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How does travel insurance through Capital One cards work?

December 14, 2023 | 6 min read

Ever found yourself scrambling for lost luggage when you’re traveling? Or trying to book alternate flights due to bad weather? These kinds of events can be stressful—and costly. When the unexpected happens, travel insurance through your card could help protect you from travel expenses beyond your control.

Many cardholders have travel insurance as part of their card benefits. Coverage varies by card, issuer and the network that provides the benefits. To prepare for your next trip, you might want to check out whether your card offers travel insurance and what benefits come with it. 

Key takeaways

• Travel insurance through your card could help protect you from paying for unexpected expenses if something goes wrong when you travel.
• Card travel insurance may offer coverage for both domestic and international travel.
• Your coverage depends on your card. Check your card’s benefits guide for details.
• Travel insurance is offered to Capital One cardholders through the Visa® and Mastercard® networks.

Earn 75,000 bonus miles

Redeem your miles for flights, vacation rentals and more. Terms apply.

What is credit card travel insurance?

Card travel insurance can help protect you financially when you incur unexpected expenses during travel. Whether you’re visiting family, flying abroad or driving across the country, card travel insurance can be a kind of safety net.

By booking and paying for a trip with a card that offers travel insurance benefits, you could get compensation up to a set limit for your unexpected expenses. For example, some Capital One rewards credit cards offer benefits like travel accident insurance and lost luggage reimbursement.* 

What types of coverage does card travel insurance provide?

Imagine traveling with peace of mind, knowing that a potential accident or expensive mishap could be reimbursed. With travel insurance through your card, you could be covered in a number of scenarios. 

Every card is different, so be sure to check your card’s terms and conditions to see what types of travel insurance you might receive. Here are a few of the most common types of coverage you may have access to:

Trip cancellation and interruption insurance

Canceling a trip at the last minute or cutting it short can be disappointing. But getting your money back for flights and reservations you didn’t end up using might help relieve your stress. 

If you booked and paid for your trip with a card that offers trip cancellation and interruption insurance, you may qualify for reimbursement in certain situations, like these:

• Severe weather at the beginning of a trip
• Unexpected health issues or accidental injuries 
• Death of someone in your travel party or an immediate family member

You may want to make sure you’re aware of situations that aren’t typically covered by this type of insurance. For example, exclusions can include preexisting medical conditions or when a travel agency, hotel or airline goes out of business. Check the terms of your card to learn more about trip cancellation insurance.

Maximum reimbursement depends on your card and can vary significantly. Some cards might offer up to $2,000 per trip. (For others, it could be less.)

Trip delay insurance

Travel schedules don’t always go as planned. Flights may get delayed or severe weather may affect your travels. Or you may need to pay for a meal or last-minute hotel room while you wait. If you paid for your trip with a card that has trip delay insurance, certain reasonable costs you incur during the delay might be covered.

Cards may vary in how long the delay must be before coverage kicks in. But having travel delay insurance could help take care of your most urgent needs.

Rental car insurance

If you pay for a rental car with your card, you might be able to skip the added cost of buying insurance through the rental company. Credit card rental car insurance could cover collisions, theft and towing if your car breaks down while you’re traveling.

This type of insurance usually goes into effect after your regular auto insurance policy does. Whether you’re renting a car in the U.S. or abroad may affect whether you’ll need additional coverage and how much. Remember, rental car insurance usually only covers the vehicle. You may need to buy liability coverage when traveling internationally if your personal auto policy is limited to the U.S.

Lost or delayed baggage insurance

Imagine that you’re waiting in the baggage claim area after a flight, confident that you packed everything you need for your trip. But your luggage never rolls by on the carousel. 

Lost, delayed or even stolen baggage can interrupt your trip. If you need to buy replacement items, you could be reimbursed.

Travel accident insurance

While travel often goes smoothly, sometimes it doesn’t. Accidents happen. Travel accident insurance could provide an added layer of support. In cases of severe injury or death, you or your family members could receive benefits if you booked and paid for your trip with a card that offers travel accident insurance.

Where will Venture X take you?

Earn 75,000 bonus miles and other exclusive perks with the Venture X card.

How do you file a travel insurance claim?

If you need to file a travel insurance claim, you can start by reading your card’s benefits guide to get the specifics on your travel insurance. That way, you can know which travel events are covered and for how much.

It can be a good idea to save your purchase receipts while you’re traveling. Then you’ll have a paper trail if you want to be reimbursed for things like replacement articles of clothing, a last-minute hotel booking or a trip to the emergency room.

Finally, you can file a claim by contacting the administrator listed in your card’s benefits guide. Check if there’s a time limit on how long you have to file a claim after the travel incident. You may have to answer a few questions, complete a form and submit your receipts to complete the claim. If your claim is accepted, you may be compensated for the covered expenses you paid for with your personal funds. 

Capital One card travel insurance FAQ

Here are a few frequently asked questions about travel insurance in general and travel insurance through a Capital One card  in particular: 

Do cards automatically have travel insurance?

Not necessarily. Some cards, like the Capital One Venture card , offer travel insurance. But some may not. If you’re not sure about your card, check its benefits guide for more information.

Do I have to pay extra for travel insurance?

That may depend on your card. Some cards may include travel insurance at no charge. Others may allow you to purchase additional travel protection benefits for a fee. And some might charge an annual fee that may be balanced out by premium travel benefits and enhanced travel insurance protection. 

Is my family covered under my Capital One card’s travel insurance?

Coverage for family members generally depends on your card issuer and network. For example, if you’re a Mastercard or Visa cardholder, your spouse is typically covered. Depending on their ages, your kids may be covered as well. Capital One cardholders can learn about their travel insurance benefits by reading their benefits guide.

Does travel insurance through my Capital One card cover flight cancellation?

Some Capital One cards may offer flight cancellation insurance as part of their travel insurance coverage. Check your benefits guide to see whether your card provides this type of protection. Your guide will also detail the process of filing a claim if your flight gets canceled unexpectedly. If you want the freedom to cancel your flight for any reason, consider booking your flight through Capital One Travel . 

Capital One card travel insurance in a nutshell

Capital One’s card travel insurance can help protect you when things go wrong while you’re traveling, whether you’re in the U.S. or abroad. If you’re interested in learning whether your card comes with travel insurance, be sure to check its benefits guide to learn more.

If you’re ready to take advantage of this travel protection, apply for a Capital One travel and miles rewards card today. If you’re approved for either Venture or Venture X , you’ll have the opportunity to earn 75,000 bonus miles that you can redeem for flights, hotels, vacation rentals and more.

Other ways to maximize your travel benefits

Who wouldn’t want to get the most out of their credit card? Here are some things to know about Capital One travel rewards credit cards: 

Get a one-time 75,000-mile bonus with the Capital One Venture X card and receive an additional 10,000 bonus miles every year, starting on your first anniversary. ( View important rates and disclosures .)

Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, every day and get 75,000 bonus miles upon signup with the Capital One Venture card . ( View important rates and disclosures .)

Earn unlimited 1.25X miles with no annual fee with the Venture One card from Capital One . ( View important rates and disclosures .) 

Explore travel rewards card options by comparing Capital One Venture cards . 

Learn how Venture X cardholders can get access to a worldwide network of airport lounges thanks to a complimentary Priority Pass membership .

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Introduction to the Capital One Travel Portal

Utilizing rewards for bookings, how to use capital one travel, what is the capital one premier collection.

• Cards that are eligible for the travel portal

Capital One Miles Value in the Capital One Travel portal

Capital one travel portal: your guide to booking and rewards.

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us and terms apply to offers listed (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate credit cards to write unbiased product reviews .

The information for the following product(s) has been collected independently by Business Insider: Capital One Venture X Business Card†, Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card†, Capital One Spark Miles for Business†, Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business†, Capital One Spark Cash Plus†, Capital One Spark Cash Select for Excellent Credit†, Capital One Spark 1% Classic†, Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®†, Journey Student Rewards from Capital One†. The details for these products have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.

The Capital One Travel portal is an online travel platform that allows customers to book flights, hotels, and rental cars. The site provides exclusive travel deals, discounts, and tools to help you save on your next vacation. Select Capital One credit card customers can earn elevated rewards for every purchase made through the portal or redeem them for bookings. It's a great tool that lets you make all your travel reservations in one place and takes the guesswork out of redeeming miles. 

However, Capital One Travel also has several downsides. You're giving up loyalty rewards with those programs by booking hotels and rental cars through Capital One. The Price Freeze function also doesn't work as promised and redeeming Capital One miles for travel bookings may not be the best way to maximize your rewards.

Overview of the Portal

The Capital One Travel Portal offers excellent value for money and flexibility, with various travel options to suit any budget. It also provides a range of rewards, discounts, and tools to help you save on your travels.

With the added convenience of booking flights, hotels, and car rentals all in one place, it is the perfect choice for anyone looking to book their next trip. While some of its features are more gimmicky than others, the fact remains that this portal provides ease and convenience for travelers who don't want to deal with multiple booking platforms and loyalty programs. 

The Capital One Travel portal is a travel booking platform powered by Hopper, an app that helps travelers pick the best times to book and travel at the lowest prices. Capital One Travel offers competitive prices, exclusive discounts, and access to a wide selection of flight, hotel, and rental car options for Capital One cardholders. Customers can use the portal to earn and redeem rewards on travel bookings. 

Additionally, the portal provides helpful tools such as a price calendar to find the cheapest airfares and price drop protection that will refund the fare difference if it drops post-booking. The portal also has a price freeze feature, which allows users to "freeze" a specific airfare for up to $25 or 2,500 miles.

Benefits of Booking Through the Portal

One of the key benefits of using the Capital One Travel portal is that certain types of bookings will earn you higher rewards when you pay with an eligible Capital One credit card. For example, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars and 5 miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One travel. And with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card , you'll earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through the portal.

This works out well for Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card cardholders' flight bookings since Capital One lets you enter your frequent flyer number on the booking page. You'll not only earn elevated Capital One miles, but you'll also earn airline miles and elite-qualifying miles through your chosen frequent flyer program. You won't get the same benefits on hotel or rental car bookings, so that's worth weighing into your booking decision.

Above all else, the Capital One Travel portal provides convenient and easy travel booking. You can use it to compare airfare from multiple airlines at once, helping you find the best deal on your next trip. Additionally, you can use your Capital One miles to pay for travel bookings at a rate of 1 cent per mile, or get discounted rates on certain flights or hotel stays. Finally, customers have access to customer service representatives who can answer questions and assist with bookings.

How to Use Capital One Miles

The Capital One Travel portal can be a great way to earn elevated rewards and enjoy extra perks. Booking flights through this portal can make sense since you can double-dip, earning rewards with your credit card and frequent flyer miles from airlines. However, you won't earn hotel points or elite night credits on Capital One bookings, which means you'll miss out on possible elite benefits with major hotel loyalty programs. Depending on how often you travel, this could be a significant downside. 

