The Best Travel Credit Cards for Families

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I have around twenty credit cards across Chase, Amex, Capital One, Southwest, and Delta. A lot of our family travel —hotels and flights — is paid for with points and miles I've earned from sign-up bonuses on these cards.

This is the annual roundup of some of the top points and miles cards, organized by issuer, with who each one is for and who should skip it.

Is Points and Miles Right for You?

Answer: it's not for everyone. If you don't want to track sign-up bonuses, manage minimum spend timing, or learn a few new programs, you can absolutely build great family trips without points.

Two non-negotiables: you need to pay your statement balance in full every month (interest charges will eat any rewards you earn), and you need a credit score around 700 or higher to get approved for most of these cards. I'm not a financial advisor — this is what works for me.

My Approach

I focus on flexible bank points first — Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, Capital One miles. These transfer to many airline and hotel partners, which means more options when I'm planning a trip. Co-branded airline and hotel cards have a place, but they tie you to one program.

The one big exception is the Southwest Companion Pass. For a family that flies Southwest at all, this is extremely valuable and one of the easiest redemptions in points and miles.

On annual fees: I'm fine paying them. The first-year sign-up bonus almost always exceeds the fee. After year one I look at whether the card's credits and benefits justify keeping it. If not, I downgrade or close it. I keep many cards. The higher fee cards often have more value than the lower fee cards-if you will the credits and benefits it may make sense to go for a higher fee card in a card family.

All sign-up bonuses, annual fees, and benefits change frequently. The numbers below were accurate when I published this post, but click through to my current credit card offers page for the most up-to-date info before applying.

The Chase Cards

Chase is one of my favorite issuers. Their Ultimate Rewards points transfer to Hyatt, United, Southwest, and a handful of others. It is easy to get a lot of value transferring Chase points to the Hyatt hotel program and I use almost all my Chase points for Hyatt hotels. If you're brand new to points and miles, start with Chase.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

This is the card I recommend most often as a starting point. The annual fee is reasonable, the sign-up bonus is consistently strong, and the points are flexible. We've used points earned from Sapphire Preferred cards to book Hyatt hotels all over the world. This card has strong travel protections.

Annual fee: around $95

Current bonus: typically around 60-80K points after $5K spend in 3 months

Rewards & benefits: 5x Chase Travel portal; 3x dining, online groceries, and select streaming; 2x travel; 1x everything else; $50 hotel credit through Chase Travel; DashPass plus a $10 monthly DoorDash credit on non-restaurant orders; primary rental car insurance; trip cancellation/interruption insurance, access to Chase's transfer partners.

Best for: Anyone just starting out in points and miles. The strongest pro: low annual fee with access to the same Chase transfer partners as the Reserve card.

Skip if: You prefer to start with the Chase Sapphire Reserve. The biggest con: rewards are modest compared to many other cards (no 4x on dining, no premium lounge access).

[CARD LINK: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card → my Current Card Offers page]

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Reserve has the easiest-to-use $300 annual travel credit — it applies automatically to almost any travel charge, no portal booking required, no opt-in process. The travel protections and benefits are better than the Preferred. The annual fee is high, so I keep it only because we travel enough to use the credits and benefits.

Annual fee: around $795

Current bonus: typically around 100-150K points after $6K spend in 3 months

Rewards & benefits: 8x Chase Travel portal; 4x flights and hotels booked direct; 3x dining; 1x everything else; $300 annual travel credit (easy to use); $300 dining credit at Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables (split semi-annually); $300 StubHub credit (split semi-annually), $500 The Edit Hotel credit (split into two $250 credits), additional credits include Apple Services, DoorDash, DashPass, Pelaton, Lyft, and more, Priority Pass membership; Chase Sapphire Lounge access with 2 free guests; IHG Platinum Elite status; up to $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit; primary rental car insurance; trip cancellation/interruption coverage; access to Chase's transfer partners.

Best for: Travelers who'll use the $300 credit and want premium travel protections. Strongest pro: when you combine this card's credit for The Edit luxury hotel program and eligible Points Boost, it is sometimes a better deal to book through the Chase travel portal than to transfer points to partners. Plus the cardholder and two guests get access to Chase Sapphire Lounges (these are great) and Priority Pass Lounges.

Skip if: You don't travel often enough to use the credits and lounge access to justify the high annual fee. The Sapphire Preferred is a better fit for many families. Biggest con: $795 annual fee.

[CARD LINK: Chase Sapphire Reserve® → my Current Card Offers page]

Chase Sapphire Reserve® for Business

This is a newer business version of the Reserve card. We have seen some huge sign-up bonuses, and I am all about rounding up as many Chase points as possible. This card often has a very high minimum spend — around $20,000 in three to six months — to get the sign-up bonus, so this card does not work for everyone. Like the personal Reserve, you get a $300 travel credit and lounge access for you and two guests (Priority Pass and Chase Sapphire Lounges). This card has additional credits that are a better fit for business spending compared to the streaming and dining credits on the personal card.

Annual fee: around $795

Current bonus: typically around 100-150K points after $20K spend in 3 months

Rewards & benefits: Premium travel earning rates similar to the personal Reserve; $300 annual travel credit; $500 The Edit hotels credit (split into two credits); additional credits to Google Workspace, ZipRecruiter, Giftcards.com, DoorDash, Lyft, and others; access to Chase Sapphire Lounges and Priority Pass with 2 guests; up to $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit; business-focused statement credits (specific categories rotate, verify current terms); primary rental car insurance for business rentals; trip protections; access to Chase transfer partners; doesn't count toward 5/24 since it's a business card.

