@Cassian
I’ve booked flights twice with an Asian airline using the Cap1 portal, and in both cases, the airline canceled my flight or changed the time so I had to fly on a different flight (both were not Cap1’s fault). Each time, Cap1 couldn’t get the airline to refund, but they refunded my ticket and absorbed the cost themselves. That’s impressive service. But, it did take several calls to their travel desk each time. So, I prefer to book directly when I can now.
@Cassian
I have both cards. The Venture X pays for itself with the travel credit and 10,000 points. I use it for hotel bookings at 10x through their portal and to price match elsewhere. The Venture X also includes primary rental car insurance, so I sometimes use it for renting cars.
I use the Platinum Card to book flights directly with airlines, earning 5x points, along with all the credits and perks that come with the card.
I might just switch to cash back for my Chase Ultimate Rewards since I’m also fed up with them.
If you’re looking for a no-annual-fee card, the Wells Fargo Autograph or BILT Mastercard (if you pay rent) are excellent options. The Amex Green stands out at the mid-level. Since you already have the Venture X, which is similar to the Amex Platinum or Chase Sapphire Reserve in terms of travel benefits, all three cards tie benefits to using their portals, so you’ll likely have similar experiences with all three as you would with Expedia or Booking.com. If the Venture X isn’t working for you and you want to keep lounge access, the Amex Green would be my second option. The no-annual-fee options are great too, especially the Wells Fargo card, allowing 3x on travel and more, along with good redemption options (like with Hyatt) with the BILT card.
There are many great suggestions here. I also endorse the WF Autograph for 3x on nearly all key travel categories, including gas, with no foreign transaction fees and no annual fee. It’s a safe option, and you can choose between cash back or transferring to some decent international partners.
Are you really sure you want to get a special credit card just for these purchases? If so, check out this link: https://www.reddit.com/r/CreditCards/wiki/best_cash_back_cards_by_category#wiki_no_af_cards_with_.26gt.3B3.25_cashback_on_travel
If not, consider this list instead: https://www.reddit.com/r/CreditCards/wiki/list_of_flat_cashback_cards_with_benefits
Personally, I prefer not to use different credit cards, opting for just one.