How to Afford a Vacation Anywhere in the World: A Mom's Guide to Budget-Friendly Family Travel

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How We Afford Dream Vacations—Without Dream Budgets

Let’s be real—dreaming up a family vacation is the easy part. Whether it’s the Eiffel Tower, a beach in Maui, or finally taking the kids to Disney, we all have a list. But affording it? That’s where most moms get stuck. I used to think international trips or even cross-country flights with my four kids were completely out of reach—until I figured out how to use credit card rewards to make them happen.

If you’re just getting started with points and miles, grab my free Beginner’s Guide to Earning Credit Card Points. And if you want to see which cards are my go-to favorites for flexible rewards, here’s a list of my favorite travel credit cards that work for families.

Step One: Use Credit Card Rewards the Smart Way

When people ask me how we afford to travel, this is always where I start. You don’t need to coupon your way to savings or wait for flight deals that never come—earning points through your everyday spending is one of the simplest ways to unlock affordable travel.

The key? Choosing cards that earn valuable points and using them on the things you're already spending money on: groceries, gas, back-to-school shopping, Target runs, dining out—you name it.

➡️ Looking for beginner-friendly cards? This beginner card list is a great place to start if you’re new to earning travel rewards.

Step Two: Maximize Bonuses Without Getting Overwhelmed

The biggest jumpstart to earning points is usually a welcome bonus—those large point offers you earn after spending a set amount in the first few months. Some bonuses alone have covered roundtrip flights for my whole family.

If the idea of meeting a minimum spend feels intimidating, I break down strategies in this post on how to hit spending requirements without overspending.

Step Three: Make Your Points Stretch Further

Earning points is one thing. Using them wisely is what really saves you money.

Instead of redeeming points through a travel portal (which often gives you lower value), I almost always transfer points to travel partners—airlines or hotels that offer better redemptions.

For example: transferring points to Hyatt or Southwest has allowed us to stay in family suites or book multiple flights for just a few thousand points each.

Need a step-by-step breakdown? I walk through exactly how to do this in this guide to transferring credit card points.

Mid-Trip Money Savers

Once you’ve booked your flights and hotels, don’t let your daily spending eat up your savings. Some of the best ways we keep trip costs down include:

• Bringing our Walker Family Goods backpacks as carry-ons so we avoid baggage fees

• Booking hotels with free breakfast and a fridge (more snacks = fewer meltdowns)

• Using public transit where it’s safe and easy—like trains in Europe or subways in NYC

• Cooking a few meals if our room has a kitchenette, or grabbing grocery store snacks to stretch our budget

You can also explore free things to do while traveling with kids in many major cities.

Not Sure Where to Start with Travel Credit Cards?

Here’s a short list to help based on your goals:

• Want to earn flexible points for hotels or flights?
  Try these travel reward cards

• Looking for hotel perks like free night certificates?
  Check out my favorite hotel cards

Want More Tips Like This?

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Final Thoughts

Taking your dream vacation doesn’t have to mean draining your savings. With the right cards, a little planning, and a willingness to be strategic with points, you can go anywhere—and bring your family with you.

Ready to dive in? Start here with the cards I always recommend for beginners:
Check out my favorite starter travel cards