09/09/2026
💰✈️ TRAVEL BUDGET TIP: Don’t forget about points!
My family doesn't actually have or use credit cards, but I know a lot of my clients do, so I do my best to stay updated on what's out there. If you’re someone who does use them responsibly, travel rewards and perks can be great tools for stretching your vacation budget.
One current offer caught my attention this morning: Southwest’s Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card is offering 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months.
$1000 is a pretty low spend. Most families would spend that between gas, groceries, and restaurants in one month alone. So potentially 51 000 points earned in one month is equivalent to TWO roundtrip plane tickets to Orlando.
Another perk that REALLY caught my travel-advisor eye.. 👀Your first checked bag becomes free 🧳AND that benefit extends to up to 8 additional passengers on the same reservation. One checked bag is usually $90 each way. For my packing-maximalist families, those baggage fees add up FAST. That perk would save $1620 if each person in a traveling party of 9 wanted to check a bag.
Here’s my favorite travel-budget strategy: Flights are often a GREAT place to redeem your points! 🙌🏻
When airfare isn’t part of a vacation package, I often encourage my clients to book their own flights anyway, because booking directly gives you control over your airline account, seat selections, flight changes and notifications.
So if you have points that can get your family to your destination for less - use them!
Then I can help you with the rest - the resort or hotel, cruise, transfers, activities, theme park vacation, etc. And suddenly the money you DIDN'T spend getting there can go toward the actual vacation. 🌴🏰🚢 OR maybe it means upgrading the room or adding an excursion or staying an extra night. Or maybe it simply brings the total vacation budget down, or even allows your family to go sooner because the overall goal of what to save is less.
Do you use points or miles for your flights? Or are you a “just tell me what it costs” traveler? 😂
But as your financially responsible older sister, I still have to say: Credit cards aren’t right for everyone. Always consider annual fees, interest rates, eligibility and terms, never spend money you otherwise wouldn’t just to earn travel rewards, and always pay your bill at the end of the month to avoid paying that interest 😉
