Stop “Buying” the Holidays. Start Leveraging Them
For the average consumer, November and December are months of hemorrhage. Liquidity drains out, and “stuff” flows in.
For the Apex reader, the Golden Quarter (Q4) is an arbitrage opportunity. You are going to spend the capital anyway – on gifts, on travel, on year-end business expenses. The question is not if you spend, but how you structure that outflow to capture assets (points, status, and credits) in return.
If you are using a debit card or a stagnant rewards card this month, you are leaving approximately 15-20% of your spend’s value on the table.
The Asset of the Month: Capital One Venture X
While American Express and Chase fight over the $700+ annual fee segment, Capital One has quietly become the “Smart Money” play for the Mass Affluent. As of November 2025, the Venture X is offering a rare, elevated allocation opportunity.
Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Card | Capital One Venture X Rewards |
| Annual Fee | $395 USD |
| Current Welcome Offer | 100,000 Miles (Spend $10k in 6 Months) |
| Travel Credit | $300 Annually (via Capital One Travel) |
| Anniversary Bonus | 10,000 Miles (worth ~$100) |
| Lounge Access | Unlimited Priority Pass + Capital One Lounges |
The Math: The annual fee is $395.
- Minus $300 Travel Credit.
- Minus $100 Anniversary Bonus.
- Effective Annual Fee: -$5 (They effectively pay you $5 to hold the card).
If you have $10,000 of planned spend between now and May (think: holiday gifts, family travel, insurance premiums), putting it on this card unlocks 100,000 miles. Conservatively valued at 1.85 cents per mile (via transfer partners like British Airways or Turkish Airlines), that bonus is a $1,850 dividend on spend you were going to make anyway.
The “Use It or Lose It” Audit
The most common mistake High Net Worth Individuals make is breakage—letting benefits expire. If you hold the American Express Platinum, you have hard deadlines approaching on December 31st.
- Airline Incidental Credit ($200): This does not roll over. If you haven’t used it, buy lounge day passes for colleagues or check bags on your next ski trip.
- Saks Fifth Avenue Credit ($50): It resets January 1st. Use it to buy a small luxury item (Aesop hand soap, a tie, or skincare).
- Uber Cash ($35 in Dec): You get a bonus in December. Don’t let it evaporate.
The Apex Verdict: Strategy for November
We are seeing aggressive moves from issuers trying to capture Q4 spend. The Venture X is currently the “No-Brainer” for anyone looking to add a catch-all 2X earning card to their portfolio.
The Assets (Pros)
Negative Effective Fee: The credits easily outweigh the cost.
Simplicity: Earns 2X miles on everything. No tracking categories.
The 100k Offer: This is a historical high for this card (rarely seen).
Authorized Users: Add up to 4 users for free (Amex charges $195 for this).
The Liabilities (Cons)
Travel Portal Reliance: To use the $300 credit, you must book via their portal (not direct).
Transfer Partners: Lacks Domestic giants like United or Delta (though you can book them via partners).
Credit Approval: Capital One can be sensitive to those with too many recent open accounts.
The Buy Case: Open the Venture X now if you have >$10k in Q4/Q1 expenses. Use the 100k bonus to book Business Class seats to Europe for Summer 2026.
Final Thought: Wealth isn’t just about making money; it’s about plugging the leaks. Maximizing Q4 rewards is the financial equivalent of tightening a loose faucet.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial, legal, or professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional before making investment or purchase decisions.
Graham Sterling is an investment strategist focused on asset optimization and credit markets. With a background in private wealth management, he writes for the modern professional looking to leverage capital for maximum ROI. His work deconstructs complex financial tools from premium credit card ecosystems to alternative asset classes into actionable strategies.
