Originally Posted by
emcampbe
Travel booked through portal is like any other agency. Generally, same pricing as airlines direct/other OTAs. Note that I've seen higher pricing for international fares - and by that, I mean for wholly international travel (ie, SIN-BLR on SQ, which I tried last year). I think that has less to do with Hopper/C1 Travel itself, and more to do with the way certain airlines file fares (ie, I think Singapore, for example, has some fares that are only available directly, I think, or maybe only via certain points of sale - I've also seen this through other portals like Chase travel).
As for PP benefits, note that it includes PP lounges, but not restaurants. Only Chase still has access to that (at least, Amex and C1 don't - not totally sure about Citi) - so if you are planning on using those, Chase Reserve is the way to go - here in SFO, for example, unless you are flying out of International A often (or want to spend time clearing security, then coming out and cleaning security again), restaurants are the only PP option, really.
Same pricing? Problems with Capital One portal are far beyond pricing as lack of availability is a huge issue. Numerous times hotels I seek in a city are "not available" on Capital One travel portal while when I check hotel web site shows availability as do the 3rd party sites like expedia. I've found more availability on Chase to use my CSP $50 off discount than Capital One travel web site.
Price matching? Of course almost every car rental or hotel will be HIGHER on Capital One as no incentive to track latest prices so then you can waste your time challenging the price.
Unfortunately after "gaming" the credit for 2 years I will be forced to use the C1 travel portal in 2024....unfortunately none of budget hotels who don't charge extra fees like resort or higher taxes are not listed. I will about it in 2024....which may be the last year I keep VX card. I like 10k anniversary bonus just need Capital One to improve inventory and have competitive pricing versus force members to keep challenging prices. Expedia used to give $50 if you could beat their price AND match the other hotel price.
Capital One has zero incentive to offer a same or cheaper price than competitors. Always higher.
Capital One should change the $300 travel credit to be like Chase CSR and AmEX Plat....just use the card anywhere for a common carrier charge and can be 3rd party web sites which Capital One forbids.
Capital elimination of PP dining credit 7 months after launching the card which was another setback for Venture X..