pauldavidmena
Super Nomad
Posts: 1715
Registered: 5-23-2013
Location: Centerville, MA, USA
Member Is Offline
|
|
Capital One Venture Rewards card
There have been a number of discussions on this forum about credit cards, specifically cards that don't charge foreign exchange fees. The Capital One
"Venture Rewards" card seems to be one of those, and also has other advantages that benefit frequent travelers, such as what appears to be an easy,
flexible plan to accrue credit toward air fare and lodging purchases. On the other hand, I've also read that Capital One can be pretty aggressive in
marketing other products (consumer loads, home refinancing) and has some fairly eye-opening clauses in its terms of service (including authorizing
personal visits and use of phone ID spoofing technology among others). Knowing what P.T. Barnum said about something seeming too good to be true, I
have to wonder how much of this is true and how much is misinformation floated by the competition.
Which all leads to the question: does anyone out there have a Capital One Venture Rewards card? If so, what has been your experience with it?
Thanks in advance as always.
|
|
|
Cliffy
Senior Nomad
Posts: 986
Registered: 12-19-2013
Member Is Offline
|
|
I HAD a Capital One card and cut it up after the first Baja trip.
I got it just because of the no fee aspect AND I called to verify that it would work in Baja AND I called again 1 day before we left to mark our file
to show we were going to Baja for 3 weeks.
The first time I went to use it they cancelled it!
So when I returned- I cancelled them.
Then they called to verify I wanted to cancell it and told me that if I did I'd never get another one! Told them to stuff their card.
Great customer service.
|
|
|
tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
Different experience for us. Have had the plain Jane card for 10 years with no complaints. Never a charge for international transactions. We always
call or notify online before our trips.
|
|
|
pauldavidmena
Super Nomad
Posts: 1715
Registered: 5-23-2013
Location: Centerville, MA, USA
Member Is Offline
|
|
It occurs to me that I've never called my credit card company before leaving the country and have never had an issue, but perhaps I've just been
lucky.
|
|
|
pauldavidmena
Super Nomad
Posts: 1715
Registered: 5-23-2013
Location: Centerville, MA, USA
Member Is Offline
|
|
Also interesting to note: 2 replies, 2 diametrically opposite experiences.
|
|
|
mjs
Nomad
Posts: 309
Registered: 2-20-2013
Location: Off grid in San Felipe
Member Is Offline
|
|
Have it. Use it. No issues. That's been our experience. YMMV
|
|
|
vandenberg
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5118
Registered: 6-21-2005
Location: Nopolo
Member Is Offline
Mood: mellow
|
|
We have had trouble with Cap One cards even when we called it in before using it. As a matter of fact, many times.
We now have the B of A travel reward card and have been using it with no issues at all.
And... it gets you the most favorable exchange rate.
[Edited on 9-7-2015 by vandenberg]
|
|
|
pauldavidmena
Super Nomad
Posts: 1715
Registered: 5-23-2013
Location: Centerville, MA, USA
Member Is Offline
|
|
My main credit card is a Visa from FIA Card Services (formerly MBNA), courtesy of my former employer Fidelity Investments. One can accrue points that
can be redeemed for miles, but the process borders on infuriating. Lately I've just been redeeming the points for credit against my balance, which I
pay off monthly. Apart from that minor annoyance, the card's other shortcoming is that I pay a 3% foreign transaction fee when visiting Mexico.
|
|
|
Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9009
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
Member Is Offline
Mood: Inquisitive
|
|
I've had no complaints. I've been using it in Mexico for the last two months, almost exclusively for my purchases. No cancellations. So, I am a very
RECENT owner of their card. Maybe that will serve to contrast with others who had a bad experience a few years ago. I cant say I have received ANY
sales pitches from them.
When I received it, I did notify them of my SPECIFIC plans to be in Mexico and then to be using it in Spain and Italy.
I did the same with my cards through my credit union. Cant have too many cards on The Continent, eh?
I am going to single-handedly bring the EC out of its financial funk, especially purveyors of tapas, tempranillos, finos and Brunellos.
[Edited on 9-7-2015 by Hook]
|
|
|
pauldavidmena
Super Nomad
Posts: 1715
Registered: 5-23-2013
Location: Centerville, MA, USA
Member Is Offline
|
|
I've worked very hard to reduce my revolving credit down to zero, so I only use my credit card to charge up to what I can afford to pay off by the
next statement. Anything beyond that goes on a debit card that goes against my Fidelity "Sunny Day Fund". But regardless of whether of not I get the
Capital Once card, I will definitely heed the good advice of notifying the card company before going out of the country. I feel like I may have been
living on borrowed time.
|
|
|
mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18365
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
|
|
Quote: Originally posted by pauldavidmena  | | My main credit card is a Visa from FIA Card Services (formerly MBNA), courtesy of my former employer Fidelity Investments. One can accrue points that
can be redeemed for miles, but the process borders on infuriating. Lately I've just been redeeming the points for credit against my balance, which I
pay off monthly. Apart from that minor annoyance, the card's other shortcoming is that I pay a 3% foreign transaction fee when visiting Mexico.
|
If you were employed by Fidelity, perhaps you have a Fidelity acct. if so, they provide a great free Visa card I use, and it pays cash back instead
of silly airline or travel points. Their ATM card also waives ATM fees, so can be used anywhere.
Accumulating points is silly, just get cash back.
|
|
|
rzitren
Junior Nomad
Posts: 82
Registered: 2-15-2009
Member Is Offline
|
|
I have had a Venture card for a number of years. No foreign transaction fees, no solicitation for marketing of other things. 2 miles for every dollar
spent. Easy website to redeem miles. Even if you pay for travel, using their website usually gives you a discount. I always pay the balance each month
so I do not know what the interest rate is. I always call ahead when travelling out of the country and have had no problems. In other words it is my
go to card. I have one for my business and one personal and you can transfer miles from one to the other without a fee.
|
|
|
pauldavidmena
Super Nomad
Posts: 1715
Registered: 5-23-2013
Location: Centerville, MA, USA
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666 |
If you were employed by Fidelity, perhaps you have a Fidelity acct. if so, they provide a great free Visa card I use, and it pays cash back instead
of silly airline or travel points. Their ATM card also waives ATM fees, so can be used anywhere.
Accumulating points is silly, just get cash back. |
I do have a Fidelity account, and enjoy having the Visa card without having to pay an annual fee. I also have a Fidelity debit card, but have never
used it at an ATM. That might be worth looking into.
|
|
|
Martyman
Super Nomad
Posts: 1904
Registered: 9-10-2004
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: Originally posted by Hook |
I am going to single-handedly bring the EC out of its financial funk, especially purveyors of tapas, tempranillos, finos and Brunellos.
[Edited on 9-7-2015 by Hook] |
Did he say Brunello? One of my favorite words along with Barolo and Barbaresco. Go get 'em Hook!
|
|
|
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
