Key Points

• Chase Ultimate Rewards lets you book Airbnb through their travel portal at 1.25-1.5 cents per point value.
• Capital One miles can cover Airbnb stays at a fixed 1 cent per mile through their portal or as statement credits.
• Amex Membership Rewards offers Airbnb bookings through their travel portal, though value varies by redemption method.

Introduction

You've racked up a solid stash of credit card points, and now you're eyeing that perfect Airbnb for your next trip. Here's the good news: you can absolutely use your Chase, Capital One, or Amex points to book Airbnb stays. The better news? When you know which portal offers the best value, you can stretch those points significantly further. This guide walks you through exactly how to redeem points for Airbnb bookings with each major program, what value you'll get, and which strategy makes the most sense for your situation.

Quick Answer

Yes, you can use credit card points to pay for Airbnb bookings through Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One Travel Portal, and Amex Travel. The value you get ranges from 1 cent to 1.5 cents per point depending on which card you hold and which portal you use. Chase Sapphire Reserve holders get the best deal at 1.5 cents per point.

Why This Matters for Your Travel Budget

Airbnb has become a go-to option for travelers seeking unique accommodations, but those nightly rates add up quickly. A week-long stay that costs $1,400 could eat through your vacation budget fast—or you could use 93,000 Chase points if you have a Sapphire Reserve. That's the difference between paying cash or using points you earned from everyday spending.

The key is understanding which redemption method gives you the most value. Not all portals are created equal, and choosing the wrong one could mean you're essentially throwing away 20-30% of your points' value.

Method 1: Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel Portal

Chase Ultimate Rewards offers one of the most straightforward ways to book Airbnb with points, and the value you get depends entirely on which Chase card you hold.

How It Works

Log into your Chase Ultimate Rewards account, navigate to the travel portal, and search for Airbnb properties just like you would on Airbnb's site. The portal pulls inventory directly from Airbnb, so you're seeing the same properties and prices. You can then choose to pay entirely with points, partially with points, or save your points and pay cash.

Value You'll Get

The redemption value varies by card:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve: 1.5 cents per point
• Chase Sapphire Preferred: 1.25 cents per point
• Chase Freedom or Ink cards: 1 cent per point (transfer to Sapphire first for better value)

Here's what that looks like in practice: A $600 Airbnb stay costs 40,000 points with the Reserve, 48,000 points with the Preferred, or 60,000 points with a Freedom card used directly.

Best For

Chase's portal works best for Sapphire Reserve cardholders who want maximum flexibility. The 1.5 cents per point redemption rate is tough to beat for domestic Airbnb stays. If you have the Chase Sapphire Preferred, the 1.25 cents per point value is still solid and often beats transferring to partners for domestic travel.

Potential Drawbacks

You won't earn Airbnb's Guest Favorites points when booking through Chase's portal—you're essentially buying the stay through Chase, not directly through Airbnb. For frequent Airbnb users working toward status tiers, this matters.

Method 2: Capital One Travel Portal

Capital One takes a different approach that gives you consistent value regardless of which Capital One card you hold.

How It Works

Access the Capital One Travel portal through your account, search for Airbnb properties, and redeem miles at a fixed rate. Capital One also offers the unique option to use miles as a statement credit against Airbnb purchases made directly on Airbnb's site or app.

Value You'll Get

Capital One miles redeem at 1 cent each through their travel portal for most cards. However, Capital One Venture X cardholders can get up to 10 cents per mile when booking hotels and rental cars (though this doesn't apply to Airbnb specifically).

For Airbnb specifically:

• Standard redemption: 1 cent per mile through the portal
• Statement credit option: 1 cent per mile applied to Airbnb charges
• The statement credit approach offers more flexibility since you can book directly on Airbnb and still earn Guest Favorites points

Best For

The Capital One approach works well if you want to earn Airbnb's loyalty points while still using your credit card miles. Book directly on Airbnb using your Capital One Venture X or Venture card, then apply your miles as a statement credit afterward. You get both the Airbnb points and use your Capital One miles.

The Statement Credit Strategy

Here's how to maximize this: Book your $800 Airbnb stay directly through Airbnb's app using your Capital One card. You'll earn 5 Airbnb Guest Favorites points per dollar (4,000 points total) plus your Capital One miles (potentially 10x with the Venture X for 8,000 miles). Then redeem 80,000 Capital One miles as a statement credit to cover the charge. This double-dip strategy is where Capital One shines.

Method 3: Amex Membership Rewards Travel Portal

American Express Membership Rewards points can also book Airbnb stays, though the value proposition is often less compelling than Chase or Capital One.

How It Works

Access Amex Travel through your account dashboard, search for Airbnb properties in their travel portal, and redeem points. Amex also offers the option to transfer points to hotel partners, though none of those partners include Airbnb.

