If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I love discovering ways to create beautiful experiences without overspending.
That mindset applies to travel as well as to decorating.
This post contains affiliate links. If you apply for a credit card or make a purchase through one of my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. As always, I only share products, services, and resources that I personally use and believe may be helpful to my readers. The information in this post is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Credit card offers, terms, and benefits can change at any time, so always review the current details directly with the card issuer before applying. Please only pursue credit card rewards if you can pay your balances in full every month and use credit responsibly.
Back in 2023 our family was planning a bucket-list trip to Sweden to visit relatives. When I priced flights for four, the total nearly made me spit out my coffee.
I wasn’t after luxury. I just wanted to make a meaningful family trip possible without draining our savings, so I began researching ways to reduce travel costs.
One conversation at a blogging conference and some targeted online searching introduced me to credit card points and miles. What sounded like an elite hobby turned out to be surprisingly attainable for a regular family like ours.
Initially I assumed points and miles only benefitted frequent business travelers or people who spent lavishly. In reality, we earned substantial rewards simply by putting routine household spending—groceries, gas, utilities, and home improvement purchases—on travel cards and paying the balance off every month.
Over the last three years we’ve used points and miles to travel to Sweden, Aruba, Paris, London, Mexico, Disneyland, Universal Orlando, New York City, Charleston, San Diego, and more, saving tens of thousands of dollars on flights and hotels along the way.
Even better, we’ve been able to share our points with family and members of our community when they were in need. Because so many of you have asked how we do it, here’s a straightforward, beginner-friendly explanation of what worked for our family.
Before We Go Any Further…
I’ll be blunt: only pursue points and miles if you are disciplined with credit. This approach only works when you pay your credit cards in full every month, avoid carrying balances, and stick to a budget.
If you’re currently carrying credit card debt or are likely to overspend to chase rewards, skip this for now. The last thing I want is for anyone to go into debt trying to earn “free” travel.
We treat our cards like debit cards—charging purchases we would have made anyway and paying the full balance each billing cycle. That discipline is the difference between rewards helping you and rewards harming you.
Everyone’s financial situation is unique, so do your own research before applying for cards. This is not financial advice—just what has worked for our family.
How Credit Card Points & Miles Actually Work
Many travel credit cards offer generous welcome bonuses: earn a large number of points after meeting a spending requirement within the first few months. Those welcome bonuses often deliver the biggest value.
The strategy is simple: funnel normal household spending through reward cards—groceries, utilities, gas, birthday gifts, or home projects—then pay the balance in full. The points you earn can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, rental cars, and other travel expenses.
It’s like couponing for travel—only instead of clipping coupons, you’re earning points that stretch your vacation budget and make trips possible that might otherwise be unaffordable.
Common Misconceptions About Points & Miles
“You Have to Spend a Ton of Money”
Not true. Many of our points came from welcome bonuses rather than extraordinary ongoing spending.
“You Have to Travel All the Time”
No. Points and miles are very useful for families who take one or two major trips a year. Those trips can become much more affordable with a few strategic redemptions.
“It’s Too Complicated”
It can be if you want it to be. Some people make travel rewards a hobby; others keep it simple. We prefer a low-effort approach—learn a bit each trip and stay practical.
The Best Travel Credit Cards for Beginners
If you’re starting out, here are two cards worth researching. Always check current offers, fees, and terms before applying.
Chase Sapphire Preferred®
Chase Sapphire Preferred is where we began. It earns flexible points that can be redeemed for travel or transferred to airline and hotel partners, which offers useful flexibility for family travel.
Capital One Venture
Capital One Venture is another solid option because its flexible redemption options let you offset a variety of travel costs, such as theme park tickets or hotel stays.
How We Actually Use Our Points
We’re not chasing first-class luxury. Most of our redemptions cover practical family travel: international economy flights, family-friendly hotels, weekend getaways, spring break theme parks, and bucket-list trips that expose our kids to new cultures.
The aim is to stretch our travel budget so we can make more memories together, not to collect status or splurge on extravagance.
How Much Have We Saved?
I haven’t tracked every single redemption down to the penny, but points and miles have saved our family tens of thousands of dollars over the past few years.
Some of our favorite trips and estimated savings:
- Aruba — $12,816 saved
- Paris / London / Sweden — $11,272 saved (one combined trip)
- Mexico — $5,416 saved
- Disneyland LA — $6,195 saved
- Universal Orlando — $9,501 saved
- New York City — $2,584 saved
- Charleston & Isle of Palms — $3,077 saved
- Washington DC — $2,075 saved
Total saved (selected trips): $52,936
Many of these trips would have been much more expensive—or might not have happened at all—without points and miles. Beyond dollars saved, travel has allowed us to visit family, give memorable experience gifts to our kids, and share hotel nights with friends in need.
Those trips strengthened relationships, exposed our children to art and history, and broadened our family’s experiences—proof that travel can be transformative even for a family that’s not naturally adventurous.
Resources That Helped Me Learn
I’m not an expert, but these resources helped me master the basics. They’re written for everyday travelers and families:
- Points Talk Squad
- Jen Woodhouse
- The Points Guy
- Upgraded Points
I especially like resources created by parents because they make the information feel practical and approachable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Really Travel for Free Using Credit Card Points?
Sometimes yes, but more often the trips are “nearly free.” You’ll usually still pay taxes, fees, or small out-of-pocket costs. Some cards have annual fees, but those can be offset by travel credits and other benefits. If you’re just starting, consider low- or no-annual-fee cards until you know this approach suits your family.
Will Opening Credit Cards Hurt My Credit Score?
Responsible card use can improve your credit over time. Everyone’s credit profile is different; research how new accounts and inquiries may affect your score before applying.
What Is the Best Travel Credit Card for Beginners?
For many beginners, a flexible, straightforward rewards card that earns transferable points is a strong place to start. Look for a card with a solid welcome bonus and benefits that match your spending and travel goals.
Final Thoughts
This is less about credit cards and more about choosing priorities. For our family, points and miles became a practical tool that freed up budget for experiences that matter—visiting relatives, exploring new cities, and creating memories for our children.
If you’re curious, start small: get one card, learn the basics, and book a trip. You don’t have to become an expert overnight—and if it’s not for you, at least you might score a free or deeply discounted trip in the process.
We began with a single goal: make a trip to Sweden affordable. That first step opened a world of travel for our family and created memories that will last a lifetime.
If you have questions, I’m happy to share the resources that helped me get started.
