Step-by-step overview of Family Travel with Points and Miles

Your Family's Step-by-Step Guide to Smarter Travel Hacking

Welcome to the world of travel rewards! Whether you’re dreaming of Disney, a beach in Hawaii, or international family adventures - you’re in the right place. But before we dive into earning flights and hotel stays with points, let’s make sure this journey is right for you.

Step 1: Never Carry a Balance - Ever

This is the most important rule, and it's non-negotiable:

Only use credit cards for travel rewards if you can commit to paying off your entire balance in full every single month.

If you carry a balance, interest charges will wipe out any value from points and miles - fast. This strategy only works if you treat your cards like debit cards, using them for everyday spending and never buying more than you can pay off immediately.

If you’re not in that place right now, come back when you are. This guide - and the rewards — will still be here waiting for you.

Step 2: Start with Chase - Specifically the Sapphire Preferred

Your first stop should be the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. It’s the best all-around travel rewards card for beginners and families. Here’s why:

• Great sign-up bonus (often worth $750+ in travel)
• 2x points on travel and dining
• 25% boost when booking through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
• Points transfer to valuable partners like United, Southwest, and Hyatt

We recommend starting with Chase because of the 5/24 Rule. That means if you’ve opened 5 or more personal credit cards in the past 24 months, Chase will automatically deny most new applications - even if you have excellent credit.

Start with Chase while you're still eligible. Once you’ve got your Sapphire Preferred and used it for a few months, you’ll be in a perfect position to branch out.

Step 3: Choose Your Airline Strategy - A Fork in the Road

Once you’ve got a strong foundation with Chase, the next step is picking the right airline card. This depends on your travel goals and where you live.

Option 1: Southwest (Best for U.S. Family Travel)

Families love Southwest - and here’s why:

• 2 free checked bags
• No change fees
• The Companion Pass - arguably the best deal in all of travel. Earn it, and one family member flies free with you (just pay taxes and fees), potentially for two years.

If you’re traveling mostly within the U.S. and want simplicity and value, get a Southwest Rapid Rewards® credit card and work toward earning the Companion Pass.

Option 2: United (Best for Broader or International Travel)

If you’re near a United hub or planning international trips, consider a United Explorer Card. United miles are great for family redemptions, partner airlines, and global flexibility. Plus, United is a Chase transfer partner, so you’re building on the points you’ve already started with!

Step 4: Add a Hotel Strategy - Start with Hyatt

Hotel points are a huge piece of the puzzle - especially for families.

Our top hotel pick is World of Hyatt. The Hyatt Credit Card (also from Chase) gives you:

• One free night every year
• Great value redemptions - Hyatt points stretch way farther than Hilton or Marriott
• Amazing family-friendly properties across the U.S. and abroad

And since Hyatt is a Chase partner, you can also transfer your Sapphire points to Hyatt to top off your stays.

What’s Next?

Once you’ve got your first few cards in place, you’ll start to see how all the pieces fit together - flights, hotels, and experiences you once thought were out of reach.

Want help planning your first trip on points? Check out our latest blog posts - I love helping families get started!