Best for: Small business owners who want the Reserve's premium benefits without using a 5/24 personal card slot. Strongest pro: business credits often pair better with real business spending than the lifestyle credits on the personal card.

Skip if: You cannot hit the minimum spend requirements and will not use the credits or spending categories to justify the high annual fee. Biggest con: the $20K-$30K minimum spend is steep for many small businesses.

[CARD LINK: Chase Sapphire Reserve® for Business → my Current Card Offers page]

Chase Ink Business Cards

These are some of my favorite cards of all time and I have all three. These cards have lower minimum spends than many premium business cards while still offering great sign-up bonuses. Business cards don't count toward Chase's 5/24 rule, so you can keep adding them over time. Note: only the Ink Business Preferred (or a Sapphire-branded card) lets you transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to airline and hotel partners. The Ink Cash and Ink Unlimited technically earn cashback, but if you also hold a Sapphire or Preferred card, that cashback turns into transferable Ultimate Rewards points.

Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

The Ink Business Preferred is a fantastic business card in the Chase Ultimate Rewards lineup. Welcome bonuses on this card are consistently strong, and the 3x earning categories (travel, shipping, internet/cable/phone, social media and search advertising) cover a lot of common business spend.

Annual fee: around $95

Current bonus: typically around 90-100K points after spending $8K in 3 months

Rewards & benefits: 3x on travel, shipping, internet/cable/phone, and social media advertising up to $150K spend annually; 1x on all other purchases; 5x on Lyft (through Sept 2027); cell phone protection; points boost in the Chase travel portal, primary rental car insurance; trip cancellation/interruption insurance; purchase protection; transfers points to Chase travel partners (this is the only Ink card that does so directly).

Best for: Anyone who qualifies for a business card and wants the ability to transfer points to airlines and hotels. Strongest pro: pairs with the no-fee Ink Cash and Ink Unlimited to multiply earning across categories.

Skip if: You can't hit the $8K minimum spend. Biggest con: the 3x bonus categories are business-heavy — most personal-spending families will earn more with a Sapphire-branded card or a different Ink card.

[CARD LINK: Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card → my Current Card Offers page]

Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

The Ink Business Cash is a no fee card. The 5x earning on phone, internet, cable, and office supplies is hard to beat for any family with a home office or small business. Pair it with an Ink Preferred or Sapphire card and the cashback becomes transferable Ultimate Rewards points.

Annual fee: $0

Current bonus: typically around 75K points (often shown as a $750) after $6K spend in 3 months

Rewards & benefits: 5% cashback (5x points) on first $25,000 spent at office supply stores, internet, cable, and phone services; 2% cashback (2x points) on first $25,000 spent at gas stations and restaurants; 1% on everything else; $20 monthly Instacart credit.

Best for: Anyone who can hit the minimum spend. This card is a favorite for gas and office supply store (can include gift card purchases) spend. pro: $0 annual fee with one of the highest earn rates.

Skip if: You don't have business income, or you don't have a Sapphire/Ink Preferred card to convert the cashback into transferable points. Biggest con: the 5% bonus has a $25K annual cap.

[CARD LINK: Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card → my Current Card Offers page]

Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

The Ink Business Unlimited is my workhorse — 1.5x on every purchase, no annual fee, no categories to track. When I'm not earning a category bonus elsewhere, this is what I use. Pair it with an Ink Preferred or a Sapphire card and the cashback converts to Ultimate Rewards points.

Annual fee: $0

Current bonus: typically around 75K points ($750 cash bonus) after $6K spend in 3 months

Rewards & benefits: 1.5% unlimited cashback (1.5x points) on every purchase. $20 monthly Instacart credit.

Best for: Anyone with a business who wants a no-fee everyday earner that doesn't require tracking categories. Strongest pro: 1.5x flat rate beats most no-fee cards on non-bonus spending.

Skip if: You only have personal spending. Biggest con: 1.5x is solid but loses to the 2x flat rate on Capital One Venture or Venture X for non-business purchases.

[CARD LINK: Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card → my Current Card Offers page]

The American Express Cards

Amex Membership Rewards points transfer to many airlines and hotels — but not to Hyatt. I use a lot of my Amex rewards for flights. Amex sign-up bonuses tend to be the largest in the industry, but they come with high minimum spend requirements.

Two things to know before applying. 1. There's a strategy to which Amex card you should apply for first, more on that in my upcoming starter guide. 2. Amex is famous for the coupon book model, with other banks following suit. Cards have high annual fees but come with a lot of credits that theoretically will more than offset the annual fee. While I don’t love the extra work involved in using the credits I love Amex points. I use the large credits but don’t stress about small monthly credits and find that the cards still offer immense value. Additionally, I find that Amex has outstanding customer service.

American Express® Gold Card

This is a great grocery and dining card. It earns 4x at U.S. supermarkets (up to a yearly cap) and 4x at restaurants worldwide. For a family with high grocery spend, that earning rate is great. An important note: Costco, Sam's, Target, and Walmart generally do not code as grocery and are therefore excluded.

Annual fee: around $325

Current bonus: typically around 60-100K points after spending $6K in 6 months

Rewards & benefits: 4x on dining (up to $50,000 per year); 4x at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year); 3x on flights booked direct or with Amex Travel;

$10/month for Uber Eats or rides in the U.S.; several other credits include dining credits at select partners; Resy credits; Dunkin’ credits; and $100 hotel credit on bookings of two nights or more through The Hotel Collection.

Best for: Families with high grocery and dining spend who will use the monthly credits. Strongest pro: 4x at U.S. supermarkets is one of the best earning rates on grocery spending.

Skip if: You don’t spend a lot at grocery stores or won't use the monthly credits — they require some effort to redeem. Biggest con: the credits are small and merchant-specific (ie: some at Dunkin', some at Cheesecake Factory) and easy to leave on the table.

