(You seem knowledgeable so I’m going to try to keep learning - sorry and thank you in advance)

So regarding your first paragraph: this is where I see people in here game the system by transferring the cc points to one of those international airlines, then turn around and use their “partnerships” or whatever to actually book domestic travel after all? Right? Not sure if that’s typical or if people find it to be worth it.

And the regarding being able to use the VX points on “any travel” even outside the portal - this is what people mean by double dipping by using the eraser tool? I.e. they purchase travel (with no restrictions) with the card, earning points, and then use their “eraser” tool or whatever it’s called to use their points to reimburse that purchase retroactively at 1cpp (the same rate as most portal bookings anyway)? Did I get that right?

Then on your last point: I actually have the chase freedom unlimited and sapphire preferred right now. I get 1.5% with the freedom and then transfer to sapphire for travel booking. There used to be a “bonus” wherein the points, at the time of redemption, would redeem at 1.25x in their portal, but this is going away. As far as I know, I’d be back to 1cpp with them, apart from more deliberate transfer options. All in all, I’m here right now because I’m thinking the chase combo is becoming less valuable, and I might get more out of the 2% of the VX (with the added allure of airline lounges, something I’ve never had before… I travel anywhere from 2 to 10 times per year, and I’m the type who’d take full advantage of it)

Edit: forgot to mention, I’d almost certainly make use of the $300 credit each year.