Transferring Capital One miles to one of the 18 airline or hotel partners can be a much better value proposition. If you redeem your miles for business and first-class travel, you'll usually get more than the 1 cent per mile your rewards are worth through the Capital One Travel portal. For example, a sample of fun, valuable ways to use the Capital One VentureOne welcome bonus of 20,000 miles after spending $500 on purchases within three months from account opening.

However, not all card members want to learn the ins and outs of various loyalty programs to get the most value. Some people want simplicity and the Capital One Travel portal offers just that. If you prefer convenience over value, booking with the Capital One Travel portal is a smart move. But if you're willing to put in the legwork for a high-value redemption, transferring Capital One miles to an airline or hotel program is the best option.

Using the Capital One Travel Portal is straightforward. Simply head to travel.capitalone.com and log into your account. From here, you can select between a flight, hotel, or rental car tab. Enter your destination and travel dates, then browse through the available options.

You can filter results by price, airline, hotel type, and more to find the best deal. Once you've made your selection, you can book directly with Capital One and either pay with your eligible Capital One card or use miles to pay for all or part of your trip. 

Before booking anything, check out the travel offers section underneath the tabs mentioned above. Here, you'll find travel credits in select target markets. If you make a qualifying booking, you'll get a travel credit that's applicable toward future bookings.

How to Book Flights Through the Capital One Travel Portal

You can book flights with both domestic and international airlines through the Capital One travel portal. On the Capital One Travel homepage, select the "Flights" tab and enter the number of travelers, departure city, destination, and travel dates. You can book both one-way and round-trip flights. 

When you select your travel dates, a color-coded calendar will show the cheapest and most expensive travel dates. This is great when your travel dates are flexible and you just want to find the lowest fare.

Choose your outbound and return dates on the calendar and select "done." Next, select the blue "search flights" button to generate your search results. On the results page, you can sort by price, departure time, arrival time, number of stops, and duration. You can also filter results by fare class, stops, airline, time, and price. 

Capital One offers a price predictor tool at the top of the page, recommending whether it's a good time to book a particular price. You'll also get the option to freeze a specific price and book it later, though this feature isn't reliable in my experience. If you're not ready to book, you can select "watch this trip" to receive alerts when fares drop.

You'll also get the option to purchase cancel for any reason insurance (CFAR travel insurance) during the flight booking process. And, if Capital One Travel recommends you buy a specific flight now, it will apply free price drop protection to that flight for 10 days. If the price drops within that time period, Capital One will credit you the difference in fare, up to a maximum of $50.

How to Book Hotels Through the Capital One Travel Portal

Booking hotels through Capital One Travel is similar to booking flights. On the top of the Capital One Travel page, select the "Hotels" tab. Enter your destination, travel dates, number of travelers, and rooms, then select "Search Hotels." 

Unlike the flight search tool, there is no calendar function displaying the lowest rates. However, the hotel search tool does have a city map to help you narrow down your options and find the cheapest rates. Hotel search results can also be filtered by star rating, amenities, price, and amenities. You can also sort results by price and star rating.

Once you select your room and rate, you'll be directed to the checkout page to see your total amount due in miles or cash. You can choose to pay either the cash rate or redeem miles. Note that some hotels charge additional service fees at check-in. These will be displayed on the checkout page, but you won't pay them until you get to the hotel.

How to Book Rental Cars Through the Capital One Travel Portal

To book a rental car, select the "Rental Cars" tab on the Capital One Travel portal and enter your pick-up and drop-off location, rental dates, pick-up and drop-off time, and driver age. Drivers under the age of 25 may be subject to additional fees. Click "Search Cars" to be redirected to the results page.

You can filter results by vehicle type, price per day, rental car company, cancellation policy, and other factors. As with flights and hotel bookings, Capital One displays both the total cash rate and mileage redemption rate (including taxes and fees). Once you've selected your vehicle, you'll get to a booking page displaying your total. During booking, you'll pay the rental cost minus taxes. The taxes will be collected at pick-up.

The Capital One Premier Collection is a curated list of luxury hotels and resorts worldwide that eligible cardholders can access via the Capital One Travel portal. Each property offers special benefits and includes bonus points and money-saving extras, including daily breakfast for two, experience credits, and room upgrades when available.

In addition to earning bonus points, eligible cardholders can also redeem Capital One miles toward their Premier Collection bookings. That's a huge plus, considering some of the properties in the collection are quite pricey. For example, Montage Hotels often have room rates of $1,000 per night or higher. Being able to redeem miles for these stays is a great way to save on upscale hotel bookings.

Capital One Premier Collection Hotels

Some Premier Collection hotels are operated by major hotel chains, while others are independent. Regardless of the hotel's affiliation, booking through the Premier Collection can help you secure added benefits typically reserved for elite members or those willing to pay extra for them. 

There are currently seven major hotel chains represented in the collection. They include upscale brands like 1 Hotels, Design Hotels, Leading Hotels of the World, Montage, Preferred Hotels & Resorts, Small Luxury Hotels of the World, and Viceroy Hotels.

Some of these names may be more familiar than others. They include high-end hotels like the Montage Laguna Beach, Viceroy Los Cabos, Hotel Cafe Royal London, and the Wittmore in Barcelona.

Who Can Book the Capital One Premier Collection?

The only Capital One credit cards that have access to the Premier Collection are the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Venture X Business Card† . Both of these are premium cards with high annual fees; for example, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card costs $395 per year ( rates and fees ) but comes with an annual $300 travel credit you can apply toward Premier Collection bookings. In addition to all the hotel-specific benefits, cardholders who book a Premier Collection stay will earn 10 miles per dollar spent — the highest travel booking payout of any transferable points card. 

The Capital One Venture X Business Card was previously known as the Capital One Spark Travel Elite, and it's very similar to the Venture X. It has the same $395 annual fee, $300 travel credit, and 10,000 annual bonus miles.

Both cards are great for travel enthusiasts and those looking to earn generous rewards on their daily spending. While the Premier Collection access is not enough reason to get a Venture X card (the list of participating hotels is limited), it is an excellent addition to the various other benefits these cards offer. 

Capital One Premier Collection Benefits

Booking through Premier Collection provides travelers with various perks, including special amenities and bonus miles. The following benefits are available at Premier Collection properties worldwide: 

• 10 miles per dollar on hotel bookings
• $100 experience credit per stay
• Daily breakfast for two
• Space-available room upgrade
• Early check-in and late check-out
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

The experience credit will vary by property, but you'll need to charge the qualifying expense to your room to receive it. The hotel will then apply the credit to your folio upon checkout.

The daily breakfast can be especially valuable in high-priced destinations like the Maldives, where the remote setting often translates to breakfast charges of $50 or more per person. Having breakfast included in the cost of your stay, along with $100 toward some of the most expensive spa treatments in the world, is an excellent value in exchange for booking a stay through Capital One's Premier Collection.

Capital One Credit Cards That Are Eligible for the Travel Portal

You don't necessarily need a high-priced travel credit card to use the Capital One Travel portal. The platform is open to many Capital One cardholders, including those who carry a student credit card or small-business credit card issued by Capital One.

Over a dozen options are available, ranging from no-annual-fee credit cards like the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card to the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, a premium credit card :

• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
• Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
• Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
• Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
• Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
• Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card†
• Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
• Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
• Capital One Spark Miles for Business†
• Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business†
• Capital One Spark Cash Plus†
• Capital One Spark Cash Select for Excellent Credit†
• Capital One Spark 1% Classic†
• Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®†
• Journey Student Rewards from Capital One† (no longer available to new applicants) 

At 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars and 5x on flights booked through the portal, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card cardholders will earn the most rewards on Capital One Travel bookings. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card includes $300 per year in credits toward Capital One Travel bookings, which helps offset much of the card's $395 annual fee.

Capital One miles are worth 1 cent each in the Capital One Travel Portal. This is pretty generous, considering miles are earned at a rate of 2 to 5 per dollar spent with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and 2 to 10 miles per dollar on the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. 

However, it's possible to get more value from your miles by skipping the portal and instead transferring rewards to Capital One's transfer partners . You can transfer miles to 18 airline and hotel loyalty programs to book award travel. 

Business Insider's points and miles valuations peg the value of Capital One miles at 1.7 cents each, because it's possible to get outsized value from transferring miles to partners and booking award flights or stays. Be sure to read Insider's guide on how to earn and redeem Capital One miles to find out more about maximizing your rewards. 

Yes, the Capital One Travel Portal allows you to book a wide range of airlines and hotels, offering the flexibility to use your miles without blackout dates or restrictions.

Yes, you can earn Capital One miles on bookings made through the portal, further increasing your rewards.

The portal provides tools to predict price trends for flights and flexible booking options that allow you to filter searches based on free cancellation policies, offering you peace of mind and potential savings.

Yes, Capital One offers the flexibility to pay with a combination of cash and miles, giving you more options to utilize your rewards.

For changes or cancellations, you can either manage your booking directly through the portal or contact Capital One's customer support for assistance.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

**Enrollment required.

***Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Refer to your Guide to Benefits for more details. Travel Accident Insurance is not guaranteed, it depends on the level of benefits you get at application.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply

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A complete guide to the Capital One travel portal

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You may know Capital One as a company that offers credit cards, car loans and bank accounts, but they also have a travel portal that allows you to book flights, hotels, rental cars and luxury vacations. For eligible Capital One cardholders, booking through the Capital One travel portal can be an excellent way to earn and redeem Capital One miles. Let’s take a look at the Capital One travel portal, how it works and who has access to its perks. 

• The Capital One travel portal is accessible to cardholders of more than 15 different Capital One cards. 
• Eligible cards will earn extra rewards on their Capital One travel bookings. 
• Features of the Capital One travel portal include price drop protection and price matching. 
• Capital One miles can be earned and redeemed through the Capital One travel portal. 

How to book travel through the Capital One travel portal

Booking travel through the Capital One travel portal is simple. To do so, simply navigate to the Capital One travel portal website . Then log in to your Capital One account. 

Once logged in, you’ll be directed to the site’s home page. 

From there, you can search for flights, hotels and rental cars for any travel you have planned. Just enter your search parameters, such as travel dates and destination, to get a list of booking options. 

Your search results will vary depending on what type of travel you want to book. For example, if you’re searching for a hotel, Capital One will bring up a dynamic map and a list of properties that match your filters.

Once you’ve perused available options, you can make a selection that suits your needs. You’ll then go through the checkout process, which includes filling in your personal details and payment information. Note that you’ll need to use your eligible Capital One card to pay. 

Who can use the portal?

The Capital One travel portal is accessible to those with an eligible Capital One credit card. These include:

• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
• Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
• Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
• Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
• Capital One Spark 2X Miles * The information for the Capital One Spark 2X Miles has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
• Capital One Venture X Business Card * The information for the Capital One Venture X Business Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

You’ll want to be aware that not all Capital One cards provide access to the travel portal. For example, the Capital One Platinum Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Platinum Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , which is designed to help build credit, does not offer this feature. 

