11/28/2025
Are you tired of feeling pressured to give your kids more STUFF? We felt the same way for years, so we switched to giving memories, instead of stuff. We do this, via travel! Giving kids the gift of travel instead of more “stuff” gives them memories, confidence, and perspective that last far longer than anything wrapped under the tree. This is possible for our family by maximizing reward points and credit card offers. Full disclosure, there is a LOT of information out there and it CAN be confusing. Not here to be an expert, but I am here to tell you what has worked for us and to give you an offer/boost that could benefit both of us!!!
Using points as “travel coupons”:
For us, the price tag of airfare is the biggest barrier—but the right credit card strategy can turn everyday spending into flights. We have maximized the Southwest Card, specifically the Companion pass for the past two years. We put EVERYTHING on my Southwest card in order to earn enough points to earn the Companion Pass for the following year. That means, anytime I fly, a passenger can fly free with me for a year (you can change that person up to 3 times in a year).
Additionally, Jason and I took a short weekend trip to Seattle earlier this fall in order to qualify for a companion pass offer. This earned us two companion passes, that can be used Jan-March. We have booked two separate trips in Jan and Feb with the kids, their airfare free. We were able to utilize frequent flyer points (also earned via the Credit Card throughout the year) to pay for our airfare. This saved us over $1800 in the one trip alone.
How to start (and our link):
If you are already using a credit card for groceries, gas, and bills, choosing a good travel rewards card simply means those same purchases start earning you future memories instead of just receipts. If you want to start giving your kids trips instead of more stuff, using our referral link for a family-friendly travel card helps you get a welcome bonus toward your first points-funded vacation, and helps our family keep turning points into more adventures too. With Southwest you will earn 85,000 points when you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months (we have NO issue doing this). That is enough for 2-3 flights, depending on where you are going. There is a $99 annual fee, but you will earn this back in NO time. As a card member you will get free bags anytime you fly for you and up to 8 passengers on your booking.
Link: https://www.referyourchasecard.com/226c/F4GP93F16S (be sure to read the terms and conditions for yourself)
This is the card that has worked for us, but we will be switching cards next year, as we are ready to explore other destinations that Southwest does not fly to. Whether or not you choose to use our link, feel free to ask me any questions you have. I will do my best to answer or connect you to my resources. Dailydrop is one of my new favorites! Where will you make memories this year?!
*Picture of our son in Costa Rica last year watching a sloth during lunch.
