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Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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9 things to consider when choosing to book via a portal vs. booking directly
Ryan is a former TPG credit cards writer who has been around points and miles for several years and has published content at Miles to Memories, AwardWallet and The Points Guy. His wife joins him on many of his trips, and they enjoy snowboarding, diving, and seeing animals in the wild. When not traveling, Ryan is probably answering questions from his family about how he travels so much and whether this points & miles stuff is illegal.
August 30, 2023 • 12 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.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.
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Quick summary
The article outlines how to decide between booking travel directly, through online travel agencies or via credit card portals, highlighting key trade-offs for each method.
Booking hotels through third-party sites or portals may result in forfeiting elite status perks and loyalty credits, while direct bookings often preserve these benefits.
Some travel portals offer statement credits or bonus rewards, but using them may mean missing out on hotel or rental car loyalty perks.
Flights booked through third-party sites generally still earn airline miles, but resolving issues can be more complex than booking directly.
What to consider
Hotel bookings through portals or online agencies typically do not earn elite status credits or perks from major hotel loyalty programs.
Some travel credits or free night benefits require booking through specific portals and may have restrictions or expiration dates.
If travel disruptions occur, support and resolution may be slower or more complicated when booked through third-party sites compared to direct bookings.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed breakdown of nine essential questions to help you choose the best booking method for your travel goals and maximize rewards.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
When it comes to travel, you have a lot of options.
You can book directly through the website of an airline, hotel, rental car company or other travel provider. You can also use online travel agencies like Expedia or Skyscanner. And many banks offer their own portals, such as Capital One Travel and Chase Travel.
While there are some horror stories from cancellations associated with portals, booking with one linked to a credit card in your wallet can be an attractive option.
Consider asking yourself these nine questions to determine the best approach for planning your next trip. They will help you decide whether to book directly, use an online travel agency or utilize a credit card portal for your next vacation.
Will you forfeit status perks and status earnings?
World of Hyatt status can provide great benefits, but you won't earn it through online travel agency or credit card portal bookings. KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY
When booking a hotel room through online travel agencies like Hotels.com or Expedia, you may not receive your stay credit from the hotel brand (e.g., Marriott Bonvoy). Any nights that would typically contribute toward your status won't be counted.
Moreover, as a member with elite status, you often won't receive the usual perks during your stay — like free breakfast or room upgrades. This applies to all major hotel loyalty programs. Many hotels offer a best-price guarantee, allowing you to request a match to a better price you find elsewhere, even if it's on an online travel agency. With this guarantee, you can enjoy loyalty benefits without spending more than necessary.
The decision becomes less straightforward if you want to leverage perks that require booking through a credit card travel portal — which can include bonus rewards or statement credits. You must prioritize what matters most: receiving elite perks and night credits or earning more credit card points and benefiting from automatic discounts for your stay.
However, it's worth noting that flights booked through third-party sites generally qualify as ordinary revenue tickets and are thus eligible to earn points or miles in the given airline's loyalty program. However, be sure to read the terms carefully to avoid booking restrictive basic economy fares.
Do you have travel credits you can use from your credit card?
AFRICA STUDIO/SHUTTERSTOCK
Several credit cards offer travel credits on your statements when you book through their travel portals.
For example, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees) offers $300 in annual credits when you reserve flights, hotels and rental cars through the Capital One Travel portal.
Those with a Chase Sapphire Preferred Card also receive a comparable credit for hotel reservations, though it’s significantly lower at $50 per year. Simply book through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal to have the annual credit appear on your account.
If you have a travel credit you have yet to use, take advantage of it before it expires. But carefully consider its rules to ensure your booking qualifies for reimbursement.
Two king suite at the US Grant, a Luxury Collection Marriott. KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY
If you have accumulated enough points in credit card portals like American Express Membership Rewards or Citi ThankYou points, you should carefully consider which redemption option will require the fewest points for your upcoming trip.
Sometimes, transferring your points to a partner program and booking through their website may be the most cost-effective option.
On the other hand, it may be cheaper in some situations to keep your points in your credit card account and use them through the card's travel portal. This is especially true for hotels, as transferring points to a partner hotel loyalty program may provide less value than redeeming them directly through your credit card issuer.
This can also make sense for boutique properties that don't participate in a loyalty program.
