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Capital One Venture X vs Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Capital One Venture X comes from Capital One at $395/yr; the Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex from American Express at $150/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

For most people the Capital One Venture X is the stronger pick today — the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($510 more in estimated value) than the Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex's. Get the Capital One Venture X first; revisit the Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureCapital One Venture XDelta SkyMiles Gold Amex
Annual fee$395$150
Sign-up bonus75,000 miles70,000 miles
Bonus value (est.)$1,350$840
Min spend to unlock bonus$4,000 in 3 mo$3,000 in 6 mo
IssuerCapital OneAmerican Express
Card categorytravelairline
Best earning category (Hotels)10x1x
Transfer partnerscapital-oneNone
Headline benefits
  • $300 annual travel credit
  • 10,000 anniversary miles
  • Capital One Lounges
  • 2x on all other purchases
  • Free first checked bag
  • $200 Delta flight credit
  • Priority boarding
  • 2x on restaurants & groceries
Read the full review
Capital One Venture X
$395/yr · 75,000 miles
Read the full review
Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex
$150/yr · 70,000 miles

Editorial take: Capital One Venture X

The best value premium travel card. $300 travel credit, Priority Pass, 10,000 anniversary miles, and a massive transfer partner list — all for $395. It's hard to beat.

Editorial take: Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex

A good choice for Delta loyalists. The free checked bag and $200 flight credit easily offset the $150 annual fee if you fly Delta a few times a year.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Capital One Venture X or Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex?
The Capital One Venture X has the bigger bonus — 75,000 miles, worth roughly $1,350, versus 70,000 miles (~$840) on the Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex.
Is the Capital One Venture X's $395 annual fee worth it compared to the Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex?
At $395/yr, the Capital One Venture X is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex's — pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
Can I have both the Capital One Venture X and Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (Capital One and American Express) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both — they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
Should I get the Capital One Venture X or the Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Capital One Venture X: $4,000 spend in 3 months. Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex: $3,000 in 6 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.

Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time — confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.