Verdict: The Capital One Venture One Rewards card is a solid travel rewards card. It comes with no annual fee as well as lower than average fees in many other categories. Additionally, a bonus of 10,000 miles is offered once $1,000 is spent within the first 3 months. This card for people with excellent credit is definitely worth looking into – especially those who travel frequently.

The little brother to Capital One’s “luxury” travel rewards card, the Venture, the Venture One offers slightly fewer miles per purchase (1.25 miles for each dollar, rather than 2), but carries a slightly lower interest rate and no annual fee. As with the Venture card, you can redeem your points for travel (through any website or travel agency), merchandise, or a statement credit. You’ll have no foreign transaction fees when traveling abroad, and can choose your own card design online.

I have a Capital One card, and the company’s customer service by phone has always been stellar. You’ll enjoy great service and easy online bill pay with the Venture One rewards card.

The Capital One Venture One card is a Signature Visa card, accepted anywhere Visa is accepted. Since Visa is commonly accepted worldwide and this card offers no foreign transaction fees, it’s a great card for international travel.

Capital One provides easy online bill paying and money management tools at its website. It’s easy to cash in your rewards online, or you can use your rewards for travel booked through any travel website or travel agency and then get reimbursed by phone or online through Capital One.

You can cash in miles for:

• Travel-related purchases, including hotels, airline tickets and rental cars, purchased through any travel website or agency
• Merchandise
• Charitable donations
• A credit on your Capital One card statement

The Venture One is a Signature Visa card, entitling card holders to benefits similar to an American Express platinum card, including:

• Complimentary travel upgrades and special savings on hotels and more
• 24-hour concierge service
• Special access and preferred seating to special events
• Shopping discounts

You’ll also get these money- and time-saving benefits to provide peace of mind at home or when you travel.

• $0 Fraud Liability (if your card is lost or stolen or you are a victim of identity theft, you are not liable for charges to your card)
• 24-hour travel and emergency assistance (including card replacement)
• 24-hour roadside assistance
• Extended warranty on purchases
• Travel accident insurance
• Rental car insurance

The Capital One Venture Rewards card does not have an annual fee or a balance transfer fee. For a full list of updated rates and fees, check the issuer website before applying.

Capital One VentureOne vs American Express Gold Card

The American Express Gold card allows customers to earn 1 point per dollar spent for most purchases. Purchases at Earn Hub will allow customers to earn up to 10 points per dollar spent. Points can be spent on air travel (without blackout dates), vehicle rentals, hotel stays, cruises, vacations and much more.

Although the points situation is similar to that of the Capital One Venture One Rewards card, the American Express Gold card has better rewards in other respects. American Express Gold card holders have access to thousands of events before tickets are offered to the general public. American Express also reserves seats just for it’s customers to purchase at various events and offers financial protection in case a customer misses an event due to an emergency (not available to New York State residents). In general, they offer the same rewards as Capital One – plus those listed and more.

As the American Express Gold card is a charge card, there is no APR. The bill must be paid each month. However, there is an annual fee of $125 (waived in the first year) and the remaining fees are comparable with those of the Capital One Venture One Rewards card.

Overall, most people will benefit more from the Capital One Venture One Rewards card. With no annual fee, you’re saving $125 as compared to American Express’ offer. Although there is a purchase APR that will start in September of 2012, you’ll avoid that if you don’t miss payments. The points situation is virtually the same – unless you shop through American Express. However, American Express doesn’t offer an initial bonus of 10,000 points, so Capital One has it beat there as well. The Capital One Venture One Rewards card is a less complicated card with lower fees than the American Express Gold card. Go with it if you are deciding among the two.

Capital One VentureOne vs Escape by Discover

If you plan on using your credit card frequently, the Escape by Discover wins out over the Capital One Venture One Rewards card. Two miles per dollar are earned on all purchases with this card, giving it the edge over the 1.25 miles per dollar spent with Capital One. Additionally, Discover offers up to 25,000 bonus miles as compared to Capital One‘s 10,000 bonus miles. The catch is that customers must make a purchase in each of the first 25 months to realize the full bonus amount.

Discover offers a 0 percent introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 6 months. This is less than the 12 months on purchases that Capital One offers, but better in terms of balance transfers, as Capital One doesn’t offer a 0 percent introductory APR on those. After the introductory period, the APRs on both purchases and balance transfers are lower than those offered by Capital One.

Capital One has Discover beat in the annual fee area, as the Escape by Discover card comes with a $60 annual fee. Other than that, the fees are similar among the 2 cards. The Escape by Discover is your best bet if you are deciding among these 2 cards, as it has better rewards that will more than offset the annual fee if you use it frequently.

Capital One VentureOne vs Chase Sapphire Card

The Chase Sapphire card comes with 25,000 bonus points, giving it a major edge over the 10,000 bonus points that Capital One offers. It does offer less points per dollar on most purchases at 1 (versus 1.25 with Capital One), but you’ll have to spend $60,000 just to break even after the bonus points are factored in. In other words, you could get your initial bonus points with the Chase Sapphire card and stop spending or use a Capital One Venture One Rewards card and spend $60,000 – and you’ll end up with the same amount of points. Dining purchases will earn 2 points per dollar on the Chase Sapphire card, as well.

The Chase Sapphire card has no annual fee. However, it does not offer a 0 percent introductory APR on purchases, giving Capital One an advantage in that regard. Despite that, it’s APR’s across the board are generally lower than on the Capital One Venture One Rewards card and it’s other fees are similar. If you are deciding among these two cards, go with the Chase Sapphire card, as it’s upfront bonus points will make it a better option for all but the biggest spenders.

Pros

• Miles never expire
• Unlimited miles can be earned
• Easy-to-use rewards system
• No blackout dates for travel
• No restrictions on travel
• No foreign transaction fees
• Complimentary concierge service, travel insurance and other benefits
• Can cash in miles for a statement credit
• No annual fee
• 10,000 bonus miles
• 0 percent introductory APR on purchases

Cons

• Only 1.25 miles earned on each dollar — Discover and American Express travel rewards cards offer more
• No opportunities to earn bonus miles on purchases
• Only for people with excellent credit