[CARD LINK: American Express® Gold Card → my Current Card Offers page]

The Platinum Card® from American Express (Personal)

The Platinum is the heaviest coupon book in the lineup — credits at Saks, Walmart+, Uber, lululemon, dining, hotels, airline fees, digital entertainment, and more. Use them and the math works. The sign-up bonus is enormous, often the biggest in the market, making this easy to justify for at least the first year. The minimum spend requirement is also high (sometimes around $20K in 3 months for the highest tiers). I recommend it specifically when someone has a big upcoming expense — major home project, wedding, taxes, business expense — that will hit that minimum spend without forcing it. This card has great lounge access if that is a priority for you.

Annual fee: around $895

Current bonus: as high as 175,000 points after $12K spend in 6 months

Rewards & benefits: 5x on flights booked direct or through Amex Travel (up to $500K per year); 5x on prepaid hotels through Amex Travel; up to $600 annual hotel credit ($300 semi-annually) on Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection through Amex Travel; up to$300 annual digital entertainment credit; up to $200 Uber Cash split monthly; $400 Resy credit ($100 quarterly); $209 CLEAR+ credit; $200 airline fee credit (one selected airline); $300 lululemon credit ($75 quarterly); $155 Walmart+ credit; access to Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass Select, Delta Sky Club (10 visits/year on eligible Delta flights), and other partner lounges; and status with several partner programs.

Best for: Someone with a big upcoming expense who can hit the minimum spend, and who will use the credits. There are a lot of great perks-you must make sure to use them! Strongest pro: the large sign up bonus, great lounge access and Hotel credits.

Skip if: You don't want to track multiple monthly credits. The sign up bonus may justify the fee for the first year but after that the card is only worth its fee if you use those perks and credits. Biggest con: $895 annual fee.

[CARD LINK: The Platinum Card® from American Express (Personal) → my Current Card Offers page]

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

The business version of the Platinum has similar credits to the personal card plus the Pay With Points 35% rebate, which lets you redeem points for flights through Amex Travel and get 35% of those points back (up to 1 million points back per calendar year). One important update: as of September 2025, the rebate now only applies to your selected qualifying airline, not first/business class on any airline.

The Business Platinum also comes with the Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) credit, which I use frequently. FHR gives you a $600 annual credit (split semi-annually as $300 each), $100 hotel resort credit, free breakfast for two, room upgrade when available, and a 4pm late checkout at participating luxury hotels. I prefer this credit to the Edit credit on the Sapphire Reserve card which requires a two night stay to utilize.

Annual fee: around $895

Current bonus: as high as 250-300K points after $20K spend in 3 months

Rewards & benefits: 5x on flights and prepaid hotels through Amex Travel; other multipliers on key business categories and on purchases of $5,000+; 35% Pay With Points rebate on selected qualifying airline flights through Amex Travel (up to 1M points back/year); $600 annual FHR/Hotel Collection credit ($300 semi-annually); $200 annual airline fee credit (one selected airline); $150+ Dell credits (depending on spend); up to $200 Hilton credit ($50 quarterly); $209 CLEAR+ credit; $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit; unlimited Centurion Lounge access; Priority Pass Select; status with several loyalty programs and additional credits.

Best for: Business owners who can hit the high minimum spend and will use the FHR credit or the Pay With Points perk. Strongest pro: The monster sign up bonus, the FHR credits (the benefits at these luxury hotels are consistently excellent), and the 35% airline rebate provides solid value on your selected airline.

Skip if: You don't have a business or aren't going to use the credits. Biggest con: $895 annual fee.

[CARD LINK: The Business Platinum Card® from American Express → my Current Card Offers page]

The Capital One Cards

The Capital One app is my favorite banking app (it’s so easy to use) and the Capital One lounges have the most genius lounge feature-a grab and go section. Capital One miles transfer to hotels (not Hyatt) as well as many airline partners (particularly great for international flight redemptions) and can also be used at a flat 1 cent per mile for any travel charge — which is one of the simplest redemption methods in points and miles. These cards can be hard to get approved for so I recommend getting into this bank early.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

This is one of my favorite cards right now. It earns 2x on every purchase (this is a big deal — most cards only earn 2x in specific categories). The $300 annual travel credit is easy to use through the Capital One portal. The annual fee is around $400, but the travel credit and 10K anniversary bonus miles knock it down meaningfully.  I love that they have not yet moved to the coupon book model!

One change to know: lounge access used to include the cardholder's whole family. Now it's the cardholder only — guests cost $45 per adult or $25 per child unless you spend $75K on the card in a calendar year or add authorized users for a cost. Still solid, just no longer a family lounge access card.

Annual fee: around $395

Current bonus: typically around 75K miles after $4K spend in 3 months

Rewards & benefits: 10x on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; 5x on flights and vacation rentals through Capital One Travel; 2x on every other purchase; $300 annual travel credit (Capital One Travel only); 10,000 bonus miles every year on your account anniversary; up to $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit; cardholder access to Priority Pass and Capital One Lounges (guests cost extra); Hertz status; cell phone protection; trip insurance; rental car insurance; and transfers to many airline and hotel partners.

Best for: Travelers who want simple, high-rate earning across all spending and will use Capital One's airline transfer partners for international flights. Strongest pro: 2x on every single purchase makes this the best non-bonus everyday card on the market.

Skip if: You're focused on Hyatt or domestic travel only — Capital One doesn't transfer to Hyatt. Biggest con: the lounge guest fees got significantly less family-friendly in 2025.

