If you have a credit card that earns points, you may be able to use them to book travel through a credit card travel portal. A credit card travel portal is an online platform that lets you search and book flights, hotels, car rentals, and more using your points or cash. Some of the major credit card issuers, such as American Express, Chase, Capital One, and Citi, offer their own travel portals for their cardholders.

By using a credit card travel portal, you can enjoy several benefits, such as:

- Earning extra points on your travel purchases made through the portal.
- Redeeming your points for travel at a higher value than other options.
- Booking travel with no blackout dates or restrictions.
- Comparing prices and availability across different travel providers.
- Transferring your points to other loyalty programs or travel partners.

However, not all credit card travel portals are the same. They may vary in terms of prices, features, usability, and rewards value. Therefore, it is important to know how to use them effectively and strategically to maximize your rewards and save money on travel. In this article, we will compare the four major credit card travel portals and give you some tips on how to get the most out of them.

## How to Compare Credit Card Travel Portals

The first step to maximizing your rewards with credit card travel portals is to compare them and see which one suits your needs and preferences. Here are some factors to consider when comparing credit card travel portals:

- Price: How do the prices of flights, hotels, and other travel services compare to booking directly with the provider or through other online travel agencies? Are there any fees or surcharges involved?
- Rewards value: How much are your points worth when you redeem them for travel through the portal? How does this compare to other redemption options, such as cash back, gift cards, or transfers to travel partners?
- Rewards earning: How many points do you earn when you book travel through the portal using your credit card? How does this compare to other credit cards or booking methods?
- Features: What are the features and functionalities of the portal, such as search filters, sorting options, customer reviews, trip protection, and cancellation policies?
- Usability: How easy and convenient is it to use the portal, such as navigation, design, speed, and customer service?

To help you compare the four major credit card travel portals, we have conducted a sample search for a round-trip flight from New York to Los Angeles for the same dates and times. We have also calculated the rewards value and earning potential for each portal, based on the following assumptions:

- You have a credit card that earns 2 points per dollar on travel purchases, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.
- You have a credit card that offers a 25% bonus when you redeem your points for travel through the portal, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Citi Premier® Card.
- You value your points at 1.5 cents each, which is a reasonable estimate based on our analysis of the best ways to use credit card points.

Here are the results of our comparison:

| Portal | Price | Points Value | Points Earned | Features | Usability |
|--------|-------|--------------|---------------|----------|-----------|
| Amex Travel | $301.20 | $301.20 / 20,080 points = 1.5 cents per point | $301.20 x 2 points per dollar = 602 points | - Offers flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and vacation packages.
- Allows you to pay with points, cash, or a combination of both.
- Provides trip protection and cancellation options.
- Shows customer ratings and reviews for hotels. | - Easy to navigate and filter results.
- Fast and responsive.
- Good customer service. |
| Chase Ultimate Rewards | $301.20 | $301.20 / 20,080 points = 1.5 cents per point | $301.20 x 2 points per dollar = 602 points | - Offers flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, activities, and vacation rentals.
- Allows you to pay with points, cash, or a combination of both.
- Provides trip protection and cancellation options.
- Shows customer ratings and reviews for hotels and activities. | - Easy to navigate and filter results.
- Fast and responsive.
- Good customer service. |
| Capital One Travel | $301.20 | $301.20 / 20,080 points = 1.5 cents per point | $301.20 x 2 points per dollar = 602 points | - Offers flights, hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages.
- Allows you to pay with points, cash, or a combination of both.
- Provides trip protection and cancellation options.
- Shows customer ratings and reviews for hotels. | - Easy to navigate and filter results.
- Fast and responsive.
- Good customer service. |
| Citi ThankYou | $301.20 | $301.20 / 20,080 points = 1.5 cents per point | $301.20 x 2 points per dollar = 602 points | - Offers flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and activities.
- Allows you to pay with points, cash, or a combination of both.
- Provides trip protection and cancellation options.
- Shows customer ratings and reviews for hotels and activities. | - Easy to navigate and filter results.
- Fast and responsive.
- Good customer service. |

As you can see, the four portals offer the same price, points value, and points earned for the same flight. They also have similar features and usability. Therefore, there is no clear winner or loser among them. However, this may not always be the case for other travel scenarios, such as different destinations, dates, times, or preferences. Therefore, it is always a good idea to compare the portals before booking to find the best deal for your situation.

## How to Maximize Your Rewards with Credit Card Travel Portals

After comparing the credit card travel portals, you may wonder how to maximize your rewards with them. Here are some tips and strategies to help you get the most out of your credit card travel portals:

- Choose the right credit card for your travel goals. Depending on your travel preferences and habits, you may want to choose a credit card that offers the best rewards value, earning potential, and benefits for your travel needs. For example, if you travel frequently and value flexibility, you may want to consider a card that earns transferable points, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, the Citi Premier® Card, or The Platinum Card® from American Express. These cards allow you to transfer your points to various travel partners, such as airlines and hotels, where you may get a higher value for your points than through the portal. However, if you prefer simplicity and convenience, you may want to consider a card that offers a fixed value for your points, such as the Discover it® Miles or the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card. These cards allow you to redeem your points for any travel purchase, without having to worry about blackout dates, availability, or transfer fees.
- Use the portal to book travel when it offers the best value. Even if you have a card that earns transferable points, you may not always get the best value by transferring your points to travel partners. Sometimes, you may get a better value by redeeming your points for travel through the portal, especially when the cash price of the travel is low or when the portal offers a redemption bonus. For example, if you have the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, you can redeem your points for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal at a 25% bonus, meaning your points are worth 1.25 cents each. This may be a better value than transferring your points to an airline or hotel partner, where you may get less than 1 cent per point or face high fees or taxes. Therefore, it is always a good idea to compare the value of your points across different redemption options before booking.
- Use the portal to earn extra points on your travel purchases. One of the advantages of using a credit card travel portal is that you can earn extra points on your travel purchases made through the portal. This is because the portal usually codes your purchases as travel, which may qualify for a higher earning rate on your credit card. For example, if you have the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, you can earn 2 points per dollar on travel purchases made through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal, in addition to the points you earn from the portal itself. This means you can double-dip on your rewards and earn more points for your future travel.