Are Two Cards Better Than One? Why the Capital One Duo Wins for Travel
In the ever-evolving world of travel rewards, the Capital One Duo, pairing the Venture X and SavorOne cards, remains one of the most versatile and rewarding setups. Whether you're a frequent flyer or a points maximizer, this combo delivers exceptional value. Here's why this duo is still a winning strategy in 2025.
The Power of the Duo
Similar to an ace and face card in blackjack, the Capital One Venture X and SavorOne complement each other perfectly. The Venture X covers travel purchases with a flat 2X miles on everything, while the SavorOne boosts earnings in high-spend categories, such as dining, groceries, and entertainment. Together, they create a seamless rewards ecosystem with no annual fee overlap (after Venture X's travel credits are applied along with its 10,000-mile anniversary bonus).
Key Benefits:
- No foreign transaction fees on either card, making them ideal for international travel.
- Flexible rewards: Transfer miles to 15+ airline/hotel partners or redeem for travel at 1¢ per mile.
- Priority Pass lounge access (Venture X) and Capital One Lounges for premium travel comfort.
- Annual fee offset: The Venture X's easy to use $300 travel credit and 10,000-mile anniversary bonus effectively make the card fee-free.
Rewards Multipliers: Maximizing Every Purchase
Here’s how the Capital One Duo stacks up for everyday and travel spending:
| Spending Category | Venture X | SavorOne |
|---|---|---|
| Travel (flights, hotels, rental cars) | 2X–10X miles* | 1X mile |
| Dining | 2X miles | 3X miles |
| Groceries | 2X miles | 3X miles |
| Entertainment (streaming, tickets) | 2X miles | 3X miles |
| All Other Purchases | 2X miles | 1X mile |
*10X miles when booking through Capital One Travel; 5X miles on hotels/rental cars.
Why It’s Still a Winner in 2025
While competitors have devalued perks or raised annual fees, the Capital One Duo retains its standout value. The Venture X’s $395 annual fee is more than justified by its $300 travel credit, 10,000-mile anniversary bonus (~$100 in travel), and lounge access. Meanwhile, the SavorOne’s $0 annual fee and 3X categories make it a no-brainer for foodies. Combined, they offer:
- Simplified point pooling: Transfer SavorOne’s cash back to Venture X as miles.
- Elite travel perks (Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, Hertz President’s Circle status).
- No spending caps on bonus categories.
For another great travel card strategy please check out our article on one of my favorites, the Amex Trifecta. This powerful 3-card strategy can earn you many points fast with it's high welcome offers, and high multipliers.
Thank you to all our Jetsetters for exploring the world with us and may your rewards take you where you wannabe. Ready to apply? Feel free to use our Venture One referral link this really helps support the blog! If you are interested in the Venture X or the Savor card, please click on the links provided, though these don't help blog directly, we want to make sure you can find what you need for your travel card journey, sort of like this pre-approval tool!
Thanks again Jetsetters, and we look forward to meeting you again in the next one.
