How I’ve Earned 250,000+ Capital One Miles With Just 1 Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been a key player in the premium credit card market since its launch in 2021. I applied for the card in early 2022 to receive the then-100,000-mile bonus offer by spending $10,000 within the first 6 months.

In just a couple of years, you could earn hundreds of thousands of Capital One Miles. I’ve earned more than 250,000 miles in the few years I’ve had the card, with plenty more on the way.

How I’ve Earned 250K+ Capital One Miles Since 2022

Capital One doesn’t track rewards very far back, so I had to do some digging and some math to figure out what I had earned over the years.

I started by checking my monthly statements and adding up the total I had spent each year. Since I got at least 2x miles on every purchase, I figured the minimum amount of Capital One Miles I would get per year was double my spend. Of course, I also had to factor in the one-time 100,000-mile welcome offer and the 10,000-mile bonus I received every year on my cardmember anniversary.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

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

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.

Welcome Offer

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.

75,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,350

Annual Fee

$395

APR

Purchases: 19.49% - 28.49% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

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.

Excellent

Why We Like This 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.

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles per $1 on flights and vacation rentals purchased through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

• $395 annual fee
• 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

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Card Highlights

• 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 and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
• 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
• Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®
• Top rated mobile app

Financial Snapshot

• APR: Purchases: 19.49% - 28.49% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

 

Most months, I spent at least $1,000 per month on the card, but I also had some months where I spent practically nothing. I know those were months when I was trying to meet spending thresholds on other credit cards. I also realized that my general spending on the card had decreased slightly, but that’s probably because, over the past 5 years or so, I’ve transitioned from having just 4 or 5 credit cards to having more than 10.

After some careful calculations, I concluded the following:

• In 2022, I earned 145,666 miles (including the 100,000 welcome offer)
• In 2023, I earned 33,877 miles (including the 10,000 anniversary offer)
• In 2024, I earned 26,520 miles (including the 10,000 anniversary offer)
• So far in 2025, I’ve earned 27,385 miles (including the 10,000 anniversary bonus)
• I added 16,552 additional miles on Capital One Travel, where I earn 10x on hotels and rental cars and 5x on flights and vacation rentals.

After delving into my calculations, I realized I’ve earned at least 250,000 Capital One Miles in just a few years of holding the Capital One Venture X card.

How I Redeemed 250K Capital One Miles For Maximum Value

My go-to redemption for Capital One Miles for the first 2 years I held the card was to transfer my Capital One Miles to British Airways at a 1:1 ratio. Then, using the Combine My Avios tool (now you can use the more simplified Avios.com), I would transfer British Airways Avios to Iberia Avios. Since I’m based in Madrid, I used Iberia Avios to fly from Chicago (ORD) and Dallas (DFW) to Madrid (MAD). Rates were low, and so were the surcharges; it was a win-win.

In mid-to-late 2024, Capital One suddenly stopped allowing me to transfer my Capital One Miles to British Airways. After making dozens of phone calls, requesting a name change to remove my middle name from the account, and experiencing considerable frustration, I’m still unable to transfer my Capital One Miles to British Airways, which is disappointing. However, since Capital One recently added Qatar as a transfer partner (as well as Japan Airlines and Preferred Hotels & Resorts), I can transfer miles there.

Although I could transfer my Avios between Qatar and Iberia using Avios.com (and I will in the future), for now, I’ve gotten major value from using Qatar Avios to book flights on Qatar Airways, since I have a big points-and-miles trip to Thailand coming up.

Regardless of the issues I’m still experiencing with transferring Capital One Miles to British Airways, I estimate that over the years I’ve saved thousands of dollars transferring 245,000 Capital One Miles and counting.

It’s So Easy To Earn Miles on the Capital One Venture X Card

One of my favorite things about the Capital One Venture X card is that it’s easy to bulk up on miles fast, especially for things that don’t normally incur category bonuses, because you can earn 2x miles on everything. I use the card at department stores and concept stores, for home goods, jewelry, my son’s school fees and uniforms, groceries outside the U.S., and my husband even used it to purchase a new motorcycle. I got 2x on it all.

The 10,000-mile anniversary bonus ensures I’ll always accumulate at least 10,000 miles per year, provided I renew the card. Thanks to additional bonuses for Capital One Travel purchases (where I can earn 10x miles on hotels and rental cars and 5x miles on flights and vacation rentals) and Capital One Offers (where I can get additional miles at specific retailers), it’s easy to watch my miles balance grow.

Additional Reasons This Card Has a Prime Spot In My Wallet

Although the Capital One Venture X card is revamping its lounge policies in early 2026 (and not for the better), I still won’t be getting rid of the card anytime soon. Capital One Lounges are among my favorite lounges, especially since I frequently have layovers in Dallas (DFW), which has an inviting Capital One Lounge. It’s a shame I soon won’t be able to bring in guests for free, but I still value the access this card offers me.

Besides the fact that it’s the only premium flexible travel rewards card that earns 2x miles on every purchase, the card’s $300 annual travel credit for Capital One Travel makes it easy to almost fully offset the $395 annual fee. The 10,000 annual retention bonus is worth $180, according to our valuation of Capital One Miles at 1.8 cents per mile.

That alone outweighs the annual fee, so for now, my Capital One Venture X card isn’t going anywhere.

Final Thoughts

After just a few years of having the Capital One Venture X card, I’ve been able to accrue more than 250,000 Capital One Miles. We value Capital One Miles at 1.8 cents per mile, so this ends up being worth $4,500; however, I know I’ve received significantly higher value from them than that. For example, I’ve transferred 34,000 miles to 34,000 Avios to book one-way business-class tickets between the US and Europe, which can cost $2,000 to $3,000 each.

As Capital One continues to add travel partners, the possibility of getting more value from the card looms, and I hope to earn another 250,000 miles (or more) in the coming years as a Capital One Venture X cardholder.