Image Courtesy Capital One.
TPG produced a solid article on the Venture X's 10x points per dollar on hotel bookings via their travel portal. Especially when booking for employees, Venture X produces a solid option that is better than alternatives in many cases for $ stays.
I have a 4 points where I would differ from the author:
He uses the old Capital One miles valuation of $.014/pt.
In some cases, booking with Kayak Open Table will represent much higher value
There are sometimes bonus promos & other cases where it would be better to book with the hotel directly
The Chase Sapphire Reserve has a better earning rate based on TPG valuations if the rates match
1. He uses the old Capital One miles valuation of $.014/pt. The new valuation is $.0185, so the total value of the miles he quotes ($381) in the example is even better ($504) than what he thinks it is.
Images courtesy TPG
2. In some cases, booking with Kayak Open Table will represent much higher value from a booking than Capital One Miles. The value of points earned (worth 2 cents each when redeemd for hotels) with Open Table can sometimes be close to the $ cost, as in this example:
Image courtesy Kayak.com
though redemptions are limited in value (max $80 for a stay, which is 4k points) where they're best for cheap 1 night stays and the website tends to be buggy.
They're also limited by expiration. According to Open Table's expiration policy:
"Any unredeemed points expire 3 years after they were earned (that’s the expiration date referred to in your account like in the below screenshots).
All points in an account expire if that account hasn’t had a seated reservation for 12 months."
3. There are sometimes bonus promos & other cases where it would be better to book with the hotel directly even if you don't factor in on property status benefits for those with status & more nights to contribute toward status.
A. IHG ran a sign-up bonus that included 12 months of 40x when booking at IHG for yourself, though if booking for an employee, Capital One would still be better based on TPG valuations of $.05.
B. This Hyatt promo could be better at inexpensive properties & it's not the only Hyatt promo that would work out better
C. Those with Radisson Platinum status (14 cents/$ based on TPG valuations of $.004/pt and 35 points per dollar) using a Chase Sapphire Reserve (3x/$ on travel so 6 cents/$), Citi Premier (3x), Citi Prestige (3x), Amtrak World Mastercard (2x), would be better off spending directly if based strictly on TPG valuations.
4. The Chase Sapphire Reserve has a better earning rate based on TPG valuations ($/.02/pt instead of $.0185/pt) if the rates match, earning 10x on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal after the first $300 spent on travel annually (which is a credit).