Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold vs Capital One Venture X
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
EXPRESS
Capital One Venture X wins 3-2. Premium travel, $395 fee easily offset by $300 travel credit + 10K anniversary miles. Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold is still the right call if delta loyalists, free first checked bag pays for the fee with one round trip..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold | Capital One Venture X |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $150 | · $395 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | · 2% (travel) | 10% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | · 1% | 2% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 40,000 SkyMiles after $2,000 spend in 6 months | = 75,000 miles after $4,000 spend in first 3 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = No waiver |
| Min income | = None stated | = None stated |
| Min credit score | 700 | · 720 |
| Editorial rating | · 4.3/5 | 4.7/5 |
Benefits compared
Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold
- 2x miles on Delta + restaurants + US supermarkets
- $200 Delta flight credit annually
- Free first checked bag (worth ~$60 each way)
- Priority Boarding (Zone 5)
- 15% miles discount on award flights
Capital One Venture X
- 10x miles on hotels + rental cars via Capital One Travel
- 2x miles on every purchase
- $300 annual Capital One Travel credit
- 10,000 miles anniversary bonus (worth $100)
- Unlimited Priority Pass + Capital One Lounges access
- Up to $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
FAQ
›Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold vs Capital One Venture X: which is better?
Capital One Venture X wins on more dimensions (3 vs 2). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern. Run your own monthly spend through the maximizer to see which one pays you more.
›Can I get both?
Yes, if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold for its best categories, Capital One Venture X for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold: 40,000 SkyMiles after $2,000 spend in 6 months. Capital One Venture X: 75,000 miles after $4,000 spend in first 3 months.