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.
I mostly use the PP benefit when traveling abroad, not in the US. Although perhaps that was the result of me having PP via Amex without restaurants, and not a lot of worthy PP lounges in the areas I go in the US. But Internationally the program has been wonderful for me and I'm working towards finding a card that will get the benefit back in my wallet. Final 3 contenders are Marriott Bonvoy Brilliance, Cap One Venture X, and Chase Sapphire Reserve (currently in that order).