Time to Say Goodbye? Canceling my Venture X & Wyndham Credit Cards?

Thinking of canceling my Capital One Venture X and Wyndham Earner's Business credit cards! In this video, I share my thoughts on whether these cards are worth keeping or if it's time to say goodbye. I'll discuss the benefits and drawbacks of each card, and weigh the pros and cons of canceling them. If you're considering canceling your credit cards or wondering if they're still worth keeping, watch until the end!
If by chance you want to GET the Venture X (def. worth it in year 1), please consider my referral link: capital.one/3Kwr2tZ
Join as a DUGROZ DIEHARD (Channel Member) for $3 per month! No commitment:
/ @dugrozreports

[@DugrozReports]

If by chance you want to GET the Venture X (def. worth it in year 1), please consider my referral link: capital.one/3Kwr2tZ

[@JonsCreditAndTravel]

These are my favorite videos Doug. I love your mind dumps like this while you are driving. I totally understand why you are thinking about closing 1 or both cards. You make great arguments as to why closing them wouldnt be horribly bad for you. Keep up the awesome content!!

[@DugrozReports]

Thanks Jon!!!! 😀😀😀🚗

[@Dong_Kim]

Starting my day with an episode of Frugal Points with Dugroz! I also take your same position deminisihed returns from having too many issuers. Thanks for the driving tour of Iowa!

[@DugrozReports]

You are welcome, thank you, Dong ! …. Diminishing returns indeed, are a real thing. If you get a card that gives 3x on gas instead of 2X on everything, but you only spend $1000 a year on gas… Congratulations, you made an extra $10. 😜😎🫣

[@jimmyjames6492]

I've not had any issues using the Capital One Travel Portal to book flights but get where you're coming from. If a card isn't working anymore - no point in keeping it. 😎😎😎Thanks for the info + video!

[@DugrozReports]

Thanks Jimmy! I have not had any issues using it in the sense of problems, but I have had to be more creative than I would like to to come up with a good usage.

[@docsays]

Great points dugroz! I feel ya on VX. I’ve been on the fence about making it primary travel card since i prefer URs or MRs. When you find yourself struggling to justify the AF, then its time to dump it!

[@DugrozReports]

Agree, Doc. Thanks!

[@DoYouTakeCards]

Pay for themselves can change depending on the other cards in your set up. Loved hearing your thoughts.

[@DugrozReports]

Absolutely. Thanks so much for watching, RJ!!!

[@PhilMo78]

I am def keeping the Wyndham card. We go to Vegas at least once a year, so we get about $100 food credit, so def a keeper for us.

[@DugrozReports]

Oh yeah! That would make a huge difference!!! 🥇

[@thomashapiuk4988]

I'm having the same thoughts about the same two cards. This was a well timed video for me. I really appreciate hearing you talk out your concerns. I might keep the Wyndham until after I visit the Atlantis. Thanks again!

[@DugrozReports]

Thanks Thomas! And thanks for joining as a diehard. Yeah, I’m not ready to pull the string on the Wyndham card today, but it is getting some serious thinking over.

[@chadpennycuff]

C1 is my primary bank. I use multiple savings accounts for budgeting and bucketing. So VX and Savor are keepers. But I 100% see your point on too many banks and apps. I’m avoiding Citi TY points cause of too many ecosystems.

[@DugrozReports]

Yep, pretty much the same thing, just reversed. Thanks for your support, Chad! That reminds me, I have a few random bank accounts here and there I need to close down.

[@De_Guatemala]

Content creators thrive off referrals, so they rarely cancel. Last year we stayed at TRYP by Wyndham Wellington, New Zealand...awesome. This year will be La Quinta Santiago, Chile. We use the Wyndham 15K annual points but they never expire, so you could use them once every two years.

[@DugrozReports]

Do you find Wyndham properties outside the United States to be better? And I was under the impression there is a five-year hard expiration on Wyndham points, and a two-year. You must make at least one transaction to renew them.

[@DugrozReports]

And while I sure like referrals, I can’t see myself keeping a card for that reason only! It seems a bit silly.

[@junboo8730]

Points do expire.

[@DugrozReports]

Thanks junboo!

[@junboo8730]

Valid points. Great example on personal style. In my situation I got an almost $400 room for 15,000 points with the Wyndham card. $2,000 for 100,000 points in 6 months plus 6x gas a no brainer. Now besides that the point ratio went up negatively in many hotels. Love my Venture X maybe because I don’t have the reserve. I was able to book a Korea flight because this Venture X was the only one that went through.

