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8 Best Ways To Earn Lots of Capital One Miles [2026]
Christine Krzyszton
Christine Krzyszton
Senior Finance Contributor
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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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The easiest way to earn Capital One Miles is to apply for a personal or business credit that has a welcome offer and earn it. 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 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.
75,000 miles
$1,350
$95
Purchases: 19.49% - 28.49% (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
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.
Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel.
20,000 miles
$200
$0
Purchases: 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months; variable 18.49% - 28.49% 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
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
Here’s how these Capital One credit cards reward travel purchases:
SCROLL FOR MORE
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
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
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 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 Venture X Business card offers at least 2x miles on all purchases, and comes packed with premium perks.
The Capital One Venture X Business card offers at least 2x miles on all purchases, and comes packed with premium perks.
Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening.
150,000 miles
Up to $2,700
$395
25.74% (Variable)
Why We Like This Card
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 per dollar 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.
Pros & Cons
Pros
10x miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Business Travel
5x miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals purchased through Capital One Business Travel
2x miles per dollar on all other purchases
Cons
$395 annual fee
10x and 5x bonus categories are limited to Capital One Business Travel
Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
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
Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge and Landing locations and participating Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
Your card is designed to be paid in full. However, you have the option to carry over a portion of your balance with interest if needed. Pay at least the minimum payment amount by your payment due date, otherwise you'll be charged a 2.99% late fee
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.
Earn 100,000 Miles once you spend $10,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
100,000 miles
Up to $1,800
$95
24.49%
Why We Like This Card
The Capital One Venture Business card is a great fit for business owners looking for a well-rounded travel rewards card that offers an uncomplicated earn structure, a handful of useful benefits, and a reasonable annual fee.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Earn 5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel
Earn 2x miles on all other purchases
$50 annual travel credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel
Earn a one-time welcome bonus of 100,000 miles once you spend $10,000 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
Receive up to $220 in credits: Receive an annual $50 travel credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel, up to an annual $50 statement credit for purchases at qualifying advertising or software merchants, plus up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® every four years. Terms and conditions apply
Unlimited 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Business 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
$95 annual fee
Free employee cards which also earn unlimited 2X miles from their purchases
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.
Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel.
1.5x miles on all other purchases
$0 annual fee
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Five Star status
No foreign transaction fees
Rental car insurance
Financial Snapshot
Foreign Transaction Fees: $0
1. Earn a Welcome Offer
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 earn 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 Venture X Business Card earns 10x miles on hotels and rental cars and 5x miles on flights and vacation rentals booked via Capital One Business Travel, and 2x miles on all other eligible purchases.
The Capital One Venture Business cardInformation collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One. earns 5x miles on vacation rentals, hotels, and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel, and 2x miles on every other purchase, including travel.
Meanwhile, the Capital One VentureOne Business cardInformation collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One. earns 5x miles on hotel, vacation rentals, and rental car bookings made through Capital One Business Travel, and 1.5x miles on every other 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 Venture X Business card or Capital One Venture Business card.
Hot Tip: You would only need to spend $4,750 annually to offset the annual fee on the Capital One Venture Business card, which provides a greater level of earning potential than the Capital One VentureOne Business 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 offers 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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