Last chance: 3 sunny trips you can book with the Capital One Venture X’s sign-up bonus

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Capital One made a splash in the premium credit card space when it introduced the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card in November. As part of the launch, it has been offering new cardholders a massive sign-up bonus of 100,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 on purchases in the first six months, plus up to $200 in statement credits for vacation rental purchases like Airbnb and Vrbo charged within the first year.

However, time is running out. This special bonus ends on March 14. And if recent trends have taught us anything, we likely won't see as big of bonuses anytime soon. So, if you've been holding off on applying, now's the time.

The possibilities for maximizing Capital One miles are endless, and even more so now that miles transfer at a 1:1 ratio to nearly all airline and hotel transfers partners. TPG valuations estimate that you’ll get a whopping $1,850 in value from the 100,000-mile bonus when you take advantage of these transfer possibilities.

We’ve previously discussed the aspirational redemptions we’d make with one million Capital One miles. However, today, we’re going to go a little deeper and share three specific trips TPG’s Points and Miles team would book with the Venture X’s 100,000-mile bonus. All itineraries include flights and hotels and are fairly easy to replicate.

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Revisiting two favorite cities in Mexico

Andrew Kunesh, editor

Using 100,000 Capital One miles on a single trip, I’d head to Mexico to show my partner two of my favorite cities: Mexico City and Oaxaca.

First, I’d book two one-way tickets from Newark (EWR) to Mexico City (MEX) on United for 10,000 miles per person with Turkish Miles & Smiles. This is an excellent redemption for this business-heavy route and is one of the cheapest ways to get to Mexico with Capital One miles.

Once in Mexico City, I’d book three nights at the Le Meridien Mexico City for $341.77 total after taxes and fees. I’d use 34,177 Capital One miles to offset the charge at a fixed rate of 1 cent per point, bringing me to a total of 54,117 miles redeemed.

Related: Tips and tricks to get maximum value from your Capital One miles

Flights between Mexico City and Oaxaca are cheap and plentiful. For example, I found flights on ultra-low-cost carrier Volaris for just $30 per person one-way. I’d book us each a ticket and redeem 6,000 Capital One miles to offset the charge.

Oaxaca doesn’t have a huge selection of points hotels, so we’d use the Venture X’s $200 Airbnb credit to cover a stay in a local apartment. After a few days in Oaxaca, we’d head back to our home in New York City via Dallas (DFW) on American Airlines by transferring 20,000 Capital One miles to British Airways Avios, bringing me to a total of roughly 100,000 Capital One miles spent.

Related: 3 ways to spend a million Capital One miles traveling the world

Long weekend in LA — in style

Benji Stawski, senior reporter

100,000 Capital One miles is exactly the amount I’d need for a long weekend trip to La La Land. And if you know me, you know that I’ll want to do it in style.

To get to Los Angeles, I’ll fly United business class from Newark (EWR) or New York-JFK, depending on which route has award availability. All flights on these routes offer lie-flat seats at the front of the plane, but I’ll try to pick a flight operated by a 767 or 787, which feature United’s swanky Polaris pods.

I’d book these flights by transferring 25,000 Capital One miles to Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles. Turkish charges just 12,500 miles each way in business class on all domestic routes -- a fraction of what United charges through its MileagePlus program.

Then, I’d transfer the 75,000 miles remaining to Wyndham Rewards to book my room. Although it doesn’t get as much attention as some of the bigger hotel programs, it still offers some solid redemption options.

Wyndham offers a couple of dozen properties around the Los Angeles area, but the one hotel in particular that I have my eyes on is the Ramada Plaza by Wyndham West Hollywood Hotel & Suites. It’s certainly not as fancy as the nearby Pendry West Hollywood, but it has a prime location and solid rooms. Rooms here cost 15,000 points per night so I’ll have exactly enough for three nights. That’s not bad at all considering the cash rate here usually starts around $250 per night, including taxes.

Related: Tips and tricks to get maximum value from your Capital One miles

Vacation for two to Hawaii

Katie Genter, senior writer

I would use the 100,000-mile sign-up bonus on the new Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card toward a Hawaiian vacation for two. Since you have up to six months to meet the minimum spending requirements to earn the bonus, let’s consider a trip I’d book next fall.

I’d start by transferring 30,000 Capital One miles to Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles, which is a 1:1 Capital One transfer partner. After the transfer (which usually occurs instantly), I’d have 30,000 Turkish miles. And, 30,000 Turkish miles is enough to book two round-trip United-operated economy awards within the U.S., including Hawaii.

Related: Sweet Spot Sunday: How to fly to Hawaii for just 15,000 miles round-trip

Then, I’d transfer 60,000 Capital One miles to Wyndham, which is also a 1:1 Capital One transfer partner. I’d use my newly-acquired Wyndham points to book four nights at the Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Waikiki for 15,000 points per night.

If I didn’t redeem points, this stay would cost $915.08. As such, I’d get about 1.53 cents per point on this redemption. However, I’d periodically search to see if any of the condo resorts became available on my dates for 15,000 points per night, as these properties often provide a better experience and higher redemption rate.

But I’m not done yet. I’d also use the up to $200 statement credit for qualifying vacation rental purchases that’s available for use within my first year as a cardholder. This statement credit is valid for select vacation rental purchases, but Capital One lists Airbnb, Turnkey, Vacasa and VRBO as eligible merchants. Of course, how far the $200 statement credit will go depends on what type of vacation rental you want to book.

You might note that I’ve only used 90,000 miles of the 100,000-mile bonus. So, I could save the remaining miles for another trip. Or, I could redeem these Capital One miles at a fixed value to cover recent travel purchases. For example, I could redeem to cover the taxes and fees on our flights, a rental car or vacation rental charges not covered by the $200 statement credit.

Plus, I’d earn at least 20,000 miles while completing the minimum spending requirements to earn the 100,000-mile bonus. So, I’d also have these extra 20,000 miles to use on this trip or my next trip.

Related: How to redeem 1 million Amex Membership Rewards

Bottom line

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card’s 100,000-mile sign-up bonus is not only big enough to cover a free flight or hotel night but an entire vacation -- airfare and accommodations included. Whether it’s a beach vacation, city escape or nature getaway you’re after, Capital One miles can help you get there.

If you’re thinking about adding the card to your wallet, be sure to do so sooner rather than later to earn the six-figure bonus and additional $200 limited-time vacation rental credit. Remember, the current bonus ends on March 14.

Additional reporting by Andrew Kunesh and Katie Genter.

Featured photo by © Marco Bottigelli/Getty Images.