Meghan: “How I’d Use the Capital One Venture 40,000 Mile Bonus”

Signing up for credit cards through partner links earns us a commission. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Here’s our full advertising policy: How we make money.

Update: One or more card offers in this post are no longer available. Check our Hot Deals for the latest offers.

With the Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card, you can earn 40,000 Venture miles (worth $400 in travel) after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months.

$400 in travel is a good deal, so I’ve asked the Million Mile Secrets team how they’d use the card’s sign-up bonus.  Here’s team member Meghan! Meghan:   Thanks, Daraius!

Lots of folks like earning Capital One Venture miles because Capital One’s rewards program is so straightforward.

Capital One Venture Miles Card Meghan
With My Venture Miles, I Could Erase the Cost of a Stay at The Goodland, a Stylish Boutique Hotel in Santa Barbara!

Here are 3 ways I’d consider using the sign-up bonus from the Capital One Venture Rewards card!

How WE Would Use the Capital One Venture 40,000 Mile Bonus

Capital One Venture Miles Card

Capital One Venture miles are worth 1 cent per mile.  So the 40,000 Venture mile sign-up bonus on the Capital One Venture card is worth $400 in travel.

Lots of people like earning and using Capital One Venture miles because the rewards program is simple.

You don’t have to hassle with transfer partners or ratios, deal with blackout dates, or search for open award seats or hotel nights!  And you can use the miles as a credit towards most travel purchases you make.  Like airfare, hotels, bed and breakfasts, cruises, rental cars, Uber, and more.

That said, the Capital One Venture card is NOT on my wish list at the moment, because I want to stay under Chase’s “5/24” card limit.  And still have the ability to apply for any Chase cards I plan on getting soon, like the Chase Ink Business Preferred.

But if I decide to apply for the Capital One Venture card in the future, these are the ways I’d likely use the sign-up bonus worth $400 in travel!  On expenses that are NOT easily covered by other types of miles & points.

1.   Independent Hotel Stay

I love using points for free stays at hotels.  But sometimes, there isn’t a chain hotel nearby.

This is when Capital One Venture miles could definitely come in handy.  Especially if you’re traveling to a remote destination or smaller town.  Plus, sometimes it’s fun to stay in a boutique hotel for a more unique experience.

Capital One Venture Miles Card Meghan
I Love the Eclectic Design of the Rooms at The Goodland

For example, last time I visited my sister in Santa Barbara we ate dinner at The Goodland.

The vibe at this boutique hotel was very surfer-chic.  And I loved the fun and funky decor.  Plus, it’s somewhat affordable at ~$185 per night (depending on the season).

When I plan a trip back, I could use the sign-up bonus from the Capital One Venture card for a couple of free nights there!

2.   Room Service

I almost never order room service because it’s just too pricey, but in certain instances, it can be incredibly convenient.  And ordering-in can be a great way to spend a romantic evening with your honey. 😉

Capital One Venture Miles Card Meghan
Embarrassed to Dine Out in Public Because You’ve Got a Messy Eater in the Family? Order Room Service!

Room service at most hotels should code as a travel purchase.  So I could use the miles I’d earn from the Capital One Venture card to offset the cost of a meal.  And who doesn’t love free food?

Using the entire $400 sign-up bonus on room service alone might sound extreme.  But not if you’re splurging on an expensive bottle of champagne for a special occasion!

3.   Sail the Greek Islands

A sailing trip around Greece will definitely cost more than $400.  But saving something is better than nothing!  And it’s always been a dream of my husband and mine to take a sailing trip in the Mediterranean.

Capital One Venture Miles Card Meghan
Sailing Around Greece Would Be the Trip of a Lifetime!

We love adventure, and the idea of being on a small boat and hopping from island to island sounds incredible.  I can almost taste the wine, fresh seafood, and feta cheese just thinking about it!

Capital One Venture Card Offer

Link:   Capital One® Venture® Card 

Link:   My Review of the Capital One Venture Card

The Capital One Venture card offers 40,000 Venture miles (worth $400 in travel) after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months.

You’ll also get:

  • Venture miles per $1 you spend on all purchases
  • NO foreign transaction fees
  • $59 annual fee, waived the first year

The card also comes with Visa Signature Benefits, which include:

  • Rental car insurance – Secondary protection against collision or theft
  • Travel accident insurance – Up to $250,000 insurance for accidental loss of life, limb, sight, speech or hearing
  • Lost luggage insurance – Up to $3,000 per trip, provided the luggage was lost from theft or misdirection by the airline, cruise, etc.

And for folks who live near a Capital One Cafe, you can get 50% off coffee purchases when you pay with your Capital One debit or credit card.

Bottom Line

The 40,000 Venture mile sign-up bonus on the Capital One Venture card is worth $400 in travel purchases.

Team member Meghan would use the bonus to save on a stay at an independent hotel, to splurge on room service, or towards a sailing trip around Greece!

Folks like Venture miles for their convenience.  Because after making a travel purchase with your card, you can simply “erase” the purchase with your miles!

How would you redeem the 40,000 Venture mile sign-up bonus from the Capital One Venture card to save on travel?

Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)

Join the Discussion!

Comments are closed.