Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we may earn a commission from our partners’ links. This content is created independently from TIME’s editorial staff. Learn more about it.
Of all of the big credit card issuers, Capital One is one of the youngest. Launched in 1994, it’s over 100 years younger than many of its competitors that trace their roots back to the 1800s. Capital One Miles, its travel rewards program, is also younger than its competitors, and it offers strong value to cardholders who know the best ways to redeem these points.
There are many ways to use Capital One Miles, but when they are transferred to airline miles or hotel points, and redeemed for expense flights or accommodations, it’s often possible to realize two cents in value-per-mile redeemed.
Capital One points value when booking travel
When Capital One first released its card_name, customers were primarily able to redeem their miles for one cent each as credits towards any travel purchase. This feature was called the “purchase eraser” and it could be used to pay for travel charges made within the previous 90 days.
Value when transferring to Capital One partners
| Partner | Transfer ratio | Miles value range (cents) |
|---|---|---|
Aeromexico | 1:1 | 1.0 |
Aeroplan (Air Canada) | 1:1 | 1.5 - 2.0 |
Asia Miles | 1:1 | 1.3-1.8 |
Avianca | 1:1 | 1.7 - 2.0 |
British Airways (Avios) | 1:1 | 1.4-1.6 |
Emirates | 1:1 | 1.1-1.3 |
Etihad | 1:1 | 1.2-1.4 |
EVA Air | 2:1.5 | 1.0 |
Finnair | 1:1 | 1.0 |
Flying Blue (Air France-KLM) | 1:1 | 1.2-1.5 |
Qantas | 1:1 | 1-1.5 |
Singapore (KrisFlyer) | 1:1 | 1.3-1.5 |
TAP Air Portugal | 1:1 | 1.0-1.2 |
Turkish Airlines | 1:1 | 1.5-1.8 |
Accor Live Limitless | 2:1 | 2.2 (1.1 per Capital One MIle redeemed) |
Wyndham Rewards | 1:1 | 1.2-2.0 |
Average Point Value Per Partner
Value when transferring Capital One miles to hotels
Capital One has two hotel transfer partners, Accor Live Limitless, and Wyndham Rewards. Accor Live Limitless is the rewards program for Accor hotels, which includes over 50 brands such as Fairmount, Sofitel, Movenpick and Swillhotel.
The Accor Live Limitless loyalty program is remarkably simple, and offers a flat 2.2 cents in value per point redeemed. Rewards must be redeemed in 2,000 point increments, which equates to approximately $44 towards your stay. But since Capital One miles transfer to Accor at a 2:1 ratio, you’ll receive just 1.1 cents in value per Mile transferred this way.
On the other hand, the Wyndham Rewards offers a more traditional hotel rewards program, with free night stays pricing out at 7,500, 15,000 or 30,000 points per night at their many hotel brands including La Quinta, Days Inn and Ramada. You can also redeem Wyndham Rewards for vacation rental properties managed by several brands including Vacasa.
When you redeem your points for a vacation rental stay, you’ll pay 15,000 points per bedroom, per night. This can offer exceptional value, as many one-bedroom vacation rentals at ski slopes or beach resorts often sell for as much as $300 per night. These awards can yield approximately two cents per point when used in this way.
How to earn Capital One rewards points with credit cards
Capital One has seven different credit cards that offer Capital One miles. These include four cards for consumers and three for small business owners.
card_name
The card_name is an entry level travel rewards card which offers new applicants bonus_miles_full. It also features a intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration introductory financing on both new purchases and balance transfers (after which regular APR will be reg_apr,reg_apr_type). When used for spending, you’ll earn 5x miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. You also earn unlimited 1.25 miles per dollar spent. There is a annual_fees annual fee for this card.
card_name
While most travel rewards cards are only offered to those with excellent credit, this version of the VentureOne card is made for those who have had some minor credit problems. It has the same terms as the standard VentureOne, including unlimited 1.25 miles on all purchases and no annual fee. But there’s no signup bonus and no promotional financing offer.
card_name
With the card_name, you can bonus_miles_full. It also features 5x miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
You also earn unlimited double miles per dollar spent on all purchases. It comes with two free airport lounge visits at Capital One lounges or other partner lounges. There is a annual_fees annual fee for this card.
card_name
card_name is Capital One’s premium travel rewards card. New applicants can bonus_miles_full. When used for spending, it offers 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel.
