How every way of booking a hotel actually compares

Credit card portals, OTAs, cash back sites, and rebooking services all give you something and quietly take something else. These pages lay out what each one costs you in hotel points, elite nights, and cash back, and say plainly when the other option is the better pick.

Credit card travel portals

Capital One Travel vs booking directVenture X gives you $300 to spend in the portal and 10x miles on hotels. Here is what that costs in Bonvoy points and elite nights, and how to keep both.
Chase Travel vs booking directStandard Chase Travel hotel bookings usually earn no hotel points and no elite nights. The Edit is the exception. How to use the credits without losing status.
Amex Travel vs booking directFine Hotels + Resorts bookings generally earn hotel points and elite nights. Ordinary Amex Travel bookings usually do not. Here is how to tell them apart.

Cash back and loyalty

Booking sites and miles

Price drops and rebooking

One booking channel that does not make you choose.

Gondola books direct with every major chain and independents, so your hotel points, elite night credits, and card points all post the way they should. Gondola Cash adds 3-7% back on top, and AutoSave rebooks you if the rate drops after you book. It is free.

Start booking with Gondola