[@DugrozReports]

Indeed, everyone's style is different. Curious, where did you get a $400 room for 15,000 points with the Wyndham card??? That's awesome! Thanks for commenting.

[@junboo8730]

@@DugrozReports Yesss I think I was lucky. I called them to book for a room in Puerto Rico and they upgraded me. If you look in the app the hotel is called Palmas Beach in Humacao. I believe they were out of rooms. Still the cheapest room runs in the $200 plus. Still worth it. Funny part. It was a gift for my sister. Lucky girl ha.

[@DugrozReports]

Lucky!!!

[@chadpennycuff]

I’ve seen C1 portal smoke Costco travel and here recently its stinking up the joint. I’ll keep it an book a Delta flight on it. Lounge in DEN was awesome today! Huge fan. Its my physical card catch all and Walmart/Sams card.

[@DugrozReports]

Thanks Chad!!!!

[@seand99x]

Good questions to be asking? My travel style and family set up is similar to yours so I have been asking my self similar questions which have led me to holding back on certain cards like the Wyndham. And apparently I have two high credit score for Capital One to approve me for the venture X. I’ve applied twice now in the last few years and got denied each time LOL anyway good video Doug thanks for sharing!

[@DugrozReports]

Thanks Shawn! Of course, you can always get great value year 1 😎. Bummer about cap1!

[@andreeezzzy]

Def worth it for anyone who travels abroad or Vegas is on their radar; the Diamond is a must (Free Rooms every month, $100 dinner, tier match to other casinos aka Free Parking) As for Wyndham itself, staying at TRS All Inclusive in Cancun at 27k points a night for a $600-$800 a night suite.

[@DugrozReports]

Thanks! What is TRS?

[@andreeezzzy]

@@DugrozReports it’s Wyndham property that is part of their Registry Collection! All Inclusice and all rooms are suites, very excited for it!

[@DugrozReports]

👍

[@newagain9964]

Agreed. Barclays is a VERY mediocre bank. And Wyndham is sketchy. Combined they (luckily only) costed me 7500 pts. I’m gardening with Warner biz 100k sub. They do have great properties tho. But esp overseas.

[@DugrozReports]

Thanks for commenting! Can you clarify what you mean Wyndham cost you 7500 points? And what is a Warner Biz card? Not familiar with that one. Thanks!

[@user-wh1ti5cl2c]

Thanks for the video. Overall I think both these cards are real good. I don't have the wyndham business earnser card . But I'm going to apply for by the end of the year. But everybody's situation is unique. And who knows better than you?What's best for you

[@DugrozReports]

I appreciate the support, Dave!

[@MarkSkrzypczak]

I just renewed my Venture X but it was a painful decision. I justified it paying for itself but I dont think i would do another year. Do you know if you could product change or transfer the credit line?

[@DugrozReports]

Credit line, yes!!! They just released a new way to do it online! Product change? Maybe. C1 is weird about that

[@AP_808]

The 2X from VentureX is easily replaced and I agree with you. I’m not sure how you replace 8X gas

[@DugrozReports]

Thanks AP! A good question that I need to think over is how many Wyndham or Vacasa type stays. I will be doing in the future, given it’s a little harder to find outsized value now. Eight points per dollar on gas is amazing, but it’s not like a transferable currency whereI have lots of options to use it. What do you think? 🤔

[@AP_808]

@@DugrozReportsidk Wyndham had nice use cases, just booked at Club Wyndham Ka Eo Kai in Kauai for 3.23 CPP for 3 nights. To be fair it’s the best value booking for Wyndham I’ve made. Idk tho it depends on where you get gas, I go to Costco (cheapest gas) and need to use a Visa so Wyndham is perfect. If you can use Mastercard the ever popular gas card is the Citi Custom Cash. Do you value ThankYou points at 5X more or less than Wyndham at 8X. Not that I have a choice (Costco) but I value the Wyndham 8X more by a smidge.

[@DugrozReports]

Aargh, that’s a really good question. And the best kind of question because I am having a hard time, deciding. to be very candid, and since you’re a diehard, and this is in bedded way down deep within a comment section, I will acknowledge that I can manufacture spend gas stations pretty easily. So in someways, it almost doesn’t matter if I want to max out my custom cash each month, it only cost me somewhere between $1 and six dollars to do so. As I’ve said before, My biggest issue is spreading my points too thin. So I think I would value the custom cash points slightly higher because then I can re-deploy them to Wyndham if I want to, but I don’t have to.

