CardRewardsEditorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Our analysis is based on publicly available card data and is reviewed regularly by our editorial team. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content. Last updated: May 2026.
The PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card ($95/yr) is better for everyday value, while the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card ($395/yr) is worth it for frequent travelers who can use its premium perks. Here's the full comparison.
Capital One
PenFed
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card |
|---|---|---|
| Airlines | 2X | 4X |
| Hotels | 2X |
The PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card wins in 3 of 5 categories. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card leads in 2.
Hotels
PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card earns 4X vs 2X
Flights
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Airlines
PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card earns 4X vs 2X
Travel
PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card earns 3X vs 2X
Everyday purchases
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 2X on all other spending vs 1X
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card costs $395/yr — that's $300 more than the PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card ($95/yr). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $300 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. Whether that justifies the fee depends on how often you use these benefits.
Bottom line: The $300 gap is significant. Choose the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card only if you spend heavily on hotels and flights and will use its premium benefits regularly — otherwise the PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card delivers strong value at a fraction of the cost.
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
The PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card has a lower annual fee ($95 vs $395), making it the more accessible option.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card justifies its higher fee with premium perks like lounge access.
For everyday spending, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns more with its 2X base rate.
Choose the PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.
Editorial disclosure: The analysis on this page is based on publicly available card data and is updated regularly. CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or editorial content. Last updated: May 2026.
The PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card ($95/yr) is better for everyday value, while the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card ($395/yr) is worth it for frequent travelers who can use its premium perks. Here's the full comparison.
Capital One
PenFed
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card |
|---|---|---|
| Airlines | 2X | 4X |
| Hotels | 2X |
The PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card wins in 3 of 5 categories. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card leads in 2.
Hotels
PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card earns 4X vs 2X
Flights
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Airlines
PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card earns 4X vs 2X
Travel
PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card earns 3X vs 2X
Everyday purchases
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 2X on all other spending vs 1X
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card costs $395/yr — that's $300 more than the PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card ($95/yr). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $300 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. Whether that justifies the fee depends on how often you use these benefits.
Bottom line: The $300 gap is significant. Choose the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card only if you spend heavily on hotels and flights and will use its premium benefits regularly — otherwise the PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card delivers strong value at a fraction of the cost.
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
The PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card has a lower annual fee ($95 vs $395), making it the more accessible option.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card justifies its higher fee with premium perks like lounge access.
For everyday spending, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns more with its 2X base rate.
Choose the PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.
Editorial disclosure: The analysis on this page is based on publicly available card data and is updated regularly. CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or editorial content. Last updated: May 2026.
The PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card ($95/yr) is better for everyday value, while the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card ($395/yr) is worth it for frequent travelers who can use its premium perks. Here's the full comparison.
Capital One
PenFed
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card |
|---|---|---|
| Airlines | 2X | 4X |
| Hotels | 2X |
The PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card wins in 3 of 5 categories. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card leads in 2.
Hotels
PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card earns 4X vs 2X
Flights
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Airlines
PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card earns 4X vs 2X
Travel
PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card earns 3X vs 2X
Everyday purchases
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 2X on all other spending vs 1X
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card costs $395/yr — that's $300 more than the PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card ($95/yr). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $300 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. Whether that justifies the fee depends on how often you use these benefits.
Bottom line: The $300 gap is significant. Choose the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card only if you spend heavily on hotels and flights and will use its premium benefits regularly — otherwise the PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card delivers strong value at a fraction of the cost.
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
The PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card has a lower annual fee ($95 vs $395), making it the more accessible option.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card justifies its higher fee with premium perks like lounge access.
For everyday spending, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns more with its 2X base rate.
Choose the PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.
Editorial disclosure: The analysis on this page is based on publicly available card data and is updated regularly. CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or editorial content. Last updated: May 2026.
| 4X |
| Travel | 2X | 3X |
| Flights | 2X | 1X |
| Everything Else | 2X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
Choosing Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card means losing:
Get the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card if you:
Get the PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card if you:
| 4X |
| Travel | 2X | 3X |
| Flights | 2X | 1X |
| Everything Else | 2X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
Choosing Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card means losing:
Get the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card if you:
Get the PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card if you:
| 4X |
| Travel | 2X | 3X |
| Flights | 2X | 1X |
| Everything Else | 2X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
Choosing Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card means losing:
Get the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card if you:
Get the PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card if you: