Are you ready to learn how to plan your first rewards trip using points and miles? In this episode, I’m sharing practical tips and lessons from my family’s journey into rewards travel.  

We’ll cover everything from choosing your first rewards card to booking your flights and accommodations, all designed to help you maximize travel opportunities while keeping costs down. 

Whether you’re new to credit card rewards or want to maximize your points and miles, this episode breaks down the steps for planning a trip without breaking the bank. 

Takeaways 

In this episode, you’ll learn: 

Factors to consider when choosing your first rewards credit card 

How to strategically earn and redeem points for a family trip 

Practical tips for maximizing travel rewards and staying organized 

Episode Summary 

In this episode, I walk you through the essential steps for planning your first rewards trip with points and miles. We start by discussing how to choose a rewards credit card that aligns with your travel goals, covering factors like earning rates, welcome bonuses, and card perks. You’ll hear how I approached this process when I first got started and the types of rewards cards that have been most valuable to my family. 

We'll discuss researching and booking your trip. Learn how to calculate how many points you’ll need, choose flexible travel dates for better deals, and find flights and hotels using Google Flights and award availability tools. For our family, planning ahead and staying flexible has been key to stretching our points and making travel more affordable. 

I also share best practices for rewards card use, such as paying your balance in full, strategically using transfer partners, and avoiding fees. This episode is packed with actionable advice to help you make the most of your rewards for a memorable, cost-effective family trip. 

✈️ Award Availability Tools For Flights 

Point.me 

Point.me is a powerful tool for comparing award flight availability across multiple frequent flyer programs. Its easy-to-navigate interface helps you find the best redemption options for your points.  

Roame 

Roame is a tool that simplifies award flight searches by helping you find the best points and miles redemptions based on your preferences. It offers detailed searches across different airlines and loyalty programs.  

Seats.aero 

Seats.aero offers fast searches for award flight availability, allowing you to view results across multiple airlines instantly. It’s a useful tool for travelers looking to snag last-minute award seats. 

PointsYeah 

PointsYeah is an award travel search engine that helps you find available seats using points and miles across different airlines and alliances. It also offers insights on the best redemptions for your travel dates.  

<span class="TextRun SCXW38205073 BC