How to redeem credit card reward points

You’ve watched the points add up, and now you get to use them. How you redeem credit card reward points (and what for) depends on the card. But to start, you typically sign in to your account online or via your issuer’s mobile app. 

Learn more about how to earn and redeem credit card rewards.

What you’ll learn:

• Depending on the credit card, you might earn rewards in the form of cash back, miles or points.

• You typically redeem your rewards through your card issuer’s website or mobile app.

• Rewards redemption options include statement credits, gift cards or travel bookings.

• Capital One offers cardholders flexible options to redeem cash back and miles rewards.

With rewards credit cards, you can earn points for every credit card swipe, tap, dip or online purchase. Depending on the type of card, those points might come in different forms, like cash back or miles as well as points. 

With a cash back rewards credit card, you can earn back in dollars a percentage of what you spend on it. The amount you could earn varies by card and how much you’re spending. But as an example, a 3% cash back rate could earn you $3 for every $100 you spend.

Using a travel rewards credit card, you’ll earn miles or points for every dollar you spend. Depending on the card, rewards miles may not equate to actual distances. The value of a mile depends on the card issuer.

Some points cards can be similar to miles cards, and others can be more like cash back cards. The value of the points and how you earn and redeem them depend on the card’s terms and conditions.

Capital One’s rewards credit cards offer cash back or miles. How much you earn depends on the type of card you have and how you use it. 

For example, with a Savor card, you can earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores and on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services. Plus you can earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases, 5% cash back on Capital One Travel bookings and 1% on all other purchases. 

Venture X cardholders can earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights, vacation rentals and activities booked through Capital One Travel, 5X miles on Capital One Entertainment purchases, and 2X miles on all other purchases.

You can usually find a summary of your rewards and options for redeeming them when you sign in to your account. You can do that online or through a mobile app. 

Capital One cardholders can sign in online or through the Capital One Mobile app to manage and redeem cash back or miles rewards.

Depending on your card’s rewards structure, you might be able to redeem your cash back, points or miles rewards for:

• Cash

• Gift cards

• Statement credits 

• Purchases

• Travel bookings

• Travel partner points

Check out these frequently asked questions about redeeming credit card rewards.

Depending on the rewards card you have, you might be able to redeem points for cash, gift cards, experiences, travel purchases and more.

And by choosing a card that aligns with your spending habits, you can make the most of your rewards. 

• See whether you’re pre-approved for rewards cards, with no harm to your credit scores. 

• Explore miles rewards credit cards with unlimited miles you can actually use. 

• Earn cash back on every purchase, every day, with a cash rewards credit card.

• Earn unlimited cash back, whether you’re going out or staying in, with a dining and entertainment credit card.