirates, or even booking hotels with Choice Privileges.

Some of the biggest transfer partners include:

• Aeromexico Club Premier
• Air Canada Aeroplan®
• British Airways Executive Club
• Emirates Skywards
• Etihad Guest
• Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
• Avianca LifeMiles
• Choice Privileges® (for hotels, too!)

So instead of being stuck with one airline’s rewards program, you can transfer your miles where they’ll get you the best value. That flexibility is huge—especially if you’re booking international flights or trying to find a deal on domestic routes.

Is One Card Better Than the Other for International Travel?

If you’re traveling internationally, you want a credit card that hooks you up with the best perks—lounge access, travel credits, and rewards that actually make your trips smoother.

So, between the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card, which one is the real MVP for international travel?

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: The Premium Travel Experience

If you’re a serious traveler who’s often hopping on long-haul flights, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the clear winner. Here’s why:

• $300 Annual Travel Credit – As long as you book through the Capital One Travel portal, that’s $300 back in your pocket for flights, hotels, or rental cars. If you travel regularly, this credit alone knocks the effective annual fee down to just $95.
• Lounge Access Galore – This is where the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card really shines. You get unlimited access to Capital One Lounges, Priority Pass Lounges (1,300+ worldwide), and Plaza Premium Lounges (100+ locations). Oh, and you can bring two guests for free. Whether you need a quiet place to relax, free food, or even a massage, this perk is a game-changer.
• Anniversary Bonus – Every year, you’ll score a 10,000-mile bonus (worth $100 toward travel).
• Cell Phone Insurance – Pay your phone bill with the card, and if your phone gets damaged or stolen, you can get up to $800 reimbursed.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card: The Budget-Friendly Alternative

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card card still gives you solid travel perks but with fewer bells and whistles. The biggest difference? No free lounge access—you’ll have to pay $45 per visit for Capital One Lounges instead of $90. That’s a nice discount, but not quite the VIP treatment you get with Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.

If you don’t travel as often and don’t see yourself using lounges regularly, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card could still be a great choice, especially since there’s no annual fee.

The Verdict?

If you travel internationally a lot, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is 100% worth it. The lounge access alone makes those long layovers way more comfortable, and the $300 travel credit + anniversary miles help justify the fee.

But if you’re more of a casual traveler, don’t care much about lounges, and want to save on the annual fee, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is still a solid option.

Bottom line? If you’re flying international often, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the way to go. If not, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card still gets you solid rewards without the premium price tag.

Things to Consider When Using Your Capital One Card Abroad

Look, Capital One cards are solid for travel—no foreign transaction fees, good rewards, and widely accepted.

But if you’re heading abroad, there are some things you NEED to know before you end up stuck, frustrated, and unable to make a simple purchase.

1. Two-Factor Authentication Can Wreck Your Plans

So you’re trying to book a hotel, pay for a tour, or grab a last-minute flight, and BAM—Capital One (or Mastercard) throws up a verification pop-up.

They want to send a one-time code via text… but guess what? Your U.S. number isn’t working because you’re using a foreign SIM. No code = no purchase.

And here’s the worst part:

• They won’t send the code to your email.
• You can’t use an authenticator app.
• Customer service can’t do anything about it.

It’s a nightmare if you rely on local SIMs for cheaper data.

2. Don’t Assume Your Card Will Just Work

Capital One says you don’t need to notify them when you travel, but I’ve seen enough stories to know that’s not always true.

Some purchases still get flagged, and if your card gets locked, you’re stuck dealing with customer service.

Quick Fix:

• Double-check that your card is unlocked in the Capital One app before you leave.
• Bring a backup card (preferably from a different bank).

3. Not Everywhere Takes Your Card

Even though Mastercard is widely accepted, some places—especially in Europe, Japan, and smaller towns—still prefer cash or local bank cards. You don’t want to be that person scrambling for an ATM because your credit card isn’t an option.

Plan Ahead:

• Always carry some local cash.
• Have another payment method (because again, things WILL go wrong when you least expect it).

Capital One cards work great for travel—but only if you know what you’re doing. Plan ahead, set up a way to get verification codes, and don’t rely on just one payment method. Do that, and you’ll avoid the stress of being stranded at checkout with a card that just won’t work.

Which One Should You Choose?

At the end of the day, it comes down to how much you travel. If you’re flying often, love lounge access, and want to maximize perks, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the way to go—it’ll pay for itself with the travel credits and benefits.

But if you’re more of a casual traveler who still wants solid rewards without the higher fee, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is a great choice. Either way, both cards offer strong travel benefits, so pick the one that fits your lifestyle and start racking up those miles.