How to Choose the Best Travel Credit Card for Your Family Based on Your Goals & Spending
Advertiser Disclosure: The Rewards Mom has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. The Rewards Mom and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
When I first started using points for travel, I had four little kids, a long list of bucket-list destinations, and absolutely no idea how to pick the right card. There were too many options and too many opinions. I just wanted a card that would help us travel more—without making things complicated or costing more than it saved.
Fast-forward a few years, and now I’ve helped dozens of moms pick the right cards for their families—and book trips they thought were out of reach. If you’re just starting your own points journey, here’s exactly how I decide which credit cards to open (and keep) based on our family’s goals and spending.
👉 If you’re new to points and miles, don’t miss my Beginner’s Guide to Points & Miles—it’s the easiest place to start if all of this feels overwhelming.
Step 1: Start With Your Travel Goals
Every card I recommend starts with one question: what kind of trip are you trying to take?
Are you planning a family vacation? A couples’ getaway? Just want free flights or hotel stays? It all matters.
For example, when we planned a beach trip for six, we needed a card that helped with hotel points—and ideally got us a room that slept all of us (no small feat). But when we booked a quick couples’ trip, I looked for a card with luxury hotel perks and a free night certificate. One card won’t do it all, but choosing the right one for your goals gets you there a lot faster.
My Favorite Credit Cards for Family Vacations
If you want to keep things flexible, start with a card that earns transferable points. These can be moved to multiple airlines or hotels depending on the trip. That flexibility has saved us more than once when plans changed (or when I found a better deal last minute!).
Here’s a list of my favorite cards for flexible travel rewards—the same ones we used to book everything from beach resorts to city getaways.
💡 I also have a custom card finder quiz that checks your eligibility with a soft credit pull and helps you find the best card for your situation—super helpful if you want more personalized suggestions.
If you have a favorite airline like Southwest Airlines, you might also consider co-branded cards that make it easier to earn perks like the Companion Pass. I break down how we do that in this post: Why Southwest + Hyatt Are My Favorite Transfer Partners.
Step 2: Match the Card to Your Everyday Spending
Once you know your travel goals, look at your day-to-day spending. I always tell moms: you don’t need to chase every bonus category—but if you’re already spending in a certain area, make sure you’re getting rewarded for it.
For example, groceries and dining are huge in our house (hello, growing kids), so I love cards that offer bonus points for those categories.
These are some of my favorite cards for groceries and dining:
One earns 3X on dining and restaurants
Another gives bonus points on groceries (just make sure you're shopping at traditional grocery stores—not warehouse clubs or superstores like Target or Costco)
My Favorite Cards for Travel Spending
If you're already booking flights, hotels, or car rentals, certain cards will reward you more for those purchases—and even come with extras like lounge access or travel protections. I narrowed it down to my top 5 cards for frequent travelers. These are the ones I recommend most for moms who want perks without overthinking it.
Before I forget- want more help earning points for your next trip? Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter, follow along on Instagram, or join my Facebook group for mom-to-mom help, credit card deals, and family travel inspiration.
Step 3: Look for Long-Term Perks & Value
Some cards are worth keeping for the long haul—especially when they come with perks like free hotel nights, automatic elite status, or travel credits that help offset the annual fee.
If you’ve never heard of “free night certificates,” they’re one of the easiest ways to lock in a free stay every year—no points needed. Some even work at luxury hotels worth $800+ per night. That’s why these hotel credit cards are always on my shortlist for both family travel and couples' getaways.
A few of these also come with automatic hotel status—giving you perks like free breakfast, late checkout, and room upgrades, without having to stay 20+ nights first. If you’ve never had elite status before, check out my guide on how to get upgrades without it—because yes, it’s possible.
Final Thoughts
There’s no one “right” card for everyone. It depends on where you want to go, how you like to travel, and what kind of spending works best for your life.
If you’re all about options and flexibility, I recommend starting with a card that earns transferable points. If you’re focused on hotel nights, grab one that comes with elite status or free nights each year. And if you’re loyal to an airline, look at cards that help you unlock perks like priority boarding, free checked bags, or even lounge access.
Ready to get started? Here’s a list of cards I recommend for beginners and family travel.
Take the time to match your card to your goals, and you’ll be booking your next trip on points before you know it.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
