How to travel with kids for free (or close to it)

Thanks for stopping by! On this page you’ll find all of my best resources for traveling for (almost) free with kids.

Best travel credit cards for families

These three credit cards are great options that earn flexible points – instead of being tied to a single airline or hotel, you can transfer them where you need them to maximize your value.

Chase Sapphire Preferred – This $95 per year card is the cornerstone to most families’ miles and points strategies. It unlocks incredible value on its own and also pairs with the no-fee Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Ink Business credit cards. Great for United flights and Hyatt hotels.

Capital One Venture X – A simple card that pays for itself. You’ll earn 2 points per dollar on every purchase, plus get a $300 travel credit and 10,000 bonus points every year. Transfer these points to a variety of airlines or use them to “erase” travel purchases – even Disney World packages and vacation rentals!

Amex Gold card – If you spend a lot on groceries and dining, you’ll rack up Membership Rewards points faster than you can imagine. These are awesome for international flights and Hilton hotels.

Travel hacking blog posts

The Southwest Companion Pass Trick: How We Earn It Without Flying

You don’t need to fly 135,000 miles. Here’s the two-credit-card trick to earn the Southwest Companion Pass — plus how to maximize it once you have it. Updated April 2026.

Looking for the Best Credit Cards for Family Travel? Check These Choices

Looking for the best credit cards for family travel? Whether you’re a beginner or have been learning about points and miles for a while, you’ll find awesome options for free travel and premium perks!

Case Study: Chase Sapphire Reserve’s The Edit Shines in Amsterdam

Real numbers on how The Edit booking program on the Chase Sapphire Reserve helped me book two rooms for four nights at the Kimpton De Witt Amsterdam for about 100,000 points and $50
Boy standing at the window at Andaz Papagayo Peninsula resort in Costa Rica

3 Reasons I Upgraded To The Chase Sapphire Reserve (Even Without A Bonus)

Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve worth it without a welcome bonus? Here’s the real math behind my decision to upgrade – credits, Points Boost, and more.

Where to Stay in London with Kids on Points (by Program)

Finding a London hotel for families on points can be hard between small rooms, tight occupancy limits and high rates. This in-depth guide shows you the best value for London points hotels for families within each major program (and beyond).

Chase Sapphire Preferred: What’s Changing and What You Should Do About It

Find out how you should handle the new Chase Sapphire Preferred changes before June 15th

Savings Secrets: How to Get Discounts on Car Rentals Every Time You Travel

Wondering how to get discounts on car rentals? I’m spilling all my secrets in this detailed guide!

How United Is Changing the Game (But Still Letting You Win)

United MileagePlus changes are affecting award pricing, availability, and paid perks. Here’s how credit card holders can still come out ahead.

Four Reasons I LOVE Award Travel (Other Than Free Stuff)

Even if you look beyond free flights and hotels, there are some great benefits to traveling on points and miles that you shouldn’t overlook!

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🎧 Listen up!

This podcast episode explains the concepts you need to know to travel with kids on points and miles:

Level up your travel value with this trick:

Earn extra points

Want to turbocharge your earnings? Sign up for Rakuten and link your account to an Amex card or Bilt points. Since those points are easily worth 2 cents each when transferred to airline or hotel partners, you can get amazing value. For example, if Rakuten advertises 20% back on Viator you’ll get 20x points… which can be worth close to 40%!