The Card That Changed the Way I Travel with Kids
A few years ago, we were trying to plan a spring break trip, but every hotel and flight felt out of reach. I was doing the math, trying to make the budget work—and I remember thinking, “There has to be a better way to afford this without giving up groceries or sanity.”
That trip never happened. But six months later, I booked a different vacation—flights and hotels included—and paid next to nothing, all thanks to a single travel rewards card that unlocked everything. That moment changed the way I looked at credit cards forever.
If you're just getting started with points, this is the post I wish I had when I was overwhelmed, confused, and had no idea what transferable points even were. And if you want the full walkthrough of how to start, check out my beginner’s guide to points and miles for a step-by-step plan.
Why This Card Is a Favorite Starting Point for Families
The first travel rewards card I ever opened felt like a total game-changer. What made it so good wasn’t just the points—it was that I actually understood how to use them. That’s rare when you’re starting out.
One thing I loved was that the points could be used in a bunch of different ways. You could book flights, hotels, and even car rentals through a travel portal. Or you could unlock even more value by transferring those points to a hotel or airline partner. The points were easy to use because the partners were unique and the points held a ton of value.
If you’re curious which cards I’m talking about, I’ve put together a list of my favorite beginner-friendly travel cards right here:
👉 These are my go-to starter cards for earning flexible travel points
The Travel Brands That Make Points Feel Magical
One of the first redemptions I ever made with points was for a stay at a gorgeous Hyatt Hotel where our family had two rooms (a must with four kids) and beachfront access—for free. That stay would’ve cost over $1,500 if we’d paid cash. It’s still one of my favorite memories.
Another time, I transferred points to Southwest Airlines for flights. I had enough to book for me, my husband, and all four kids. It still blows my mind that we flew across the country for nothing out-of-pocket—plus, their free checked bags made packing for six a lot less stressful.
I've got a whole post about flying Southwest with kids if you’re new to them—it’s one of the most family-friendly airlines out there.
Building a Bigger Points Strategy Over Time
Once I understood the basics, I realized there was another layer to this game—one that let me really maximize our earnings. If you’ve ever opened a small business card (yes, even selling on Facebook Marketplace counts—read more here), you might be earning cashback… but did you know you can actually convert that into travel points?
When paired with the right card, that cashback can become travel rewards that stretch further. I’ve got a full breakdown of my favorite business cards here:
👉 Check out my favorite business cards for flexible rewards
It’s a way to turbocharge your points without spending more—just by stacking your strategy.
When Transfer Partners Don’t Work for Your Trip
Sometimes the hotels or airlines you want aren’t available with points. That’s when booking through a travel portal can help. The value per point might vary, but the flexibility can be really helpful—especially for destinations that don’t have major loyalty brand coverage.
I break down when to use portals vs transfers in this post about shopping portals and redemption strategies, and share a few of the cards that I use when I’m trying to earn faster through shopping portals or portal-based redemptions:
👉 These are my favorite cards to use with shopping portals
Want to Learn More?
Midway through our travel journey, I started sharing tips with other moms because I realized how many people were overpaying for the same vacations we were taking with points.
If you’re ready to learn more, come follow along on Instagram, join the conversation in our Facebook group, or sign up for my weekly newsletter right here—I share deals, availability alerts, and family travel tips every week.
Why This Card Is Still My Top Pick for Moms
So many of the moms I talk to ask where to start. If you’ve been overwhelmed by options or afraid of messing it up, this is the card I recommend first every time.
You’ll earn a generous welcome bonus (we used ours to cover a hotel over Thanksgiving), and the protections are mom-friendly—like trip delay insurance and baggage coverage when things go sideways. And if you’re heading out of the country, there are no foreign transaction fees, which saves you more than you might think.
Even better, it fits into a larger strategy if you ever want to go beyond just one card. It’s the best first step for building a travel rewards plan that actually works for your family.
👉 Ready to get started? Check out my favorite beginner travel cards here
