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8 Best Ways To Earn Lots of Capital One Miles [2025]
Christine Krzyszton
Christine Krzyszton
Senior Finance Contributor
380 Published Articles
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Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services offices. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-dep...
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Key Takeaways
The easiest way to earn Capital One Miles is to apply for a personal or business credit that has a welcome offer. These can range from 20,000 to over 100,000 miles, subject to meeting minimum spending requirements.
Certain Capital One personal credit cards offer lots of miles for travel purchases, including airlines, bus tickets, car rentals, cruises, hotels, and taxis.
You can earn extra Capital One miles by using your card for household expenses like gas, heating bills, and auto insurance.
Every purchase you make, every swipe you take, you’ll be earning miles with your Capital One credit card. No, that’s not a new advertising slogan — it’s more of a statement on the simplicity of earning miles with Capital One credit cards.
Simplicity translates into earnings with no requirements to register for quarterly bonus categories. You won’t have to memorize long lists of which purchases earn extra miles, either. Simplified earning also provides a fast track to easily accumulating lots of Capital One miles.
When it comes time to redeem your Capital One miles, you’ll find several options, including travel statement credits or the potential for greater value when transferring miles to airline or hotel partners.
Whether you have personal spending you’d like to earn miles for or run a business with unrewarded expenses, a Capital One Miles credit card can fit your spending profile.
In this article, we’ll highlight what Capital One miles are, why you’d want to earn them, which Capital One credit cards earn miles, and how to earn lots of miles with Capital One cards (and why you’d want to!).
Although Capital One miles are not real airline miles, the most flexible and valuable redemption option of Capital One miles is that you can turn theminto real miles! This is done by transferring Capital One miles to airline or hotel partners.
This option elevates the value of earning miles on Capital One credit cards and is a major consideration for jumping on the bandwagon.
Transfer miles to other Capital One accounts for no charge
Redeem for gift cards, donate to charity, or receive a check (at a reduced value)
Hot Tip: Capital One miles are valuable because you can use them like cash-back toward travel purchases or transfer them to airline or hotel partners for potentially more value!
Ease of Earning Capital One Miles
As we mentioned, Capital One credit cards are known for their simple earning structures.
There are no fluctuating bonus categories, periodic registration requirements, or annual spending levels to meet — you simply make a purchase and earn miles. You’ll also earn miles on every purchase you make.
You may be wondering, which Capital One credit cards earn the most miles? Read on!
Bottom Line: Capital One miles are earned on every purchase, with extra earnings in bonus categories. Although Capital One miles are not airline miles and cannot be used to book award flights directly, you can use the miles as a statement credit toward previous travel purchases, transfer miles to airline or hotel partners, or book travel directly with Capital One.
Earn Lots of Miles With Personal Capital One Credit Cards
Personal Credit Cards That Earn Capital One Miles
Capital One personal and business credit cards earn miles on every purchase and have bonus spending categories to earn even more.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!
Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!
Earn 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
75,000 miles
$1,350
$95
Purchases: 19.99% - 28.99% (Variable)
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Good to Excellent Credit (670-850)
Why We Like This Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Cardis 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.
Pros & Cons
Pros
5x miles per $1 on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
Up to a $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
The card offers unlimited miles at 1.25x per $1 and no annual fee. When you consider the flexible rewards, frequent travelers come out on top.
The card offers unlimited miles at 1.25x per $1 and no annual fee. When you consider the flexible rewards, frequent travelers come out on top.
LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn $300 in travel bonuses. Enjoy $100 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 20,000 bonus miles once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $300 in travel.
$100 travel credit + 20,000 miles
$460
$0
Purchases: 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months; variable 18.99% - 28.99% thereafter
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
Why We Like This Card
Interested in a travel rewards credit card without one of those pesky annual fees? Then say hello to the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.
In addition to no annual fee, the Capital One VentureOne card offers no foreign transaction fees.
But is this card worth its salt, or is it merely a shell of the more popular Capital One Venture card?
Pros & Cons
Pros
No annual fee
No foreign transaction fees
Ability to use transfer partners
Cons
Weak earn rate at 1.25x miles per $1 spent on all purchases
LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn $300 in travel bonuses. Enjoy $100 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 20,000 bonus miles once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening – that’s equal to $300 in travel
$0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
Miles won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how many you can earn
Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 18.99% – 28.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
Financial Snapshot
APR: Purchases: 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months; variable 18.99% - 28.99% thereafter
Welcome offers are the fastest way to accumulate Capital One miles.
Just complete the required spending in the first 90 days after you are approved for the card, and your welcome offer will be credited to your Capital One Miles account.
2. Purchase Travel
You’ll earn well when you purchase travel with certain personal Capital One credit cards.
Capital One defines travel quite generously; this category includes:
Airlines
Bus tickets
Car rental agencies
Cruise lines
Hotels
Limo and taxi services
Timeshares
Travel agencies
Although not officially listed, cardholders have also reported that Uber, Lyft, and Airbnb purchases have been reimbursable with Capital One miles.
Here’s how these Capital One credit cards reward travel purchases:
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Credit Card
Earnings
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
5x miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
2x miles on all other purchases
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit CardInformation collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.