Is the portal worth using?

There are a few factors to consider when deciding whether or not to use the Capital One travel portal for a booking. 

First, depending on which Capital One card you hold, you may be able to earn big rewards by booking your travel through the portal. For example, the Capital One Venture X earns 2 miles per $1 on purchases, 5 miles per $1 on flights booked through Capital One Travel and on purchases through Capital One Entertainment and 10 miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel. 

Capital One miles can be redeemed in a variety of ways, but are worth one cent each toward travel, which means you’re effectively getting 10% back on eligible bookings. 

That being said, many hotel and rental car companies limit the benefits you’ll receive if you choose to book through a third party (such as the travel portal). This can mean you lose out on perks such as bonus points and the benefits of any elite status that you’ve earned. However, this varies by hotel, so you might want to check before you book.

How to maximize your Capital One travel benefits through the portal

Capital One has built a robust portal that provides value to its customers. This is especially true when it comes to booking flights. The flight search function includes a handy calendar of prices to show you at a glance when fares are high.

Capital One has also partnered with the travel app Hopper to give customers free price prediction tools. When searching, the portal will let you know whether you should book or wait for a better price.

Even better, if you book a flight when recommended by Capital One, you’re automatically enrolled in price drop protection for 10 days. If the price goes down during that time frame, you’ll get a refund of up to $50. 

You can also choose to set an alert for your flight, which will notify you when the price changes. Finally, if you’re not ready to book but are worried that the price will increase, you can pay a small fee to freeze the cost of your fare so you can return later to book.

Other benefits associated with the Capital One travel portal include access to the Lifestyle Collection and the Premier Collection. If you have an eligible Capital One card, you’ll be able to book specialty hotels with exclusive benefits such as room upgrades, late checkout and experience credits. 

Quick guide to Capital One rewards

Different Capital One cards earn different types of rewards. Some cards earn cash back while others earn miles. 

Capital One miles can be redeemed in a variety of ways, including transfers to Capital One hotel and airline partners. This is generally the most valuable method of redeeming miles, but you can also redeem them for statement credits against travel purchases that you’ve made. While this isn’t typically the best way to redeem Capital One rewards, it can be useful if there are no reward options available for the dates you want to travel.

Finally, Capital One miles can also be used for bookings within the Capital One travel portal. You’ll be able to redeem them at a rate of one cent each — but you’d be better off using your card to pay, then redeeming miles against your purchase. This allows you to earn rewards on your booking before wiping away the charges. 

Other ways to redeem miles include gift cards, entertainment and cash, but you’ll want to be wary of doing so as you won’t get as much value from your rewards this way as you would with travel redemptions. 

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

The Capital One travel portal works with many different airlines, including Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines and JetBlue. 

However, you won’t see flights from Southwest Airlines on the Capital One travel portal. Instead, you’ll want to search directly with the airline to find these tickets.

Capital One miles don’t expire as long as you have an eligible Capital One credit card open. If you plan to close a Capital One credit card account, make sure to use or transfer any accumulated miles first.

Unlike hotels and rental cars, airlines generally don’t penalize those who book through a third party. This means you’ll be able to enter your loyalty program number and earn rewards on flights booked through the Capital One travel portal.

Many of the best credit cards on the market offer a statement credit (up to $100) that will reimburse you for the cost of TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, two popular trusted traveler programs that can help you speed through the airport. This includes Capital One cards such as the Capital One Venture X rewards credit card and the Capital One Venture Rewards credit card. 

Making a booking through the Capital One travel portal doesn’t automatically entitle you to entry into airport lounges. However, certain Capital One credit cards offer this as a benefit. For example, those who have the Capital One Venture X rewards credit card or the Capital One Venture X Rewards Business card receive a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required) and unlimited access to Capital One lounges for themselves and two guests.

*The information for the Capital One Platinum Credit Card, Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card, Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card, Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card, Capital One Spark 2X Miles, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, Capital One Venture X Business Card and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Carissa Rawson is a credit cards and award travel expert with nearly a decade of experience. You can find her work in a variety of publications, including Forbes Advisor, Business Insider, The Points Guy, Investopedia, and more. When she's not writing or editing, you can find her in your nearest airport lounge sipping a coffee before her next flight.

Allie is a journalist with a passion for money tips and advice. She's been writing about personal finance since the Great Recession for online publications such as Bankrate, CreditCards.com, MyWalletJoy and ValuePenguin. She's also written personal finance content for Discover, First Horizon Bank, The Hartford, Travelers and Synovus.

Robin Saks Frankel is a credit cards lead editor at USA TODAY Blueprint. Previously, she was a credit cards and personal finance deputy editor for Forbes Advisor. She has also covered credit cards and related content for other national web publications including NerdWallet, Bankrate and HerMoney. She's been featured as a personal finance expert in outlets including CNBC, Business Insider, CBS Marketplace, NASDAQ's Trade Talks and has appeared on or contributed to The New York Times, Fox News, CBS Radio, ABC Radio, NPR, International Business Times and NBC, ABC and CBS TV affiliates nationwide. She holds an M.S. in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University. Follow her on Twitter at @robinsaks.

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Why Capital One Travel should be your only stop for booking (and enjoying) your next trip

No matter how often you travel or how savvy you are, planning and booking any trip can be an overwhelming task. Throw in two kids under 5 years old (like I have), and it's almost inevitable that you'll overlook something. So I'm always looking for the most efficient way to arrange my travel, including which card and program will offer me the most value.

That's where Capital One Travel comes in. It is more than just a booking platform; it has all the tools I need to help me travel smarter — which is why it's the first place I go when it's time to plan a trip.

See how Capital One Travel can transform your booking and travel experience.

In fact, Capital One Travel delivers value at all stages of travel — from the initial planning phase to the booking process to the travel experience and even back home, where all of the rewards you've earned can jumpstart your next trip. Sure, you can purchase flights, reserve rental cars and book your accommodations through Capital One Travel. But it also tells you if you're getting a good price on your flight, and if not, you can set up alerts for when it's time to book.

If you have a Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card , you get unlimited access to Capital One Lounges. Plus, there's a new culinary-focused airport concept — Capital One Landing — coming to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and New York City's LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in partnership with legendary Chef José Andrés. And the recently-announced Premier Collection will offer luxurious accommodations and value-added benefits for Venture X cardholders.

In short, Capital One Travel makes it easy to be a smarter traveler while earning valuable rewards.

Keep reading to see everything you can enjoy with Capital One Travel .

Experience a better way to book travel

Does Capital One Travel finally answer the question, "When's the best time to book airfare?" Each situation is unique, but one thing's for sure: Capital One Travel makes sure you have all the information you need to feel confident both before and after booking your flight.

With its proprietary price prediction technology, Capital One Travel shows you a color-coded calendar as soon as you search for a flight, allowing you to see which dates have the lowest prices to fly to your desired destination. If prices are still high, there's no need to constantly monitor them yourself — you can create price alerts that'll notify you when it's time to book.

And it gets even better thanks to Capital One Travel's price drop protection , another tool automatically available to cardholders at no extra cost.

The premise is simple yet so valuable. If Capital One Travel recommends that you book a flight (or a price alert tells you to book), it will keep watching your itinerary for 10 days after booking. If the price drops during that time, Capital One Travel will automatically issue a credit for the price difference — up to $50 per ticket.

These features — price alerts and price drop protection — aren't found with any other card issuer's travel portal.

When it comes to hotels, you can trust that you're getting the best price as well. Capital One Travel utilizes proactive price matching with online travel agencies like Expedia. However, if you still somehow find a better price at the same hotel within 24 hours of booking, Capital One Travel will match the better price. This even extends to flights and car rentals.

But giving cardholders these unique, innovative insights and tools is just part of what makes Capital One Travel so valuable.

Earn extra rewards on travel

Cardholders can look forward to earning up to 10 miles per dollar when booking travel with Capital One Travel (depending on which card they hold). Capital One Venture X cardholders earn 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars and 5 miles per dollar on flights. All other Capital One rewards cardholders — including the Venture, Savor, Quicksilver, Spark Business and Student product suites — earn 5 miles (or 5% cash back) per dollar on hotels and rental cars.

Once you've earned those valuable rewards, you can redeem them directly through Capital One Travel for future trips, or you can transfer them to one of over a dozen airline and hotel partners . Alternatively, Venture X and Venture cardholders can choose to cover recent travel purchases by redeeming their miles at a rate of 1 cent per mile. Even when I pay for my trip with Venture X, I could use the miles that I earned through Capital One Travel to then offset all (or part) of my travel purchases.

And then, during your trip, you can look forward to starting your vacation early — by kicking back and relaxing at a Capital One Lounge.

Start your vacation off right with special lounge access

There's no need to wait until you land at your destination for your vacation to begin. Venture X cardholders get unlimited complimentary access (plus two guests) to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network. Meanwhile, Venture cardholders receive two complimentary visits per year to Capital One Lounges or 100+ Plaza Premium lounge locations .

A Capital One Lounge is now open at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), and two more locations are coming soon to Denver International Airport (DEN) and Washington, D.C.'s Dulles International Airport (IAD).

And these aren't just your run-of-the-mill airport lounges.

Boasting a contemporary, light and airy layout, a Capital One Lounge features a premium dining experience, including health-conscious food options that are plated small bites served via dining stations rather than buffet-style. All food is freshly prepared with a focus on locally sourced ingredients — including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.

For travelers in a hurry, there's a whole section of grab-and-go items — including artisanal nut mixes, fresh fruits, juice shots and rotating warm selections like breakfast sandwiches in the mornings or fresh-from-the-oven cookies in the afternoons. These sustainably-packaged selections are perfect for those without long layovers who still want some terrific food while traveling.

If you can spend some time in the lounge, you'll enjoy a fully stocked bar with craft cocktails on tap, local beers and hand-selected wines. A full-service coffee and espresso bar featuring La Colombe cold brew on tap appeals to even the most discerning coffee aficionados, while a custom, six-tap system of artisanal sodas and flavored waters keeps all members of the family happy.

Beyond these extensive food and beverage offerings, travelers can also take advantage of relaxation rooms, Peloton bikes, nursing rooms and showers where they can freshen up before (or after) a long flight.

Related: 5 distinctive amenities in the Capital One Lounge that impressed me the most

But that's not all.

Last month, Capital One announced a new offering as it continues to rethink the airport experience. Capital One Landings , a new chef-driven concept, will focus on bringing an elevated dining experience to the heart of the terminal. In partnership with the award-winning José Andrés Group, Capital One Landings will offer top-notch food for travelers on their way to the gate. The first locations will debut in Terminal B at LGA and at DCA in the near future.

And while you may never want to leave the comfort of the Capital One Lounge (or Landing), the luxury travel benefits continue upon arrival at your destination.