Always compare both redemption options before transferring your points to ensure that you get the best value.
For instance, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees) card provides 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Additionally, you earn 5 miles per dollar spent on flights booked this way. Comparing these rates to the 2 miles per dollar earned on purchases made outside the Capital One Travel portal, it's clear which option is more advantageous.
Chase follows a similar pattern. If you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve and book through the Ultimate Rewards portal, you will earn 10 points per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars and 5 points on flights. These rates are significantly better than the 3 points per dollar earned on travel booked through other methods.
The Amex Platinum card presents a more drastic example. It offers 5 points per dollar for prepaid hotels booked through the Amex Travel portal. You also receive 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with an airline or through American Express Travel® (up to $500,000 in flights per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent). However, for hotel reservations booked directly with a hotel, you only earn 1 point per dollar spent. While you can choose either option for airfare, booking hotel stays through Amex Travel is best to maximize your earnings — though again, you'll likely give up the opportunity to earn hotel points by doing so.
Do you have to choose between rental car loyalty perks and a better price?
SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
Online travel agencies and portals are popular because they offer convenience. You can visit a single website and compare results from various rental car companies.
However, there is a trade-off to consider.
When you see a lower price on an online travel agency or credit card portal than a rental car website, you usually won't receive any elite benefits associated with a rental car loyalty program. This is because most online travel agencies and credit card portals do not provide an option to add your rental car loyalty number to the reservation (though there are exceptions). Even if they do, the rental agency often doesn't honor the associated benefits, such as skipping the line during car pickup.
In such situations, you must decide whether booking the lower price or receiving perks is more important. Ultimately, the decision may come down to the price difference.
Will the hotel give preference to guests who booked directly?
KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY
In short: Possibly. You may not receive the same perks when booking a hotel through a third-party website instead of directly with the hotel.
For example, a TPG staffer faced this issue while staying at Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort in Orlando. He booked through the Capital One Travel portal to earn miles with his Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees). However, this meant he couldn't use the mobile check-in feature and had to wait in a long line at check-in. Additionally, he was assigned a less desirable room near noisy areas like the service elevators and housekeeping storage.
If you're not a light sleeper or prefer in-person check-in, these drawbacks may not be significant concerns. Nevertheless, it's worth considering these factors when deciding how to make your hotel booking.
Can you get free perks from hotels booked via a portal?
(Photo by 10’000 Hours/Getty Images)
Why not add free perks to the deal if you’re paying cash for a hotel?
With American Express, you can enjoy extras by booking through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection. However, you will not get these benefits if you book directly with the hotel.
Will you get free nights added to a hotel booking?
KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY
Adding free nights to your hotel reservation could be a huge differentiator.
For example, the Citi Prestige® Card offers a fourth-night-free benefit. But there are some restrictions and nuances to using this benefit. There’s a limit of two uses per year and you must book through Citi ThankYou Rewards to receive it.
The information for the Citi Prestige has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Likewise, you can get a fourth or fifth night free when redeeming select types of hotel points for award stays — which could lead you to book directly with a hotel program.
Unlike rental car and hotel reservations made through portals and online travel agencies, flights booked outside airline websites will still earn you miles and frequent flyer status credits.
However, there is a potential issue to consider if unexpected problems arise before or during your trip.
When you book directly with an airline and your flight gets canceled, you can deal with the carrier directly. They will reimburse or rebook you based on their change or cancellation policy. However, this may not be the case for portals and online travel agency bookings.
If the airline cancels your flight due to bad weather, they may instruct you to purchase new tickets for a later flight through your credit card portal or the online travel agency you booked with. If you have a schedule change or want to adjust your reservation, you often need to go back to the third-party site for support instead of contacting the airline directly. This can be a significant drawback when booking flights through a third-party option, particularly if your trip carries a high risk of weather-related issues or you think there's a possibility that you'll need to change (or cancel) your trip.
Having various options for booking trips is great. You can compare prices and use your points and miles effectively. You might even get extra perks that other websites don't offer.
However, having too many options can be overwhelming and confusing.
To simplify the process, consider these nine questions before making your booking. By considering factors such as your travel credits and how the booking will impact your elite status strategy, you can avoid surprises during your trip and make the most out of the rewards you earn.
Additional reporting by Kyle Olsen.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