[CARD LINK: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card → my Current Card Offers page]

Capital One Venture X Business

The business version of the Venture X. Higher minimum spend, bigger sign-up bonus, and similar premium benefits. Worth considering if you have meaningful business expenses and can hit the spend.

Annual fee: around $395

Current bonus: typically around 150K miles after $30K spend in 3 months

Rewards & benefits: 10x on hotels and rental cars through Capital One Business Travel; 5x on flights and vacation rentals through Capital One Business Travel; 2x on every other purchase; $300 annual Capital One Business Travel credit; 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary; up to $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit; Hertz status; access to Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass; transfers to loyalty programs.

Best for: Small business owners who can hit the $30K minimum spend. Strongest pro: a large sign up bonus with a reasonable annual fee (compared to other premium business cards), great lounge access, and 2x on all purchases.

Skip if: You don't have business income or can't hit the $30K spend in 3 months. Biggest con: the high spend requirement to get the sign-up bonus.

[CARD LINK: Capital One Venture X Business → my Current Card Offers page]

The Bilt Cards

Bilt is a newer program that is attracting a lot of attention — especially for families who pay rent or a mortgage. Bilt is the only card program that lets you earn points on housing payments without a transaction fee, and Bilt points transfer to strong list of partners including World of Hyatt, United, and Atmos Rewards (Alaska/Hawaiian), they pretty much have the greatest transfer partners. I’ve been listening to Richard Kerr from Bilt and Ed Pizza on the Miles to Go travel podcast for several years and it has been really cool to see the Bilt program grow so rapidly.

In February 2026 they rolled out a new program with new cards: Blue, Obsidian, and Palladium. The earning rules on housing payments became quite complicated with this relaunch — you have to spend a certain amount on non-housing purchases each month to unlock the housing rewards. The new lineup is still pretty new, so I'd recommend reading a current detailed review before applying.

Bilt Blue Card

The no-annual-fee entry point to the Bilt ecosystem. The earning rates are modest, but if you're already using Bilt for rent and you don't want to pay a fee, this is a fine starting card.

Annual fee: $0

Current bonus: typically around $100 in Bilt Cash upon approval (no traditional points welcome bonus)

Rewards & benefits: 1x points on everyday purchases; ability to earn up to 1.25x on housing payments through the tiered rewards system (depends on how much you spend on the card vs. your rent/mortgage); 4% Bilt Cash on non-housing purchases (alternative earning structure, separate from Bilt Points); free credit reporting on rent payments; no foreign transaction fees.

Best for: Renters or homeowners who want to earn rewards on housing payments without paying an annual fee. Strongest pro: a no-fee card that earns on rent and mortgage payments without a transaction fee.

Skip if: You don't pay rent or a mortgage. Biggest con: the 1x earning rate on non-housing purchases isn't competitive with Chase or Capital One for everyday spending, takes up one of your 5/24 card spots.

[CARD LINK: Bilt Blue Card → my Current Card Offers page]

Bilt Obsidian Card

The mid-tier Bilt card. You pick either dining or grocery as your 3x bonus category each year. The Bilt Travel Hotel credits are a nice add — split semi-annually and applied to bookings of 2+ nights through the Bilt Travel Portal.

Annual fee: around $95

Current bonus: typically around $200 in Bilt Cash upon approval

Rewards & benefits: Choice of 3x on dining OR 3x on grocery (grocery up to $25K/year); 2x on travel; 1x on everyday spend; up to 1.25x on housing payments through tiered rewards; alternative 4% Bilt Cash earning structure if you choose; annual Bilt Travel Hotel credits (semi-annual, on 2-night minimum bookings); transfers to all Bilt travel partners.

Best for: Families with concentrated spend in either dining or grocery who want to layer that on top of housing payment earning. Strongest pro: more flexibility than the Blue card with stronger bonus categories at a still-reasonable annual fee.

Skip if: You don't spend heavily in dining or grocery, or you don't pay rent/mortgage. Biggest con: the housing earning math is complicated — you have to maintain a certain ratio of non-housing spend to unlock the bigger housing rewards.

[CARD LINK: Bilt Obsidian Card → my Current Card Offers page]

Bilt Palladium Card

The premium Bilt card. The strongest welcome bonus in the Bilt lineup, plus Priority Pass access and a hotel credit. If you spend a lot every year and pay a mortgage, this is the Bilt card to look at.

Annual fee: around $495

Current bonus: around 50K points + Bilt Gold status + $300 in Bilt Cash upon approval, after $4K spend in 90 days

Rewards & benefits: 2x on every purchase (excluding rent/mortgage); 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases; up to 1.25x on housing payments through tiered rewards; up to $200 annual Bilt Cash credit; up to $400 annual Bilt Travel Hotel credit (split semi-annually, 2-night minimum); Priority Pass airport lounge access; access to all Bilt transfer partners.

Best for: Heavy everyday spenders who pay a mortgage and will use the lounge access and hotel credits. Strongest pro: 2x on everything plus 4% Bilt Cash makes the effective return on everyday spending one of the best on the market.

Skip if: You don't have housing payments or you can't fully use the credits and lounge access. Biggest con: Will you earn enough Bilt points to do anything meaningful with them? The program is confusing and it takes work to decide if you should put a lot of spend on the card.

[CARD LINK: Bilt Palladium Card → my Current Card Offers page]

The Southwest Cards

The Southwest Companion Pass is one of the highest-value points and miles strategies for U.S. based families. Once you qualify, one designated companion flies free with you (you pay only taxes, around $5.60 each way) for the rest of the calendar year you qualify in plus the entire following year. If you qualify in January or February, you get nearly two full years of use.