Elevate your hotel stay with the Premier Collection

In addition to Capital One Landings, the issuer continues to raise the bar for what travelers can expect with its Premier Collection of hotels and resorts, offering cardholders premium benefits with every stay. Capital One hand-picked these properties for their unparalleled service, immersive culture and authentic character — all to deliver exceptional experiences to travelers.

The Premier Collection will be available to Venture X cardholders later this year and will include hotels from all over the world — from city stays to villas and private island retreats. Cardholders will enjoy benefits like a $100 experience credit, daily breakfast for two, complimentary Wi-Fi and more. Venture X cardholders will also earn 10 miles per dollar spent on Premier Collection properties booked through Capital One Travel .

Bottom line

The Capital One Travel ecosystem continues to grow. With top-notch credit cards, an outstanding booking experience, luxurious lounges, new airport dining options and premium hotel perks, Capital One deserves a place at the top of every traveler's mind.

You can book your flights with confidence thanks to price alerts and the color-coded calendar. And you'll get a price match guarantee on all bookings — all while earning Capital One rewards to use on future travel.

The Capital One Lounge iat DFW will be joined by two more locations in 2023 (IAD and DEN), and as a complement, the issuer will debut its culinary-focused airport experience — Capital One Landing — at LGA and DCA to provide fresh, unique and inventive food and drinks for travelers in the heart of the terminal.

Plus Venture X cardholders have even more to look forward to with the Premier Collection, Capital One's curated set of luxury hotels and resorts.

So what are you waiting for? Join the many Americans (and TPG staffers ) who are using Capital One Travel to elevate their trips — and unlock incredible value along the way.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market.  See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our  credit card rating methodology .

Capital One Travel: Your Guide To Booking Flights, Hotels & Car Rentals

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Table of Contents

Why book travel through capital one travel, what are capital one miles worth, how to access capital one travel, how to book a flight through capital one travel, how to book a hotel through capital one travel, how to book a rental car through capital one travel, how do the prices compare to other sites, other ways to use capital one miles, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our  Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Trying to figure out how to use your rewards? Whether you’re a longtime fan of Capital One Miles or you’ve just jumped on the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card train, there’s a lot to love about this flexible point currency.

Although it’s possible to transfer your Capital One miles out to a variety of partners, you can also use Capital One Travel to earn and redeem rewards for your stays. Let’s take a look at Capital One Travel, how it works, and when you should use it.

Capital One is heavily pushing its customers toward its travel portal — and for good reason. There’s a lot to love about Capital One Travel, and if you’re the kind of person who values simplicity and high rewards over elite status, it could be a good match for you.

Earn Miles or Points by Paying With a Credit Card

There are 2 ways in which you’ll earn miles or points when booking through Capital One Travel.

As a Capital One cardholder, you’ll earn a varying amount of miles depending on which card you use to pay:

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

• 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles per $1 on flights purchased through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
• $395 annual fee ( rates & fees )
• Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status
• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more
• Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ®
• APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees:  None

Capital One Miles

The Capital One Venture X card earns 10 miles per $1 spent  on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per $1 spent on flights booked through Capital One Travel, and 2 miles per $1 spent everywhere else.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card   is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.

• 5x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
• $95 annual fee ( rates & fees )
• Limited elite benefits
• Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

The Capital One Venture card earns 5 miles per $1 spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 2 miles per $1 spent on everything else.

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

The Capital One Spark Miles card is a low-annual-fee business card that earns 2x transferable miles on every $1 you spend. (Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)

The Capital One Spark Miles for Business is a great option for business owners looking for an uncomplicated rewards card that earns double miles on every purchase they make and offers access to transfer partners, all for a low annual fee.

• Unlimited 2x miles per $1 spent on all purchases
• 5x miles per $1 spent on hotel and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• 2 complimentary visits to a Capital One Lounge per year
• Annual fee: $0 intro for the first year, $95 after that
• Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
• Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won’t expire for the life of the account
• Unlimited 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Transfer your miles to 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Redeem your miles instantly for any travel-related purchases, from flights and hotels to ride-sharing services
• Skip the lines with up to a $100 statement credit on TSA PreCheck ® or Global Entry
• $0 intro annual fee for the first year; $95 after that
• Free employee cards which also earn unlimited 2X miles from their purchases
• APR: 26.24% (Variable)

The Capital One Spark Miles card earns 5 miles per $1 spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 2 miles per $1 spent on everything else.

Capital One Venture X Business Card*

The Capital One Venture X Business card offers at least 2x miles on all purchases, and comes packed with premium perks.

The information regarding the Capital One Venture X Business card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

The Capital One Venture X Business card is a great all-around premium rewards card that helps you rack up miles on all of your business expenses.

From 2x miles on all purchases, airport lounge access, an annual travel credit, complimentary employee cards, and more, there is plenty to love about the Capital One Venture X Business card.

• $395 annual fee ( rates and fees )
• 10x and 5x bonus categories are limited to Capital One Travel bookings
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
• This card has no preset spending limit, so you get purchasing power that adapts to your spending needs. The annual fee on this card is $395
• Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
• Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get the best prices on thousands of options
• Every year, you’ll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Travel
• Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
• Skip the lines with up to a $100 statement credit on TSA PreCheck ® or Global Entry. Then enjoy unlimited complimentary access to Capital One Lounges and a network of 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Priority Pass™ and Plaza Premium Group lounges
• This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
• Elevate your stay at luxury hotels and resorts from the Premier Collection with a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits on every booking
• APR: All charges made on this account are due and payable in full when you receive your periodic statement. The minimum payment due is the New Balance as indicated on your statement.

The Capital One Venture X Business card earns 10 miles per $1 spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per $1 spent on flights booked through Capital One Travel, and 2 miles per $1 spent everywhere else. *(Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)

You’ll still earn points even when paying with a different credit card; cards including the Chase Sapphire Reserve ® will earn you 3 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per $1 on all travel, even when using Capital One Travel to book.

Earn Points With Your Loyalty Program

Flights booked through Capital One Travel are counted as paid tickets . This is true whether you use your Capital One miles for a redemption or use cash. Because of this, you’ll be able to earn frequent flyer miles on any flights that you book. Signing up is free and easy — there’s no reason for you to miss out on these miles!

The same can’t be said of hotel programs. Nearly all hotel chains will skip out on benefits if you don’t book your stay directly with the hotel . Not only will you miss out on your perks, but you’ll also lose the ability to earn elite night credits for your stays, which can be a real blow if you’re trying to earn elite status. Keep this in mind when you’re using Capital One Travel for hotel bookings.

Ease of Use

If you’re not a huge points and miles geek, it can make sense for you to book with Capital One Travel. This is because it’s simple; you simply log in, look for the flights/hotels/rental cars that you need, and then book. You won’t have to sift through endless programs trying to find the best rates, and it’s especially easy when you’re looking to redeem your Capital One miles. They’ll always be worth 1 cent each when used for travel via Capital One Travel , which is a solid redemption. It’s not the best, however, as you’ll see later on.

Price Match Guarantee

In a bid for your business, Capital One offers a price match guarantee on all of its hotel bookings . If you find a publicly available price within 24 hours that is better than the one you’ve booked, Capital One will match it.

Capital One also offers price-drop protection for its flights . If the Capital One price prediction tool recommends you purchase a flight and you do, the same tool will automatically keep monitoring the cost of the flight. If prices drop again, you’ll get a refund on some or all of the price difference.

Bottom Line: There are a lot of reasons to book with Capital One Travel, though you’ll want to be wary of limitations that arise from booking with a third party.

We value points and miles according to a variety of factors, including how easy they are to use and redeem. Although you can use your Capital One miles for travel on Capital One Travel, there are plenty of other ways they can be redeemed.

The most valuable use of your miles occurs when you transfer them to any one of Capital One’s hotel and airline partners. In these cases, you can get outsized value for every mile. This is why we consider Capital One miles to be worth 1.8 cents each — nearly double the amount you’ll get when redeeming them within Capital One Travel.

You need to be a Capital One cardholder in to access Capital One Travel . Once on the page, you’ll log in to your account. After logging in, you’ll be brought to the portal’s home page:

From here, you can choose to book flights, hotels, or rental cars.

Booking a flight through Capital One Travel is fairly intuitive. After you log in and reach the landing page, you’ll want to select Flights in the toolbar up top:

This will bring you to the search page for flights. You’ll want to input all your information, including departure airport, destination, and dates of travel:

Like Google Flights , Capital One Travel will give you an estimation of price within a calendar feature:

Unlike Google Flights, however, Capital One has partnered with the booking site Hopper to tell you when you should book. You’ll be presented with detailed information regarding price predictions :

As you can see in the screenshot above, you have the option to freeze your price or set a price watch alert. If you’re looking to book immediately, you’ll want to scroll down, where Capital One will give you a list of results:

When selecting a flight, Capital One Travel will also give you a breakdown of information and the ability to book economy or first class tickets:

Once you’ve selected your outbound flight, you’ll pick the return. If booking a one-way, you’ll be taken to the checkout page.

Hot Tip: Capital One’s price drop protection automatically monitors the cost of flights you purchase and refunds you if prices fall. 

As is normal with checkout pages, you’ll need to fill in your passenger information and credit card information. You can also select seats and choose whether or not you’d like to redeem miles. Capital One will give you 1 cent per point of value when using your miles through Capital One Travel . While this isn’t terrible, there are much better uses of those miles — such as transferring to a partner and booking a reward seat.

Once you’ve input all your info, you’ll hit Confirm and Book . That’s it!

Bottom Line: Booking flights through Capital One Travel is both intuitive and easy. Plus, you’ll be able to earn frequent flyer points on your booking.

If you’re looking to book a hotel through Capital One Travel, the process is simple. As before, you’ll start by logging into your account. Once you’ve hit Capital One Travel’s landing page, you’ll select Hotels in the top toolbar:

You’ll be taken to Capital One’s hotel search bar, where you can put in your travel destination and dates:

Once you select Search Hotels , you’ll be taken to a results page featuring an interactive map:

Along with filtering by rating and price, Capital One offers a variety of ways to narrow down your search:

As we mentioned above, Capital One Travel offers a hotel price match guarantee , which means you won’t find cheaper prices elsewhere. If you do happen to stumble across one on a publicly available site within 24 hours of booking, you can submit a price match request and, if approved, Capital One Travel will drop the cost down to the rate you’ve found.

Selecting a hotel from the search results will open a new tab where you can alter your information:

Scrolling down, you’ll be able to select the room type you prefer:

Once you’ve picked your room, you’ll be taken to the checkout page where you’ll fill out your traveler and payment information. You can also choose to use your Capital One miles for a value of 1 cent per point towards your booking:

Hot Tip: Be aware that booking hotels through Capital One Travel counts as a third-party booking — which means you won’t receive any elite status benefits or credit towards earning elite status when booking this way.

Once everything is filled in, you simply need to select Confirm and Book .

