💳 The Top 3 Credit Cards Every Traveling Family Should Have
Big value for family adventures—without the luxury price tag.
When you’re traveling with kids, the right credit card can mean the difference between a stressful, expensive trip and a smooth, affordable one. These three cards have helped us cover flights, hotel stays, and even last-minute cancellations—without needing to overthink it or spend a fortune.
Here are our top picks for personal credit cards that every traveling family should consider:
💳 1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Why it's great for families:
🎁 Generous Welcome Bonus:
Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months (offer subject to change).🔁 Flexible Rewards:
Points can be redeemed for travel, cash back, or transferred to airline and hotel partners—including my family’s favorites, Southwest and Hyatt.🛡 Travel Protections:
Includes trip cancellation/interruption insurance, auto rental coverage, and baggage delay insurance.
It saved us thousands when we had to cancel an Airbnb at the last minute after one of us got COVID.
🛫 2. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Credit Card
Why it's great for families:
🎯 Current Offer:
Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months.🎈 Anniversary Bonus:
Get 3,000 points every cardmember anniversary—free flights add up faster than you’d think.
These points count toward the Southwest Companion Pass, which lets one person fly free with you on every flight (just pay taxes and fees). We’ve used this to fly one of our kids for free for over a year.
Curious why we keep coming back to Southwest? Here’s why it’s still the best airline for families in 2025.
🏨 3. World of Hyatt Credit Card
Why it's great for families:
🎉 Valuable Welcome Offer:
Earn 30,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. Plus, earn up to 30,000 additional points on purchases over the first 6 months.🌙 Free Night Award:
Get a free night every year after your cardmember anniversary (valid at Category 1–4 Hyatt properties). We’ve used this for weekend getaways and it’s always a hit.🍽 Bonus Points on Family Spending:
Earn 2x points on dining, transit, and flights—basically all your typical family trip expenses.
🧳 Final Thoughts
These three cards have been total game-changers for our family’s travel routine. If you're just getting started, choose the one that fits your current goals—flights, hotels, or flexible points—and you’ll be on your way to earning your next trip while doing your normal spending.
