There are so many different tips for travel on points and miles that it can feel overwhelming to get started. But having done this for well over a decade now (and with parents who’ve done it for much longer), we know it’s worth the effort to learn and start because it can save so much money when traveling!
It can get especially pricey traveling with kids, and family rewards travel is a great way to reduce costs. It definitely takes longer to accumulate points with more people, but can still be really worthwhile.
Here are some of our very favorite credit card offers to get started with credit cards rewards travel for families!
Chase Sapphire Preferred
This is the number one card I recommend for beginner rewards travel enthusiasts. It’s another great card we love in our regular rotation. This one has some great perks with a low annual fee and is worthwhile to have around when not trying to meet a minimum spend.
- 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
- $95 annual fee
- 3x points on dining, 2x points on travel
- $50 annual hotel credit
- No foreign transaction fees
- 25%+ value when redeeming through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Estimated Value: $750
Ink Business Cash
If you’re open to a business card, this is an excellent one. (Even if you don’t have a full-fledged LLC, you can still apply even if you have a small side hustle, like babysitting or selling items on FB Marketplace – just apply as a sole proprietor with your full name as the business name and your social security number as your Tax ID number.)
I love this one because it doesn’t have an annual fee and is easy to use. It’s marketed as a cash back card, but you actually get the points as cash that you can redeem through the Chase Ultimate Reward Portal or transfer to one of 14 loyalty partners. You can either convert the points to cash, or you can use them through the portal IF you have one of the three below card (Chase Ink Business Preferred, Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve).
- 75,000 points: 35,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months + an additional 40,000 points after spending $6,000 in 6 months
- $0 annual fee
- 5x rewards on phone service, cable, Internet, office supply stores
Chase Sapphire Reserve
This is our primary rewards card for travel and it’s one we think absolutely anyone considering travel on points and miles should have. It gives terrific rewards with tons of perks. Though it has a high annual fee, the annual $300 travel credit brings the fee way down, so it makes sense for those who know they’ll spend that much on travel. We also love the lounge access! This is our number one go-to credit card and the one we use the most frequently when we’re not trying to hit a minimum spend bonus on a newly opened card.
Plus, since the points are worth 50% more when booking through Chase Ultimate Rewards, it’s been a HUGE benefit for booking flights for our large family. It also allows us to use these points as opposed to relying on miles for a specific airline (especially since airlines often only offer a few reward seats per flight – tricky with a big family!).
Still, the points value on this isn’t currently super high, so I’d personally apply for one of the first two cards on the page and wait for this bonus to go a little higher before applying.
- 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
- $550 annual fee
- 3x points on travel & dining purchases
- Lounge access
- 50%+ value when redeeming through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Estimated Value: $1000
Amex Platinum Card
- 100,000 points after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months
- $695 annual fee
- 5x points on flights & hotels
- $200 airline credit
- $200 hotel credit
- Lounge access
- Monthly credits for digital streaming services, Uber, Walmart+, CLEAR, and more
Capitol One Venture Rewards
- 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months (can convert to cash points or transfer)
- $95 annual fee
- 5x miles on hotels/rental cars
Ink Business Unlimited
Another terrific card with no annual fee. It’s another where you actually get the money as points, and you can either convert to cash, transfer to partners, or use to book through the Ultimate Rewards portal. Remember for business cards, you can even apply if you have a small side hustle like selling items on FB.
- 75,000 points after $6,000 in the first 3 months
- No annual fee!
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back
Business Ink Preferred
- 75,000 points after spending $8,000 in 3 months after opening (new lower spending requirement!)
- 3x points per dollar on shipping, advertising, Internet/cable/phone, travel
- $95 annual fee
Here are lots more tips on our favorite ways to save money for travel!
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