Credit Card Hotel Programs vs Booking Direct: A Clearer Way to Compare Prices
Wed Feb 04 2026
Get a clearer way to compare hotel prices with and without credit card program perks.
Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French discuss when it makes sense to book luxury hotels through credit card travel portals so you can decide if perks like breakfast, upgrades and $100 credits are actually worth the tradeoffs. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including the new Disney Inspire Visa from Chase, an American Express transfer-ratio change to Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, new Centurion Lounge access limits starting July 8, and a new round of airline competition at Chicago O’Hare after comments from United CEO Scott Kirby.
Then, joined by fellow travel Nerd Craig Joseph, they unpack a NerdWallet analysis comparing prices when booking directly vs. booking through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts, Amex The Hotel Collection, and Chase’s The Edit. They discuss what to check before you click “book,” how to think about the real value of “free” breakfast and property credits, and how points, statement credits and loyalty numbers can change the math — especially when you’re dealing with prepaid rates and limited hotel options.
Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews:
Chase Sapphire Reserve Review: A High-End, High-Maintenance Card https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/chase-sapphire-reserve
American Express Platinum Review: Top-Notch Lounge Access, Big Credits https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/american-express-platinum
Chase Freedom Review: Legacy Card’s 5% Categories Endure https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/chase-freedom
Disney Visa: Perks in the Park but Not in Your Wallet https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/disney-visa
Disney Premier Visa: Missing the Magic https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/disney-premier-visa
Amazon Prime Visa Review: Perhaps the Ultimate Store Card https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/amazon-prime-rewards
Target Circle Credit Card Review: 5% Discount and No Annual Fee https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/target-redcard
New Disney Inspire Credit Card: Valuable Credits Offset $149 Fee https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/news/disney-inspire-credit-card-big-fee-bigger-credits
Resources discussed in this episode:
Chase Sapphire Reserve’s Hotel Credit Just Got an ‘Edit’ https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/news/chase-sapphire-reserve-the-edit-hotel-credit
AmEx Fine Hotels & Resorts and The Hotel Collection: Worth the Price? https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/amex-fhr-thc-worth-it
Are Chase’s The Edit Hotels Worth It? Here’s What the Data Says https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/chase-the-edit-hotels-worth-It
Want even more tips and tricks to get the most out of your travel dollars? Subscribe to TravelNerd, our free newsletter designed to help you crack the code on spending less on your travel.
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Get a clearer way to compare hotel prices with and without credit card program perks. Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French discuss when it makes sense to book luxury hotels through credit card travel portals so you can decide if perks like breakfast, upgrades and $100 credits are actually worth the tradeoffs. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including the new Disney Inspire Visa from Chase, an American Express transfer-ratio change to Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, new Centurion Lounge access limits starting July 8, and a new round of airline competition at Chicago O’Hare after comments from United CEO Scott Kirby. Then, joined by fellow travel Nerd Craig Joseph, they unpack a NerdWallet analysis comparing prices when booking directly vs. booking through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts, Amex The Hotel Collection, and Chase’s The Edit. They discuss what to check before you click “book,” how to think about the real value of “free” breakfast and property credits, and how points, statement credits and loyalty numbers can change the math — especially when you’re dealing with prepaid rates and limited hotel options. Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: Chase Sapphire Reserve Review: A High-End, High-Maintenance Card https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/chase-sapphire-reserve American Express Platinum Review: Top-Notch Lounge Access, Big Credits https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/american-express-platinum Chase Freedom Review: Legacy Card’s 5% Categories Endure https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/chase-freedom Disney Visa: Perks in the Park but Not in Your Wallet https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/disney-visa Disney Premier Visa: Missing the Magic https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/disney-premier-visa Amazon Prime Visa Review: Perhaps the Ultimate Store Card https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/amazon-prime-rewards Target Circle Credit Card Review: 5% Discount and No Annual Fee https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/target-redcard New Disney Inspire Credit Card: Valuable Credits Offset $149 Fee https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/news/disney-inspire-credit-card-big-fee-bigger-credits Resources discussed in this episode: Chase Sapphire Reserve’s Hotel Credit Just Got an ‘Edit’ https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/news/chase-sapphire-reserve-the-edit-hotel-credit AmEx Fine Hotels & Resorts and The Hotel Collection: Worth the Price? https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/amex-fhr-thc-worth-it Are Chase’s The Edit Hotels Worth It? Here’s What the Data Says https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/chase-the-edit-hotels-worth-It Want even more tips and tricks to get the most out of your travel dollars? Subscribe to TravelNerd, our free newsletter designed to help you crack the code on spending less on your travel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices