When I first started learning how to travel with points, I remember feeling completely lost. I’d heard of families flying to Hawaii for pennies and booking dreamy resorts with “just points,” but every time I looked into it, I ended up with 18 tabs open and zero clarity. I knew it was possible, I just couldn’t figure out how.

We haven’t taken the kids to Walt Disney World yet, but my kids are huge Harry Potter fans, so when Universal announced the opening of Epic Universe, we knew we were headed back to Florida. And since we were already flying across the country, I figured—it’s time. Let’s finally do Disney World.

Many people think you have to choose: either earn cash back and keep things simple, or go all-in on transferable points and max every redemption. But once you really got into this points world—planning trips like our family vacation to Cancun that would’ve cost over $14,000 out of pocket—you realize it’s not ALWAYS about getting the absolute most value out of your points. You just have to know when each option makes the most sense.

If you’ve spent any time in the points and miles world, you’ve probably heard that transferring points to travel partners usually gets you the best value—and that’s true. But as a mom booking travel for a whole family, I know that maximizing every cent per point doesn’t always work out in real life. Sometimes, using points to erase travel purchases or book through a travel portal actually makes more sense.

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. Upgrade, Downgrade, or Sign Up for a Welcome Bonus? It’s always smart to look for ways to stretch the budget and make smart financial choices. Whether it’s […]

With so many shopping portals available, it’s important to know which one provides the best benefits for your family. Two of the best ways to earn extra points on everyday spending are Rakuten and Capital One Offers—but they work differently. If your goal is to maximize travel rewards, here’s what you need to know.

What if I told you there’s an easy way to get a free hotel stay every year—without even thinking about it? Many hotel credit cards offer free night certificates just for holding the card or hitting a spending threshold. And if you travel even a little, this benefit can easily offset the card’s annual fee and save you money on family vacations.

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. Feeling Overwhelmed by Points and Miles? You’re Not Alone If you’ve ever thought, “How in the world are people taking free vacations with credit card points?”—while also […]

  Why Transferable Points Are the Key to Better Redemptions Ever feel like you’re constantly earning airline miles but never have enough to actually book a flight? You’re not alone. That’s because most airlines and hotels use dynamic pricing, meaning they can charge as many points as they want for any given day. One week […]

With its easy-to-understand rewards program, travel perks, and affordable $95 annual fee, this card can help moms and families save on everything from groceries to that long-awaited vacation. Here’s why it should be on your radar.