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 RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® ($0/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.
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® |
|---|---|---|
| Rci | 2X | 5X |
| Flights |
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card wins in 3 of 4 categories. The RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® leads in 1.
Hotels
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Flights
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Rci
RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® earns 5X 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 $395 more than the RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® (no annual fee). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $395 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 $395 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 RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® delivers strong value at a fraction of the cost.
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
Choosing RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® means losing:
The RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® has a lower annual fee ($0 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 RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® 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 RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® ($0/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.
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® |
|---|---|---|
| Rci | 2X | 5X |
| Flights |
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card wins in 3 of 4 categories. The RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® leads in 1.
Hotels
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Flights
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Rci
RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® earns 5X 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 $395 more than the RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® (no annual fee). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $395 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 $395 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 RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® delivers strong value at a fraction of the cost.
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
Choosing RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® means losing:
The RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® has a lower annual fee ($0 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 RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® 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 RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® ($0/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.
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® |
|---|---|---|
| Rci | 2X | 5X |
| Flights |
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card wins in 3 of 4 categories. The RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® leads in 1.
Hotels
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Flights
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Rci
RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® earns 5X 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 $395 more than the RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® (no annual fee). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $395 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 $395 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 RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® delivers strong value at a fraction of the cost.
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
Choosing RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® means losing:
The RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® has a lower annual fee ($0 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 RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® 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.
| 2X |
| 1X |
| Hotels | 2X | 1X |
| Travel | 2X | 2X |
| Everything Else | 2X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
Get the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card if you:
Get the RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® if you:
| 2X |
| 1X |
| Hotels | 2X | 1X |
| Travel | 2X | 2X |
| Everything Else | 2X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
Get the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card if you:
Get the RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® if you:
| 2X |
| 1X |
| Hotels | 2X | 1X |
| Travel | 2X | 2X |
| Everything Else | 2X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
Get the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card if you:
Get the RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® if you:
