Unsure if Venture X is right for me
Quick summary: I've been more recently getting involved with the credit card game to try and maximize (within reason) some rewards. I was mostly using the USAA rewards visa and WF autograph cards since I had those for many years, but after seeing my friend churn credit cards, decided to start trying to explore rewards a bit more. I got the CSP after my friend recommended it for travel, but then got the USBAR (pre-nerf) which was perfect for me as everywhere here used tap-to-pay and I was mostly an economy seat traveler with a partner so the 8 PP lounges were enough for us. Now the USBAR has been nerfed, I held onto it to give it a year to see if anything would happen to it. Needless to say, it hasn't, and I got the RH gold card to essentially replace it. I've been using the flat 3% to get money back and put it all in investments for right now to watch it grow. However, I'm considering closing the USBAR come November/December time and was considering getting the Venture X as a potential replacement.
For me, I travel with a P2 and take about 1-2 international trips per year (mostly to Asia but will be doing Europe this year), rarely domestic travel. My main thought is to mostly do cash back but get a travel card for the benefits for the 1-2 trips we take per year. Usually try to pick whatever flight is convenient + affordable. Hotels: mostly stay with whatever is reasonably priced and conveniently located (hence why the USBAR was perfect for me at the time since I got that flexibility lol). I don't mind booking hotels through a portal (a bit iffier on flights in case something goes wrong). I know the Venture X more or less pays for itself if I travel once per year, but given I'm not sure I would be able to get >1.5 CPP, not entirely sure if it really outperforms the shittier USBAR for me at the moment, especially with having to pay for my P2 to get into a lounge (we can live without the lounges). Closest major airport to me is LAX. I work in the medical field so at least right now, don't have a lot of flexibility with travel dates at the moment, although that may change in the future.
Just wanted to get some thoughts about whether or not Venture X would be of benefit for me. My main goal is to help negative some cost of traveling cause I just value convenience for vacation above all else
Current cards: (list cards, limits, opening date)
WF autograph - 6/2007
USAA Rewards Visa - 1/2009
Chase Sapphire Preferred - 5/2024
USBAR - 11/2024
RH Gold - 10/2025
FICO Score: 808
Oldest account age: 19 years
Chase 5/24 status: 2/24
Income: ~$100,000 (expected to increase to around $300,000 in 12 months)
Average monthly spend and categories:
rent $3000
dining $400
groceries: $100
gas: $250
travel: $0
other: $200
Open to Business Cards: No
What's the purpose of your next card? Cashback or Travel
Do you have any cards you've been looking at? Venture X
Are you OK with category spending or do you want a general spending card? Ok with category spending