Key takeaways
- The Capital One miles program is flexible and user-friendly, making it a great choice for new travel rewards users.
- The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, in particular, is a good option for travelers who are looking for a luxury travel card, but without the ultra-high annual fee associated with other premium products.
- As with any travel card, it’s still important to make sure potential Capital One miles redemptions make sense for your travel and spending habits.
If you’re looking to maximize value and offset travel costs with a credit card rewards program, Capital One miles is a prime example. This rewards program is known for being user-friendly, flexible, and offering valuable redemption options.
In this guide, we will delve into what Capital One miles are, how you can earn and redeem them, which credit cards earn Capital One miles, and all you need to know about this rewards program.
Capital One miles basics
Capital One miles are the currency you earn in Capital One’s credit card rewards program. By making qualifying purchases, you can earn miles that can be redeemed for travel or non-travel options. The amount of miles you earn varies depending on the card you have, with some cards offering more miles for specific travel purchases.
Who is the Capital One miles program best for?
The Capital One miles rewards program is ideal for frequent travelers who prefer to earn and redeem flexible travel rewards rather than cash back. Those who hold multiple Capital One credit cards are also likely to benefit from this program.
How to earn Capital One miles
Many individuals do not fully utilize their travel rewards cards due to the complexity of the process. Fortunately, earning miles for your next flight or hotel stay is straightforward with Capital One.
Make purchases with eligible credit cards
To earn miles, simply use one of the Capital One credit cards that earn them. The following cards are included in the list:
1. Capital One VentureOne Rewards for Good Credit
– Annual fee: $0
– Rewards rate: 5X miles on hotels and rental cars when booked through Capital One Travel, 1.25X miles on all other purchases
2. Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
– Annual fee: $0
– Rewards rate: 5X miles on hotels and rental cars when booked through Capital One Travel, 1.25X miles on all other purchases
3. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
– Annual fee: $95
– Rewards rate: 5X miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 2X miles per dollar on all other purchases
4. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
– Annual fee: $395
– Rewards rate: 10X miles on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5X miles on flights through Capital One Travel, 2X miles on all other purchases
5. Capital One Venture X Business
– Annual fee: $395
– Rewards rate: 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, 2X miles on other purchases
6. Capital One Spark Miles for Business
– Annual fee: $95 ($0 the first year)
– Rewards rate: 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 2X miles on all other purchases
7. Capital One Spark 1.5X Miles Select
– Annual fee: $0
– Rewards rate: 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 1.5X miles on all other purchases
These Capital One cards allow you to earn unlimited miles on all purchases made. Additionally, new cardholders can benefit from welcome bonuses offered by most of these cards, providing the opportunity to earn extra miles by meeting certain spending requirements. Pooling rewards from multiple cards within the Capital One ecosystem can further maximize rewards. The value of your rewards is ultimately determined by how you choose to redeem them. When comparing Capital One miles to other programs, Bankrate’s valuation places them in the mid- to high-range. For example, American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards have a higher value compared to Capital One miles.
When it comes to transferring Capital One miles to loyalty partners, it’s important to note that this process is irreversible. There are more than 15 airline loyalty programs and two hotel loyalty programs that Capital One miles can be transferred to. The transfer ratio is usually 1:1, meaning 1,000 Capital One miles will equal 1,000 airline loyalty points or miles.
In conclusion, the Capital One miles program is user-friendly and offers flexibility in earning and redeeming rewards. Your next flight, hotel stay, or vacation could be covered by using your Capital One travel card. If you’re unsure about earning Capital One miles, it’s recommended to explore other travel credit cards and their rewards programs before making a decision. When redeeming miles for a flight using your Capital One travel rewards card, you will receive 1 cent for each mile redeemed. This means that for a $200 flight, you will need approximately 20,000 miles. Alternatively, you can use your Capital One travel rewards card to purchase a flight through any platform and then redeem your miles for a travel statement credit.
Capital One miles do not expire as long as your account is in good standing. However, if you close your account without redeeming your rewards, you will lose them.
If you have a Capital One Venture card, you have the option to share your miles with other Capital One Venture cardholders.
The number of Capital One miles required for a flight can vary depending on the airline transfer partners. Each airline has different rewards values, making it challenging to determine a specific minimum number of miles needed for a flight. If you are not satisfied with the offers from transfer partner airlines, you can always book a flight using Capital One miles through the Capital One portal, where you will get 1 cent per mile redeemed. This translates to approximately 20,000 miles for a $200 flight. Additionally, you can use your Capital One travel rewards card to purchase a flight from any platform and then redeem your miles for a travel statement credit.