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How to Make the Most of Your Capital One Venture Rewards Card

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

If you’re looking for an easy-to-use travel rewards credit card, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card could be a great choice — largely because it combines some of the best features of both cash-back cards and travel rewards cards .

Most travel credit cards earn rewards in the form of miles or points that can be redeemed for travel. But many of them don't make it easy, and they’ll often lock you into using one airline or hotel chain. How much you earn in rewards sometimes depends on what you're buying, and the monetary value of each mile or point sometimes requires a calculator to figure out.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card , on the other hand, is simple and straightforward when it comes to earning and burning rewards. You earn 5 miles per $1 spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 2 miles per $1 spent on everything else. Those miles are worth a penny each toward eligible travel expenses. There are no rotating bonus categories, blackout dates or travel restrictions.

» MORE: Full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

What you’ll get with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Here are some key features of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card :

Annual fee: $95 .

Sign-up bonus: Enjoy 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.

Rewards: 5 miles per $1 spent on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel. 2 miles per $1 spent on everything else. There are no limits, and miles never expire as long as your account is open.

Transfer partners: Capital One has partnerships with more than 15 airline and hotel programs, including Air Canada, Emirates and Wyndham among others. That means that you can transfer your miles to these partners , typically at a 1:1 ratio.

Benefits: Up to $100 credit for the application fee for TSA Precheck or Global Entry once every four years and two complimentary visits per year to Capital One Lounges or 100+ Plaza Premium Lounges.

Foreign transaction fees: None.

How to redeem rewards with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Your Venture miles are versatile, unlike some other varieties of points and miles. You can pay for your airline ticket, hotel stay or other qualifying travel expense directly with your Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and then receive statement credit for the purchase, or you can book travel directly through the Capital One travel portal. In these scenarios, miles are always worth 1 cent each.

You can also choose to transfer miles to a partner airline and book a flight. In these cases, the exact value per mile will vary but could potentially be higher than a penny each. More on that below.

If you redeem for cash back, miles are worth only 0.5 cent each.

If you're booking travel through Capital One, there's no minimum redemption amount. That means you can redeem even a few dollars' worth of miles, without waiting until you have a significant number saved up. This can take the edge off a pricey trip, even if you don't have enough miles to pay for the whole thing.

Similarly, there's no minimum redemption if you're using your miles for a full or partial statement credit against an expense. If you had a $4 cab ride, you can redeem $4 worth of miles for it.

Aim for the most valuable uses of your Venture miles

Whether you want to keep it simple and lock in a solid 1-cent-per-mile value, or whether you want to transfer miles to partners for potentially higher value, Capital One gives you options. When you log into your Capital One account, click “View Rewards” and you’ll see a list of several redemption options. Here are the most valuable ones:

Book a trip

Search for your flight, hotel or car rental here in the Capital One travel portal and select the options you want to book. You’ll have the option to pay for your trip entirely with your Venture miles or you can use a combination of miles and cash. You’ll get a fixed value of 1 cent per mile and you won’t have to worry about visiting several websites to book and keep track of your trip.

If you have hotel elite status, you probably won’t be able to enjoy its perks or earn elite night credits if you book your hotel stay directly through the travel portal. Generally, you have to book a hotel directly if you want to take advantage of elite status. But sometimes you’ll find better pricing for that hotel room in a third-party portal.

Cover your purchases

This allows you to book your own travel directly however you want, and then redeem your miles for a statement credit to remove the charges from your bill. You can cover any travel purchases you’ve made for the past 90 days with a few clicks, and you’ll still get a 1-cent-per-mile value.

Transfer your rewards

Capital One has partnerships with more than 15 airline and hotel programs, including Air Canada, Emirates and Wyndham. That means that you can transfer your miles to these partners , typically at a 1:1 transfer rate. So for every mile you transfer, you'll get one mile or point.

Aeromexico (1:1 ratio).

Air Canada (1:1 ratio).

Air France-KLM (1:1 ratio).

Avianca (1:1 ratio).

British Airways (1:1 ratio).

Cathay Pacific (1:1 ratio).

Emirates (1:1 ratio).

Etihad (1:1 ratio).

EVA (2:1.5 ratio).

Finnair (1:1 ratio).

Qantas (1:1 ratio).

Singapore Airlines (1:1 ratio).

TAP Air Portugal (1:1 ratio).

Turkish Airlines (1:1 ratio).

Accor (2:1 ratio).

Choice Privileges Hotels (1:1 ratio).

Wyndham Rewards (1:1 ratio).

On the surface, transfers at these ratios may not seem like the best way to redeem Venture miles. If you’re looking to book a low-priced economy ticket, redeeming for a statement credit is usually the way to go.

But in many cases, transferring Capital One Venture miles directly to a partner airline can unlock much higher value for them. If you’re willing to spend a little time learning how to navigate the award charts of some of these foreign airline carriers, you could redeem your Capital One miles for double (or even triple!) the fixed 1-cent-per-mile value.

Watch out for special transfer bonuses periodically and you’ll get even more miles. For example, in the past Capital One has offered a 25% bonus when you transferred your miles to Colombian airline Avianca and a 33% bonus for Australian carrier Qantas.

Share your rewards

You can easily transfer your miles to a friend or family member with a Capital One miles-earning account. There’s no cost to pool your miles. Other major travel rewards programs may have stricter restrictions if they allow sharing at all.

Avoid these less valuable redemptions

You can redeem your Capital One miles for gift cards at dozens of retailers and restaurants, but you'll generally get only between 0.8 cent and 1 cent per mile, depending on the merchant.

Shop with rewards

You can also use miles to pay directly when you shop with Amazon . But points are worth only 0.8 cent each this way.

Miles are worth only 0.5 cent each when used this way.

