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If I got the Venture card, I'd spend spend $3000 in 3 months to qualify for the 40,000 miles. Spending will net me another 600 miles for 46K miles. Cash out for $460 on travel expenses. Then if I have any miles left, spend enough for to redeem 2500 miles for $25. Cancel the card before the AF and apply for Citi Double Cash!
Also don't give up on reopening the card until you've talked to 5 people. One of them might be able to do it!
As you realized, closing the account was rash and unnecessary but what's done is done. This is Capital One. The odds of a rep knowing how to reopen your account and/or doing it succesfully if it even is possible are sadly, slim to none. You probably just have to chalk this up to a mistake and move on. Not every decision we make can be undone, no matter how many times you call, and most creditors are not big on reopening accounts (which is why you rarely hear of it happening).
It's a shame though as you wasted a total of 6 HPs. Since the Venture One has no fee anyway, I would have just kept it for awhile and gone for the "correct" card later. Can't cry over spilled milk though. Better luck next time. Garden and go for the Venture in 6 months or something.