[@krs1905]

@@DugrozReports Wyndham points are worth about 1 cent each, so you should be able to get close to the same value but with better points ecosystems. I'd look at the total overall worth and not the multiplier number because that 8X is deceiving. Amex Gold Business gets 4X until you cancel it and they are worth 2 cents each. And the Citi Strata Premier gets 3x on gas and they are worth 1.7 cents each (per TPG). If you really like Vacsa and Cottages then it's a keeper card.

[@DugrozReports]

All good points here, thanks!

[@chrisv4920]

I think I’ll cancel my Amex Gold this year. Even though it’s a solid card, the “queen of MR points”. But I’ve been using other points ecosystem due to sign up bonuses or offers. I haven’t been giving much affection to my Gold card this year. I’m shifting gears towards the Hilton line up. Personally I’m finding more value with Hilton. Good for Dug. Is this because of Darth Dugroz? 😅

[@DugrozReports]

That’s correct! Darth Dugroz is making me cancel cards!!!! 🤓🤓🤓🥳🤣

[@fogrunr5075]

I have 18 cards. I'm focusing on four points currency earners, and avoiding anything besides Hilton & Delta (one card each). I really do like Wyndham because of the Microtels presence in the Philippines. And I know they have so much larger nicer hotels in the rest of the world also. But if I can earn the four currencies that transfer, I'm going to avoid having too many airline and hotel cards.

[@DugrozReports]

Makes sense, Fog Runr! Do you find Wyndhams outside the US to be better than domestically?

[@fogrunr5075]

@@DugrozReports I don't think I've ever stayed at a Wyndham in the USA 😆🤣 The last one I stayed at was right on the beach at a Emerald Playa Beach Resort sea turtle sanctuary way out on the westernmost Philippines Island of Palawan. Long sandy road leading to it with overarching flowering trees. Small hotel, open air lobby, small open air restaurant with made to order breakfast and lunch. Small peaceful pool. We had a white Honda PCX 165cc.

[@DugrozReports]

That sounds incredible! Interestingly, enough, I was just looking at something online the other day about that westernmost island in the Philippines.

[@paulfelkner6749]

Wyndham Business is on my wish list, but I could not pass up the United Business card with the 100K miles bonus this year.

[@DugrozReports]

👍👍👍

[@newagain9964]

Barclays is picking tho about approvals. Hope u didn’t sabotage urself getting a slightly only better than avg 100k united sub (usually 75k). It’s why I’m passing on CSP/CSR (I’ll get in 2025) to garden for USBAR app in Cpl mos.

[@DugrozReports]

Thanks NewAgain!

[@tdd10]

If I wanted to simplify cap 1 & Barclays would be who I would cut but get ok value from both like that Wyndham gives just points and not a free night certificate. I do a fare amt of buying groups and really like having 2x points anyway cards

[@DugrozReports]

Thanks Tom!!!! Yeah, I will make sure I have a 2X everywhere before I bail on Capital One. I do have to admit it would be much harder for me to cancel the Wyndham card. I do prefer getting 15,000 points a year rather than a certificate.

[@robertjarrell7276]

I’m having exactly the same thoughts on my Venture X, although I wish I had an option to downgrade. I’m trying to decide if I can rely on my USBAR for primary CDW (that is, on US Bank to process a claim correctly if I ever have one). It’s kind of like my AMEX Gold- is it worth jumping through the hoops to make it a “free” card. UPDATE: Well, guess what! “Upgrade” offers just appeared!

[@DugrozReports]

Oooo! What offer did you get?

[@DugrozReports]

As for the CDW… I think every issuer other than American Express farms out there collision damage, waiver to some outside insurance company. So unless you’re going to commit to American Express every time for driving, I don’t know that your claim experience is going to be any better somewhere else.

[@robertjarrell7276]

@@DugrozReports Well, I guess I missed out! It gave me Venture, Venture One or Quicksilver, but now no options. Guess I missed the window, glad I downgraded the Savor when I did! I’ll watch it and let you know.

[@robertjarrell7276]

@@DugrozReports Another update! The “upgrade” offers disappeared from the app, but are now in my “secret upgrade “ link. Same three options. I’m afraid to downgrade because I’m afraid they’ll claw back the $300 travel bonus I have used, until maybe later in the year.

[@DugrozReports]

Good luck!

[@Xavier_ID.]

👍🏼👍🏼

[@DugrozReports]

👍👍🏆

[@shawn.credit]

If you have a solid replacement for the Venture X mind as well save the $395!

[@DugrozReports]

Thanks Shawn! I might go with the new Wells Fargo business credit card that is 2X everywhere and in the long run I’d like to get a city double cash. I will have to wait until my velocity has slowed though.