» MORE: Capital One miles: Easy to earn and use

Take advantage of travel benefits

If you're a frequent flyer, it's likely worth your time to apply for TSA Precheck or Global Entry , which are trusted-traveler programs that can help speed you through airport security or customs more quickly. The application fees for these programs cost $78 and $100, respectively, and memberships last five years. If you pay the application fee with your Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card , you can be reimbursed that fee once every four years. You can also wait for your flight in style with the card's two complimentary visits per year to Capital One Lounges or 100+ Plaza Premium Lounges.

And if much of your traveling is international, make sure to pack your Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card . Like any travel credit card worth its salt, it doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, so it's ideal for purchases abroad.

Renewing TSA PreCheck will cost $78. But if you choose to renew online instead of in person, you'll only need to pay $70.

Supplement rewards with a second credit card

If you prefer to carry a single credit card and like to travel, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card might be all you need.

But some folks really like to optimize their rewards. If that's you, consider pairing the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card with a cash-back card that pays more than 2X back on certain purchases. Use that card for the bonus categories, and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card for everything else. Just think of the cash back as an advance discount on your next vacation!

A couple of cards to consider:

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express : This card earns 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 a year in spending (then 1%); 6% back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions; 3% back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including such things as taxis, rideshares, parking, tolls, trains and buses); and 1% back on all other purchases. Terms apply ( see rates and fees ). To really juice up the rewards, consider buying things like groceries and gas with the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express and putting other expenses on the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card .

Chase Freedom Flex℠ : This card earns 5% cash back on up to $1,500 per quarter in rotating bonus categories (activation is required), which in recent years have included gas stations, drugstores and restaurants. All other non-bonus-category purchases earn 1% back. Using the Chase Freedom Flex℠ to buy items in the current quarter's bonus category and switching back to the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card for other purchases is a great strategy.

In most cases, your Capital One Venture miles will be worth 1 cent each. That means 50,000 miles are worth $500 in travel when you pay for your qualifying travel expense directly with your Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and then use your miles to receive statement credit for the purchase. Or, you can book travel directly through the Capital One travel portal.

You can also choose to transfer miles to a partner airline and book a flight. In these cases, the exact value per mile will vary but could potentially be higher than a penny each.

You can transfer your Capital One Venture miles to the following airline programs: Aeromexico Club Premier, Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France/KLM Flying Blue, Alitalia MilleMiglia, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways Avios, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Emirates Skywards, Etihad Guest, EVA Air Infinity MileageLands, Finnair Plus, JetBlue TrueBlue, Qantas Frequent Flyer, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go and Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles.

You can also book a ticket directly on any airline and use your Capital One Venture miles to cover the charge with a statement credit.

Capital One miles never expire as long as your card remains open. If you close your account, you will lose any unused miles. There's no limit to the amount of miles you can earn on the card.

Yes. Capital One allows you to transfer your miles to a family member or even a friend, as long as they have a Capital One miles-earning account, like a Venture or Spark card . And, there’s no cost to pool your miles. Other major travel rewards programs may have stricter restrictions if they allow sharing at all.

You can choose to use your Capital One Venture miles to shop with Amazon, but they'll be worth 0.8 cent each when you do so. If you choose to use them for travel instead, they'll be worth 1 cent each.

Yes. Capital One allows you to transfer your miles to a family member or even a friend, as long as they have a Capital One miles-earning account, like a Venture or

. And, there’s no cost to pool your miles. Other major travel rewards programs may have stricter restrictions if they allow sharing at all.

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy 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.

1%-10% Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), plus 1% on all other purchases. Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024. Terms apply.

$200 Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.

2x-10x Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases.

75,000 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.

Find the right credit card for you.

Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Best no-annual-fee travel card

The Capital One VentureOne is a no-annual-fee travel card that allows cardmembers to earn 1.25 miles per dollar spent on all purchases. These miles can be used for travel purchases and are fully transferable to Capital One’s numerous travel partners. (Partner offer)

At a glance

• 5 Miles 5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 1.25 Miles 1.25 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
• $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
• Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
• Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
• 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 and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• 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
• Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies

TPG Editor's Rating

The world of points, miles and credit cards can be difficult to enter, especially when many travel cards come with hefty annual fees. Luckily for many budding travelers, the Capital One VentureOne card is a no-annual-fee travel card that allows cardmembers to earn 1.25 miles per dollar spent on everyday spending and 5 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. With its flat rate earning and lack of annual fee, the Capital One VentureOne card could be the perfect intro travel credit card. Coupled with a sign up bonus of 20,000 bonus miles once you spend $500 within the first three months from account opening.

• No annual fee
• Earn a bonus of 20,000 bonus miles once you spend $500 within the first three months from account opening
• Use your miles to book or pay for travel at a 1-cent value, or transfer your miles to loyalty programs to gain potentially even greater value for your rewards
• Earn 1.25x miles on all purchases
• No foreign transaction fees
• The intro APR offer that comes with this card makes it a solid choice for those looking to finance a large purchase. You’ll get 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months (19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after, there's a 3% balance transfer fee for the first 15 months or at the promotional APR offered at any other time. No fee for amounts transferred at the Transfer APR).
• Other credit cards can offer you higher rewards for your common purchase categories
• Capital One airline transfer partners do not include any large U.S. airlines

Who is this card good for?

The Capital One VentureOne card is a good fit for travelers looking to get into the points and miles world. It offers a flat 1.25 miles per dollar on everyday spending and has no annual fee. This simple model and lack of annual fee can be a great introduction for flyers looking into rewards traveling.