How we do it: Between my spouse and I have three Southwest Credit Cards between us. We cycle through every couple of years to keep both of us at Companion Pass status. The earned miles from sign-up bonuses count toward Companion Pass qualification and can be redeemed for flights. We use the earned miles to book our flights and then we each take our free companion several times a year.

Big change to know: Southwest moved to assigned seating starting in early 2026. That means seat selection benefits (which used to be irrelevant on Southwest) now matter. The higher-tier cards let you pick a Preferred or Standard seat at booking — worth the upgrade if you fly Southwest with kids and want to sit together. My spouse and I each keep one of the higher-tier cards to utilize this benefit.

If you fly Southwest at all a credit card may be worth the seat selection and bag check perks. Additionally, some of the credit cards come with promo codes for 10-15% off. We used this when booking four flights to Hawaii and saved a lot-that promo code alone was worth more than the card annual fee. If you are going for the Southwest companion pass you'll likely choose one personal card and one business card — Chase doesn't allow two personal Southwest card bonuses within 24 months. More info to come on the Southwest companion pass strategy soon.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

The entry-level personal Southwest card. Lowest annual fee, basic perks, but you still get the 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying point boost each year.

Annual fee: around $99

Current bonus: typically around 50-60K points after $1K spend in 3 months

Rewards & benefits: 2x on Southwest purchases; 2x on gas and groceries up to $5,000 spend; 1x on everything else; a free checked bag for up to 8 people on the same reservation; 3,000 anniversary bonus points; standard seat selection within 48 hours of departure; board no later than group 5 (access to bin space; 10% promo code on anniversary; 25% back on in-flight purchases; and 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying point boost each year.

Best for: Casual Southwest flyers who want the lowest annual fee. Strongest pro: lowest cost entry point to qualifying for the Companion Pass, getting free checked bags, and free seat selection.

Skip if: You fly Southwest enough that the higher-tier cards' perks would pay for themselves. Biggest con: no seat selection at booking.

[CARD LINK: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card → my Current Card Offers page]

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

The middle-tier personal Southwest card. More anniversary points than the Plus, plus better seat selection benefits now that Southwest has assigned seating.

Annual fee: around $149

Current bonus: typically around 50-60K points after $1.5K spend in 3 months

Rewards & benefits: 3x on Southwest; 2x on gas stations and restaurants (first $8K combined annually); 1x on everything else; 6,000 anniversary bonus points; free checked bag for up to 8 people on the same reservation; standard or preferred seat selection 48 hours of departure; 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying point boost each year; board no later than group 5 (access to bin space); 25% back on in-flight purchases; 15% promo code on anniversary; and 1,500 tier qualifying points per $5,000 spent (toward A-List status).

Best for: Southwest flyers who want better seat selection and the 15% promo code. Strongest pro: 6,000 anniversary points are enough to cover the difference in annual fee compared to the Plus. The 15% promo code can be quite valuable and/or seat selection or bag check on one flight can be enough to cover the annual fee.

Skip if: You fly Southwest a lot and would benefit from the Priority's annual travel credit. Biggest con: seat selection benefits are not as good as the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card.

[CARD LINK: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card → my Current Card Offers page]

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

The top-tier personal Southwest card. With Southwest moving to assigned seating, the Priority's preferred seat selection at booking and Extra Legroom upgrades are real value-adds for families who want to sit together. I keep either this card or the highest tier business card for the seat selection benefits. Strangely enough it doesn’t come with an annual 15% off promo code like the mid tier card.

Annual fee: around $229

Current bonus: typically around 60-75K points after $2K spend in 3 months

Rewards & benefits: 4x on Southwest; 2x on gas and dining; 1x on everything else; 7,500 anniversary bonus points; free bag check for up to 8 people on the same reservation; board no later than group 5 (access to bin space); preferred seat selection at booking, Extra Legroom upgrade within 48 hours; 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying point boost each year.

Best for: Families who fly Southwest regularly and value preferred seat selection at booking. Strongest pro: Pairing this card sign-up bonus with a business card sign-up bonus puts you at or very close to qualifyling for the companion pass. 

Skip if: You only fly Southwest a couple of times a year. Biggest con: Doesn’t come with a 15% off promo code. Additionally, it’s the highest personal card fee — only worth it if you'll use the seat selection and don’t have the higher tier business credit card which would give the same perk.

[CARD LINK: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card → my Current Card Offers page]

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card

The lower-fee Southwest business card. Same Companion Pass qualifying point boost as the personal cards. Solid pick for the second card in your Companion Pass strategy if you want to keep costs down.

Annual fee: around $149

Current bonus: typically around 60-80K points after $3K spend in 3 months

Rewards & benefits: 3x on Southwest; 2x on gas stations and restaurants (first $8K combined annually); 1x on everything else; 6,000 anniversary bonus points; 15% promo code on anniversary; board no later than group 5 (access to bin space); 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying point boost each year; 2,000 tier qualifying points per $5,000 spent toward A-List; doesn't count toward 5/24.

Best for: Anyone with a business who's pursuing the Companion Pass strategy and wants to add a second card to their lineup. Strongest pro: 15% annual flight discount code can save real money on family trips.

Skip if: You don't have business income or you'd rather get the more premium Performance Business card. Biggest con: lacks the seat selection perks of the higher-tier cards.

[CARD LINK: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card → my Current Card Offers page]

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card

The premium Southwest business card. Higher fee, but you get preferred seating at booking, unlimited extra legroom upgrades when available, and statement credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

Annual fee: around $299

Current bonus: typically around 80K points after $5K spend in 3 months

Rewards & benefits: 4x on Southwest; 2x on gas stations and restaurants; 2x on hotels booked direct; 2x on local transit and rideshare; 1x on everything else; 9,000 anniversary bonus points; preferred seat selection at booking; extra legroom upgrades within 48 hours; board no later than group 5 (access to bin space); $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit; 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying point boost each year; 2,500 tier qualifying points per $5,000 spent; and doesn't count toward 5/24.

