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

Chase Ultimate Rewards (UR) points are a powerhouse in the travel hacking world, offering incredible flexibility for families looking to stretch their vacation budget. But understanding how to earn and redeem them can feel a bit overwhelming at first. Let's break down the basics. Earning Chase Ultimate Rewards You can accumulate UR points with a variety of Chase credit cards, as long as they're not co-branded with specific airlines or hotels (think United, Southwest, etc.). This means cards like the Chase Freedom Flex, Chase Freedom Unlimited, and, of course, the premium Sapphire and Ink cards, are your gateways to earning UR points. Combining and Pooling Points Here's where things get really powerful: Premium Card Advantage: If you hold a premium Chase card,  Sapphire Preferred , Sapphire Reserve , or Ink Preferred , you can combine all your UR points from other Chase cards into that account (click on the links above to compare the benefits and see which card is bes...

Our Favorite Ways to Save on Short-term Rentals Planning a family vacation often means considering short-term rentals like Airbnb and VRBO for the added space and amenities. While direct point redemptions can be complex, there are several methods to leverage your credit card rewards for significant savings. Here’s a breakdown of practical approaches to help you maximize your points when booking these rentals. 1. The Power of Travel Erasers: Capital One's Flexible Points How it Works: Some credit cards, like Capital One cards with travel eraser features, allow you to redeem points for statement credits against eligible travel purchases. This means you can use your points to offset the cost of your Airbnb or VRBO rental. The Math: With Capital One, 1,000 points typically equal $1 in travel redemption. Example: If your Airbnb costs $650, you could use 65,000 Capital One points to cover the entire expense! Key Takeaway: While not always the highest redemption value, Capital ...