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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Guides
Have the Capital One Venture Rewards Card but new to points and miles? Here’s what you need to know
Featured image by MOHAMED EL KAHLOUT/QATAR AIRWAYS
Augusta Stone is a credit cards writer for TPG. She joined the TPG team in 2023 and is excited to take points and miles beginners with her on a journey toward maximizing rewards.
Credit card writer Danyal Ahmed is an avid traveler, averaging about 100,000 aeronautical miles per year. He regularly applies that knowledge and his expertise in credit cards to his role as a credit card writer at TPG.
also contributed to this story
March 7, 2025 • 7 min read
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By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
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Quick summary
A popular travel rewards card allows users to earn a flexible currency that can be redeemed for travel through a dedicated portal or transferred to over 15 airline and hotel loyalty programs.
Redemptions through the travel portal provide a fixed value per point, but transferring to loyalty partners can yield significantly higher value, with TPG valuing these points at 1.85 cents each as of September 2026.
Most transfer partners offer a 1:1 transfer ratio, though a few have different ratios, impacting the value received.
Strategic use of transfer partners can unlock premium cabin flights and luxury hotel stays, but award availability and dynamic pricing may require flexibility and planning.
What to consider
A moderate annual fee applies to this card, which may be offset by the value of travel credits and perks.
Award availability with loyalty partners can be limited and subject to dynamic pricing, so planning ahead is essential.
Transferring points to partners is generally the best way to maximize value, per TPG's valuations as of September 2026.
What you'll miss from the article
Detailed examples of high-value redemptions and tips for leveraging transfer partners to maximize your travel rewards.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
When you spend on your Venture Rewards card, you'll earn Capital One miles. This is a valuable currency that you can use to book travel through the Capital One Travel portal at a value of 1 cent per mile.
And, once you're ready to leverage Capital One's multiple transfer partners, you could unlock high-value redemptions.
You'll earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, plus receive a $300 credit to use on hotel and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel in the first cardholder year.
You can use these bonus miles in multiple ways, including a simple redemption through the Capital One Travel portal at a value of 1 cent per mile. However, you'll find the most value if you leverage Capital One's transfer partners.
THE POINTS GUY
TPG's September 2026 valuations deem Capital One miles worth 1.85 cents apiece, which means this bonus could be worth up to $1,688 (including the credit) when used to book with loyalty partners.
On top of the welcome offer, you'll earn an unlimited 5 miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and an unlimited 2 miles per dollar on all other purchases.
The Capital One Venture Rewards comes with a moderate $95 annual fee.
Redeeming miles as a statement credit or to cover purchases made through Capital One Travel will only net you a maximum value of 1 cent per mile.
That falls short of TPG’s valuation of Capital One miles at 1.85 cents per point when using transfer partners. So, learning how to leverage loyalty program partners will pay out in the long run.
For the most part, miles transfer at a 1:1 ratio. The exceptions are EVA Airways Air Infinity MileageLands, JetBlue TrueBlue and ALL Accor Live Limitless.
Let’s say you want to fly from San Francisco to London and Istanbul. You can book a stopover ticket by flying from San Francisco to London in United Polaris, staying four nights and then continuing onward to Istanbul on Turkish Airlines, all for 95,000 miles in business class.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
If you prefer a first-class seat, you can transfer your miles to Etihad Guest to book an American Airlines flight.
You can fly in first from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) or Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND) for only 62,500 Etihad Guest miles each way. However, award availability can be difficult to nail down.
It’s always important to remember that many airlines use dynamic award pricing for their award tickets, so it may take time and patience to secure a great deal. Specific award ticket prices can be hard to secure and may change at any time.
It’s good practice to stay up to date with airline award and hotel award charts to better understand how you can maximize your miles and enjoy your travels.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
