40 Secret and Saavy Airport Hacks Only Frequent Flyers Know

Tip #32: Embrace Credit Card Travel Portals (When They're Best)

While direct booking with airlines is often preferred, frequent flyers know that sometimes, credit card travel portals offer exceptional value. Premium travel credit cards (like Chase Sapphire Reserve or Amex Platinum) often have their own booking portals where points can be redeemed at a higher fixed value (e.g., 1.5 cents per point). This can lead to cheaper flights than transferring points to airline partners, especially for specific routes or when airline award availability is limited. It's crucial to compare the portal's cash price against direct airline prices and evaluate the point redemption value to ensure it's the best deal.