Best for: Frequent Southwest business flyers who want premium seat selection and need the higher bonus to hit the companion pass requirements. Strongest pro: large signup bonus puts you close to the companion pass level, 9,000 anniversary points + travel perks justify the fee for anyone flying Southwest a few times a year.

Skip if: You don't fly Southwest enough to justify the $299 fee. Biggest con: highest Southwest Creidt Card fee at $299. If you already have the highest tier personal card you get the same seating benefits. This card doesn’t come with the 15% promo code and if you are not going for the companion pass you might be good with the lower tier card.

[CARD LINK: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card → my Current Card Offers page]

The Delta Cards

I live in a Delta hub, so we fly Delta a lot. The killer benefit of the Delta cards for me is TakeOff 15 — 15% off Delta award flight redemptions on Delta-operated flights booked through delta.com or the Fly Delta app. On a flights I'm redeeming SkyMiles for, that 15% saves a meaningful number of points.

Free checked bags is another reason families might want an airline specific credit card. We mostly fly carry-on so it matters less to us. All three personal Delta cards come with TakeOff 15 and a free first checked bag for the cardholder plus up to 8 companions on the same reservation.

Delta has multiple co-branded cards at different fee tiers. The higher-tier cards earn more toward Medallion status — only worth it if you fly Delta enough to actually hit status. For most people, choose the card that has the best sign-up bonus. Otherwise, you are probably great with the lowest fee card to get the benefits.

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

The entry-level Delta card. Reasonable annual fee, free checked bag, TakeOff 15. This card works great for moderate Delta flyers.

Annual fee: around $150 ($0 first year)

Current bonus: typically around 50-80K SkyMiles after $2K spend in 6 months

Rewards & benefits: 2x on Delta purchases; 2x at restaurants; 2x at U.S. supermarkets; 1x on everything else; free first checked bag for cardholder + up to 8 companions; TakeOff 15 (15% off Delta award flights); priority boarding (Zone 5); 20% back on in-flight purchases; up to $100 annual Delta Stays credit (prepaid hotels/vacation rentals through Delta Stays); $200 Delta flight credit after $10K calendar-year spend.

Best for: Occasional Delta flyers who want free checked bags and TakeOff 15 without a premium fee. Strongest pro: free checked bags for up to 9 people on one reservation is a massive savings for big families.

Skip if: You fly Delta once or twice a year. Biggest con: doesn't earn any progress toward Medallion status (no MQDs).

[CARD LINK: Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card → my Current Card Offers page]

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

The mid-tier Delta card. The Companion Certificate — a roundtrip Main Cabin domestic ticket each year on card renewal (you don’t get one the first year) — typically pays for the annual fee. This card also comes with free checked bags and 15% off award bookings. If you can use the companion certificate, this card might make more sense than the Gold card.

Annual fee: around $350

Current bonus: typically around 60-90K SkyMiles after $3K spend in 6 months

Rewards & benefits: 3x on Delta purchases; 2x at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets; 1x on everything else; Earn 1 MQD for every $20 spend; free first checked bag for cardholder + up to 8 companions; 15% off award bookings; annual Companion Certificate (roundtrip Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central America after card renewal); MQD Headstart toward Medallion status; up to $150 annual Delta Stays credit; up to $120 annual Resy credit; up to $9.99/month Uber One membership credit (through June 2026); priority boarding.

Best for: Regular Delta flyers and families who would use the annual Companion Certificate. Strongest pro: the Companion Certificate often saves more than the annual fee in a single use.

Skip if: You don't fly Delta domestically with a companion at least once a year. Biggest con: the Companion Certificate is restricted to domestic, Caribbean, or Central America routes — not useful for European or Asian travel.

[CARD LINK: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card → my Current Card Offers page]

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

The premium Delta card. Sky Club access when flying Delta (15 visits per Medallion year, unlimited after $75K spend), unlimited Centurion Lounge access when flying Delta, and an upgraded First/Comfort+/Main Companion Certificate. This is the Delta card to have if you want lounge access or value the increased MQD earning rate of 1 MQD per $10 spent.

Annual fee: around $650

Current bonus: typically around 70-100K SkyMiles after $5K spend in 6 months

Rewards & benefits: 3x on Delta purchases; 1x on everything else; earn 1 MQD for every $10 spend; free first checked bag for cardholder + up to 8 companions; TakeOff 15; annual Companion Certificate (Delta First, Comfort+, or Main Cabin roundtrip within the U.S.); 15 Sky Club visits per Medallion year (unlimited after $75K spend); four one-time guest passes to Delta Sky Clubs each year, Centurion Lounge and Escape Lounge access when flying Delta; complimentary upgrade priority for non-Medallion members; up to $200 annual Delta Stays credit; up to $240 annual Resy credit; $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit every 4 years; up to $9.99/month Uber One credit (through June 2026); priority boarding.

Best for: Frequent Delta flyers who want lounge access and plan to put significant spend on the card to get status. Strongest pro: Sky Club access + Centurion Lounge access on Delta flights is a strong combination for the price and the increased MQD earning rate is important for people spending to status.

Skip if: You don't fly Delta frequently enough to use lounges and earn Medallion status. Biggest con: $650 fee — only worth it for true Delta loyalists who fly often. The Platinum card is a better fit for many families.

[CARD LINK: Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card → my Current Card Offers page]

The United Cards

It is worth getting a United Card if you fly United regularly or plan to book award tickets because cardholders get access to better award pricing and saver awards that aren't available to non-cardholders. They also get free checked bags and priority boarding. United has a wider lineup than other airlines — choose based on how often you fly them.