Earning Rewards

The VentureOne earns 1.25 miles per dollar spent on everyday purchases and 5 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

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Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Global Entry renewal: A how-to guide

April 18, 2024 | 4 min read

If you’ve ever traveled abroad, you may be familiar with the Global Entry Program. It’s a Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) designed to get international travelers through airport customs checkpoints faster when they reenter the U.S.

Learn how to renew your Global Entry membership before it expires, how long renewal lasts and more.

Key takeaways

• Global Entry is a TTP administered by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). 
• Membership in Global Entry lasts for five years; renewal extends it for another five years.
• You can renew your membership starting one year before it expires.
• Capital One Venture and Venture X cardholders can receive up to a $100 statement credit toward their Global Entry renewal.*

Earn 75,000 bonus miles

Redeem your miles for flights, vacation rentals and more. Terms apply.

What is Global Entry?

Global Entry is a TTP run by CBP. The program is designed to help expedite airport customs screening for travelers reentering the U.S. after traveling abroad. 

Benefits of Global Entry include helping members reduce wait times at security checkpoints and navigate airports more easily .

Global Entry membership is open to U.S. citizens, legal permanent U.S. residents, Mexican nationals, citizens of certain other countries and more. It’s available at dozens of airports in the U.S. and abroad.

Global Entry renewal requirements

Here are things to know about renewing your Global Entry membership.

• You can renew your membership starting one year before it expires. And if you submit a renewal application before your membership expires, you can use the program’s benefits for up to 24 months after the expiration date.
• You’ll need to submit a renewal application. You can complete your Global Entry renewal application and pay your renewal fee on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) website.
• You may need to attend an in-person interview. An interview may be required once your renewal has been conditionally approved. But since this interview isn’t always necessary, be sure to check your account periodically for updates on next steps.

How to renew Global Entry

Here are specifics on the Global Entry renewal process.

1. Fill out the Global Entry renewal application

You can fill out your renewal application on the DHS website. Here are the steps:

• Sign in to your account on the TTP portal. If you don’t already have an account, you’ll be directed to create one.
• Select the option for Global Entry renewal and follow the prompts.
• Submit your renewal application.

2. Pay the Global Entry renewal fee

Once you’ve submitted your renewal application on the TTP portal, simply follow the prompts to pay your application fee.

When it comes to paying the renewal fee, there’s good news: Some travel credit card issuers reimburse cardholders for the fee. In fact, Capital One reimburses Venture and Venture X cardholders up to $100 for Global Entry fees every four years.

3. Complete your Global Entry renewal interview, if required

When you first apply for membership, you’ll typically be required to attend an in-person Global Entry interview with a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officer. But an interview isn’t always required for renewal.

If you’re asked to attend a renewal interview, you can schedule it at a Global Entry enrollment center or at a major airport to coincide with your travel plans.

Global Entry renewal FAQ

Here are commonly asked questions about renewing Global Entry membership.

Can I renew my Global Entry pass online?

Yes. You can fill out your renewal application on the DHS website’s TTP portal. 

How long after Global Entry expires can you renew?

You can typically renew Global Entry starting one year before your membership expiration date. If you complete a renewal application before your membership expires, you can continue using Global Entry benefits for up to 24 months.

Does Global Entry renewal require an interview?

Not always. But if you’re asked to attend an interview, you can schedule it at a Global Entry enrollment center. A program known as Enrollment on Arrival also allows you to schedule your interview at a major airport to coincide with your travel plans.

Global Entry renewal in a nutshell

Global Entry is one of several U.S. government TTPs. Its goal is to help travelers get through customs screening faster when they land in U.S. airports after traveling abroad.

Capital One Venture and Venture X cardholders can receive up to a $100 statement credit toward their application fee or renewal fee every four years.

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What the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Visa Card offers

• How other travel cards compare to the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card
• 3 key benefits cardholders get from the Autograph Journey 

Move Over, Chase Sapphire Preferred. This New Travel Credit Card Is Turning Heads

Wells Fargo's newest card has one key advantage over the gold standard in travel cards.

Holly Johnson

Contributor

Holly Johnson is a credit card expert and writer who covers rewards and loyalty programs, budgeting, and all things personal finance. In addition to writing for publications like Bankrate, CreditCards.com, Forbes Advisor and Investopedia, Johnson owns Club Thrifty and is the co-author of "Zero Down Your Debt: Reclaim Your Income and Build a Life You'll Love."

Tiffany Connors

Tiffany Wendeln Connors is a senior editor for CNET Money with a focus on credit cards. Previously, she covered personal finance topics as a writer and editor at The Penny Hoarder. She is passionate about helping people make the best money decisions for themselves and their families. She graduated from Bowling Green State University with a bachelor's degree in journalism and has been a writer and editor for publications including the New York Post, Women's Running magazine and Soap Opera Digest. When she isn't working, you can find her enjoying life in St. Petersburg, Florida, with her husband, daughter and a very needy dog.

The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners.

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card * -- Wells Fargo’s latest and best travel card -- recently launched with an impressive set of features. Its competitive rewards, welcome bonus and redemption options take aim at incumbent travel credit cards from Chase, American Express and Capital One.

What gives Wells Fargo’s first foray into the point-transfer space an edge is that you don’t have to book travel in a portal to earn the highest rewards rates. 

Here’s why we think the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey could go toe-to-toe with some of the best travel credit cards, plus three insider tips to help you decide if you should add it to your credit card lineup.

Here’s a quick overview of what you can expect with the Autograph Journey:

• Earn 60,000 welcome bonus rewards points after spending $4,000 in purchases within three months of account opening.
• Earn unlimited 5x points on hotels, 4x points on airlines, 3x points on other travel and dining and 1x on other purchases.
• Receive an annual statement credit with a $50 minimum airline purchase.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Other benefits include trip cancellation and interruption insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, roadside dispatch and cell phone insurance.
• $95 annual fee.