Just as with flights and hotels, you’ll log in to your account. From the landing page, you’ll select Car Rentals from the top toolbar:

You’ll be taken to the rental car search page where you can enter your information, including dates of travel and location:

Once you’ve hit Search Cars , you’ll be taken to the results page:

You can choose from a variety of filters, including the rental car company you’ll be booking, what type of car you prefer, and the cancellation policy of your booking. After picking the car you’d like to reserve, you’ll have the chance to review your booking:

If everything is correct, you’ll hit Reserve , which will take you to the checkout page where you can enter driver information and your method of payment:

As with hotels and flights, you can apply your Capital One miles to your rental car booking at a rate of 1 cent each. Again, there are better ways to use your miles, which we’ll discuss below.

Hot Tip: Check out our handy guide on how to save money on car rentals , including options with points, upgrades, cash savings, and more!

Is it actually worth it to book through Capital One Travel rather than other sites? How do the prices compare? Let’s take a look.

Here’s a flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to London (LHR) in mid-May 2022:

Interestingly, Capital One Travel notes that this isn’t the best time to book. The cheapest options available are $715, and they’re all nonstop. However, Google Flights comes back with very different results:

Not only does Google suggest that prices are currently low, but it also returns an option that is nearly $200 less than what Capital One Travel is offering . A closer look reveals that although Capital One Travel has the outbound leg available of this cheap flight for $736 roundtrip, it doesn’t offer the same returns. Here’s what’s available from Google:

Meanwhile, here are the options you can get on Capital One:

Bottom Line: While Capital One allows you to book flights through its Capital One Travel portal, its prices aren’t always competitive with other offerings. Make sure to check a few other websites for flights to ensure you’re getting the best deal.

So how do hotels on Capital One fare when compared to other booking options? This is especially pertinent as Capital One has its own price guarantee.

Here’s a night at the all-inclusive  Secrets the Vine Cancun in early June from Hotels.com :

Booking with Hotels.com will earn you 1 stamp towards a free night stay . After 10 stamps you’ll get a free night, which can be especially valuable when booking costly stays.

And here are the results from Priceline , an online travel agency:

Bookings with both Priceline and Hotels.com can also be stacked with shopping portals . Using Rakuten with Priceline, for example, will earn you 5% back on your booking; this can either come in the form of $25.35 or 2,535 American Express Membership Rewards .

Booking Directly

Here’s how much it costs when booking directly with the hotel:

Secrets the Vine Cancun is a member of AMR Resorts , which was recently purchased by Hyatt. Although you can’t earn or redeem points with the property until later in 2022, Hyatt is offering a promotion for its cardholders for many new all-inclusive properties, including this one. Now through May 15, 2022, eligible cardholders will receive 10 points per $1 spent at these hotels.

This means that booking and paying with your The World of Hyatt Credit Card will earn you 5,070 World of Hyatt points. We value World of Hyatt points at 1.5 cents each, which means you’ll be getting $76.05 worth of points back on this booking.

Capital One Travel

Finally, here’s the rate within Capital One Travel:

With the 3 other sites we compared charging $507, Capital One Travel is a few dollars cheaper. But saving $15 doesn’t match the benefits other options are providing, like Hotels.com’s $200 resort credit.

There is, however, one case where booking via Capital One Travel is your best option. First, you won’t want to use Capital One Travel unless you don’t care about elite status — as we’ve mentioned above — so boutique properties can be a good option to book .

Second, as we mentioned above, those who hold the Capital One Venture X card earn 10 miles per $1 spent on hotels booked through Capital One Travel. In this situation, you’d earn 4,915 Capital One miles on your booking. We value Capital One miles at 1.8 cents each, which means you’ll earn  $88.47 worth of miles . All in, you’ll net $403.53, which wins out compared to most other options.

Rental Cars

How good are rental car prices compared across multiple sites? The results are less exciting. Here’s what a 5-day rental from Los Angeles looks like at Capital One Travel:

RentalCars.com offers nearly the same price:

AutoSlash, meanwhile, saves you a full $65 on the cheapest rental car:

Bottom Line: The Capital One Venture X card offers 10 miles per $1 on rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and it comes with some nice car rental insurance coverage too.

Of course, redeeming your miles through Capital One Travel is just one way that they can be used. There is a multitude of uses for those miles.

Transfer to Travel Partners

Nearly always, the best use of your Capital One miles comes from transferring to hotel and airline partners. Capital One has many transfer partners from which to choose:

Hot Tip: Check out our guide on the best ways to redeem Capital One miles for max value .

Cover Travel Purchases

Just as when using your miles at Capital One Travel, Capital One will allow you to redeem your miles for recent travel purchases at a rate of 1 cent each .

Redeem for Cash-back

You can redeem your Capital One miles for cash-back, but this is a terrible use of miles. Capital One will only give you 0.5 cents of value per mile when redeeming to cash.

Get Gift Cards

There are a variety of gift cards available using your Capital One miles, but these still aren’t a great redemption. Your value will vary — and can even be as high as 1 cent per mile , but transferring to other partners will still give you better value.

Shop With Amazon

You can use your miles on a linked Capital One card, which will give you a value of 0.8 cents per mile .

Pay With PayPal

Paying with your Capital One miles through PayPal will net you 1 cent per mile , just the same as redeeming your miles within Capital One Travel.

Bottom Line: You can redeem your Capital One miles in a variety of ways, but only transferring them to hotel and airline partners will grant you more than 1 cent per mile in value. 

Capital One Travel is robust — and can be a good option for eligible cardholders who aren’t concerned about elite status. However, you’ll find better value for your miles when transferring to one of Capital One’s many travel partners. Regardless, you can find good deals within the travel portal, and the best price guarantee, combined with price drop protection, can make this portal tempting for many travelers.

The information regarding the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Capital One Venture X Business Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding The World of Hyatt Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Information regarding the Capital One Spark Miles for Business was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.  

Frequently Asked Questions

How do i book travel with capital one.

You can go to Capital One Travel to book travel with Capital One.

What airline can I use my Capital One miles on?

Capital One miles can be used with virtually any airline, whether you’re booking through Capital One Travel or booking directly with the airline.

How do I see my trips on Capital One?

After logging in to Capital One Travel , you’ll find your trips in the My Trips section in the upper left-hand corner of the page.

Can you book Southwest through Capital One Travel?

Unfortunately, you cannot book Southwest flights through Capital One Travel . You can, however, book flights directly with Southwest and pay with your Capital One card. You can then redeem miles against your purchase within 90 days via Purchase Eraser.

Does Capital One use Expedia?

No, Capital One uses a proprietary blend of search tools for its Capital One Travel portal.

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About Carissa Rawson

Carissa served in the U.S. Air Force where she developed her love for travel and new cultures. She started her own blog and eventually joined The Points Guy. Since then, she’s contributed to Business Insider, Forbes, and more.

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Key takeaways

• The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is one of the best luxury travel credit cards available, and it comes with a lower annual fee — $395 — than competing cards.
• For rewards, this card includes a generous welcome offer and ongoing boosted rewards on Capital One Travel purchases in addition to a solid two miles per dollar spent on all other purchases.
• Venture X also offers several travel credits, airport lounge access, no foreign transaction fees and valuable travel insurance benefits.

Capital One entered the luxury travel credit card market in 2021 with the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, an economical premium travel card with a lower annual fee than its competitors. Even though it has a lower annual fee, Venture X doesn’t skimp on helpful travel-related benefits and card protections or the opportunities to easily earn rewards on travel and everyday spending.

All of these Capital One Venture X benefits come with a $395 annual fee; it’s significantly lower than that of similar cards, but still a major consideration when you are trying to choose a travel card . This Capital One Venture X benefits guide can help you understand what you can expect from this card and make an informed decision about whether the card is right for you.

Capital One Venture X rewards program benefits

Welcome offer.

New cardholders can earn a welcome bonus of 75,000 miles — worth $750 when redeemed to cover travel purchases — after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

Want to stretch that welcome bonus further? You can transfer your miles to one of Capital One’s travel partners , which makes your miles worth an average of 1.7 cents according to Bankrate’s latest points and miles valuations . That means your welcome bonus could be worth about $1,275 if you transfer those miles to a high-value partner.

Earning rewards

This card offers 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel , 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel and 2X miles on all other purchases. This rewards structure is relatively straightforward and focuses on travel spending booked through the Capital One Travel site.

But that doesn’t mean the card is only good for travel purchases. The 2X miles back on all other purchases makes this card ideal as an everyday spending card that will help you reach your award travel goals.

Redeeming rewards

The best way to redeem Capital One Venture X miles is for different types of travel. You can redeem miles at a rate of 1 cent per mile as statement credit to cover eligible travel purchases made within the past 90 days. Or, you can redeem your rewards for eligible purchases through the Capital One Travel portal.

If you want to score the best possible value for your rewards, though, transfer them to one of Capital One’s 18 travel partners such as Air Canada, Flying Blue or Wyndham Rewards, among others. It’s the most valuable redemption method according to Bankrate’s valuations, but does require more work than just redeeming for statement credit to cover your travel purchases.

You can also redeem rewards for statement credits, checks, gift cards and more; however, note that these redemption options typically offer less value than travel redemptions.

Anniversary bonus

Capital One will thank you for your loyalty with 10,000 bonus miles after each account anniversary, which is worth $100 toward travel. This starts on your first card anniversary and will continue as long as your Venture X account is active and in good standing. You can think of this as a simple way to offset $100 of the card’s annual fee.

Miles don’t expire

Capital One Venture X miles don’t expire for the life of your account, nor do they have blackout dates since you can simply redeem them to cover your travel purchases for whenever you want to travel.

If you close your account, you will lose any rewards you haven’t redeemed.

Capital One Venture X travel benefits

The Venture X card wouldn’t be a premium travel card without additional travel perks and benefits. Here are some of the Venture X travel benefits that bump it into premium travel card territory .

Travel credits

You’ll get up to $300 back annually in the form of Capital One Travel credit for bookings made through that portal. This annual credit could cover the cost of an airline ticket, a weekly car rental or a night at a hotel, which makes this a pretty generous credit. Between this $300 credit and the 10,000-point anniversary bonus, the card completely covers its annual fee each year.

Additionally, Venture X cardholders can get up to a $100 credit every four years to cover your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.

Airport lounge access

Capital One has started to improve its airport lounge access game to compete with the benefits other luxury travel cards offer. This card comes with unlimited, complimentary access to Capital One lounges (for you and two guests per visit), plus access to more than 1,300 Priority Pass lounges internationally (for you and two guests).

With free food and drinks in many lounges — not to mention simply avoiding the airport hubbub — you can get a ton of value from this card perk alone.

It’s also worth noting that Venture X authorized users receive their own lounge membership, which isn’t always the case for authorized users of other premium cards. Furthermore, there isn’t a fee to add authorized users, another break from the norm of other premium cards. Chase Sapphire Reserve® , for instance, charges $75 for each authorized user.