[@VincentPascual]

@@DugrozReports If you have an Autograph or Autograph Journey, you can transfer points from the Signify Cash to Autograph to transfer partners. Granted, WF has only a handful of transfer partners right now. Depending on which other airlines or hotels WF adds, WF could end up making sense as an ecosystem to invest more effort in.

[@DugrozReports]

Thanks Vincent!!! That is absolutely correct. I’m not going to be implementing this endgame strategy right away. It is certainly possible that over the next couple of years, Wells Fargo, clearly overtakes Citi. And if they do, then, Wells Fargo gets to stick around! Or who knows, it’s possible they might replace American Express in my set up. The ability to have competition is a very good thing. 🏆🏆🏆🔥

[@vickiarnold7300]

Can you downgrade your venture x to a no annual fee? Great job on KZbin ❤

[@DugrozReports]

Thanks, Nicky! I probably could, but I would like to eventually just get out of that ecosystem altogether. There might be an interim period where I put the points on a venture one card, so I don’t lose them.

[@paulfelkner6749]

Washington DC, NYC and Boston are three places you never take a car.

[@DugrozReports]

I would agree with that in terms of driving around the city. My intent is just to rent a car, and then leave the city! For DC.

[@newagain9964]

A car in DC ~ area is optimal. And I’m not sure why anyone would go to Boston…and not want to leave it and visit country side (go to Canada?).

[@DugrozReports]

🚗👍🏆👍

[@DugrozReports]

The song “ please come to Boston“ is now stuck in my head!

[@kevinManhattan]

HI Dugroz, I loved your video on US Bank Altitude Reserve and it helped me get it a few months ago. Thanks to you! So now, I have that, and Chase Reserve, Vx, Amex Plat, Hilton Aspire, Brilliant, Delta Reserve, and AA Executive Plat. Looking to get Citi Strata Elite if and when it comes out. Do I travel this much? no. Do I travel enough to use all of the credits and more? yes. For me personally, there have been years when I used up all the credit and needed more. And some years, like this year, when I have a down year as far as travel goes. But my theory is, that these cards come in handy in specific situations. So, as long as I can justify the fee, I let it stay in my rotation. Of course, if you are forced to use it, then maybe it's time to let it go. I say keep both. I love both of those cards and I am sure you will find some situation in the future where you can use them

[@DugrozReports]

Thanks Kevin! Sounds like you are rocking a set up! Wow! Some people value having all the options. Some people value extreme simplicity. I’m probably somewhere in the middle. Which is why I have these internal dialogues out loud. 🤓 Do you have a player two or significant other? What’s the dynamic there on all these premium cards?

[@kevinManhattan]

@@DugrozReports So true. I love love love having all the options when I need them. Maybe that's why I work in financial risk management field. 😅 I do have a player two and even though she (wife) isn't into this Credit card play, I forced her into it😂 Plus I took her to our first few business class trips and she was sold. She doesn't want any card that has high annual fees so I have Aspire and Brilliant and she has Boundless...etc The dynamic here is that I do truly find them useful on all our vacations. I know you mentioned in this video not planning on renting cars, and me, I almost always rent them. Even with high valet fees charged by all these hotels in the cities. I love paying for one Delta one transcontinental flight from SF or LA to JFK for our annual trip and get two. (we are in Northern California). Wifey loves to stay in higher end hotels like Ritz or Conrad. And I love love FHR using Amex Plat. Seattle is one of my fav vacation spot and Alaska lounge I can get in with AA Exective Plat. (They do have nice Centurion in Seattle tho) So as my trip plans get bigger and bigger, somehow these cards just made sense for us. I make these spreadsheet to make sure I use up all the credits at the beginning of the year, but I almost always never have to count because 3/4the the way I used them all up. oh We also have two small dogs traveling with us so there goes our flight credits from Amex Plat and Aspire. At some points, I might downsize my lineup but for now, I could have multiple Aspires and Brilliants and Delta Reserves if they let me! If you are somewhere in between options and simplicity I can see why downsizing makes sense for you! Like I said, I don't want to force myself to use credits, and I will never get any cards ($95 or $650) if I can't make those annual fees back or more in value. So far I haven't had to! Love your channel!!!

[@dugroz]

@@kevinManhattan Thanks so much Kevin!!! When our boys leave home in 3-4 years I can see doing a lot more o the kind of trips you just described. Cheers!

[@DugrozReports]

👍

[@CesarJoel]

If you plan on keeping the CSR then it makes sense to drop the VX. DonGreat video Doug!🫵

[@DugrozReports]

TY!!! 🔥🔥🔥👍👍👍