United℠ Explorer Card

The most popular United card. Access to saver award flights, free first checked bag, priority boarding, and 2 United Club one-time passes per year. Solid mid-tier choice for moderate United flyers.

Annual fee: around $150 ($0 first year)

Current bonus: typically around 50-80K miles after $3K spend in 3 months

Rewards & benefits: 2x on United purchases plus an additional 1x just for holding the card (3x total); 2x on dining and hotel stays booked direct; 1x on everything else; free first checked bag for cardholder + 1 companion on the same reservation; priority boarding; 2 United Club one-time passes per year; $100 United travel credit after $10K calendar-year spend; up to $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit; 10K-mile award flight discount after $20K calendar-year spend; access to expanded saver award space (cardholder-only); 25% back on inflight purchases.

Best for: Moderate United flyers who want free checked bags and occasional lounge access. Strongest pro: cardholder-exclusive saver award availability often unlocks redemptions you can't book otherwise.

Skip if: You don't fly United regularly. Biggest con: only 2 United Club passes per year — not enough for frequent travelers.

[CARD LINK: United℠ Explorer Card → my Current Card Offers page]

United Quest℠ Card

The mid-tier United card. Higher fee than Explorer, but the $200 annual United travel credit and 10K mile award flight discount more than offset the difference. Two free checked bags vs. one. Plus a 1,000 PQP boost each year toward Premier status starting in 2026.

Annual fee: around $350

Current bonus: typically around 80-100K miles after $4K spend in 3 months

Rewards & benefits: 4x United flights (nore if MileagePlus member); 4x on other United purchases; 2x on travel, dining, and select streaming; 1x on everything else; two free checked bags for cardholder + 1 companion; $200 annual United travel credit (TravelBank cash); 10K-mile award flight discount each anniversary; second 10K-mile discount after $20K calendar-year spend; up to 18,000 PQPs annually through card spend; up to $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit; priority boarding; access to expanded saver award space (cardholder-only); 25% back on inflight purchases and additional credits including hotel credits, DashPass, Instacart, and car rental through United.

Best for: Regular United flyers who want premium baggage and an annual travel credit. Strongest pro: $200 in TravelBank cash + 10K-mile award discount essentially pays for the annual fee for United flyers.

Skip if: You don't fly United often. Biggest con: no lounge access — for that you need the Club Infinite card.

[CARD LINK: United Quest℠ Card → my Current Card Offers page]

United Club℠ Infinite Card

The top-tier United card. Comes with a United Club membership for unlimited lounge access, plus the strongest earning rates and Premier status acceleration in the United lineup. Big annual fee — only worth it for true United loyalists.

Annual fee: around $695

Current bonus: typically around 90-110K miles after $5K spend in 3 months

Rewards & benefits: 5x on eligible United flights (more if MileagePlus member); 5x on other United purchases; 2x on travel and dining; 1x on everything else; United Club membership (unlimited access to United Club locations with one guest and dependent children under 18); two free checked bags for cardholder + 1 companion; priority boarding; up to 28,000 PQPs annually through card spend; complimentary IHG Platinum Elite status; up to $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit; 25% back on inflight purchases; access to expanded saver award space (cardholder-only) complimentary Instacart+ membership; addition credits with car rentals, rideshare, hotels, and charter flights.

Best for: Frequent United flyers who use United Clubs regularly. Strongest pro: United Club access that a family can actually use. Cardholder can bring one guest and dependent children under 18.

Skip if: You don't visit United Clubs at least several times a year. Biggest con: $695 is a lot of money if the lounge access isn't a top priority for you.

[CARD LINK: United Club℠ Infinite Card → my Current Card Offers page]

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt Cards

I generally recommend starting with flexible bank points (Chase, Amex, Capital One) before any co-branded hotel card. You get more options that way, and you're not locked into one brand if your travel plans change. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless and the World of Hyatt cards are two exceptions I'd flag for newer points and miles families.

For Marriott, the welcome bonus regularly runs as 4-5 free night certificates (each worth up to 50,000 Marriott points, with the option to top off with up to 25,000 more points per night), which can be a phenomenal redemption if you're already planning a Marriott stay. The Boundless also includes a 35,000-point free night certificate every year on your account anniversary — easy to cover the annual fee if you can find a property that works for the certificate.

World of Hyatt is one of the most rewarding hotel programs out there, with low award rates (a Category 4 hotel costs as little as 12,000 points off-peak in 2026) and the best elite status benefits. The personal card includes a Category 1-4 anniversary free night certificate that often pays for the annual fee in a single stay and spending on these cards come with milestone rewards and help achieve status faster.

That said, both of these are co-branded cards. The points only work in their respective programs. Marriott has dynamic pricing and tends to require more points per night than Hyatt for comparable properties. Hyatt has fewer hotels overall, so the program works best if their footprint matches your travel patterns. I'd still apply for a Sapphire-branded card or Capital One Venture X first if you don't already have one.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

The most popular Marriott personal card. The annual free night certificate typically covers the annual fee, and the welcome bonus is one of the most rewarding hotel card offers when the 4-5 free night version is running.

Annual fee: around $95

Current bonus: currently 4 Free Night Awards after $4K total in 4 months, each worth up to 50,000 points (top off with up to 25K more per night). Sometimes runs as a 5-cert version. Standard offer is around 100-125K Marriott points.

