2021 Capital One Venture Card Review

You don't have to do anything special to get the Capital One Venture metal card. All new cardholders who are approved for Capital One Venture will receive the metal version, unless they specifically request to. There was a special promotion that you could customize the card with a photo, but that's not available anymore.

Here's how to get the Capital One Venture metal card:

• If you're a new applicant: Apply for the card and you'll automatically get a metal card.
• If you're an existing cardholder: Ask for a metal replacement. Call the number on the back of your card and ask if you're eligible for the metal version. Some people aren't, due to things like missed payments in the past. But if you are, you can order a replacement, which should arrive in 7-10 business days. 

There's no difference in rates, fees or the way you use the metal card vs. the plastic one. But naturally, the metal one feels a bit more prestigious. Metal credit cards are typically the cards with the highest annual fees and the best benefits. That being said, don't worry too much about what your credit card is made of. It's just a tool for making purchases, and its terms are what really matter. 

If you're keen on getting a metal credit card and don't want to pay hundreds of dollars in annual fees, this is a great option. Capital One Venture comes with excellent rewards: 2 miles per $1 spent, along with 50,000 bonus miles for spending $3,000 during the first 3 months your account is open.

It's also important to note that although Capital One hasn't announced an end date for the Venture metal cards, this promotion could end at any time.

Capital One Venture is the premium version between the two. It has a more generous sign-up bonus (50,000 miles for spending $3,000 in the first three months), a higher 2 miles per $1 earnings rate and an annual fee of $95.

Capital One VentureOne on the other hand, has a sign-up bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $1,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening and only awards you 1.25 miles per $1 on every purchase, but it doesn't have an annual fee.

All in all, if you travel a lot and spend about $15,000 per year in travel, Venture is worth it. Otherwise, VentureOne might be a better option.

The Capital One Venture card interest rate is 17.24% - 24.49% (V). The exact APR a Venture cardholder will get upon approval will be within that range, and it will depend on their overall creditworthiness. Capital One considers an applicant's income, past payment history, credit score, and other factors when deciding on their interest rate. Keep in mind that only the most qualified applicants will get the lowest interest rate offered.

You can avoid the Capital One Venture interest rate completely by paying your statement balance in full every month by the due date. That way, you won't be charged interest at all.

You can reach Capital One Venture customer service at 1-800-227-4825. There isn't a dedicated Venture card customer service line. You'll actually be calling Capital One's main credit card support number. The Capital One Venture live chat feature is another way to reach customer service. Just sign in to your account online and select the “More Account Services” tab. The chat box will be in the lower left corner. Capital One hasn't posted specific hours but users report chat hours as 7am-11pm ET.

Capital One takes customer service pretty seriously. They even respond to customer questions on Twitter, Mon-Sat from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET. Capital One ranks third for customer satisfaction among major credit card companies, according to JD Power. So there's a good chance you'll have positive Capital One Venture customer service interactions. 

Below are numbers to call for different types of Venture customer service. 

Capital One Venture Customer Service Numbers:

• Rewards Center: 1-800-228-3001
• Apply for the Venture Card: 1-800-695-5500
• Website Help: 1-866-750-0873
• Fraud Protection: 1-800-427-9428
• Report Suspicious Email: [email protected]

Capital One's website and mobile app also have answers to many Venture card FAQs. And of course you can always get Capital One Venture customer service in-person. Just visit your local Capital One bank branch. Or, visit a Capital One Café, which may be in a metropolitan area near you.

The Capital One Venture Card is a Visa. Capital One is the issuer of the Venture Card, which can be used anywhere Visa is accepted.

Capital One Venture works with all major airlines. Venture cardholders earn double miles on airfare booked with any airline. Capital One Venture miles can also be used to pay for flights on any airline. You can either book flights with miles through Capital One, or redeem miles to pay for airfare charged to the Venture card after the fact. In fact, Venture miles are redeemable for nearly any travel purchase made anywhere. There are no blackout dates and no limits, either.

