Dreaming of a family vacation but worried about the costs? What if you could cover flights, hotels, and even activities without spending extra money? It’s possible using your credit card points. With the right strategy, you can turn everyday purchases into an unforgettable trip for your whole family.
But there’s a catch. Not all credit card points are created equal. Knowing how to earn and redeem them smartly makes all the difference. In this guide, we’ll break it down step by step, so you can turn those everyday purchases into an unforgettable family trip.
Choose the Right Credit Card for Travel Points
Not all credit cards work the same way. Some offer flexible travel rewards that can be used with multiple airlines and hotels, while others are tied to specific brands. Choosing the right one depends on how you want to use your points.
Travel Rewards Cards vs. Co-Branded Cards
Travel rewards credit cards are the most flexible because they allow you to earn points that can be transferred to different airlines and hotels. Popular options include the Chase Sapphire Preferred®, which offers 60,000 points as a welcome bonus, and the American Express Platinum Card®, known for its premium travel perks.
Co-branded cards, on the other hand, are tied to specific airlines or hotel chains. If your family flies Southwest often, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Card is a great choice. Similarly, if you stay at Marriott hotels frequently, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card can get you free nights and elite status benefits.
Earn Points Without Overspending
Once you have the right credit card, the next step is earning points as efficiently as possible. Here’s how to do it:
Meet the Minimum Spend for Bonuses
The fastest way to rack up points is by hitting the sign-up bonus. Most premium travel credit cards offer large bonuses if you spend a certain amount within the first three months. If you know you have a big purchase coming up, like new appliances or school supplies, use your new travel credit card instead of cash or debit.
Use the Right Card for Everyday Purchases
Not all purchases earn points at the same rate. Some cards give bonus points on specific spending categories. If your family spends a lot on groceries and dining, a card like the Amex Gold Card (4X points at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants) is a great option. For gas and travel, the Citi Premier® Card (3X points on gas, airfare, and hotels) offers better value.
Stack Rewards with Shopping Portals & Dining Programs
Many credit card issuers and airlines have shopping portals where you can earn extra points when shopping online. Before making a big purchase, check if your card’s portal offers additional rewards.
Dining programs work similarly. By registering your credit card with a program like American Airlines AAdvantage Dining, you can earn extra miles just for eating at participating restaurants.
Set Recurring Bills to Earn Extra Points
An easy way to earn points without changing your spending habits is by setting up recurring payments. Subscriptions like Netflix, internet, and utility bills can all be paid with a rewards card—helping you passively collect points every month.
Best Ways to Use Points for Family Travel
Earning points is only half the battle. Redeeming them the right way makes all the difference in how much value you get from your rewards.
Booking Flights with Points
Flights are usually the best use of credit card points since airfare is one of the biggest travel expenses. There are two main ways to book flights using points:
- Through Your Credit Card’s Travel Portal: This is the simplest option and often allows you to redeem points at a fixed value. Chase, Amex, and Capital One all have their own travel portals.
- Transferring Points to Airline Partners: This strategy often gives you better redemption value. For example, transferring Amex Membership Rewards points to Delta or British Airways can get you flights at a fraction of the points required in their travel portal.
Best Airlines for Award Flights
Some airlines offer better value than others for booking flights with points. Southwest Airlines, for example, lets you book any available seat with points, making it an excellent option for families. Other airlines, like United, American, and Delta, release a limited number of award seats, so it helps to book early or use a flight alert service like ExpertFlyer to track availability.
Booking Hotels with Points
If you want to cover accommodations with points, hotel loyalty programs like Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and World of Hyatt offer free nights for points redemptions. Many programs also have 5th-night free promotions, meaning if you book four nights with points, you’ll get the fifth night at no extra cost.
For an even easier option, some credit cards provide a free hotel night every year just for keeping the card open. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card, for instance, gives one free night at a Marriott hotel every year, which could easily save you $200–$300 on a family trip.
Using Points for Disney & Theme Parks
If your dream vacation involves Disney or Universal Studios, you’re in luck! Some credit card points can be redeemed for Disney tickets, resort stays, and even Disney cruises. Southwest Airlines is also a great option for flights to Orlando (Disney World) or Anaheim (Disneyland).
Covering Extra Costs with Travel Credits
Even if you book flights and hotels with points, additional travel expenses—like baggage fees, airport parking, and excursions—can add up. Some credit cards offer travel statement credits, which allow you to erase these extra costs with points. Cards like the Capital One Venture® let you apply points to any travel-related purchase, including Airbnb stays and Uber rides.
Pro Tips for Maximizing Points
Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can take your points game to the next level with a few expert strategies. These can help you stretch your rewards even further and unlock even more travel savings.
Pooling Points with Family Members
Many airline and hotel loyalty programs allow you to pool points with family members, which can be a game-changer if you’re trying to book multiple flights or a long hotel stay.
For example, JetBlue’s Family Pooling program lets you combine points from multiple family members into a single account, making it easier to book flights. Similarly, Hilton Honors allows you to transfer points between accounts for free, and Marriott Bonvoy lets you share points with another member up to five times a year.
If your household earns points from different credit cards, pooling them can speed up your next free trip.
Booking Flights with Different Loyalty Programs
If you can’t find enough seats for your entire family with one airline, consider booking flights through different loyalty programs. Many airlines are part of global alliances that allow you to book flights on partner airlines.
For example, if you have Chase Ultimate Rewards points, you can transfer them to United Airlines and book flights on any Star Alliance partner, including Air Canada, Lufthansa, and Singapore Airlines. Similarly, American Airlines miles can be used for flights on Oneworld partners like British Airways and Qatar Airways.
Mixing and matching different airlines can help secure enough seats for everyone while optimizing your points.
Using Positioning Flights for Better Award Availability
If you can’t find an affordable award flight from your home airport, a positioning flight might help. This means booking a cheap domestic flight to another city with better award flight availability.
For example, if you’re flying to Europe and can’t find a direct flight from your hometown, you might find a great points deal from New York or Boston. Booking a separate, inexpensive flight to one of these cities can save thousands of points overall.
Turn Your Credit Card Points into Free Family Travel
Credit card points can turn your family travel dreams into reality for a fraction of the cost. By selecting the right rewards card, using it strategically, and redeeming points wisely, you can cover flights, hotels, and even extra perks without spending thousands.
The key is to start now. Pick a travel rewards card that fits your lifestyle, focus on maximizing points from everyday spending, and plan ahead for the best redemptions. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or an international adventure, your next family trip could be just a few smart redemptions away.
