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

If you’re new to points and miles, here’s the simple truth:
The fastest way to earn free travel is by opening credit cards and earning their sign-up bonuses.
That’s it. That’s the whole game.

Banks offer huge amounts of points to new cardholders who spend a certain amount in the first few months. These points can be redeemed for flights, hotels, and more - and if done right, they can cover thousands of dollars in travel every year.

So how do you actually get started?

Step 1: Understand the Strategy

This is not about coupon clipping, surveys, or taking a million flights.
It’s about being smart with credit cards.

Here’s the basic flow:

1. Open a credit card with a generous sign-up bonus.
2. Spend the required amount within the time limit (without overspending).
3. Earn the bonus points.
4. Redeem those points for travel.
5. Repeat with another card when ready.

This method is what fuels the free flights, luxury hotel stays, and family vacations you’ve probably seen people talking about online.

Step 2: You Must Pay Off Every Card, Every Month

This is critical.
If you carry a balance on your cards and pay interest, the value of those points disappears.

Only move forward if you can confidently:

• Pay your statement in full each month
• Never carry debt from one month to the next
• Stay organized with due dates and spending

If you’re not in that place right now, it’s totally okay. Bookmark this page and come back when you’re ready - you’ll thank yourself later.

Step 3: Start with the Right Card

Not all credit cards are created equal.
We recommend starting with Chase cards, especially the Chase Sapphire Preferred®, for a few reasons:

• It offers a great sign-up bonus
• Points are flexible and valuable for both flights and hotels
• Chase has strict rules (like 5/24) that make it smart to open their cards first

What’s the 5/24 rule? If you’ve opened 5 or more credit cards (from any bank) in the past 24 months, Chase will usually decline you — so we front-load Chase cards early on.

Step 4: Build Your Travel Goals Around Airlines + Hotels

Once you’ve got your first card, think about how your family travels.

For Flights:

• Southwest Airlines is perfect for families: easy redemptions, lots of U.S. routes, and the incredible Companion Pass
• United Airlines is great for international trips and is a Chase transfer partner

For Hotels:

• Start with the World of Hyatt Credit Card — it's a Chase card and offers some of the best value in the hotel space.

You’re On Your Way

Travel hacking isn’t hard — but it does require strategy, discipline, and planning.
Stick to the steps, avoid debt, and before long, you’ll be booking your first (or next!) nearly-free family vacation.

Next up: The Ultimate Guide to Travel Hacking for Families