44 Flight Booking Myths That Are Actually Wasting You Money

Myth 30: Redeeming Credit Card Points Through the Airline Is Always Best

While many travelers automatically transfer their credit card points to an airline loyalty program, doing so isn’t always the most valuable or flexible option. Depending on your credit card, you may actually get better value by booking flights directly through your card’s travel portal. For example, Chase Sapphire Reserve users can redeem points at 1.5 cents each through Chase Travel, potentially stretching your rewards much farther than a direct airline transfer, especially for economy fares. Similarly, American Express, Capital One, and Citi all offer travel portals that occasionally include added perks like bonus points, exclusive discounts, or included insurance protections. Booking through these portals can also help you avoid blackout dates or limited reward seat availability that plague many frequent flyer programs. Better yet, in some cases, you’ll still earn airline miles for flights booked this way—something you often don’t get when redeeming points through a mileage program. Bottom line: before you transfer your points, compare both routes. Depending on the fare and program, your credit card portal might just be the better move.