How other travel cards compare to the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

3 key benefits cardholders get from the autograph journey .

Here’s a rundown of four facts we discovered about the Autograph Journey that you should know when deciding whether to apply.

1. You can transfer points with Wells Fargo point-based cards

The launch of the Autograph Journey also marks the first transferable points program from Wells Fargo, which joins other card issuers like Chase and Capital One, which have their own pooling programs .

Autograph Journey will be able to do a points transfer with the no-annual-fee Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card . This is especially notable since the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card offers bonus rewards in different categories than the Autograph Journey. 

For example, the Autograph card earns unlimited 3x points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans, plus 1x points on other purchases. So you can maximize your point earning across different categories, then transfer your points to your Autograph Journey account to access premium travel redemptions.

2. It offers more options for earning bonus miles on travel than some competitors

The Autograph Journey will offer more flexibility than many travel rewards cards when it comes to earning more points on travel purchases. For example, cardholders earn unlimited 5x points on hotels booked directly with hotel brands and 4x points on airfare booked with airlines. 

This helps the card stand out from other popular travel credit cards that offer the most bonus points only if you book travel through their portals. For example, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card * and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card * only offer the highest bonus rewards on travel booked through Capital One Travel. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card also offers its highest rate of 5x points on travel booked through Chase Travel℠, whereas other travel purchases earn 2x points.

Autograph Journey cardholders also earn a minimum of 3x points on other travel purchases, which could include rental cars, cruises and travel booked through online travel agencies like Expedia and Priceline.

3. The card may grow in value as more transfer partners join

The Autograph Journey Card will earn flexible travel rewards points that transfer to a selection of airline and hotel partners, similar to Amex Membership Rewards points or Chase Ultimate Rewards . While the list of transfer partners is limited, Wells Fargo stated in its initial press release that “more partners will continue to be added throughout the year.”

Points transfers could dramatically change the value proposition of the Autograph Journey, especially if new partners include domestic airlines and popular hotel loyalty programs. 

Wells Fargo point transfers will be available to new cardholders starting on April 4. For now, Wells Fargo transfer partners include the following:

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Recommended Articles

After writing about hundreds of credit cards, these two are still my favorite, 6 reasons the chase sapphire preferred should be your next credit card, 3 steps to take when your flight is canceled or delayed, 8 best credit card strategies to maximize earnings in 2024, as a foodie who enjoys a night out on the town, this credit card gives me plenty to savor.

* All information about the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card have been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

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Best hotel credit cards for free nights in April 2024

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While airfare rates are definitely rising, ironically, they’re not the travel expense that’s soaring right now. 

According to a report by Hopper Media, from January 2022 to January 2023 the average cost of a hotel room rose 54% to $212 per night. This isn’t just a post-pandemic market correction, either; a report by American Express Global Travel found that prices will likely continue to rise throughout 2024. 

Thankfully, the credit card market is flush with options for earning free nights. All of the cards on this list either grant you a free night on your account anniversary, generous annual travel credits or both. Best of all, all five cards offer sizable welcome bonuses that can cover up to nine free nights at a decent property. 

The best credit cards for free nights in April 2024

Best overall: ihg one rewards premier credit card, best for hilton: hilton honors american express aspire card, best for marriott: marriott bonvoy boundless® credit card, best for hyatt: world of hyatt credit card, best for premium benefits: the platinum card® from american express.

• Best for general use: Capital One Venture X Rewards

The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card card includes a free anniversary night worth up to 40,000 points, a redeem-three-get-one bonus on award nights, up to 26X total on IHG purchases and a staggering six-figure welcome bonus. This card pumps out free nights like T Swift pumps out chart-topping hits, and if you’re even considering staying in an IHG property this year it’s well worth the $99 annual fee. 

Why we like this card: If we’re talking about cards that award free nights every account anniversary–and plenty in between–the IHG One Rewards Premier is the card to beat. For starters, it offers a 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Considering a night at a Holiday Inn Express can often cost under 20,000 points, your welcome bonus can cover over a week of free nights all on its own. 

The card also offers a redeem-three-get-one award night bonus, meaning if you book three separate three-night stays with your welcome bonus, each of those can get a complimentary fourth night attached to the end of it, stretching your points even further. 

Finally, you’ll get the aforementioned free night on your account anniversary, worth up to 40,000 points (~$280) in value, which easily covers your $99 annual fee. Toss in up to 26X on IHG purchases and instant Platinum Elite status (which entitled you to complimentary upgrades) and you have an absolute powerhouse of a hotel rewards card.

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card card from Amex offers a free anniversary night, a $100 Hilton on-property credit (good during a minimum two-night stay), a pair of $200 Hilton Resort credits and automatic Diamond status. All that combined with a 175,000-point welcome bonus should make the Aspire card’s $550 annual fee easy to shrug off for Hilton diehards.

Why we like this card: The Hilton Honors Aspire card very much feels like a Hilton-themed Amex Platinum. Sure, with an annual fee of $450 it officially costs more a night at the Waldorf Astoria, but it easily includes enough perks, benefits and statement credits to compensate. 

For starters, you’ll get a 175,000 points if you spend $6,000 in the first 6 months from account opening (offer ends 4/17/2024)–roughly $875 in value towards Hilton purchases. Next, you’ll have two semi-annual $200 Hilton Resort credits to spend, a $100 Hilton on-property credit, $200 flight credit, $189 CLEAR Plus credit and will earn up to 14X points per dollar on Hilton stays. Oh, and don’t bother upgrading your stay during checkout, since you’ll have complimentary Diamond status which entitles you to space-available upgrades, lounge access, elite gifts and more. 