No foreign transaction fees

When traveling, all kinds of incidental costs can bust your travel budget. One such cost is foreign transaction fees , which are commonly 3 percent of each transaction. Thankfully, the Venture X card does not charge foreign transaction fees.

Travel insurance

The Capital One Venture X also comes with valuable travel insurance benefits thanks to its Visa Infinite status. You’ll get trip cancellation and interruption insurance, travel and emergency assistance services, travel accident insurance, trip delay reimbursement, lost luggage reimbursement and an auto rental collision damage waiver.

Capital One Venture X protection benefits

Purchase coverage.

As a Visa Infinite card, Capital One Venture X comes with extended warranty coverage, purchase protection and return protection.

Cellphone protection

You’ll also get cellphone protection when you pay your cellphone bill with your Venture X card. If your phone is damaged or stolen, you can be reimbursed up to $800 per claim (maximum of two claims and $1,600 per 12-month period). Terms and a deductible apply.

Maximizing the Capital One Venture X card

This is a travel rewards card , so make sure you like to travel if you intend to maximize the Venture X benefits.

Take advantage of all the rewards-earning opportunities and meet the welcome bonus requirements . Beyond that, earn all of the available credits. When you add in the up to $300 annual travel credit for bookings made through the Capital One travel portal and the up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, you’ll more than offset your $395 in your first year.

After year one, you’ll still get the $300 annual travel portal credit for Capital One Travel bookings and you’ll receive 10,000 bonus miles after your card anniversary (worth $100 toward travel); that means the card pays for itself each year and the rewards you earn are icing on the cake.

Once you’ve racked up a bank of miles, make sure to redeem them only for travel, either as statement credit to cover your travel purchases or, for maximum value, by transferring them to travel partners.

The bottom line

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a relatively low-risk travel card for those who want to test the waters of the premium travel credit card space. It isn’t quite at the top of the line when it comes to other benefits-packed luxury travel cards like the Sapphire Reserve or The Platinum Card® from American Express . But since the card has a lower annual fee and can pay for itself with travel credits and an annual anniversary rewards bonus, Venture X deserves serious consideration .

Why I love the Capital One Venture X

Why the Capital One Venture X is great for saving on your next trip

Capital One Venture X vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve

Is the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card worth it?

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card review

The Best No-Fee Travel Credit Cards

Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities. This page does not include all card companies or all available card offers.

One of the easiest ways to save money traveling is by using credit cards (responsibly) to collect points and miles . This essentially transforms your everyday spending into free flights, free hotel stays, and other awesome travel perks.

Not only does this stretch your travel budget but it levels up your travel experience, providing free upgrades, lounge access, and much, much more.

Whether you want to be on the road for longer, take more trips, or simply save money on your next vacation, points and miles can get you there.

However, most of the best travel credit cards have annual fees (sometimes huge ones).

While annual fees are usually worth it for frequent travelers (you can get much more value out of a card than its annual fee), if you’re new to all of this or don’t travel that much, you may want to get a no-fee card first.

And there are a lot of no-fee cards out there. Which one do you pick?

Here is my list of the best no-fee travel credit cards so you can start earning points toward free travel today:

Table of Contents

1. The Bilt Rewards Mastercard

2. capital one ventureone rewards credit card, 3. chase freedom unlimited®, cards with low fees.

You can transfer points 1:1 to travel partners, including American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, United, Emirates, Hawaiian, Virgin Atlantic, Air Canada, Air France/KLM, Hyatt, and IHG. The fact that you can transfer Bilt points to American Airlines and Alaska Airlines really sets this card apart as no other card’s points transfer to these airlines. Amassing Bilt points is the only way to get these points without having an American or Alaska card.

Bilt also integrates with point.me , a handy search and booking engine for award flights.

This card offers:

• 1x points on rental payments
• 2x points on travel
• 3x points on dining
• American Airlines and Alaska Airlines as transfer partners (it’s the only card that does)
• Rent Day benefits: monthly giveaways and challenges as well as 6x points on dining, 4x points on travel, and 2x on spending on the 1st of the month
• Access to the Bilt Milestone Rewards program (where you get more perks and earning power the more points you accumulate)
• Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection and Trip Delay Reimbursement
• No foreign transaction fees

The Bilt card is absolutely a no-brainer for renters who love to travel. To learn more, read my full Bilt Review . It is the card I use the most right now (especially on rent days).

—> LEARN MORE

• Earn 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
• 1.25x points on all purchases
• 5x points on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Travel accident and car rental insurance

LEARN MORE —> LEARN MORE

• bonus_miles_full
• 1.5% cash back on all purchases
• 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel
• 3% cash back on restaurants and drugstores

If the cards above are a little too basic for your needs and you want something more intermediate, here’s a quick list of travel credit cards with affordable fees:

card_name ($95 annual fee) – 3x points on dining, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services, 2x points on travel (5x when booked through Chase Travel (SM) , travel protections, and a $50 annual hotel credit when you book and prepay through Chase Travel (SM) .

card_name ($95 annual fee) – 2x points on all purchases, 5x points on hotels/rental cars booked on Capital One travel, $100 Global Entry/TSA pre-check credit, 2 airport lounge visits per year.

card_name ($95 annual fee) – If you’re a business owner, this card offers 3x points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent each year on shipping, internet, phone, travel, and online advertising. It also offers free cards for employees.  

While fee-based cards have better earning structures and travel benefits , if you’re new to the points and miles game, the idea of forking out for an annual fee might put you off from travel cards entirely. But if you love to travel (or want to travel more), not collecting points and miles is the biggest mistake you could make .

No-fee cards are a great place to start so that you can begin to work towards free flights and hotel stays today, without having to think about whether you’re getting enough value out of the card to justify the annual fee.

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• SafetyWing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.

Advertiser Disclosure: “Nomadic Matt has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Some or all of the card offers on this page are from advertisers and compensation may impact how and where card products appear on the site. Nomadic Matt and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.”

Editorial Disclosure: “Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities. This page does not include all card companies or all available card offers.”

Hi, I’m Nomadic Matt, the New York Times best-selling author of How to Travel the World on $50 a Day and Ten Years a Nomad, as well as the founder of this website! And I’m here to help you save money on your next trip.

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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Best credit cards for adventure travel in 2024

Jan 5, 2024 • 15 min read

Find the best credit card to accompany you on your next great adventure © Patchareeporn Sakoolchai / Getty

This series of articles about credit cards, points and miles, and budgeting for travel is brought to you in partnership with The Points Guy .

Advertiser Disclosure:  This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. This relationship may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers.  All information about the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card and the Wells Fargo Autograph Card has been collected independently by Lonely Planet. These cards are not available through Lonely Planet.

Setting your sights on your next great adventure? Whether it's rafting the Grand Canyon , trekking to Mount Everest or cycling Slovenia , you'll get there faster and with plenty of perks to boot by choosing the right credit card to start racking up points on every purchase today.

If you have a knack for adventure travel, the right credit card can not only help you save for the cost of a trip but also protect you in case things don’t go as planned. 

Adventure travelers need a credit card that earns lots of points on travel and offers flexible redemption options and travel protections at a reasonable annual fee. This way, you’ll earn lots of points and get the best value for your redemptions regardless of booking a last-minute trip or planning well in advance. The best adventure travel cards also provide a variety of travel insurance inclusions, offering exceptional savings for adventure travelers. 

Most importantly, the right credit card can provide valuable travel protections if things don’t go as planned. If your trip is delayed, canceled or your luggage lost, your credit card’s travel insurance can bail you out of these tough situations. From there, you can continue your journey or make plans for a re-do without breaking the bank. 

In determining the best credit cards for adventure travel, we’ve also considered welcome bonuses, recurring benefits and a lack of foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad. Without further ado, here are the best credit cards for adventure travel.

How to get started with travel points and airline miles

• Best overall: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Best for surfers and skiers: Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card
• Best for activities: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• Best for comprehensive travel insurance: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Best for rental car insurance: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card  
• Best for cell phone protection: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card 

How to use points and miles to save money on travel

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best overall

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is the best overall card for adventure travelers, thanks to solid insurance coverage, high earnings on travel purchases and generous travel perks at a reasonable annual fee. The card offers up to $100 fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years so you can speed through security lines and immigration queues faster. Not many credit cards at this price point offer this benefit, nor do they offer two free lounge visits per year.

Adventure travelers will appreciate the ability to get discounts on exclusive experiences through Gravity Haus, a social club designed specifically for adventure travelers. The card offers $300 off Gravity Haus membership. Cardholders also get free museum passes through a six-month membership with The Cultivist. 

When you’re ready to redeem rewards for your next travel adventure, the card lets you do so at a rate of 1 cent per mile. Alternately, you can transfer miles at a 1:1 ratio to over a dozen airlines and hotel loyalty programs for even more value.

Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening.

Rewards: 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; 2X miles on all other purchases.

Travel benefits: Complimentary six-month The Cultivist Membership, $300 off Gravity Haus membership, Hertz Five Star status, two annual visits to Capital One and Plaza Premium lounges, up to a $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years, rental car insurance and travel accident insurance.

Credit score:  Good to Excellent.

Annual fee: $95. 

• Complimentary The Cultivist membership, plus $300 off a Gravity Haus membership.
• Travel accident insurance and rental car coverage.
• Generous welcome bonus and ongoing rewards on purchases.
• Limited earnings on travel booked outside of Capital One. 
• Capital One pulls your credit from all three bureaus when you apply for a card.

The best travel credit cards for 2024

Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card: Best for skiers and surfers

The Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card might be a great fit if you frequently travel to catch a wave or hit the slopes. Wyndham has over 9,000 hotels and timeshares worldwide, with many options for surfers and skiers. You can book these properties starting at just 7,500 points per room. You can even opt for a cash and points award starting at 1500 points. Cardholders even receive a 10% discount on full award nights, making them even more accessible.

This versatility makes the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card an excellent choice for adventure travelers. The card offers a substantial welcome bonus that you can stretch into 10 or more free nights, and the annual fee is lower than most hotel credit cards.

Welcome bonus: 45,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days. 

Rewards: Earn 5X points on eligible purchases made at Hotels by Wyndham, qualifying gas purchases; 2X points on eligible dining and grocery store purchases (excluding Walmart and Target); 1X point on all other purchases (excluding Wyndham Vacation Club down payments).

Travel benefits: Automatic Wyndham Rewards Platinum status, cardmember booking discount, annual 7,500-point bonus, no foreign transaction fees.

Credit score required: Good to excellent.

Annual fee: $75.  See rates and fees.

• Earn 7,500 bonus points each anniversary year if you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases.
• Automatic Platinum status includes practical perks like late checkout, early check-in and rental car status upgrades. 
• $75 annual fee.

