How to have a luxury stay in the Austrian Alps with the Capital One Venture X card

I can't be the only one with a milelong travel bucket list. I'm constantly dreaming of all kinds of destinations, from stunning wellness resorts that sit on sparkling beaches in paradise to exquisite chalets tucked into the Alps. And until recently, I thought my phone screen was the closest I could get to experiencing a five-star luxury getaway.

But then I learned that having the right credit card in my wallet can help make these dreams a reality. The day I was approved for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card was the day I finally unlocked the secret to turning my dream travels into reality.

From the Athenian Riviera in Greece to beautiful Maui, Hawaii, I have been able to cross some of these high-end resorts off my bucket list and finally see them in real life.

Most recently, I got to experience a dream-turned-reality Alpine getaway at the stunning Burg Vital Resort in Austria. Here's what you need to know if you want to do something like that, too.

Maximizing your Venture X card from the start

Before we cross the ocean together for this journey, here are a few basics about the card that help make these sorts of dreams a reality for me:

• New cardholders can earn a 75,000-mile bonus after spending $4,000 in the first three months from account opening, giving you a head start toward your next dream trip.
• Receive a $300 annual credit to apply toward bookings through Capital One Travel, like covering premium accommodations or offsetting a long-haul flight.
• Whether you're buying travel essentials or booking a spa treatment, you'll earn an unlimited 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases. Plus, earn an unlimited 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars and 5 miles per dollar spent on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel.
• No foreign transaction fees is great for European getaways without the worry of surprise charges (see rates and fees).

The journey across the ocean

Flights covered with miles

Often, the biggest hurdle to booking a big trip is accepting the sticker shock of an international flight.

But with Capital One Travel, finding and booking flights was easier than I expected — and more affordable, too. For example, you can set up alerts for price changes on your desired route and monitor options that you can book with your card ... or your miles.

I was able to secure a business-class seat for the longer flight segment from Denver to Zurich. The flight I found was bookable for 70,000 miles round-trip.

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If you purchase a flight with your Venture X, you earn an elevated 5 miles per dollar spent on Capital One Travel purchases. Or, you can redeem your miles to help cover your flight costs and then earn 5 miles per dollar spent on the remaining costs. I love that even if I book flights via Capital One Travel with my Venture X card, I can still earn bonus miles that I can use for even more travel in the future.

Before we move on, I have to say that "past me" really made a great choice in booking business class. It was the perfect pod to kick back and enjoy the 10-hour flight in a way that would never happen in economy. These bougie splurges are one of the big perks of having miles!

Breezing through security

Once I got to the airport, I was able to zip through the security line (which can mean more time in the lounge!) thanks to having TSA PreCheck®*. The Venture X comes with a credit of up to $120 every four years to cover the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee, so you can feel like a VIP from the very beginning of your trip.

*To receive a statement credit of up to $120, you must use your Venture X card to either complete the Global Entry application and pay the application fee or complete the TSA PreCheck application and pay the application fee. The credit will appear within two billing cycles and will apply to whichever program is applied to first. You'll receive one statement credit per account every four years, and your account must be open and in good standing when the credit is applied. Refer to the Application or Account Terms for additional details.

Airport lounge access

My Venture X gives me access to Capital One Lounges and participating Priority Pass™ lounges. This meant that on my layover, I was able to enjoy the Capital One Lounge in Denver.

As someone who is relatively new to the airport lounge life, I will never get over the array of food-and-beverage options available. The selection at the Capital One Lounge in the Denver airport ranged from fresh, local bites and comforting dishes to various pastries, plus grab-and-go options.

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The bar served up craft cocktails with special nods to the city of Denver, like the Lipton Cup, which was created in partnership with the local Yacht Club bar. I even got to experience the daily rituals cart, a rotating beverage service offering different drinks depending on the time of day. I was also around for the tea-and-biscuits cart, which was everything I needed to relax and get cozy in the lounge during my layover.

And speaking of getting cozy, I made sure to lock down a reservation for the relaxation room so I could give myself a nice reset before the next leg of my journey.

These dedicated spaces allow you to unwind under the twinkling lights, mimicking a night sky — plus custom eye masks for full coverage. Add in the shower suites, the working spaces and a variety of comfortable seating throughout the lounge, and I really had everything I needed to unwind before heading across the ocean to Europe.

