Free Vacation… What???
Full disclaimer:
This post is not an excuse to spend irresponsibly, it’s simply a reflection of how I choose to strategize - and if sharing my strategy helps even just one person enjoy the the benefits and perks that I have been able to experience then that makes me happy.
It’s your job to be financially responsible - do your research, and do what best fits your needs - always <3
Let me begin by saying: Nothing in life is ever “FREE”
But if you’re going to pay for something, you might as well get the biggest bang for your buck!
What I mean by that is, just because something comes at a cost doesn't mean we should avoid seeking value or enjoyment in life. Instead, we should use it as encouragement to be mindful of our choices, understand the trade-offs involved, and strive for the best returns on our investments, whether they are financial, temporal, or emotional. It's about being conscious consumers and making choices that align with our goals and values while making the most of the resources at our disposal.
Let’s dive deeper into what I mean by “Free Vacation”.
I have to pay for the following things each month anyways:
Groceries
Auto: Gas, Insurance, Maintenance
Utilities: Gas, Electric, Water, Internet, etc.
Pet Care: Food, Medication, Insurance, Vet Package for Preventative Care
Our Medical Bills
Home Care and Repair
Subscriptions
Our ancillary expenses: Target, TJ Maxx, Amazon, Coffee/Tea, the occasional dining expense, etc.
Other
That all adds up!
For full transparency, I’m going to say there are some months where we are VERY good and then there are other months where everything hits all at once… After reviewing our monthly statement for the year, we average about $1500 a month in expenses (not including our mortgage). On the low end - it would be about $900 and on the high end it could be about $3000 - It really depends on the time of year, the weather, and what life throws at us. $3000 is a lot but it happens (however seldom) when you have to pay car taxes or something else that adds to your bill for the month.
That being said, if I’m already spending the money - why not squeeze the benefits by putting as much as I can on my credit card, and then pay the statement balance in full every month? I started doing this with the No Annual Fee - Capital One Venture One (C1-V1) card around the time we were planning our honeymoon and by the time we came back from our honeymoon I decided I wanted to take the plunge and apply for the Capital One Venture X (C1-VX) which is a premium travel card. I already earned enough miles and credit statements to go on our next vacation for free (depending on where we choose to venture off to next)!
Here is what I learned from having both the V1 and the VX:
V1 is FINE - it has no annual fee: I had it for 9 months and only earned 70K miles.
VX is FABULOUS - it DOES have an annual fee (more on this later): I earned 120K miles in 2 months + $300 travel credit
That’s just the miles and credit… I haven’t even begun to share the perks that come with the VX:
10x miles on hotels + rentals through their travel portal
5x miles on flights through their travel portal
2x miles on everything else
+ 75000 miles when you spend $4000 in the first 3 months (this is easy to do if you own a home, just bought a home, renovating a home, are planning a wedding, having a baby, etc…)
up to $100 credit for TSA pre check or global entry (every 4 years)
unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ airport lounges, including Capital One Lounges and their Partner Lounge Network
Complimentary Priority Pass™ membership
Ability to elevate every hotel stay from their Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more.
Annual Benefit: Receive a $300 annual Capital One Travel credit
Annual Benefit: 10,000 miles anniversary bonus
It seems like I should be coming to an end - but there’s more…
Free price drop protection - If you book your flight when they recommend and the price drops within 10 days, you’ll get up to $50 in travel credit for the difference.
If you find a better price, they’ll match it - You just have to let them know within 24 hours after booking, and they’ll give you a travel credit for the difference.
Enjoy access to exclusive reservations at award-winning restaurants and tickets to unforgettable culinary experiences.
Experience events across, music, sports and dining with exclusive access to pre-sales, tickets and more.
Complimentary PRIOR Subscription - Access extraordinary travel experiences, destination guides and more with a complimentary PRIOR Subscription (a $149 value)
Add cardholders to your account for no fee—they can enjoy benefits and you will earn rewards on every dollar they spend.
No Foreign Transaction Fees - You won’t pay a transaction fee when making purchases outside of the United States.
Miles Don’t Expire & No Blackout Dates - Your miles won’t expire for the life of the account, so they’re always there when you need them. Plus, there are no blackout dates.
Cell Phone Protection - Protect your cell phone every time you pay your bill with your Venture X card. If it’s stolen or damaged, you’ll get reimbursed up to $800. Certain terms, conditions and exclusions apply.
Miles Redemption - Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—plus transfer miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs.
Referrals Bonus - Refer your friends and family to apply for a Venture X card and earn up to 100,000 bonus miles when they’re approved. Terms apply.
Believe it or not… there are still more benefits - which I will link here because if I keep going, my fingers will fall off. Those specific benefits may vary, so you’ll have to review your benefits package when you receive it in the mail!
The VX has an annual fee of $395, but remember you get:
an annual $300 travel credit
an annual 10000k miles = $100 travel (but may be more or less depending on how you decide to use it)
$100 credit for TSA Pre Check / Global Entry
So when you put it all together… they are actually paying you (as long as you are using your credits properly).
There are a few other cards on the market that are great - I’ll be planning on looking into those later.
Do your research and figure out what works best for you!
For the time being - I’ll continue to test out the VX to see where it takes me.
If this is something you think you’re interested in, check out the link below!
P.S. I forgot to mention, you’ll earn 90,000 miles by using the referral link listed. That’s 15,000 more just for using a referral link.
The Capital One Venture X is a powerful tool for the modern traveler. From earning rewards on everyday spending to enjoying a range of travel benefits and protections, this card is designed to enhance your travel experiences. Whether you're a frequent flyer or a casual adventurer, it's time to unlock the world with the Capital One Travel Credit Card by your side.
Happy travels!
