How to Combine Google Flight Deals with Credit Card Points for Maximum Savings

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Google Flight Deals is already shaking up the way travelers find cheap flights. But here’s the real secret: pairing those AI-powered deals with your credit card points or airline miles can unlock next-level savings. Imagine spotting a $400 round-trip flight through Google Flight Deals—then bringing that cost down to $150 or less using your points.

This post breaks down exactly how to stack Google Flight Deals with your rewards programs, so you’re not just chasing discounts—you’re mastering them.

Step 1: Use Google Flight Deals to Find the Baseline Price

Before diving into points and perks, you need a starting price. Google Flight Deals highlights:

  • Best-value fares based on historical data

  • Flexible date suggestions to cut costs

  • Hidden opportunities for cheaper routes

Think of this as your “cash price anchor.” Even if you’re planning to use points, knowing the cheapest cash fare makes sure you don’t waste miles on a bad redemption.

Combine Google Flight Deals with Credit Card Points
Step 2: Compare With Airline & Credit Card Portals

Once you’ve found a deal, check if it’s bookable with:

  • Airline loyalty programs (United, Delta, American, etc.)

  • Credit card travel portals (Chase, Amex, Capital One, Citi)

Pro tip: sometimes booking directly through a card portal gives you bonus multipliers (like 5x or 10x points on travel), while airlines may offer exclusive partner awards not shown in Google Flights.

Step 3: Calculate the “Cents per Point” Value

This is where the magic happens. A good redemption usually gives 1.5–2 cents per point. To calculate:

Cash Price ÷ Points Needed = Value Per Point

Example:

  • Flight Price (via Google Flight Deals): $400

  • Points Required: 20,000

  • Redemption Value: 2 cents per point → excellent deal

If your redemption is lower than 1 cent per point, you might be better off paying cash and saving your points for a pricier flight.

Step 4: Stack Credit Card Perks on Top

Don’t forget the hidden bonuses! Depending on your card, you can stack:

  • Travel credits ($100–$300 annual reimbursements on some premium cards)

  • Category multipliers (extra points for booking through your card portal)

  • Lounge access & free bags (if booking with the airline tied to your card)

This way, even if you part-pay with cash, you’re still maximizing value.

Step 5: Mix Cash + Points for Flexibility

Some portals and airlines let you split payment between points and cash. This is a smart move if:

  • You’re short on points for a full redemption

  • The deal is so good that partial coverage still saves you money

Example: A $500 flight can drop to $250 with just 12,000 points plus cash.

Pro Traveler Tips from the Community

  • Reddit’s r/travelhacks users suggest bookmarking “sweet spots” like international premium economy flights where points stretch further.

  • Many frequent flyers advise using Google Flight Deals first, then checking if airline partners (like Star Alliance or Oneworld) have better award rates for the same route.

  • Travel hacking communities remind beginners: never redeem points at poor value (like gift cards)—save them for flights where you’ll get 2x or more in value.

Featured Snippet Q&A

Q: Can I book Google Flight Deals directly with points?
A: No—Google Flight Deals shows you cash fares. But you can use those fares as a baseline to book with credit card points or airline miles.

Q: Is it better to use Google Flight Deals or a credit card travel portal?
A: Use Google Flight Deals to find the cheapest price, then check if your credit card portal offers a better redemption value before booking.

Q: What’s a good points redemption rate?
A: Anything above 1.5 cents per point is solid, and above 2 cents per point is excellent value.

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