How I saved on a last-minute Amalfi Coast hotel during Ferragosto
Reading Time: 3 minIf you’re pondering any late-summer travel, perhaps my Euro trip to Rome can inspire you with putting together plans at the last minute.
Last summer, I knew that I wanted to get a quick trip in before starting my final year of graduate school. I had some points and miles to burn, and decided to treat myself to a trip to Italy in mid-August. What I didn’t know was that it was Ferragosto, one of the busiest holiday weeks in the country.
Ferragosto traditionally marks the end of the harvest season. Italians get together, close businesses for the day, drink, and celebrate — it’s one of the most exciting holidays in the country, but definitely not the cheapest time to visit.
Luckily, I managed to score incredible savings on a last-minute hotel stay. Here’s how.
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Subscribe for freeI booked hotels through Capital One Travel
Capital One Travel is a platform where you can book flights, hotels, and rental cars. There’s a ton of value in booking through Capital One Travel, especially if you have the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, as I do.
I found out how valuable the platform was when booking my hotel in Positano. There are a few hotels in the region, but I had some criteria: at least 4 stars, a restaurant, and a balcony in the room.
After a few minutes of searching, I found a deal at the 4-star Hotel Posa Posa for about $300 per night. While that price wasn’t terrible for a 2-night stay, I knew I could save on the room rate by using my Capital One Travel credit through the Venture X card.
Knowing availability was scarce, I confirmed the hotel with my travel partner, applied the credit (which I’ll discuss below), and booked it. Capital One Travel instantly confirms hotel reservations, and the platform provides clear recommendations on whether to book now or wait, based on real pricing data.
Booking through Capital One Travel was refreshingly smooth. Search results are clean, prices are competitive, and there’s far less friction than you’ll find on most bank travel portals. I also appreciated features like price freeze, which lets you hold a fare while you sort out details.
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Travel gadgets you didn't know you neededUsing the Venture X $300 travel credit
The Capital One Venture X card comes with a $300 annual credit that resets each cardmember year. You can use the credit on flights, hotels, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
One thing I love about the credit is that it can be used to cover a single transaction or, if you have credits left over, multiple purchases. Additionally, unlike with some other premium credit cards offering similar benefits, there are no minimum spending requirements to get the credit.
Plus, the $300 travel credit nearly covers the card’s $395 annual fee if you take full advantage.
When I pair the credit with the Venture X’s generous rewards, such as 10x Capital One Miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5x Miles on flights, it’s become my most-used card.
After applying the travel credit to my stay, my all-in cost was around $300 for two nights. We got our dream room, too — a beautiful balcony suite overlooking Positano — and even got to see the Ferragosto fireworks from our room.
This pocket-sized fan doubles as a flashlight and charger
This 3-in-1 pocket fan not only keeps you cool on a hot vacation day, but also serves as a flashlight and power bank charger. With its compact size, you can easily store it in your bag or pocket.
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