Booking Through Capital One Travel
Pros
Earn bonus rewards (e.g., Venture X gives 5x miles on flights booked via the portal).
Access to Capital One’s price prediction and price drop protection tools.
Built-in travel insurance and protections when booking through the portal.
Ability to pay with miles at a fixed value (usually 1 cent per mile).
Cons
Limited flexibility: changes or cancellations must go through Capital One Travel, not the airline.
Customer service can be slower compared to dealing directly with airlines.
Some fare classes may differ from what airlines offer directly (e.g., restrictions on seat selection or upgrades).
Booking Directly With Airlines
Pros
Easier to manage changes, cancellations, or upgrades directly with the airline.
Access to loyalty program perks (elite status benefits, mileage upgrades, seat selection).
More transparent fare options and add-ons.
Cons
Fewer rewards compared to booking through Capital One Travel (usually only 2x miles with Venture cards).
No Capital One-specific protections like price drop coverage.
You’ll need to rely on the airline’s own policies for refunds and insurance
Which Should You Choose?
Use Capital One Travel if you want maximum rewards, price protection, and don’t mind handling changes through a third-party portal.
Book directly with airlines if you value flexibility, elite status perks, and direct customer support.