Value You'll Get

Redemption value through Amex Travel varies:

• Amex Platinum Card holders: Up to 1 cent per point (can get 1.1 cents for flights)
• Other Membership Rewards cards: 0.7-1 cent per point
• Using points for statement credits: 0.6 cents per point

A $500 Airbnb stay would cost 50,000 points at best, or potentially up to 83,000 points depending on your card and redemption method.

Best For

Honestly? Amex Membership Rewards points are usually better spent elsewhere. Transferring to airline partners like ANA or transferring to hotel partners like Hilton typically offers better value than using the Amex Travel portal for Airbnb. Consider this your last-choice option unless you have excess points and want the convenience.

When Amex Makes Sense

If you're sitting on a pile of Membership Rewards points with no upcoming travel plans, using them for Airbnb is better than letting them sit unused. It's also worth considering if you value the booking protections that come with paying through Amex Travel.

Comparing Your Options Side by Side

For a $750 Airbnb stay:

Chase Sapphire Reserve: 50,000 points (1.5cpp value)

• Pros: Best redemption value, simple booking process
• Cons: No Airbnb loyalty points earned

Chase Sapphire Preferred: 60,000 points (1.25cpp value)

• Pros: Solid redemption value, large point transfer if needed
• Cons: No Airbnb loyalty points earned

Capital One Venture X: 75,000 miles (1cpp value)

• Pros: Can double-dip with Airbnb points using statement credit method
• Cons: Lower per-point value than Chase

Amex Platinum: 75,000+ points (0.7-1cpp value)

• Pros: Access to Amex travel protections
• Cons: Lowest redemption value, better uses for these points exist

Which Strategy Should You Choose?

Choose Chase Sapphire Reserve if:

• You want maximum point value (1.5 cents each)
• You don't care about Airbnb's loyalty program
• You prefer simple, straightforward redemptions

Choose Capital One if:

• You want to earn Airbnb Guest Favorites points too
• You're working toward Airbnb status tiers
• You value flexibility in redemption timing

Choose Amex if:

• You have excess Membership Rewards with no other use
• You value Amex's booking protections
• You can't transfer to better redemption partners

Maximizing Value: Advanced Strategies

The Transfer-First Approach

Before booking Airbnb with points, check if transferring to airline partners makes more sense. If you're planning a flight to your Airbnb destination, using points for a premium cabin flight and paying cash for the Airbnb often provides better overall value. Our complete guide to Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partners explains when transfers beat portal bookings.

The Hybrid Payment Method

Most portals let you pay partially with points and partially with cash. If you're 10,000 points short of covering the full stay, don't cancel your booking—just pay the difference in cash. This flexibility means you never have to pass on the perfect property due to a points shortage.

Earning While Burning

If you book through Capital One's statement credit method, you're still charging the stay to your credit card initially. Use a card that earns bonus points on travel or general spending. For example, charge it to your Amex Gold Card for 4x points on travel, then cover the charge with Capital One miles. You've effectively earned points while redeeming points.

Common Questions About Airbnb Point Redemptions

Can I use multiple point types for one booking?

No. Each portal requires payment through their system only. You can't combine Chase points with Capital One miles for a single Airbnb reservation. However, you can pay partially with points and partially with cash within the same portal.

Do I still get Airbnb Superhost benefits when booking with points?

Yes, when you book through the travel portals or use statement credits on direct bookings. The property listing will show the same amenities, cancellation policies, and host benefits regardless of payment method.

What happens if I need to cancel a points booking?

Cancellation policies follow Airbnb's standard rules for that property. If you cancel within the allowed window, your points get refunded to your account. Chase and Capital One typically process refunds within 5-7 business days.

Can I earn credit card points when paying with points?

Not through the travel portals—you're redeeming points, not charging the purchase to your card. However, Capital One's statement credit method lets you charge first and redeem later, so you earn card points before applying the credit.

Are there any fees when booking Airbnb with points?

The travel portals don't charge additional fees beyond what Airbnb itself charges (cleaning fees, service fees). You're seeing the same total price as booking directly with Airbnb.

Conclusion

Paying for Airbnb with credit card points can save you serious cash on accommodations, but the method you choose matters. Chase Sapphire Reserve holders get the best bang for their buck at 1.5 cents per point, making it the top choice for most situations. Capital One offers flexibility through statement credits, letting you double-dip by earning Airbnb loyalty points too. Amex Membership Rewards works in a pinch but usually isn't your best redemption option.

The smartest approach? Calculate the value you're getting before you book, compare it to other uses for those points, and choose the method that maximizes your overall travel budget. With these strategies in your toolkit, you're ready to turn those points into amazing Airbnb experiences.

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