The phrase “10x travel” has become a buzzword in points-and-miles circles, promising accelerated rewards for those who know how to use the right cards in the right way. In early 2025, I put this theory to the test by trying to earn as many 10x points as possible using three high-end travel credit cards.
The result? A mix of great wins, frustrating limitations, and useful lessons that any travel rewards enthusiast should know. Here’s exactly what I learned after trying to max out 10x travel on three cards over the course of a few trips.
The Cards I Chose for 10x Travel
I picked three cards that regularly offer 10x rewards in select categories and have premium travel benefits to match. Each card was chosen for its earning potential in areas I knew I’d be spending money anyway.
Capital One Venture X Business
This card offers 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. It also includes a $300 annual travel credit and Priority Pass access, making it one of the most valuable cards for frequent travelers.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
While not always offering 10x across the board, this card gives 10x points on hotels and rental cars through Chase Ultimate Rewards after the $300 travel credit is used. It also offers strong transfer partners and travel protections.
American Express Platinum
Amex Platinum sometimes features limited-time 10x categories, but mainly offers 5x on flights booked directly and through Amex Travel. I included it here because of a recent 10x promo on prepaid hotels booked through Amex.
My Strategy to Maximize 10x Earnings
Over a three-month period in early 2025, I planned three trips that would test these cards:
- A business trip to Austin, Texas
- A spring getaway to Tulum, Mexico
- A visit to family in Chicago
I planned all hotel bookings through the cards’ respective portals to trigger 10x earnings, booked flights with Amex Platinum, and rented a car using Capital One Travel.
I didn’t change my travel style—just where and how I booked. I made sure the prices were competitive and the terms acceptable (e.g., refundability), then booked through the portals to earn the bonus points.
What I Earned
Here’s a simplified breakdown of how it played out:
- Capital One Venture X: $2,300 in hotel and car rentals = 23,000 miles
- Chase Sapphire Reserve: $1,800 in hotel bookings = 18,000 points
- Amex Platinum: $950 in flights = 4,750 points (5x)
Total: 45,750 points across three cards, with a rough redemption value between $500 and $900 depending on how they’re used.
What Worked Well
10x travel really shines when your bookings align with the bonus categories. Here’s what stood out.
Fast Point Accumulation
Large hotel bookings generated the most points. One five-night stay in Tulum alone earned over 11,000 miles using Capital One Travel. That’s more than some signup bonuses from no-annual-fee cards.
Flexible Redemptions
Capital One’s “erase travel” feature made it easy to redeem miles for statement credits, while Chase Ultimate Rewards points were transferred to Hyatt for great value. Amex’s transfer partners offered solid options as well.
Valuable Perks
Lounge access, travel insurance, and hotel elite status benefits all played a role. While booking through portals sometimes excludes elite perks, several properties still honored them, and I used card-specific benefits to offset costs.
The Drawbacks of Chasing 10x Travel
While the points were great, the experience wasn’t perfect. Here’s what I’d caution others about.
Portal Limitations
To earn 10x, you’re locked into using Capital One or Chase’s travel portal. That means giving up elite perks at some chains, dealing with more rigid cancellation policies, and sometimes paying slightly more than booking direct.
Promo Timing
Amex’s 10x offers are temporary and unpredictable. If you miss a promo window or forget to activate it, you’re back to 1x or 5x depending on the purchase. It’s less consistent than the other two cards.
Redemption Complexity
Having three currencies—UR, MR, and Capital One miles—can dilute the overall value if you don’t know how to redeem efficiently. I had to spend time researching transfer partners and valuation strategies just to maximize the points.
Lessons I Learned
Focus on One or Two Programs
Going all-in on multiple cards sounds smart in theory, but in practice, it’s easier to maximize one or two programs. I found myself leaning more toward Chase and Capital One, which offer both simplicity and strong redemption options.
Value Beats Volume
Earning 10x sounds exciting, but it only matters if you redeem the points well. Booking a $1,000 hotel through a portal to earn 10,000 points is great—but not if you redeem them for 1 cent each. Transferring to travel partners often doubles the value.
Look Beyond the Bonus
10x earnings are compelling, but consider the full picture: annual fees, portal limitations, ease of redemptions, and how often you realistically book travel. Sometimes, a 3x everyday card is more useful if you value flexibility.
Is 10x Travel Worth It?
If you’re booking hotels and car rentals anyway, then yes—10x travel rewards can add up quickly. But it’s not automatic. You need to use the right card, through the right portal, in the right way. Otherwise, you might be earning at a fraction of the potential.
For travelers who take a few trips per year and don’t mind booking through third-party portals, this strategy is absolutely worth considering. If you’re more of a spontaneous traveler who values flexibility or prefers booking direct for elite benefits, it may not be ideal.
Final Thoughts
The 10x travel hype has some truth to it—but it’s not as simple as just owning a premium card. You have to be intentional about your bookings, redemption strategy, and how you manage your points ecosystem.
If you can get the timing and usage right, 10x rewards can fund a business class seat, cover a luxury hotel stay, or save you hundreds on your next trip. Just don’t expect it to be completely passive—and don’t let the points chase steer you into spending more than you need to.
Next time, I’ll likely stick to two programs and focus my energy there. But as an experiment, chasing 10x travel taught me a lot—and rewarded me with real value along the way.