The best credit cards for rental cars

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Best for activities and experiences

No adventure is complete without a slew of high-octane activities. With the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card , you’ll get access to exclusive experiences and discounts. The Venture X card offers a complimentary PRIOR subscription, which typically costs $149 and provides access to unique travel experiences and destination guides.

If you’re looking for more relaxed experiences, the card’s six-month The Cultivist membership provides complimentary access to hundreds of popular museums worldwide. You can even bring two additional guests. Eligible museums include the esteemed New York Met Museum, San Francisco’s Museum of Modern Art and the Picasso Museum in Paris.

Lastly, Venture X cardholders receive $300 off an annual Gravity Haus membership, a social club for adventure travelers. Members receive discounts on hotel accommodations, premium travel gear and other perks. 

Rewards: Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel; 2X miles on all other purchases.

Travel benefits: $300 annual credit for travel booked through Capital One Travel; 10,000 bonus miles every card anniversary; Capital One lounge and Priority Pass Select membership; complimentary PRIOR subscription, 6-month Cultivist membership; $300 off Gravity Haus social club membership; up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years; Hertz President’s Circle status; access to Premier Collection hotels for discounts and perks; rental coverage; trip cancellation and interruption; trip delay reimbursement; travel accident insurance; lost luggage reimbursement; travel and emergency assistance services; up to $800 in cell phone protection.

Credit score: Excellent.

Annual fee: $395. 

• Discounts on activities and experiences through PRIOR, The Cultivist and Gravity Haus memberships.
• High earnings on travel purchases.
• Solid travel protections.
• The Cultivist membership is just for six months.
• High annual fee.

Capital One Venture X review: an excellent credit card for travel enthusiasts

Chase Sapphire Reserve: Best for comprehensive travel insurance

Travel insurance is essential for adventure travel, and many travelers will buy a policy. If you want a credit card that provides a comprehensive policy, look no further than the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card. The card offers up to $10,000 per person (up to $20,000) in trip cancellation and interruption coverage, so you can get reimbursed for pre-paid, non-refundable expenses if your trip is cut short. 

If your trip is delayed by more than six hours, Sapphire Reserve ’s trip delay reimbursement coverage will reimburse you up to $500 per ticket so you can pay for unreimbursed expenses like meals and hotel accommodations. Even your luggage is protected up to $3,000 per passenger against loss and damage, as long as you charge your travel expenses to the card.

The Sapphire Reserve ’s rental car insurance covers up to $75,000 against theft and damage in the U.S. and abroad. Cardholders also receive emergency evacuation and transportation, which not many credit cards provide. This policy provides up to $100,000 towards medical services and transportation during emergencies, providing ultimate peace of mind for adventure travelers.

Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Rewards: Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

Travel benefits: Up to $300 in annual travel statement credits (including airfare, hotels and rental cars); airport lounge access via Priority Pass Select membership; up to $100 application fee credit towards Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS every four years; travel protections including cancellation/interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, primary rental car insurance (up to $75,000 in the U.S. and abroad) and lost luggage reimbursement.

Annual fee: $550 (plus $75 per authorized user).  See rates and fees .

• Extensive travel insurance covering luggage, rental cars, emergencies, trip delays and interruptions.
• High rewards on travel purchases.
• High annual fee, with an extra $75 charge for authorized users.
• Approval is subject to the Chase 5/24 rule.

Chase Sapphire review: an in-depth look at the card loved by travelers

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: Best for rental car insurance

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is ideal for adventure travelers who like to take road trips in rental cars domestically or abroad. The card comes with primary auto collision insurance, which most rental car companies charge around $15 daily. Primary collision insurance covers your rental vehicle against damage and theft up to the full cash value.

Car rental insurance isn’t an unusual benefit for premium cards like the Sapphire Preferred . However, not all cards offer primary coverage. When your coverage is secondary, you must file a claim with your insurance company before your credit card coverage kicks in. Another unique aspect of the Sapphire Preferred ’s rental car insurance is that it applies to domestic and international rentals, providing the ultimate peace of mind. 

Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Rewards: Earn 5X points on travel booked through Chase Travel℠ (excludes hotel purchases that qualify for the $50 Annual Chase Travel℠ hotel credit); 3X points on dining at restaurants, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out; 3X points on online grocery purchases; 3X points on select streaming services; 2X points on all other travel; 1X on other purchases.

Travel benefits: Annual $50 Chase Travel℠ hotel credit, no foreign transaction fees, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, primary rental car insurance, trip delay reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, travel and emergency assistance services.

Credit score required: Good to Excellent. 

Annual fee: $95. See rates and fees .

• Primary rental car insurance covers up to the vehicle’s cash value, including rentals booked abroad.
• Up to 5 points per dollar spent on travel, including rental cars, through the Chase Travel℠ portal.
• Includes other useful travel protections like trip delay reimbursement, trip cancellation/interruption insurance and baggage delay insurance.
• Earns just 2 points per dollar on travel booked outside of the Chase Travel℠ portal.
• $95 annual fee.
• Approval is subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule.

Chase Ultimate Rewards Guide: one of the best loyalty programs on the market

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card: Best for cell phone protection

If you’re an adventure traveler, you know the importance of having a cell phone to communicate with family and friends back home. It’s your connection to the rest of the world, yet we’re constantly endangering it during our travels: Dropping it and leaving it out for potential thieves to snatch up. If your phone is damaged, lost or stolen during your travels, the Wells Fargo Autograph Card provides up to $600 in travel insurance per year. Not only is this a rare benefit for a card with no annual fee, but the $25 deductible is reasonable compared to what more premium cards offer.

The Autograph card also offers primary rental car insurance, along with travel and emergency services assistance. The card’s high earn rate also makes it ideal for maximizing every dollar spent during your travels. 

Welcome bonus: Earn 30,000 bonus points when you spend $1,500 in purchases in the first three months.

Rewards: Earn 3X points on travel, gas, restaurant, transit and popular streaming purchases; 1X points on all other purchases. 

Travel benefits: Up to $600 per year in cell phone protection (subject to a $25 deductible), secondary rental car insurance in the U.S., primary rental car coverage abroad, travel and emergency services assistance.

Credit score: Good to Excellent.

Annual fee: $0.  See rates and fees .

• $600 annual cell phone protection. 
• Primary rental car coverage applies to rentals outside of the U.S.
• High earning potential in travel spending categories.
• Rental car coverage is secondary in the U.S. Rental coverage is limited to 15 consecutive days – half of what most other credit cards offer.
• Points are worth just one cent each towards travel and cannot be transferred to other loyalty programs.

How to travel to New Zealand with points and miles

Who should get a credit card for adventure travel?

Anyone planning an adventure who wants the convenience, security and rewards that come with a credit card should consider getting one. This includes those who enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, or water sports and those planning to go on safari expeditions or explore remote destinations. A credit card can be useful for booking flights, accommodations and activities, as well as for emergencies or unexpected expenses that may arise during the trip.

Individuals who frequently travel internationally for adventure purposes should also consider getting a credit card. Many credit cards offer benefits such as no foreign transaction fees, travel insurance, and emergency assistance services that can be extremely valuable when traveling to remote or unfamiliar destinations. These features provide peace of mind and help ensure a smooth and enjoyable adventure travel experience.

Traveling to Hawaii with points and miles

How to choose the best credit card for adventure travel

Several factors must be considered when choosing the best credit card for adventure travel. First, look for a card that offers travel rewards or benefits that align with your travel plans. For example, a card offering bonus points or miles on travel expenses may be ideal if you frequently book flights or accommodations. Additionally, consider whether the card offers practical perks, such as travel insurance, which can be valuable during adventure trips.

Next, pay attention to any fees associated with the credit card. Look for cards with no foreign transaction fees if you plan to use your card internationally during your adventures. Also, consider any annual fees and whether the card's benefits outweigh the cost.

Another important factor to consider is the acceptance and usability of the credit card at your destination. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted worldwide, so having a credit card from one of these networks can be beneficial for international adventure travel.

Lastly, consider the rewards and recurring perks offered by the card. If you’re going to use a credit card for all your travel and daily expenses, you want the rewards to be flexible and easy to redeem. A card that earns transferable rewards, such as the Capital One Venture or Chase Sapphire Preferred , fits the bill.

The best credit cards with no international fees  

What’s the best credit card for adventure travel?

The best credit card for adventure travel depends on your travel goals and spending habits. Our top pick is the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card since it offers valuable travel protections, generous rewards and useful travel perks at a reasonable annual fee.

Traveling to Japan using points and miles

Which features should adventure travelers look for in a credit card?

Adventure travelers should look for features like comprehensive travel insurance, generous bonus points on travel spending and recurring benefits when choosing a credit card. Be sure to compare the various credit card benefits against the annual fee (if any) to ensure you’ll get value from them.

The best credit cards for Global Entry

Are credit cards worth it for adventure travelers?

Credit cards are well worth it for adventure travelers who get good use from their benefits or earn substantial points every year.

Traveling to Iceland with points and miles

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

This article was first published Aug 3, 2023 and updated Jan 5, 2024.

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Capital One Miles: Everything you need to know in 2024

Fortune Recommends™ has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends™ and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.    

Did you know that in 1990, just 5% of Americans had a passport? By December 2023, that number had risen to 48%. We wanted to start with that fun tidbit for two reasons: 

• We think it’s really cool so many Americans are traveling abroad and experiencing other cultures.
• We also think this booming interest in travel highlights the need for rewards programs like Capital One Miles. 

Because as you’ll come to learn, the Capital One Miles program has a slight bias toward international travel versus domestic. It has over a dozen international airline transfer partners, a partnership with Accor hotels (roughly 99% of which are based overseas) and includes the cheapest credit card on the market with unlimited airport lounge visits (the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card). 

But if your passport is collecting dust—and your next big trip is to Boston, not Bruges—Capital One Miles has less to offer you. There’s not a single domestic airline to transfer points to, and if you need to convert miles to cash back in a pinch, you’re looking at a dismal redemption rate of 0.5 cents per point. 

We’ll break it all down and cover everything you need to know about Capital One Miles.

What these “miles” are, exactly

Capital One Miles is, simply put, both the name of the rewards program and the currency you earn as someone who uses the program. They aren’t connected with “miles” as a physical measurement of distance nor are they tied to a specific airline like, say, Delta SkyMiles are.

Essentially, think of “miles” as a synonym for “points” when referring to rewards earned.

You earn Capital One Miles primarily through spending on eligible credit cards and can redeem them for travel either in the issuer’s portal or by transferring them to partner loyalty programs.

• Backed by three travel rewards cards with solid perks, rewards and welcome bonuses. 
• You can use miles to cover travel expenses up to 90 days old on your statement. 
• Transfer partners include 15 international airlines and three hotel chains comprising 21,000+ properties worldwide, so it’s a good choice for globetrotters.
• Miles are only worth a half cent each when redeemed for cash or cash equivalent. 
• Not even the top-tier Venture X card gets a bonus multiplier for travel redemptions. 
• Transfer partners don’t include Hyatt, IHG, Marriott or any U.S. domestic airlines.  
• Three cards still isn’t many options compared to some competing programs.