Perhaps best of all, your free anniversary night covers virtually any Hilton property that isn’t a Club, Vacation Club or Grand Vacation Club. So as long as you hold onto the Aspire card, you’ll have an annual overnight at the Waldorf to look forward to. 

All information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by Fortune Recommends™.

While it doesn’t quite reach the heights of the IHG One Rewards Premier card, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is still a solid choice for Marriott fans since it grants a free anniversary night, three-night welcome bonus, 15 Elite Night credits and up to 6X towards Marriott purchases for a modest $95 annual fee.

Why we like this card: Like its rival the IHG One Rewards Premier, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless offers an automatic free night stay in a hotel up to 35,000 points (every year after account anniversary) ($315 in value) to help justify its $95 annual fee. You’ll also get a 3 free nights (valued up to 150,000 points) after you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months from account opening (certain hotels have resort fees), with each night worth up to 50,000 points (~$450). 

That said, since the Boundless card prefers to award nights instead of points, there’s a loss of flexibility there that makes it less ideal if you like to maximize free nights at budget properties. Thankfully, you can still rack up points pretty quickly since the card adds 6X to the 11X you’ll get for being a Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite member, which is automatic with the card.

The World of Hyatt Credit Card offers a free night on each account anniversary, redeemable at any Category 1 through 4 property (examples of Category 4 properties include Hyatt Regency and Hyatt Place). You’ll also get a 30,000-point welcome bonus good for at least $450 in Hyatt redemption value, 2X on all purchases for the first six months on up to $15,000 in spending and instant Discoverist status. In total, a worthy $95-per-year investment for fans of Hyatt. 

Why we like this card: Hyatt fans don’t have a lot of options this year. There’s the World of Hyatt Card and the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card, so the choice is pretty much made for you if you don’t travel for work. 

Thankfully, your singular choice is pretty solid–the World of Hyatt Card comes with a welcome bonus worth $450+ (30,000 bonus points if you spend $3,000 in first 3 months), a handy 2X bonus on all purchases made within the first six months (on up to $15,000 worth of spending, or 30,000 points) and of course, an annual free night at category 1-4 hotel (worth up to 15,000 points). You’ll also score an additional free night at category 1-4 hotel each year you spend $15,000. 

The World of Hyatt Card also offers instant Discoverist status (Hyatt’s equivalent to “Silver”) and a nice array of ways to accelerate your path to Explorist, where you’ll unlock free upgrades. You’ll receive five qualifying night credits automatically each year plus two more for each $5,000 you spend with the card. 

So while its initial welcome bonus falls a little short of its competitors, the World of Hyatt Card compensates with big awards for big spenders.

The The Platinum Card® from American Express includes a up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card® (minimum 2-night stay required) at over 2,200 properties. You’ll also get complimentary benefits (e.g. room upgrades) with these bookings and a $100 onsite experience credit good towards dining/spa/etc. All of that luxury and convenience–combined with the “Plat’s” comically long list of benefits–makes it a logical choice for this list.

Why we like this card: With a list of benefits longer than a CVS receipt, it’s no surprise that the legendary Amex Platinum includes several perks for hotel hoppers. For starters, you’ll get a $200 Hotel Credit good towards a minimum two-night stay at any Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection property. Not only that, you’ll get complimentary benefits (such as room upgrades) with your booking and a $100 experience credit good towards dining, spa treatments and more. 

Your Platinum Card pampers you on the way to and from the hotel, too; you’ll get the widest airport lounge access in the business, a $200 airline fee credit, $200 Uber Cash, a $189 CLEAR Plus credit to help skip the TSA line and elevated status with Hertz, Avis and National. Even after you’ve spent your $200 hotel credit, you’ll still get special treatment at Hilton and Marriott properties thanks to automatic Gold-equivalent status with each. 

Needless to say these benefits don’t come cheap–the annual fee for the Platinum is $695–but considering how you can recoup roughly half of that during your first high-end hotel stay, it could be worth the investment.

To view rates and fees of the The Platinum Card® from American Express , see this page    

Best for general use: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Though it commands a lofty $395 annual fee, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is surprisingly more about value than luxury. You’ll get a 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening (worth $750 towards hotel stays), a $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel, a 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary and 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. As a net result, the Venture X excels at both covering hotel stays and rapidly funding the next one.

Why we like this card: Don’t let the term “Miles” mislead you–Capital One’s travel points are redeemable for any travel purchase made with your Venture X card within 90 days of purchase–including hotels. That means the card’s 75,000-mile welcome bonus plus $300 annual travel credit are good for $1,050 worth of hotel stays, and you’ll get 10X for booking hotels through Capital One Travel to boot. 

But the Venture X’s most alluring perk may actually be its airport lounge access–you and two guests will gain unlimited entry to over 1,300 lounges across the Capital One Lounge, Priority Pass and Plaza Premium Group networks. So as you’re checking out of the Ritz, you can look forward to free Wi-Fi and Biscoff cookies until boarding. 

All things considered, the Capital One Venture X is a compelling travel companion that quickly pays for itself with generous annual credits. 

Frequently asked questions

Which card is best for free hotel nights.

The IHG One Rewards Premier card is the best overall card for earning free nights in 2024. It comes with a bananas welcome bonus good for over a week at a Holiday Inn Express (or five-ish at a fancier property), a free anniversary night, a redeem-three-get-one night bonus and up to 26X on IHG stays. 

Which Hilton card gives you a free night? 

The Hilton Honors Aspire card offers a free award night after each account anniversary. 

How many points do you need for a free hotel stay? 

The points required for a free hotel stay can vary by brand, property, timing, date and other factors. But very broadly speaking, an off-peak night at a budget property can start around 7,500 to 10,000 points, while a night at the Ritz or other ultra high-end property can hover between 50,000 and 100,000+. 

Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.  

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefits guide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.  

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com

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Capital One Venture and Venture X Business Cards Switching Payment Networks — What To Know

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Popular Capital One Cards Changing Payment Networks

Capital one venture card , capital one venture x business card, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

If you have a Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card or a Capital One Venture X Business Card * × Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One. , you should be aware of a couple of recent changes to the cards that may affect their benefits.

The issuer has announced that the Capital One Venture card and Capital One Venture X Business card will be changing credit card payment networks .

Namely, the Capital One Venture card was converted from Visa to Mastercard, and the Capital One Venture X Business Card was switched from Mastercard to Visa .

Let’s look at the specifics and how it might affect you.

The issuer has made updates to a couple of well-known Capital One credit cards , including switching between the Visa and Mastercard processing networks.

In general, these changes are minimal for potential new applicants . However, if you’re someone who values the perks that come with a  Visa Signature card  or a card designated as a World Elite Mastercard , it’s worth mentioning that these changes might catch your attention.

The Visa Signature line of cards, including the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card , provides users with a range of benefits for a $95 annual fee ( rates & fees ). These include shopping benefits like purchase assurance , as well as access to travel assistance services.

In terms of World Elite Mastercard benefits, cards like the Capital One Venture X Business card offer a wide range of benefits via the Mastercard network, including cell phone protection , travel and emergency assistance services, and more. This card comes with a $395 annual fee.

New Minor Changes to Capital One Cards

Here are a few small but important changes you should know about.

The Capital One Venture card will receive a small enhancement in its baggage insurance by transitioning from the Visa to the Mastercard network . Baggage insurance will now extend to include damaged luggage in addition to theft.

The card will now provide cardholders with trip cancellation and interruption coverage , which is a positive change. If the illness or death of the cardholder or an immediate family member causes the trip to be canceled or interrupted, cardholders may be eligible for up to $1,500 in reimbursement.

Finally, and perhaps one of the most significant rewards benefits, cardholders will be able to earn 5x miles per dollar on Capital One Entertainment purchases until December 31, 2025 .

At first glance, the shift from World Elite Mastercard to Visa may appear to result in a small decline in the ancillary benefits offered by the Capital One Venture X Business card.

One noticeable change is that the coverage on the cell phone protection is being reduced from $800 to $600 . If your phone is stolen or damaged, you will now receive a maximum reimbursement of up to $600, with a $50 deductible.

Capital One Venture X Business card holders will no longer receive reimbursement for luggage that has been damaged . This benefit is applicable only in cases of theft or loss.

Additionally, until December 31, 2025, cardholders have the opportunity to earn 5x miles per dollar on Capital One Entertainment purchases .

Interested in learning more about the distinctions among payment networks? Take a look at our comprehensive guide that breaks down the distinctions of Visa vs. Amex vs. Mastercard .

Upon first glance, it doesn’t appear that many cardholders will be significantly impacted by these 2 well-known Capital One cards switching payment networks.

However, if you use any of the Visa Signature and World Elite Mastercard benefits that are included with these cards, you should be aware that these changes are occurring.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa ® or Mastercard ® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

The information regarding the Capital One Venture X Business Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

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About Juan Ruiz

Juan has extensive experience in writing and editing content related to credit cards, loyalty programs, and travel. He has been honing his expertise in this field for over a decade. His work has been featured in various prestigious publications, such as USA Today, CNN Underscored, Forbes and The Points Guy. Juan is the visionary behind JetBetter, a premier award booking concierge service.

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Find the best credit card for you

5 best credit cards that offer pre-approval or pre-qualification in 2024, pre-approval doesn't guarantee approval, but it can help you avoid an unnecessary hard pull on your credit..

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

When you apply for a credit card, the issuer performs what is known as a hard pull or hard inquiry , which shows up on your credit report. Hard pulls temporarily lower your credit score, which isn't the end of the world, but it's better to avoid racking up unnecessary hard inquiries since they can remain on your credit report for up to two years. One way to do this is by going through a card issuer's pre-approval or pre-qualification process before applying.

Getting a pre-approved offer for a credit card doesn't guarantee you'll be approved, but it can give you a better idea of your approval odds with no hard inquiry. There is no impact to your credit score until you formally apply.

Not every card issuer offers pre-approvals. Below, CNBC Select details the top credit cards that generally offer pre-approval or pre-qualification and how they work. (See our methodology for more information on how we made this list.)

Best credit cards for pre-approval

• Best for no annual fee: Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
• Best for balance transfers: Citi Double Cash® Card
• Best for travel rewards: American Express® Gold Card
• Best for cash-back:   Discover it® Cash Back
• Best for premium perks: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (see rates & fees )

Best for no annual fee

Wells fargo active cash® card.

Unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Welcome bonus

Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate

Regular APR

20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers

Balance transfer fee

3% intro for 120 days from account opening then BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5

Foreign transaction fee

Credit needed.

Excellent/Good

See rates and fees , terms apply.

• Unlimited cash rewards
• $200 cash rewards welcome bonus
• No annual fee
• Introductory APR period for first 15 months
• Access to Visa Signature® Concierge
• Get up to $600 cell phone protection (subject to a $25 deductible)
• 3% fee charged on foreign transactions

Who's this for? The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card (see rates and fees ) is a jack of all trades, with an easy-to-earn welcome bonus , generous intro-APR offer and a lucrative flat-rate rewards structure — all for no annual fee .

Standout benefits: This card earns unlimited 2% cash rewards on every purchase. This simple cash-reward rate takes the headaches out of maximizing the return you get on your credit card spending.

Wells Fargo pre-approval process: Fill out this Wells Fargo pre-qualification form with your name, address and the last four digits of your Social Security Number (SSN). If you have a Wells Fargo online account, you can log in to expedite the process.

