5 Reasons to Use a Travel Credit Card on Your Family Vacation
6 Min Read | Last updated: June 4, 2026
This article contains general information and is not intended to provide information that is specific to American Express products and services. Similar products and services offered by different companies will have different features and you should always read about product details before acquiring any financial product.
Looking forward to a family vacation? The best travel credit cards offer special perks to help enhance your experience and reduce the cost.
At-A-Glance
- Family vacations can create cherished memories, and the right travel credit card can help raise the fun—and lower the cost.
- Many travel rewards cards offer perks like travel credits, free checked bags, personalized concierge services, late checkout, and more.
- A premium travel rewards credit card may help you streamline your airport experience with lounge access, reimbursed application fees for TSA PreCheck, and priority boarding.
Family vacations are a perfect way to create lifelong memories and have new adventures, but the logistics of traveling with multiple people can quickly get expensive. While the goal might be relaxation, the frustrations of navigating the airport and paying for flights and unexpected fees can be discouraging when planning your next getaway. However, some of the best travel credit cards can help you solve those problems before they arise and save some money along the way. Here are five ways credit cards can help you make the most of your next family vacation.
1. Savings on Hotels and Flights
There are several ways a travel credit card could save you money on your next family vacation. With the right card benefits, these four methods could reduce the total price or fully cover the cost of your trip.
- Stockpiling Rewards
Many travel credit cards offer rewards on purchases, plus bonus rewards points for everyday purchases like groceries and gas. That means simple purchases you’re already making could contribute to your vacation fund, assuming you’re using your travel rewards credit card to pay for them. For example, the Hilton Honors American Express Card has no annual fee1 and earns 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on eligible purchases at hotels and resorts that are in the Hilton portfolio, along with 5X Points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations.2 - Booking Through Travel Portals
Most travel rewards credit cards have a dedicated travel booking portal where you can use your rewards to reserve flights and hotels with their travel partners. There may be exclusive deals or opportunities for extra points if you book through the portal or directly with a participating hotel or airline. Even if you can’t pay for the entire trip with points or miles, it could still save you from paying the full cost out of pocket if you use rewards to cover a portion of the cost. - Travel Credits
It’s not uncommon for travel rewards credit cards to offer as much as $200 (or more) in yearly statement credits for eligible travel expenses. This means you can reimburse costs for eligible incidentals like checked bags—or maybe an in-flight meal to tide over growing kids with big appetites. - Price Protection
Some travel credit cards offer price protection, which monitors the price of your flight after you book it. If your flight price decreases after purchase, the card issuer may refund the difference to you as a statement credit. When you’re buying tickets for the whole family, those savings matter.
2. Streamlined Airport Experience
No matter what time your flight departs, it’s hard to predict the airport security line. Fortunately, some travel rewards credit cards can make navigating the airport a breeze while saving you money. When choosing a travel credit card, look for:
- TSA PreCheck®, Global Entry, or CLEAR® Plus reimbursement.
Some travel credit cards offer to reimburse your application fee for TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry.3 If you’re approved, you and your family can get expedited airport screening at participating airports.4 - Free checked bags.
Another benefit of some travel credit cards is free checked bags for everyone on your reservation. For example, the Delta SkyMiles Gold Card lets you get your first checked bag free on international and domestic flights, plus your second bag free on domestic flights. The fee waiver is also available for passengers traveling on the same reservation, for up to nine waivers. .
- Lounge Access
Instead of paying exorbitant prices for airport food and coffee, you could take advantage of lounge access benefits with a travel credit card that offers access for you and your guests. For example, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card offers 15 visits to the Delta SkyClub® Lounge each year, plus four one-time guest passes each year. That means you and your family can get complimentary refreshments at the lounge while you wait to board your Delta flight.
3. Personalized Services
Planning a vacation requires plenty of time and research on attractions, reservations, and bookings. However, when you have a travel card that offers customized travel services, designing the perfect family vacation gets easier.
For instance, some credit cards provide access to travel counselors who specialize in creating custom itineraries and recommendations. These personalized travel services might even be able to book flights and schedule ground transportation. If your premium travel card doesn’t offer that, you may have access to concierge services that can help you select a restaurant, book a hotel stay, or purchase event tickets. Cards with these features typically have a higher annual fee, but they could save you time and simplify planning.
Lost luggage, a damaged rental car, or an injury could disrupt even the best-planned vacations. Many travel credit cards offer services like luggage insurance, rental car insurance, and global assistant hotlines that can provide legal or medical referrals.4
4. Extra Nights and Special Treatment
If a five-day family vacation sounds nice, just think how much nicer an extra day could be. Some hotel rewards credit cards offer a free night award every year after your account anniversary, or after you spend a certain amount on that card in a year. For example, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card offers one Free Night Reward upon acquisition and every year after renewal.5 You’ll have more time to explore attractions, relax, and get the most out of your trip. However, you may still have to pay resort fees, taxes, or incidental charges.
Some co-branded hotel credit cards also offer elite status perks that let you upgrade your room at check-in (when available). Other common benefits include early check-in, late checkout, complimentary breakfast, or a hotel credit to use during your stay.
5. Convenience and Simplicity
One of the biggest benefits of travel credit cards is the convenience factor. Not only are they easy to use when paying for purchases, but they can also help you cover travel incidentals. To stay at a hotel or rent a car, you’ll probably need a credit card for any temporary holds or security deposits. Using the same travel card you used to book your vacation can keep all expenses in one place. Plus, many travel credit cards don’t charge foreign transaction fees. So during international travels, you won’t have to worry about extra charges on all your purchases. Travel cards can also help avoid costly currency exchanges at the bank, airport, or kiosk.
The Takeaway
Family vacations can be a treasure trove of memories that last a lifetime. Using the right travel rewards credit card can help you save time and money, so you and your family can make the most of every getaway.
1 For more on Rates & Fees for the Hilton Honors American Express Card, click here.
2 For more on Offer & Benefit Terms for the Hilton Honors American Express Card, click here.
3 “Credit Cards featuring TSA PreCheck®,” Transportation Security Administration
4 “TSA PreCheck®,” Transportation Security Administration
5 For more on Offer & Benefit Terms for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, click here.
Megan Doyle is a business technology writer and researcher whose work focuses on financial services and cross-cultural diversity and inclusion.
All Credit Intel content is written by freelance authors and commissioned and paid for by American Express.
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