If you have a Capital One rewards credit card, you may wonder if your points (which Capital One calls miles) expire. The answer is no — your Capital One points don’t expire as long as your credit card account remains active and in good standing.
However, there are some situations where you could lose your points, so it’s important to be aware of Capital One’s rules and restrictions.
This guide will outline some situations in which you could lose your Capital One points. We’ll also explain what steps you can take to redeem your rewards or keep them in your account so they’re available when you are ready to use them.
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Reasons why you could lose your Capital One points
Here are a few reasons why you could lose your Capital One points:
Misusing your account
Capital One can close your account if you’re suspected of account misuse. Having your account closed by Capital One will result in immediate forfeiture of your unused points. Some examples of account misuse include fraud or abuse of program privileges, including selling rewards.
Closing your Capital One miles-earning card
You will lose any remaining points if you close a Capital One credit card that earns rewards. If you have yet to use your points and want to keep them, keep your account open.
How to keep your Capital One points
Want to keep your Capital One points? Here are a few ways to do that:
Open a new no-annual-fee card
If you have a Capital One card with an annual fee and want to avoid continuing to pay it, you can open a new no-annual-fee credit card. This is a great strategy to keep your rewards until you’re ready to use them. Once you open the new account, transfer your rewards to the new card before closing your old card.
The following Capital One credit cards have no annual fee and earn points:
- Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
- Capital One Quicksilver Rewards Credit Card
- Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Capital One Spark 1.5X Miles Select
It is worth noting that all of these cards allow travel bookings through Capital One Travel and other redemptions, but only VentureOne supports travel transfer partners.
Downgrade your card
Another way to keep your unused Capital One points is to downgrade your current card. This may be a good option if you want to ditch a credit card with a high annual fee.
Make sure the card you’re downgrading to earns Capital One points. Downgrading will keep your credit card account active so you don’t lose the points you’ve already earned.
Transfer your points to a travel partner
Select Capital One credit cards allow cardholders to transfer their rewards to eligible travel partners. Transferring your points to one of these airline or hotel partners and booking flights or hotel stays will enable you to use your Capital One points so they don’t go to waste after you close your account.
The following Capital One credit cards support this redemption method:
- Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card ($0 annual fee)
- Capital One Venture Credit Card ($95 annual fee)
- Capital One Venture X Credit Card ($395 annual fee)
- Capital One Spark 2X Miles for Business ($0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95 after)
- Capital One Spark 1.5X Miles Select ($0 annual fee)
- Capital One Venture X Business Credit Card ($395 annual fee)
Book travel through Capital One Travel
You can redeem your points for travel through Capital One Travel. Doing this will ensure your rewards get used, so you don’t risk losing them if you close your account later. If you have any of the following Capital One credit cards, you can redeem points through Capital One Travel:
- Capital One Venture Credit Card ($95 annual fee)
- Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card ($0 annual fee)
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card ($395 annual fee)
- Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card ($0 annual fee)
- Capital One Spark 2X Miles for Business ($0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95 after)
- Capital One Spark 1.5X Miles Select ($0 annual fee)
- Capital One Venture X Business Credit Card ($395 annual fee)
If you need more guidance, review our guide to booking flights with Capital One points.
Redeem for past travel purchases
Another way you can redeem your Capital One points is for past travel purchases made with your card. This applies to eligible travel purchases made within the last 90 days. If you prefer flexibility with how you use your rewards for travel, this may be a good redemption option to explore.
Capital points are worth $0.01 apiece this way, so it’s not a redemption method that will provide the most value. Other options, like transferring your points to a travel partner, may get you more value.
Redeem for cash back
Another option is to redeem your Capital One points is for cash back. You can cash in your points for a statement credit to your credit card account or as a check.
But keep in mind, with this redemption, your points are worth $0.5 each. If you want to maximize the value of your rewards, consider another method, like redeeming them for travel.
Book entertainment experience through Capital One Entertainment
You can redeem your Capital One points for entertainment experiences like concert and sporting event tickets and access to VIP events. If you have a Capital One consumer credit card that earns rewards, you can use Capital One Entertainment. Points are worth 0.8 apiece when redeemed this way.
Redeem for gift cards
You can also redeem your Capital One points for gift cards from popular retailers like Airbnb, Best Buy, H&M, Lowe’s, Petsmart, Sephora, Subway, Target, and Walmart. However, this isn’t a high-value redemption move. The exact value you’ll get from your points varies by card, but this is generally a low-value redemption.
Go shopping
You can also redeem your rewards by shopping at Amazon.com or through other popular retailers through PayPal. To do this, you’ll first need to link your Capital One rewards account to your Amazon.com or PayPal account. Again, though, this isn’t a high-value redemption. Your points are worth 0.8 cents a piece with this redemption.
Transfer them to a friend or family member
If you don’t have plans to use your rewards soon, you can transfer them to a family member or friend. You must transfer them to someone with a Capital One credit card account that earns points. The person doesn’t have to live in your household. This is notable because many other credit card issuers have stricter rules regarding sharing rewards.
Don’t lose your Capital One points
Now you know what to do to ensure the Capital One points you’ve earned remain yours to use. If you need help maximizing the value of your Capital One points by using them to book award flights, we’re here to help at point.me.
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