Welcome to Travel Savvy Family – Your Guide to Traveling the World on Points & Miles

We all know that strategically signing up for new credit cards throughout the year is the most effective way to maximize earning potential. But what about those times when you aren't working towards a sign-up bonus? Knowing which credit card to use for each purchase can still significantly increase your rewards. This quick reference provides a clear breakdown of the best cards for different spending categories during those in-between periods. We put a lot of time and effort into creating resources like this to help you maximize your rewards. If you find this information valuable and decide to apply for any of these cards, using our referral links would mean a lot to us. It’s a simple way to show your support and helps us continue to create content that benefits you. 1. Everyday Spending (No Specific Category): Capital One Venture X : Your go-to for general purchases when no other card offers a bonus. Earns 2x on everything. Chase Ink Business Unlimited : If you prefer Chase Ult...

Launch Your Travel Dreams: Our Favorite Cards for Points & Miles We get it. The world of points and miles can seem like a secret society with its own language and rules. It can feel intimidating to even know where to start. But here at The Travel Savvy Family, we believe everyone can learn to use points and miles to travel for less. And that includes YOU! My best advice is to consider your travel goals and start earning points that will help you earn the trip that you have your sights set on! We've compiled this guide to walk you through the basics of choosing your first (or next) travel rewards card. We'll break down everything you need to know, from annual fees to bonus categories. If this guide helps you on your travel rewards journey, we'd be honored if you used our referral links when applying for cards. It's a small way to support our work and helps us keep the travel inspiration flowing! Our Top Picks for Travel Rewards: We'll break down the cards we lov...

  We love showing how travel hacking can turn dream vacations into reality. Here are a couple of examples of trips we've taken using points and miles, along with the strategies that made them happen: Trip 1: Cancun All-Inclusive Getaway for Two Destination: Hyatt Ziva Cancun (all-inclusive resort) Travelers: 2 adults Key Strategy: Southwest Companion Pass + Chase Ultimate Rewards Flights: We utilized the Southwest Companion Pass, one of the most valuable perks in travel hacking. There are two main ways to earn this coveted pass: Traditional Method: Accumulate 135,000 qualifying Southwest points in a calendar year. This typically involves strategically opening both a Southwest personal and a Southwest business credit card and meeting the minimum spend requirements on each. Promotional Offer : Keep an eye out for promotional offers! Southwest sometimes offers a shortcut to the Companion Pass by signing up for a specific credit card and meeting the minimum spendin...

Embarking on the journey of travel hacking with points and miles begins with securing lucrative sign-up bonuses (SUBs) from credit cards. To maximize these rewards, it's essential to understand how to meet minimum spending requirements, select the appropriate card, and evaluate annual fees. Below are a few questions that have come up in recent conversations.  How Do I Earn Sign-Up Bonuses (SUBs) and Meet the Minimum Spend? Sign-up bonuses are the secret weapon of travel hackers. Instead of slowly accumulating miles over years of regular spending, SUBs give you a massive boost right away. Here's the playbook: Meet the Minimum Spend: New cards require you to spend a certain amount (typically $1,000-$8,000, often around $3,000-$4,000) within the first 3-6 months. Don't panic! Use the card for all your regular expenses: groceries, gas, dining, utilities, even medical bills and childcare. Many services like insurance, internet, and cell phone providers accept credit car...