Rewards & benefits: up to 17x at Marriott Bonvoy hotels (6x with the card + 10x base member + 1x Silver Elite); 3x on first $6,000 in combined annual purchases at grocery stores, gas stations, and dining; 2x on everything else; 1 Free Night Award each anniversary (35,000 points, top off with up to 25K more); Marriott Silver Elite status; 15 Elite Night Credits per calendar year toward higher elite status; Gold Elite at $35K calendar-year spend; 2026 exclusive: up to $100 in airline credits ($50 semi-annually after $250 in airline purchases).

Best for: Families who already stay at Marriott properties or want to lock in 5 nights at a Marriott resort with a low annual fee. Strongest pro: when the 4-5 cert welcome offer is running, this is one of the best hotel card bonuses on the market — easily worth $1,000+ in stays.

Skip if: You don't have any planned Marriott stays. Biggest con: the points don't transfer out of Marriott and they're worth less than Chase or Amex points for most other uses. Free night certificates expire after 12 months. Apply for this card with a plan in place to use the certificates.

[CARD LINK: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card → my Current Card Offers page]

World of Hyatt Credit Card

The Hyatt personal card is one of my favorite long-term keeper cards. The annual free night certificate at any Category 1-4 Hyatt property easily covers the annual fee, the elite night credits give you a head start on status every year, and Hyatt points are some of the most valuable hotel points. If you stay at Hyatt at all, this card pays for itself.

Annual fee: around $95

Current bonus: typically up to 60,000 World of Hyatt points (30,000 after $3K in 3 months, plus up to 30,000 more by earning 2x points on the first $15K spent in the first 6 months on purchases that normally earn 1x).

Rewards & benefits: up to 9x at Hyatt hotels (4x with the card + 5x base member); 2x on dining, airline tickets booked direct, gym memberships, local transit, and commuting (taxis, transit, tolls, rideshare); 1x on everything else; 1 Free Night Award each anniversary at any Category 1-4 Hyatt (worth up to 18K points peak, 12K off-peak); a second Category 1-4 Free Night Award after $15K calendar-year spend; automatic World of Hyatt Discoverist status; 5 elite night credits each calendar year, plus 2 more for every $5K spent on the card; primary rental car insurance; trip cancellation/interruption insurance; baggage delay insurance.

Best for: Anyone who stays at Hyatt at least once a year and wants a fast track to Globalist status. Strongest pro: the annual free night certificate is a great perk — even a 12,000-point Category 4 stay outvalues the $95 fee.

Skip if: You don't stay at Hyatt and don't plan to. Biggest con: Hyatt has a smaller footprint than Marriott or Hilton, so the card is only as valuable as Hyatt's coverage in the places you actually travel.

[CARD LINK: World of Hyatt Credit Card → my Current Card Offers page]

World of Hyatt Business Credit Card

The Hyatt business card is the fastest way to spend your way toward Globalist status — one elite night credit for every $2,000 spent. We keep this card for this benefit. There's no annual free night certificate, which is a notable downside, but the $100 annual Hyatt credit and the ability to give Discoverist status to up to five employees make this card a strong second card for any Hyatt-loyal small business.

Annual fee: around $199

Current bonus: typically around 60-80K Hyatt points after $5-10K spend in 3 months

Rewards & benefits: up to 9x at Hyatt hotels (4x with the card + 5x base member); 2x on fitness club and gym memberships; 2x in your top three spend categories each quarter (categories include shipping, dining, social media advertising, gas, transit, and more — Chase rotates the eligible list); 1x on everything else; up to $100 annual Hyatt statement credit (split as two $50 credits per year on Hyatt purchases); automatic Hyatt Discoverist status for the cardholder plus up to 5 employees; 5 tier-qualifying night credits for every $10,000 spent on the card (no cap); 10% rebate on redeemed points after $50K calendar-year spend; complimentary Hyatt Leverage business travel program access (15% off standard rates at participating Hyatts); free employee cards; primary rental car insurance for business rentals; trip cancellation/interruption insurance; doesn't count toward Chase's 5/24 rule.

Best for: Hyatt-loyal small business owners who want to spend their way to Globalist status. Strongest pro: faster elite night credit earning rate than any other card — combined with actual Hyatt stays, this is a realistic path to Globalist that doesn't require 60 paid nights per year.

Skip if: You don't have business income, don't stay at Hyatt regularly, or won't use the $100 Hyatt credit. Biggest con: no annual free night certificate, which makes this less of an automatic keeper card than the personal Hyatt card.

[CARD LINK: World of Hyatt Business Credit Card → my Current Card Offers page

Personal vs. Business Cards

I apply for business cards whenever possible. Most people qualify for some kind of business card even if they don't think they have a real business — gig work, consulting, freelance writing, selling crafts, dog-walking, side hustle income all count. Business cards don't count toward Chase's 5/24 rule, which means more sign-up bonuses over time. More on that in my upcoming points and miles starter guide.

Applying Through Referral Links

If any of these cards look like a fit for your family, I'd love it if you applied through the links in each card's section. It costs you nothing extra, and any commission I earn helps support the blog. Please verify current terms on the issuer's site before applying — credit card offers change often. All links go to my Current Credit Card Offers page, where I keep up-to-date sign-up bonuses, fees, and terms in one place.

Have Questions?

Picking the right card depends on your specific situation — your credit profile, your spending, your 5/24 status, what you're trying to redeem points for. Here are three ways to get help:

Email me directly. Send me a card question and I'll send you my thoughts.

Join our free monthly Travel Club. Members can ask card questions live, plus I cover trip planning, redemption strategies, and current offers. [LINK: Sign up on the homepage → https://www.funfamilytrips.com]

Stay tuned for more. My points and miles starter guide is in the works — it'll cover the 5/24 rule, application order, how to hit minimum spend, and the broader strategy. I'm also writing individual deep-dive posts on each card in this list.