5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
1.25x miles on all other purchases
Capital One Venture X Business Card
Unlimited 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel
5x miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
Unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
3. Pay Household Expenses
Whether you need to fill up the car with gas, pay your heating bill, or pay your auto insurance, you can earn more Capital One miles by paying household expenses with your Capital One credit card.
The Capital One Venture X card and Capital One Venture Rewards card earn 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase, including those everyday household expenses.
4. Buy Groceries
The Capital One Venture X card and Capital One Venture card earn 2 miles per dollar spent at the supermarket, which may mean one of them becomes your everyday spending card!
Hot Tip:
Use your Capital One Venture X card or Capital One Venture card to purchase no-fee gift cards at supermarkets, such as entertainment and gas. Note that not all stores allow purchasing gift cards with credit cards, but many do.
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Earn Lots of Miles With Business Capital One Credit Cards
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
The Capital One Spark Miles Select card is an excellent option for business owners looking for a card with straightforward earning, access to Capital One transfer partners, and no annual fee.
The Capital One Spark Miles Select card is an excellent option for business owners looking for a card with straightforward earning, access to Capital One transfer partners, and no annual fee.
Earn a welcome bonus of 50,000 miles once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
50,000 miles
$900
$0
17.24% - 23.24% Variable,
Why We Like This Card
The Capital One Spark Miles Select card is an excellent option for business owners looking for a card with straightforward earning, access to Capital One transfer partners, and a $0 annual fee.
Pros & Cons
Pros
5x miles on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
The Capital One Spark Miles card is a low-annual-fee business card that earns 2x transferable miles on every dollar you spend. The information regarding this card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The Capital One Spark Miles card is a low-annual-fee business card that earns 2x transferable miles on every dollar you spend. The information regarding this card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
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.
50,000 miles
$900
$0 intro for the first year, $95 after that
24.99% (Variable)
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
Why We Like This Card
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.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Unlimited 2x miles per dollar spent on all purchases
5x miles per dollar spent on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars purchased through Capital One’s travel booking site
Up to a $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
Cons
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 per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One’s travel booking site
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
Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
$0 intro annual fee for the first year; $95 after that
Free employee cards which also earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar from their purchases
The fastest way to build a bank of Capital One miles is with a welcome offer.
After selecting the business credit card that best fits your spending profile, just complete the required initial spending in the first 90 days to receive a generous bonus of Capital One miles.
2. Earn Bigger With Tiered Spending Bonuses
Beyond the initial welcome offer, Capital One may offer another spending tier for an additional bonus.
For example, an initial welcome offer may require you to spend $5,000 in the first 3 months after card approval to receive a 50,000-mile welcome offer.
But there may be an additional tiered spending bonus after that, too. For example, you might earn 150,000 miles if your business spends $50,000 in the first 6 months after card approval.
3. Purchase Travel
The Capital One Spark Miles for BusinessInformation collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One. earns 5x miles on vacation rentals, hotels, and rental cars booked through Capital One’s travel booking site, and 2x miles on every purchase, including travel.
Meanwhile, the Capital One Spark Miles Select for BusinessInformation collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One. earns 5x miles on hotel and rental car bookings made through Capital One’s travel booking site, and 1.5x miles on every purchase.
4. Pay Business Expenses
Whether you’re paying for business dinners, remodeling the office, or purchasing office supplies, you’ll earn 2 miles per dollar spent on every business purchase with the Capital One Spark Miles card.
Hot Tip: You would only need to spend $4,750 annually to offset the annual fee on the Capital One Spark Miles card, which provides a greater level of earning potential than the Capital One Spark Miles Select card.
Everything Else You Need To Know
Miles that you earn on your Capital One card never expire as long as you have a Capital One account open and in good standing. If you close your account, unused miles will be forfeited.
Capital One miles can be transferred to other Capital One accounts, and Capital One credit cards do not charge foreign transaction fees.
Occasionally, Capital One runs Refer-a-Friend promotions that reward you with statement credits for referring a friend who is subsequently approved for the credit card.
These promotions are usually targeted to specific cardholders who receive an invitation email with the terms of the referral program, but cardholders of the Capital One Venture X card, Capital One Venture card, or Capital One VentureOne card in good standing may qualify for the referral program.
To find your referral link, sign in to your account or look in the app for the Refer-a-Friend tile on the account details page.
While simplicity can be a positive thing when it comes to earning Capital One miles, some added analysis is worthwhile.
Undoubtedly, Capital One cards offer decent (and sometimes lucrative) welcome bonuses that deliver great value. The ongoing value will depend on whether your spending matches their few sweet spots. For example, if you’re booking a lot of hotel rooms and don’t have a loyalty preference, earning 10 miles for each dollar spent is fantastic.
But Capital One miles basically have a fixed value, so if you’re only earning 2 miles per dollar spent on most of your purchases, you might do better on those purchases with a card that earns Membership Rewards or Ultimate Rewards points.
The American Express® Gold Card, for instance, earns 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on restaurants worldwide on up to $50,000 in spending per year — and Membership Rewards can potentially deliver value far greater at 2.2 cents per point than Capital One’s value of 1.8 cent per mile (according to our valuations).
However, a big positive is that Capital One miles can be transferred to airline and hotel partners, which opens up new possibilities for receiving increased redemption value.
Look long and hard at Capital One options — but don’t fall in love unless it’s the perfect match of a generous welcome offer, ongoing earnings that match your spending, and redemption value that you can use.
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