Editorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card data comes from issuers' published terms; data as of September 27, 2026. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content.
Annual fees: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card $395/yr, MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite Mastercard® $249/yr. Strongest bonus categories: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card on hotels, MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite Mastercard® on gas stations.
Card data as of September 27, 2026.
Capital One
First National Bank of Omaha
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite Mastercard® |
|---|---|---|
| Dining | 2X | 2X |
| Flights | 2X |
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card wins in 5 of 5 categories. The MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite Mastercard® leads in 0. 1 more category depend on booking channel or caps.
Hotels
Depends: via Capital One Travel - No annual cap
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 10X when conditions are met; MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite Mastercard® earns 2X (2X without restrictions)
Car Rentals
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 10X vs 1X
10X via Capital One Travel - No annual cap
Flights
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 5X vs 1X
5X via Capital One Travel - No annual cap
Vacation Rentals
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 5X vs 1X
5X via Capital One Travel - No annual cap
Entertainment
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 5X vs 1X
5X via issuer travel portal
Everyday purchases
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 2X on all other spending vs 1X
Modeled net value (bonus categories at unconditional rates, caps applied). Spend mix: dining 15%, groceries 15%, gas 10%, travel 10%, everything else 50%. Statement credits use the same recurring usable estimates as each card's detail page; first-year-only credits count in year one only. Welcome offers valued at each card's program rate shown on this page.
Both scenarios favor the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card on net value (rewards, usable credits, fees, and welcome offer).
Everyday (non-bonus) spend earns 2X on the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card vs 1X on the other card.
Published annual fees: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card $395/yr, MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite Mastercard® $249/yr — a $146 difference before welcome offers and credits.
| 1X |
| Gas Stations | 2X | 2X |
| Grocery Stores | 2X | 2X |
| Hotels | 2X | 2X |
| Everything Else | 2X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
Both scenarios favor the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card on net value (rewards, usable credits, fees, and welcome offer).
| Scenario | Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite Mastercard® | Ongoing winner | Year-one winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light spender: $1,000/month | Rewards: $444 Credits (our usable estimate): $312 − Annual fee ($395) Ongoing: $361 Year one: $1,749 | Rewards: $168 Credits (our usable estimate): $210 − Annual fee ($249) Ongoing: $129 Year one: $454 | Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card |
| Heavy spender: $4,000/month | Rewards: $1,776 Credits (our usable estimate): $312 − Annual fee ($395) Ongoing: $1,693 Year one: $3,081 | Rewards: $672 Credits (our usable estimate): $210 − Annual fee ($249) Ongoing: $633 Year one: $958 | Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card |
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card costs $395/yr — that's $146 more than the MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite Mastercard® ($249/yr). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $146 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card includes travel credits, lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. Those perks are not included in the earn-rate scenario table above — compare their dollar value to the $146 fee gap for your own usage.
Bottom line: Use the year-one vs ongoing table for modeled earn value at your spend level. The $146 fee gap means the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card needs roughly $146 more in annual rewards (or credits you will use) to break even on hotels and car rentals and everyday spend.
Get the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card if you:
Get the MGM Rewards Iconic World Elite Mastercard® if you:
Editorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card data comes from issuers' published terms; data as of September 27, 2026. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content.
