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Writer's pictureAdam Garrett

Venture X 10x Points on Hotels



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:

  1. He uses the old Capital One miles valuation of $.014/pt.

  2. In some cases, booking with Kayak Open Table will represent much higher value

  3. There are sometimes bonus promos & other cases where it would be better to book with the hotel directly

  4. 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:

  1. "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).

  2. 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).

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