So, you're eyeing that shiny new credit card with the awesome travel portal, right? It's tempting – statement credits, bonus points, the whole shebang! But hold on a sec. AwardWallet Blog just dropped a truth bomb about travel portals and when they might actually *hurt* your travel plans. Basically, while portals can be great for scooping up extra perks, they sometimes come with a hidden cost. We're talking about potentially higher prices compared to booking directly with the airline or hotel, and more restrictive booking conditions that can make changing or canceling plans a huge headache. The takeaway? Do your homework! Always compare prices and read the fine print before booking through a portal. Those bonus points might not be worth it if you're paying significantly more or sacrificing flexibility. Sometimes, good old-fashioned booking directly is the way to go.