Capital One cardholders can now visit some of the world's best museums for free

If you have a Capital One consumer or small-business credit card, there's a new perk available: a free six-month membership to The Cultivist.

Museum aficionados and art lovers may already be familiar with The Cultivist, a membership-based service that offers access to over 100 museums around the world. For those who aren't, let's look at this new benefit for Capital One cardholders and see what a free membership with The Cultivist can offer.

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The Cultivist membership benefits

Beyond simply covering your admission (which is included with membership), you have access to special events, tours, virtual events, art classes, early access to exhibits, skip-the-line privileges and more. All of this is available through an online booking platform, which also provides access to the best tour guides and docents, who you can book for a fee.

The Enthusiast is the cheapest plan offered, which typically costs $40 per month or $440 annually. However, a new partnership between Capital One and The Cultivist means cardholders can receive a free, six-month membership.

With your membership, you will have free access to museums like the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Royal Academy in London, MOMA and the Guggenheim in New York City, the Louvre and Musée Picasso in Paris and many others. The list is subject to change and is available here (PDF document). Membership provides access for you and up to three guests. While some museums provide entry by simply showing your membership card, a majority require you to request your free tickets at least 24 hours in advance, through the online platform.

Related: Why you might want to visit more museums when you travel

You can enroll for your free membership and learn more about its benefits here. Note that you must be at least 18 years old and must enroll through the promotional page. Enrolling directly on The Cultivist's standard membership page will not trigger the free membership offer.

Maximizing this perk

While it could be tempting to enroll right now, our advice is to wait until you are able to use this new perk so your free trial doesn't end before you can take advantage of it.

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First browse the list of museums available, then enroll for your six-month trial membership with The Cultivist when you have upcoming visits to cities with included museums. This offer is available through June 22, 2024, according to the terms and conditions, so you have plenty of time to plan a visit to a city on the list.

Additionally, you should set a reminder on your calendar to cancel your membership when the trial offer ends, assuming you don't want to keep paying for it. That's because you will automatically be enrolled in a paid plan — which currently costs $40 per month — after your trial membership ends.

Another way to visit museums for free

If you don't have a Capital One credit card or are looking to visit museums after your free membership with The Cultivist ends, there's always the Bank of America "Museums on Us" program. On the first weekend each month, participating museums offer free admission to anyone who has a credit card or debit card from Bank of America. With most museums, all you need to do is show your eligible card at the door to gain free entrance. This program offers access to over 225 museums and cultural institutions around the U.S.

Related: Get free admission to US museums through Bank of America

Bottom line

Gaining additional perks on your credit card is always a positive. Museum fans will be especially excited about this new partnership between Capital One and The Cultivist, offering a free six-month membership to cardholders. Enrollment is easy. If you don't want to continue paying for the membership after the free trial period, remember to cancel in six months.