[ Jump to more details ]

Best for balance transfers

Citi double cash® card.

Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24

Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.

0% for the first 18 months on balance transfers; N/A for purchases

19.24% - 29.24% variable

For balance transfers completed within 4 months of account opening, an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies; after that, a balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies

Fair/Good/Excellent

Read our Citi Double Cash® Card review.

• 2% cash back on all eligible purchases
• Simple cash-back program that doesn't require activation or spending caps
• One of the longest intro periods for balance transfers at 18 months
• 3% fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.
• Estimated rewards earned after 1 year:  $443
• Estimated rewards earned after 5 years: $2,213

Who's this for? The Citi Double Cash® Card is ideal for those seeking a strong introductory APR offer for balance transfers and still want to earn valuable rewards.

Standout benefits: Eligible balance transfers qualify for an intro 0% APR for the first 18 months, then a variable 19.24% to 29.24% APR applies. There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer completed in the first four months ($5 minimum). The standard balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies thereafter.

Citi pre-approval process: See what Citi credit card offers you're pre-qualified for with this form . Enter your name, email, address and the last four digits of your SSN.

Best for travel rewards

American express® gold card.

4X Membership Rewards® points at Restaurants (plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 1X points on all other purchases

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

Not applicable

See Pay Over Time APR

Read our American Express® Gold Card review .

• Up to $120 dining credit annually ($10 a month) for purchases made with Grubhub, Goldbelly and other eligible restaurants (after a one-time enrollment)
• Up to $120 Uber Cash annually ($10 a month) for U.S. Uber Eats orders and U.S. Uber rides (card must be added to Uber app to receive the Uber Cash benefit)
• Strong rewards program with 4X points earned at restaurants and 3X points earned on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com
• Baggage insurance plan covers up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage that is damaged, lost or stolen
• No fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.
• No introductory APR period
• $250 annual fee
• Estimated rewards earned after 1 year: $1,074
• Estimated rewards earned after 5 years: $2,969

Rewards totals incorporate the points earned from the welcome bonus

Who's this for? The American Express® Gold Card is great for earning travel rewards thanks to its generous bonuses on common spending categories like dining and groceries.

Standout benefits: Cardholders get up to $120 in annual dining credit (up to $10 per month at Grubhub , Goldbelly, The Cheesecake Factory and other participating restaurants; enrollment is required) and up to $120 in Uber Cash ($10 per month) to put toward rides in the U.S. and dining via Uber Eats (you must add your Amex Gold Card as a payment method in the Uber app to enroll).

American Express pre-approval process: See what American Express card offers you may be eligible for by filling out this form with your name, address, last four digits of your SSN and your annual income. If you already have an Amex account, you may need to open the form in incognito mode or clear your browser's cache to access the page.

Best for cash-back

Discover it® cash back.

Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases-automatically.

Discover will match all the cash back earned for all new cardmembers at the end of your first year.

0% for 15 months on purchases

17.24% to 28.24% Variable

3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*

Good / Excellent

* See rates and fees , terms apply.

Read our Discover it® Cash Back review.

• Cash-back program
• Generous welcome bonus
• Cash-back categories must be activated each quarter
• Cash-back program limits earnings: Enroll every quarter to earn 5% cash back in various categories on up to $1,500 in quarterly purchases, then 1%

Who's this for? The Discover it® Cash Back is a relatively easy-to-get cash-back card with no annual fee and useful rotating bonus categories .

Standout benefits: This card has a unique welcome offer that can supercharge your cash-back earnings. Discover will match the cash back new cardholders earn in the first year. So, purchases that qualify for 5% cash back would effectively earn 10% back in your first year. Plus, the card has no foreign transaction fees.

Discover pre-approval process: Fill out this Discover credit card pre-approval form with your name, address, date of birth, housing payment, student status and gross income to see what offers you're eligible for. If you don't qualify for an unsecured card, you may want to consider a secured credit card such as the Discover it® Secured Card which doesn't require a credit score.

Best for premium perks

Capital one venture x rewards credit card.

Unlimited 2X miles on all eligible purchases, and 5 Miles per dollar on flights and 10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars when booked via Capital One Travel portal

Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening

19.99% - 29.99% variable APR

$0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you

Foreign transaction fees

Read our Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card review.

• Large welcome bonus
• No foreign transaction fees
• Up to $100 statement credits for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• High annual fee
• No introductory 0% APR period

Who's this for? The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is geared towards those seeking luxury benefits like airport lounge access, annual travel credits, various travel and shopping protections and more.

Standout benefits: Every year, Capital One Venture X Card members receive up to $300 in travel credits for bookings made through Capital One Travel and 10,000-anniversary bonus miles (worth $100 in travel). Those two benefits alone can offset the card's $395 annual fee (see rates and fees ).

Capital One pre-approval process: You can see what Capital One cards you're pre-approved for by filling out this form . You'll need to enter your name, address, email address, phone number, employment status, education, income, housing payment, date of birth, SSN and what type of bank accounts you have.

More on our top credit cards that offer pre-approval or pre-qualification

The  Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card  is a no annual fee card that can help you earn cash rewards, while enjoying various money-saving benefits.

• Unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases

Earn $200 in cash rewards after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months of account opening.

Notable perks

Cardholders can take advantage of cell phone insurance when they pay their monthly bill with the card. This insurance covers damage, theft and loss of a cell phone and has a $25 deductible. You can be reimbursed for up to two claims per 12 months and up to $600 per claim.

