The Best Airline Loyalty Programs to Pair With a Capital One Credit Card

In the world of travel, experience is everything. If I could go back and give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be this: Learn how to leverage credit card points and airline loyalty programs sooner. Because once you do? The travel game changes completely.

Capital One has become a powerhouse in flexible travel rewards, and if you’re holding onto a Capital One credit card, you’re already ahead of the curve.

The real magic happens when you pair your Capital One miles with the right airline loyalty program.

So, let’s break it down: Which airline loyalty programs should you use with Capital One? 

How to Choose an Airline Loyalty Program

If you’re serious about maximizing Capital One miles, the first step is choosing an airline with routes that align with your travel goals.

Unlike other credit card programs that limit you to one airline, Capital One lets you transfer miles to multiple partners, giving you serious flexibility.

For European travel? Some airlines stand out more than others.

Top Capital One Airline Transfer Partners for Europe

If you’re dreaming of a solo trip to Paris, planning a budget-friendly escape to Lisbon, or thinking of taking that off-season trip to Europe, knowing the best airline miles programs can save you hundreds (if not thousands!) on flights.

Here are the top frequent flyer programs to get you to Europe for fewer miles (and fewer headaches).

👉 Explore More: All The Best Airline Credit Cards According to The Points Guy

1. Air France/KLM Flying Blue

Best for: Cheap flights to/from Europe, monthly promo fares

If you’ve ever wanted to book a spontaneous trip to Europe, Flying Blue’s Promo Rewards are a game-changer. Every month, they offer discounted award seats on select routes—sometimes as low as 15,000 miles one-way!

The best part? Transfers from Capital One are instant, so you can jump on these deals fast before they disappear.

Since Flying Blue is part of the SkyTeam alliance, you can also book flights on Delta, Virgin Atlantic, and more.

👉 Pro Tip: If you’re flexible with your travel dates, you can score some of the cheapest award flights to Europe—perfect for a last-minute escape to Portugal or Italy.

2. British Airways Executive Club (Avios)

✅ Best for: Short-haul flights within Europe

If you’re planning to hop between European cities, Avios points are your best friend. Short flights like London to Paris or Madrid to Rome often cost as little as 4,750 Avios—making it a budget traveler’s dream.

You can also use Avios to book flights on Iberia, Aer Lingus, and even American Airlines.

👉 Pro Tip: British Airways is infamous for its high fuel surcharges, so instead of booking BA flights, use your Avios on Iberia or Aer Lingus for lower fees!

3. Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles

✅ Best for: Business class flights to Europe for fewer miles

Ever wanted to fly to Europe in business class without spending a fortune? Turkish Airlines offers one-way business class tickets from the U.S. to Europe for just 45,000 miles—a deal that’s nearly impossible to beat.

Since they’re part of Star Alliance, you can also redeem your miles for flights on Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, and more.

👉 Pro Tip: You can use Turkish Airlines miles to book United flights within the U.S., often for fewer miles than United itself charges!

4. Avianca LifeMiles

✅ Best for: Star Alliance flights with no fuel surcharges

Avianca LifeMiles is a hidden gem for booking flights to Europe because they don’t charge high fuel surcharges like some other programs.

Flights from the U.S. to Europe start at just 20,000–30,000 miles in economy, making it one of the most affordable options.

Since LifeMiles is a Star Alliance member, you can book flights on Lufthansa, Swiss, and Austrian Airlines using your miles.

👉 Pro Tip: Avianca frequently runs miles sales, where you can buy LifeMiles at a discount—perfect for topping up your account when you’re short a few thousand miles for your next European trip.

5. Emirates Skywards

✅ Best for: Flying Emirates to Europe in style

If you want to treat yourself on your flight to Europe, Emirates Skywards miles can get you there in first-class luxury (hello, onboard showers!).

You can redeem Skywards miles for Emirates flights, or use them on partner airlines like TAP Air Portugal and Qantas.

👉 Pro Tip: Keep an eye out for Emirates’ special business class deals—sometimes you can book a one-way flight to Europe for under 100,000 miles.

How to Transfer Capital One Miles to an Airline Partner

Once you’ve picked the best airline for your trip, transferring Capital One miles is easy:

1. Log into your Capital One account.
2. Go to the “Rewards” section and select “Convert Rewards.”
3. Choose your airline loyalty program and enter your account details.
4. Select how many miles you want to transfer.
5. Confirm the transfer and book your flight!

Most transfers happen instantly (except for a few programs that take up to 24 hours).

Final Thoughts: Why Capital One is the Best for Flexible Travel

Pairing a Capital One credit card with the right airline loyalty program is one of the smartest ways to travel more for less. Unlike Chase or Amex, which have more restrictive transfer partners, Capital One gives you flexibility, letting you cherry-pick the best airline for each trip.

So whether you’re looking for cheap flights to Europe, luxurious business-class experiences, or short-haul flights within the continent, Capital One’s transfer partners have you covered.

Ready to turn your everyday spending into free flights across Europe? Start using your Capital One Venture Rewards Card the right way, and watch your travel options multiply.

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.