How to redeem Capital One's 75,000-mile sign-up bonuses for maximum value
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offer new cardholders 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening.
You can cover recent travel purchases at a rate of 1 cent per mile, making 75,000 miles worth $750 toward travel. However, the real way to maximize Capital One miles is by transferring them to one of 18 airline and hotel transfer partners. Capital One allows cardholders to transfer their miles 1:1 to valuable programs like Avianca Lifemiles and Turkish Airlines' Miles&Smiles, to name a few.
Today, three TPG staffers weigh in with how they'd redeem 75,000 Capital One miles.
Wilderness wanderlust: Three nights of adventure in the Pacific Northwest
With my sign-up bonus, I'd head to the Pacific Northwest on points and miles. After all, now is a beautiful time of year there. I'd fly to Victoria, British Columbia, to stroll through Butchart Gardens, have high tea at The Empress and visit Fan Tan Alley in Chinatown, the narrowest street in Canada.
12,000 miles to Victoria
First, I'd transfer 12,000 miles to Flying Blue, the loyalty program for Air France and KLM. That's enough miles for a one-way flight from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Victoria International Airport (YYJ) on WestJet.
26,068 miles for two nights in Victoria
Once in Victoria, I'd spend two nights at boutique property The Vic, Ascend Hotel Collection. Since this is a Choice hotel, I could transfer my Capital One miles to Choice Privileges and book two nights for 60,000 Choice points. However, there's an even better option.
By booking the hotel on Rocketmiles for $260.68 for two nights, I can earn 1,500 redeemable American Airlines miles and elite qualifying Loyalty Points. Once the hotel charge posts to my Capital One account, I can use 26,068 Capital One miles to reimburse myself for it.
11,524 miles for the seaplane to Vancouver
After my stay in Victoria, I'd walk from my hotel to Victoria Inner Harbour Airport (YWH), where I'd travel by seaplane to Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre (CXH). The one-way flight costs just 157 Canadian Dollars (around $115.24). I'd also use the 11,524 Capital One miles earned to reimburse myself for this travel expense.
Since the Vancouver Harbour is located right at Canada Place, I'd spend my day downtown doing FlyOver Canada (a 4D flight experience like Disney's Soarin' Over California), pedaling through Stanley Park on rented bikes and eating lunch at Granville Island's public market. In the afternoon, I'd use the complimentary shuttle from downtown to the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park before heading to my hotel in Surrey.
14,100 miles for one night in Surrey
My one night at the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel could cost just 192 Canadian Dollars (around $141) with a AAA discount. After my stay, I could use 14,100 miles to reimburse myself.
7,500 miles for my flight home
Does the trip have to come to an end? Well, with more miles, I'd continue my adventures in Whistler and the Canadian Rockies, but since I'm getting to the end of my 75,000-mile sign-up bonus, I'd transfer 8,000 Capital One miles to Avianca LifeMiles for the flight back.
You can book one-way economy-class flights on Air Canada and United from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to San Francisco for just 7,500 LifeMiles.
Related: Second Cities: Destinations to add onto a trip to Vancouver
Stockholm in three: A whirlwind Nordic adventure
Senior points and miles writer Katie Genter would maximize her Capital One sign-up bonus with a trip to Sweden.
40,000 miles round-trip to Europe
When award space is available, you can fly between the United States 1 region and Europe 1 region for 20,000 Avianca LifeMiles one-way in economy. For example, you could fly nonstop from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) for 20,000 miles.
You could also take a one-stop economy itinerary back for 20,000 miles.
LIFEMILES.COM
30,000 miles for three nights in Stockholm
As for lodging, Katie would transfer 30,000 Capital One miles to Choice Privileges for a three-night stay. There are several hotels in Stockholm that you can book for just 10,000 Choice points per night. Katie could use her leftover 5,000 points to reimburse herself $50 to help offset the taxes and fees on her LifeMiles tickets.
Best of all, many transatlantic flights to Europe land early in the morning, so Katie would have at least three full days to explore the city.
Related: How I booked a trip to see the northern lights with points and miles
Paradise found: Four nights in Puerto Vallarta
Senior credit cards editor Matt Moffitt would head to Mexico for rest and relaxation with his 75,000-mile sign-up bonus.
36,000 miles for round-trip airfare to Mexico for two
Redeeming British Airways Avios for nonstop, short-haul American Airlines flights generally provides great value. Matt would use around half the bonus (36,000 miles transferred to BA) to book two round-trip tickets from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) to Puerto Vallarta's Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR).
34,822 miles for four nights in Puerto Vallarta
Given Matt wants to stay in the Zona Romantica — not farther north, where the chain hotels you can book with points are located — he would use his remaining miles to cover an Airbnb for four nights. Matt would use his Capital One miles to cover the Airbnb expense at a rate of 1 cent per mile.
Related: How to maximize your stays at Airbnbs, hostels, campgrounds and more
Bottom line
75,000 Capital One miles can unlock incredible vacations. Whether you want to head to Canada, Europe, Mexico or anywhere in between, there are endless ways to maximize your Capital One miles. You can apply here for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and here for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
Additional reporting by Benji Stawski.