To redeem Venture miles for airline purchases, log in to your online account and click the “View Rewards” tab on your account page. Choose either “Book a trip” for new flights or “Redeem travel purchases” to get a statement credit for previous purchases. The redemption rate for travel is 1 cent per mile. You can redeem Venture miles for cash back, a statement credit or gift cards, but your miles will be worth less when you redeem them.

You're also able to transfer Capital One Venture miles to a select number of partner airlines. The value of transferred miles differs from program to program.

The Capital One Venture balance transfer fee is 0%, which means you'll only have to worry about paying the regular APR when transferring a balance to this card. There is no 0% APR deal for balance transfers on Capital One Venture right now, so any balance transferred to this card will be subject to the regular APR.

The usual balance transfer fee for Capital One credit cards is 3% when there is a 0% APR deal, or 0% when there is no introductory APR promotion. But right now, no Capital One cards have a balance transfer fee because there are no current 0% APR balance transfer deals on Capital One cards.

You can check for Capital One Venture pre approval online by going to Capital One's pre approval page and entering your name, address, date of birth and Social Security number. Then indicate the card benefit most important to you,  select your credit rating and click “See Your Card Offers” at the bottom of the page. You'll see which, if any, Capital One credit cards you're pre-approved for in less than 60 seconds. This could include the Venture Card, if a basic review of your creditworthiness indicates you're likely qualified.

When you check for Capital One Venture pre approval, there's a “soft inquiry” on your credit report. It doesn't affect your score, which is why pre approval is so helpful. There's no risk, and you can avoid applying for cards you have no chance of getting. Pre approval does not guarantee approval. But it means that your chances are really good.

You don't always have to check, either. Sometimes, Capital One Venture card pre-approval comes to you. People from time to time get pre approved Capital One Venture offers in the mail. If you get one, you can go online and enter the Reservation Number and Access Code from your pre approval letter. You should then be directed to the Venture card application, which will be flagged as pre approved.

Here's how to check for Capital One Venture pre approval:

1. Go to Capital One's pre approval page: capitalone.com/credit-cards/prequalify.
2. Enter your name, address, date of birth and Social Security number.
3. Choose the card benefit most important to you: travel rewards, cash back, low interest or not sure yet.
4. Select your credit level: Excellent, average or rebuilding.
5. Check the box that reads, “I understand that this is not a credit card application.”
6. Click “See Your Card Offers” at the bottom of the page.
7. Any Capital One cards you're pre approved for will appear in less than 60 seconds. You can then click a link to apply for whichever you choose.

You can also respond online to a Capital One Venture pre approval offer you received in the mail. On the welcome page, enter the Reservation Number and Access Code from your pre approval letter to go to the Venture card application.

Being pre approved does not guarantee approval if you apply. And if you do not get Capital One Venture pre approval, it does not mean it's impossible for you to get the card.

There's no limit to the number of times you can check for Capital One pre approval. And the soft inquiries will not affect your credit score.

The Capital One Venture airline parters are: 

Aeromexico
Air Canada Aeroplan
Air France/KLM
Alitalia
Avianca
Cathay Pacific
Etihad
EVA
Finnair
Hainan
Qantas
Qatar

Capital One miles will transfer to each partner at a ratio of 2:1.5 — meaning you'll get 1.5 airline miles for every 2 Capital One miles. 

To request a Capital One Venture credit limit increase online, log in to your Capital One account and select the Venture Card, then click “I Want To.” From there, look under the heading that says “Offers and Upgrades” and click on “Request Credit Line Increase.” Next, enter the amount of the increase you'd like, in addition to some personal information like your annual income, employment status, occupation and monthly housing payment. Once you've filled out everything and verified that it's correct, click “Submit.”

If you'd like to request a Capital One Venture credit limit increase by phone, call Capital One at 1 (800) 955-7070. Choose "More Options" from the automated menu to get to the option for a credit limit increase. Once you're connected to a representative, give them the same information you would provide online.

Capital One will only consider credit limit increases for people whose account is at least 3 months old and who have not received an increase in the previous six months. In addition, if you missed a payment or paid late in the last 12 months, you will typically be ineligible. Capital One uses a soft credit inquiry when determining eligibility for an increase, which means your request will not impact your credit score. You may receive a decision instantly, or it could take up to 10 business days to hear back by mail or email.