Dream Weekend Trip: Winter 2025 in Portland, Maine With Capital One Miles

I visited Portland, Maine, for the first time last year and have been eager to return. With its incredible food, buzzing craft beer scene, and laid-back coastal vibe, it quickly became one of my favorite U.S. destinations. In fact, I liked Portland so much that my wife and I are planning a trip to the city right before Christmas this year.

That said, Portland isn’t a cheap place to visit. It’s a small city with a lot of travel demand, so hotel prices can climb quickly. And while Portland’s airport has increased connectivity over the years, flights can be expensive during the peak holiday travel season.

That’s where Capital One Miles come in. We’re using these miles to fund our travel to the Forest City and are saving thousands of dollars in the process. This includes round-trip flights and a 4-night hotel stay in the center of downtown Portland.

Here, I’ll show you how we booked our flights and hotels with Capital One Miles by leveraging transfer partners and other redemptions. Use this guide as inspiration for booking a trip to Portland (or elsewhere on the East Coast).

How To Earn 75,000+ Capital One Miles

Earning Capital One Miles is easier than you think. The bank has a suite of cards that earn Capital One Miles, and each of these cards has a sizable welcome bonus offer that you can earn after spending a set amount of money on your new card. Plus, you earn miles on all eligible purchases charged to your new Capital One credit card.

If you’re looking to earn Capital One Miles without a hefty annual fee, consider the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. It earns 2 miles per $1 on all purchases and bonus miles on travel booked through Capital One Travel. Further, it will also reimburse you for your TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee.

The card has a $95 annual fee and a significant welcome offer:

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

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!

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

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

Welcome Offer

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

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,350

Annual Fee

$95

APR

Purchases: 19.99% - 28.99% (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.

Good to Excellent Credit (670-850)

Why We Like This 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.

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

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• Limited elite benefits

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Card Highlights

• 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, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

Financial Snapshot

• APR: Purchases: 19.99% - 28.99% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

Capital One also offers a premium rewards card with airport lounge access and other travel perks. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has a higher $395 annual fee, and its welcome offer is similar to the Capital One Venture card. However, it provides access to Priority Pass and Capital One Lounges, a $300 annual Capital One Travel credit, and the Premier Collection hotel booking portal.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

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 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: 19.99% - 28.99% (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 (740-840)

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

Read Full Review

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^®

Financial Snapshot

• APR: Purchases: 19.99% - 28.99% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

 

If you own a business, consider applying for the Capital One Venture X Business Card.*×Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One. This card has similar perks to the standard Capital One Venture X card, but it’s a business card that’s best suited for small- and mid-size businesses.

Capital One Venture X Business Card

U.P. Rating 

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 information regarding this card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

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 this card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Welcome Offer

Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening.

150,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $2,700

Annual Fee

$395

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.

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

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• 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 locations and 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
• This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month

Financial Snapshot

• 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.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

Applying for one (or more) of these cards, earning the bonus offer, and charging your everyday expenses on your Capital One card can help you rack up miles quickly. Then, you can redeem your miles for a trip to Portland, Maine, or just about anywhere else.

Booking Flights to Portland With Capital One Miles

My wife and I live in New York City, so we looked for award flights from New York (JFK), New York (LGA), and Newark (EWR). Each of these airports has nonstop flights to the Portland area. Ultimately, we booked flights on Delta Air Lines from New York (JFK) to Portland (PWM) by transferring Capital One Miles to Air France-KLM Flying Blue. Capital One Miles transfer to Flying Blue at a 1:1 ratio.

We booked round-trip economy tickets on this route for just 10,000 miles and $34.08 in taxes and fees per person. This is an excellent deal and by far the least expensive way to book this route when redeeming Capital One Miles.

Delta operates year-round service from Atlanta (ATL) to Portland (PWM), and seasonal flights from Detroit (DTW) and Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP). Flying Blue award pricing varies based on where you fly from, but as an example, a round-trip flight from Detroit (DTW) to Portland (PWM) costs 17,000 miles round-trip plus $36.17 in taxes and fees this December.

You’re not limited to booking nonstop Delta flights through Flying Blue, either. If the airline doesn’t fly to Portland (PWM) from your home airport, check for a connecting itinerary with open award space.

Booking Hotels in Portland With Capital One Miles

Capital One has 3 hotel transfer partners: Accor Live Limitless (ALL), Choice Privileges, and Wyndham Rewards. Accor transfers process at a 2:1 ratio — this means 1,000 Capital One Miles transfers to 500 Accor points — while Choice and Wyndham transfers process at a 1:1 ratio.

That said, I’m not using transfer partners to book a hotel for this trip, as there aren’t any good redemptions for Accor, Choice, or Wyndham points for a stay. There’s just 1 Choice property — the Cambria Portland Downtown-Old Port — that’s in the heart of downtown Portland. However, it doesn’t provide good value if you book it with Choice points over the holidays.

Instead, I booked a prepaid 4-night stay at the same hotel through Capital One Travel, which cost $138 per night before tax. Since I made the reservation via the portal using my Capital One Venture X card, I charged $611 to my card and earned 6,110 miles. I earned this amount of miles because the card earns 10 miles per $1 on hotel stays booked through the portal. Then, I redeemed 61,110 miles to cover the stay.

One caveat: The property charges a $109 property fee at check-in, which does not earn 10 miles per $1. I’ll charge this to a credit card that earns bonus points or miles on hotel stays and pay out of pocket.

I stayed at this property when I visited Portland with my cousin last year. It’s a relatively new hotel with modern furnishings, spacious rooms, and an excellent location near plenty of great bars and restaurants. I highly recommend the property if you need a hotel room in Portland.

Final Thoughts

Portland is one of my favorite U.S. cities, and I’m excited to return with my wife. We redeemed Capital One Miles to cover our flights and hotel rooms for our pre-Christmas trip to Portland and saved almost $2,000 in the process.