Cardholders can also save on interest with the card's intro-APR offer. Purchases and eligible balance transfers qualify for an intro 0% APR for 15 months. then a variable 20.24%, 25.24% or 29.99% applies. To qualify for the intro APR, balance transfers must be completed within 120 days of opening the account. There is an intro balance transfer fee , and for the first 120 days you'll pay 3% of the amount of each transfer ($5 minimum). After the intro period, the balance transfer fee increases to 5% of the amount of each transfer ($5 minimum).

[ Return to card summary ]

The Citi Double Cash® Card is a cash-back credit card , but it earns cash back in the form of Citi ThankYou points , which which can be redeemed in lots of ways, including the option to transfer them to travel partners.

• 5% total cash back on Citi travel bookings (through Dec. 31, 2024)
• 2% cash back on all purchases: 1% back when you buy and 1% back as you pay

Earn a $200 cash bonus after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening.

The ThankYou® points can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards and travel at a rate of one cent per point. Cardholders also have access to a small number of Citi's travel partners, including Wyndham, Choice and JetBlue. If you have a Citi card that enables full transfers, such as the Citi Premier® Card , you can combine the points you earn with your Double Cash and then transfer those points to all of Citi's partner hotel and airline loyalty programs.

There are also several special cardmember programs, including Citi Entertainment℠, which gives cardholders first access to purchase tickets for thousands of concerts and events. The card also provides access to Citi® Identity Theft Solutions, a service that will help you if you're a victim of identity theft.

The American Express® Gold Card is a travel rewards card with a long list of benefits that can easily make the annual fee worth paying (see rates and fees ). Plus, the Amex Membership Rewards points you earn with this card are some of the most valuable travel points out there since they can be transferred to a variety of airline or hotel partners.

• 4X points at restaurants (plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.)
• 4X points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X)
• 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on Amextravel.com
• 1X points on all other purchases

Earn 60,000 points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership.

$250 (see rates and fees )

Cardholders receive up to $120 in dining credit per year ($10 per month) at participating partners and up to $120 in Uber Cash per year ($10 per month) after you add your Amex Gold Card as a payment method in the Uber app. The card also offers no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees ), baggage insurance, rental car coverage (secondary), extended warranty, purchase protection and trip delay insurance .

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.

Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

The Discover it® Cash Back is a no-annual-fee cash-back rewards card that allows you to earn a generous 5% back on rotating spending categories.

• 5% cash back on the first $1,500 in purchases in rotating categories each quarter (when you activate), then 1% cash back. Check out Discover's 5% cash-back calendar .
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

Discover will match the cash back you earn at the end of the first year.

New card members receive an intro 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and eligible balance transfers, then a variable 17.24% to 28.24% applies. An intro balance transfer fee of 3% of the amount you transfer applies to eligible transfers. The standard transfer fee on future balance transfers is up to 5% of the amount of each transfer. (See rates and fees )

The card charges $0 in  foreign transaction fees , which can save you money when traveling abroad.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees ) is a premium credit card with a straightforward rewards structure, a long list of benefits and a lower annual fee than other high-end cards with similar features.

• 10X miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel portal
• 5X miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• 5X miles on Capital One Entertainment purchases (through Dec. 31, 2025)
• 2X miles on all other purchases

Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

In addition to the annual $300 Capital One Travel credit and 10,000 anniversary bonus miles, the Capital One Venture X Card comes with airport lounge access for the primary cardholder and authorized users. One great feature of this card is that you can add up to four authorized users for free and each cardholder gets access to Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges and Capital One Lounges .

Other benefits include:

• Hertz Presidents Circle status (enrollment required)
• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck® application fee credit (worth up to $100)
• Cell phone protection
• Visa Infinite Concierge
• Rental car collision damage waiver (primary)
• Trip cancellation and interruption coverage
• Trip delay reimbursement
• Lost luggage reimbursement
• Extended warranty protection
• Return protection
• Purchase security

What's the difference between a pre-approval and a pre-qualification?

The terms pre-approval and pre-qualification both refer to the card issuers' pre-screening process that can help you determine whether you'll qualify for a credit card without a hard pull on your credit reports. Prequalified offers are typically initiated by consumers who want to check their approval odds, while preapproved offers are generally unsolicited offers from card issuers.

Does pre-approval or pre-qualification result in a hard credit pull?

Most credit card pre-approvals do not result in a hard pull of your credit. Some issuers require a Social Security Number (SSN) or the last four digits of your SSN to process a pre-approval, but this is generally done to verify your identity and shouldn't result in a credit check unless otherwise stated.

Does pre-approval guarantee approval?

If you qualify for a pre-approved credit card or receive a pre-screened offer in the mail, that does not guarantee you'll be approved. Your credit score, income and history with the card issuers are all taken into account, but won't be fully reviewed unless you submit a traditional card application.

Bottom line

Getting a pre-approved, pre-qualified or pre-screened credit card offer doesn't guarantee you'll get approved for the card if you apply. However, seeing whether you're pre-approved for a card offer is easy and typically doesn't require a hard credit pull. So it doesn't hurt to explore what offers you may qualify for.

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Why trust CNBC Select?

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card   article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card   products .  While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See  our methodology  for more information on how we choose the best business credit cards for LLCs.

Our methodology

To determine which business cards offer the best value and pre-approval, CNBC Select analyzed the most popular credit cards available to U.S. consumers that also had a publicly available pre-approval or pre-qualification process at the time of writing. We compared each card on a range of features, including the annual fee, employee card fee, rewards, welcome bonus, introductory and standard APR and foreign transaction fees. We also considered additional perks, the application process and how easy it is to redeem points.

Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage of  credit cards ,  banking  and  money , and follow us on  TikTok ,  Facebook ,  Instagram  and  Twitter  to stay up to date.

For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click  here .

For rates and fees of the   Discover it® Cash Back, click here .

For rates and fees of the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, click here .

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