You earn double miles on all other purchases. Benefits include a $300 annual credit towards travel booked through Capital One, and a $100 credit towards the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. This card also comes with access to Capital One and Priority Pass Select lounges. There’s a annual_fees annual fee for this card, and you get 10,000 bonus miles each year on your account anniversary.
card_name
This entry level travel rewards card for small business owners offers new applicants 20,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on new purchases within three months of account opening. It also features intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration.
When used for spending, you’ll earn 5x miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. You also earn unlimited 1.5 miles per dollar spent. There’s no annual fee for this card.
card_name (2x Miles)
The card_name enables applicants to bonus_miles_full. It also features 5x miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. You also earn unlimited double miles per dollar spent on all purchases. Its annual fee is annual_fees.
Capital One Venture X Business Rewards Charge Card
This premium business card requires that you make all of your monthly payments in full or face a 2.99% late fee. Otherwise, the terms are similar to the Venture X card for consumers. You’ll earn unlimited 2X miles on all purchases, as well as 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights when booked through Capital One Travel.
You also receive $300 in annual statement credits towards travel booked through Capital One, and 10,000 bonus miles each year on your account anniversary. This card also comes with access to airport lounges operated by Capital One and those that are part of the Priority Pass Select network. There’s a $395 annual fee for this card.
How to use Capital One miles
Like most premium travel rewards programs, there are several ways to redeem your Capital One Miles.
Make reservations through Capital One Travel
Capital One Travel is a full-service online travel agency that offers flights, hotels and rental cars. You can redeem your Capital One Miles for one cent each toward travel booked this way.
Purchase eraser
Capital One allows you to book reservations through any travel provider, and use your miles to pay for it. Each Capital One Mile is worth one cent each when redeemed this way.
Gift cards
You can redeem your Capital One Miles for gift cards with a number of national brands such as Best Buy, DoorDash, Lowe’s and Starbucks. When you redeem your rewards this way, you’ll receive 0.8 to 1.0 cents in value per mile redeemed.
Cash Back
While you can redeem your Capital One Miles for cash back, this option offers the least value. You only receive 0.5 cents per mile when you redeem them for cash back as a statement credit or as a check.
Shopping with points through PayPal or Amazon
You can link your PayPal or Amazon account to Capital One and use your miles to pay for purchases. However, you’ll receive 0.8 cents in value per mile redeemed.
Transfers to travel partners
You can transfer your Capital One Miles to frequent flier miles with 14 airline partners, or to points with two hotel loyalty programs. The value you will get from these transfers will vary depending on how you redeem those points or miles. However, you can often receive significantly more than one cent per mile redeemed when you transfer your rewards strategically.
Capital One Rewards vs. the competition
When it comes to credit cards that offer travel rewards programs, Capital One Miles has three major competitors:
Chase Ultimate Rewards
This program offers rewards through numerous Chase cards including the Sapphire Reserve, Sapphire Preferred and Ink Business Preferred. Points can be transferred to 14 airline and hotel partners. The strength of this program rests in some of its transfer partners that aren’t offered by competing programs including United Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Hyatt hotels.
American Express Membership Rewards
This is one of the oldest flexible travel rewards programs and it offers 20 airline and hotel transfer partners. Some of the unique options include Delta, ANA Airlines and Hawaiian. You can also transfer to Hilton Honors at a 1:2 ratio.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
How do I convert Capital One points to dollars?
When you login to your Capital One account, and select rewards, you’ll see the option to redeem your rewards for a check or a statement credit. However, you’ll only receive 0.5 cents per mile redeemed.
How much are 50,000 Capital One points worth?
It all depends on how your points are redeemed. If redeemed for cash, you’ll receive only $250. If redeemed for gift cards, you’ll get $400 - $500 worth. If redeemed for travel reservations made through Capital One Travel, or to pay for other travel reservations, you’ll get 1.0 cents per mile, or $500. But if you transfer your rewards to airline miles or hotel points, then it’s possible to receive several cents in value per mile redeemed.
The information presented here is created independently from the TIME editorial staff. To learn more, see our About page.