Why the Burg Vital Resort is the ultimate Alpine escape

While I was browsing Capital One Travel to choose my accommodation, the Burg Vital Resort jumped out at me. It's part of the Premier Collection, which means that each booking comes with extra perks like complimentary breakfast and a $100 experience credit to use on the property when booked through Capital One Travel. Plus, I could use my $300 annual travel credit from my Venture X card toward the booking, making a once-in-a-lifetime stay more achievable for my budget.

When I arrived and saw that the resort is surrounded by mountains and a whimsical village, I knew I had made the right choice for my summer getaway. No photo or video could ever do this beautiful mountain village justice, though, of course, I tried to capture it all the same.

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You'll feel both at home and like you've stepped into an art museum at the family-run Burg Vital Resort, thanks to its stunning sculptures and pieces of art around every corner. The warmth of the wood and sweet Austrian aesthetic encompass everything I imagined a dreamy ski-in, ski-out resort in the Alps to be like. With a heavy focus on the Alpine lifestyle, where wellness routines and restorative experiences are the core of the brand, it's hard to imagine a better place to come home to after experiencing the beauty of Austria.

There's a reason the Burg Vital Resort has had returning guests for over 20 years. And while this resort sees the most traffic in the winter thanks to its pristine location and array of wellness experiences to warm you up, it's also open for summer adventures.

A few can't-miss experiences include taking a dip in the sparkling pool surrounded by Alpine meadows, embarking on luxury hiking experiences and enjoying picnics that look like a scene out of a romantic movie.

The resort also has many luxurious offerings, from a two-Michelin-starred restaurant to traditional European spa experiences. One splurge-worthy moment I'll never forget is my evening at the in-house restaurant, Griggeler Stuba, which offers a multicourse meal that moves throughout three different locations through the night.

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Between the delicately crafted dishes bolstered by the resort's in-house garden and access to local farms, and the staff members' impeccable attention to detail and care as they guide you throughout each course, it's no wonder this restaurant proudly holds two Michelin stars. With a rotating menu based upon available ingredients and the time of year, dining at Griggeler Stuba was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience worth the splurge (especially since I earned 2 miles per dollar spent on my purchase).

When it came to the Vital Spa's offerings, I was in heaven. I had access to three levels of wellness experiences, including a saltwater flotation pool beneath the resort, a traditional Finnish log sauna and clay house, and both indoor and outdoor pools.

More travel perks that come with the Venture X

As I reach my one-year anniversary of traveling the world with this card, I'm reminded of all the other epic Capital One Venture X benefits and why it's worth keeping in my wallet.

Beyond the perks I've already mentioned, I love how simple (but still rewarding) this card and its perks are. And with a lower annual fee than some other premium travel cards out there, keeping my Venture X year after year is an easy choice.

And no matter where I go, I love knowing I don't have to worry about pesky fees adding up when putting my card down for purchases, since Capital One doesn't charge any foreign transaction fees on its cards (see rates and fees).

I'm already planning how to experience more dream getaways around the world, and it's nice to know I can plan on my own timeline since my miles never expire.

If you want to add the Venture X and its benefits to your wallet, you can apply now and earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first three months from account opening — and be well on your way to making your dream trip a reality.

Existing or previous cardmembers are not eligible for a Venture X card account if they have received a new cardmember bonus for this product in the past 48 months.

To access Capital One Lounges, eligible cardholders must present their physical Venture X card or digital lounge pass, found within the Capital One Mobile app. Access is not guaranteed and is subject to space availability. In order to access Priority Pass lounges, eligible cardholders will need to enroll after card activation. To learn more about lounge access policies, please visit the applicable Terms and Conditions for additional details.

Annually, eligible Venture X primary account holders will receive a $300 Capital One Travel credit ("Credit") to use toward purchases made through Capital One Travel. Each annual Credit will expire on the next account open date anniversary. The Credit will be available within Capital One Travel and can be applied to purchases at checkout. The Credit may be used in whole for a single purchase or in part over multiple purchases. Rewards will not be earned on the Credit. If the purchase using the Credit is canceled, the Credit will be restored if it is not expired. An expired Credit will not be restored upon cancellation. A Venture X card account must be open and in good standing to receive or use the Credit.

Premier Collection hotel experience credit will be applied at checkout by hotel to qualifying charges up to $100 USD or the local currency equivalent. Qualifying charges vary by location, are subject to availability and must be charged to your room during your eligible stay; contact the hotel directly to confirm qualifying experiences. Advance reservations are recommended for certain experiences. Additional terms apply; see travel.capitalone.com/terms-of-service for details.