Capital One Miles explained

The first thing you should know about Capital One Miles is that Capital One doesn’t seem to use two separate names for a) its rewards program and b) the points you earn within said program. 

What we mean is, Chase Ultimate Rewards has Chase Ultimate Rewards points. Citi ThankYou Rewards has Citi ThankYou points. But Capital One seems content with using “Capital One Miles” in every context. 

So we will, too. 

Now, let’s cover the basics. Capital One Miles works like most any other credit card rewards program: you’ll earn miles by using a select Capital One rewards cards, and once you accumulate enough, you can redeem them for goodies. 

And don’t let the term “miles” fool you—you can redeem them for far more than just flights, including hotels, rental cars, gift cards, cash back, spa treatments and more. In effect, they’re flexible credit card points going by another name. 

Now that you know the essentials, we’ll dive into the details, starting with how to earn ‘em.

How to earn Capital One Miles

You can earn Capital One Miles by using any of the card issuer’s three travel rewards credit cards. Here’s a quick summary of each, plus a link to our full review: 

• The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card charges no annual fee, offers a welcome bonus of 20,000 miles after spending $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, and generates 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel plus 1.25X on all other purchases. The VentureOne is one of our picks for the best no-annual-fee travel credit cards .
• The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card charges a $95 annual fee but offers a heftier welcome bonus of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening to compensate. Like the VentureOne, the Venture generates 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel but its base rate is 2x miles on every purchase. 
• The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is Capital One’s flagship travel rewards card, offering a welcome bonus of 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening, elevated rewards of 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel plus 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, and a base rate of 2x miles on everyday purchases. The card charges a steep $395 annual fee, but the $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel plus 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary combine to $400+ in yearly value. And that’s not even considering its other perks, such as lounge access.

Cardholders have also said in online discussions that if you hold both a cash-back card and a travel card from Capital One, there’s an option to convert your cash back into miles. With that in mind, you might choose to pair two Cap One cards—for example, the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card for elevated rewards on dining, grocery shopping and entertainment, and the Venture X for premium travel perks and a flat 2X miles on any purchases not in the SavorOne’s bonus categories.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Intro bonus.

at Cardratings.com

Rewards Rates

• 10X 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 5X 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• 2X 2x miles on everyday purchases
• Annual $300 travel credit and 10,000 Miles upon card anniversary make up for the annual fee
• Airport lounge access
• Capital One Miles require effort to maximize
• Limited cash redemption options

Other benefits

• Travel protections including car rental insurance, trip cancellation/interruption and travel delay protection
• Consumer protections including extended warranty and return protection

Once you’ve chosen the right card(s) for your wallet and scored a tasty welcome bonus, how should you spend your new fortune in miles? Let’s look at redemption options.

How to redeem Capital One Miles

Capital One gives you eight total options for redeeming your hard-earned miles: 

• Cover travel expenses that have landed (pun intended) on your statement within the past 90 days. 
• Transfer miles to one of Capital One’s 18 travel partners including Flying Blue, Wyndham Rewards and more (see the complete list below). 
• Book a trip via the Capital One Travel portal, where you can reserve flights, hotels or rental cars using cash, miles, or a combination of both. 
• Share your rewards aka transfer miles to a friend or family member. 
• Get gift cards from a massive selection of over 285 retail partners. 
• Redeem for cash back , converting miles to dollars at a rate of 0.5 cents a pop (which we wouldn’t recommend unless you really need the cash). 
• Pay with miles on Amazon or through PayPal. 
• Score tickets to one of 500,000+ events through Capital One Entertainment. 

That’s quite a menu of redemption options, but if you’re like us, you’ll naturally gravitate towards the option(s) with the best overall redemption value. 

So let’s cut to the chase—what should you spend your Cap One Miles on? It likely won’t surprise you that the answer is typically “travel.” Read on for more details on how to get the most value from your miles.

How much are Capital One Miles worth? 

Capital One Miles typically range in value from 0.5 to 1 cent each, depending on how you redeem them. 

If you’re redeeming Cap One miles for cash back or cash equivalent (e.g. pay with miles or gift cards), you’ll generally get around a half cent per mile in value. But if you redeem them through Capital One Travel, you’ll get that full penny per point. 

This means that in the greater “points economy,” Capital One Miles are definitely one of the weaker rewards currencies out there. For comparison, Chase and Wells Fargo points are both worth a penny each in cash redemption, and if you have the or Chase Sapphire Reserve® cards (which rival the Venture and Venture X cards), your points would be worth 1.25 and 1.50 cents in travel portal value, respectively. 

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

• 5x 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠ (excluding hotel purchases that qualify for the $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit)
• 3x 3x points on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
• 2x 2x points on travel purchases not booked through Chase
• 1x 1x points on other purchases
• 5x 5x points on Lyft rides through March 31, 2025 (that's 3x points in addition to the 2x points you already earn on travel)
• Valuable welcome bonus
• Extensive list of transfer partners
• Extra value on travel redemptions
• No premium travel perks
• Has an annual fee
• Additional perks: $50 annual hotel credit, trip cancelation/interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, complimentary Doordash and Instacart+ membership along with quarterly Instacart+ credits
• Foreign transaction fee: None

Sure, you can always spend your Cap One Miles on travel to get a full 1 cent per mile  in value—but keep in mind that when you’re spending miles you’re not earning miles. 

In other words, when you redeem 10,000 Cap One Miles for a hotel room via Capital One Travel, you earn zero rewards. But if you redeem 10,000 Wells Fargo Rewards points for $100 and then book a room with your Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card , you’ll earn 4X from Wells Fargo and additional rewards on the hotel side if you’re a member of the hotel chain’s loyalty program (e.g. 10X as a base member of IHG One Rewards ). 

At this point, you may be thinking pshh, no biggie, I’ll just transfer my Cap One Miles to a loyalty partner and get more than a cent in value that way. 

And yes, that’s definitely a solid strategy—but depending on what kind of traveler you are, there could be a big “but” attached to that option, as well. 

Capital One transfer partners

Capital One’s list of transfer partners makes a good first impression. There are 18 total (which handily beats Chase’s 14) and all but two of them accept Capital One Miles at a 1:1 ratio. 

But veteran travelers will notice two potential issues with the list right away. 

First, there isn’t a single U.S. domestic airline among Capital One’s transfer partners. All 15 out of 15 airlines listed are international carriers that you may only fly once a year (if ever), meaning there isn’t a transfer partner that can help you get from San Francisco to New York. 

It’s not the end of the world if you’re willing to learn how to leverage airline alliances. For example, you might be able to transfer Capital One Miles to Virgin Red, then use Virgin points to book a ticket on a Delta Air Lines flight as they are both SkyTeam alliance members.

But this solution isn’t perfect, as airlines may release limited seating availability to partners. 

The second, more subjective issue is the trio of hotel partners. In aggregate, the Wyndham, Choice and ALL networks comprise over 21,000 properties worldwide, which is an undeniably huge spread. But again, if you’re looking to book something domestic, you may quickly feel the absence of Hyatt , Marriott or IHG. 

On the flip side of things, anyone with a rapidly filling passport may see the long list of international partners as a big plus. International flights certainly aren’t cheap, and each of the partners listed below represents a region of the globe you could potentially visit for almost “free” with your miles (though you’ll still have to pay taxes and fees on your tickets, as is standard). 

In other words, if you’ve ever fantasized about redeeming credit card rewards in exchange for a fully-enclosed first class suite on Emirates, Capital One Miles may be the program for you.

In any case, here’s the complete list of Capital One transfer partners as of this writing:

• Aeromexico Club Premier
• Air Canada – Aeroplan
• Cathay Pacific – Asia Miles
• Avianca LifeMiles
• British Airways Executive Club
• Emirates Skywards
• Etihad Guest
• EVA Air (at a rate of 1,000 Capital One Miles to 750 Eva Air miles)
• Finnair Plus
• Flying Blue
• Qantas Frequent Flyer
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
• TAP Miles&Go
• Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
• Accor Live Limitless (at a rate of 1,000 Capital One Miles to 500 ALL points)
• Choice Privileges
• Wyndham Rewards

How Capital One Miles compares to other rewards programs

Overall, as a credit card rewards program, Capital One Miles doesn’t stack up well to the stiff competition it faces in 2024. 

Right out of the gate, the program’s biggest competitive drawback is that miles are only worth half a cent each in cash-back redemption. That’s half the value of the equivalent Chase or Wells Fargo point redeemed for cash back, and for further reference, American Express Membership Rewards Points are worth up to a full cent in gift card redemptions and Citi ThankYou Points are worth a penny each in cash back in most cases. 

Even if you save your Capital One Miles for travel redemptions only, you still won’t get as much value per mile (1 cent) as you could from a Chase or U.S. Bank point (up to 1.5 cents each).

Finally, it’s worth reiterating that Capital One’s lack of domestic airline partners severely hinders the program’s overall versatility. Amex has Delta, Citi has JetBlue, and Chase has Southwest, United and JetBlue. Sure, you can always use Capital One Miles to book domestic flights via Capital One Travel—but your miles are hard-capped at a cent per point that way. 

All that said, frequent international travelers may be more willing than most to forgive the program’s biggest shortfalls. They might see the 15 international airline partners and think hey, that beats the pants off Chase and especially Wells Fargo . Then, they might see the Venture X card’s $100 Global Entry credit, $300 annual travel credit, 10X earning rate on hotels and rental cars booked through the portal and unlimited Priority Pass airport lounge access and think OK, I’m in. Time to apply and earn that monster welcome bonus.

In other words, they may have a similar revelation to the one our very own Ben Luthi had that made him decide to keep the Venture X —that despite all of its shortcomings, Capital One Miles can have massive niche appeal if you’re planning the next stamp on your passport.

About the author

Chris Butsch is a two-time author, keynote speaker and credit card nerd helping Gens Y and Z build better lives through financial fluency and positive psychology. His writing has been featured in Fortune , Fortune Recommends , Forbes Advisor, U.S. News, ConsumerAffairs, Money Under 30 and Investor Junkie. Chris got his start in 2015 when he decided to quit his corporate job, travel to 41 countries and ask 1,000 people what happiness means to them. In 2019 he did a TEDx talk revealing his findings, and still speaks to college students today through a partnership with CAMPUSPEAK. Chris lives in Atlanta with his partner Holly and his rescue pup, Joy.

Fortune Recommends™ has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends™ and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.  

Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.  

EDITORIAL DISCLOSURE : The advice, opinions, or rankings contained in this article are solely those of the Fortune Recommends ™ editorial team. This content has not been reviewed or endorsed by any of our affiliate partners or other third parties.

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Things to do in monino.

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• Adventurous
• Good for a Rainy Day
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• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. The Central Air Force Museum

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