Opening new cards strategically to cash in big welcome offers of points to get our little fam to that next dream vacay is a KEY part of our saving on travel strategy!

Yet, when not working on a new minimum spend, I find myself using some tried and true cards…these guys will NEVER leave my wallet and help me earn the most travel ongoing via our normal everyday spend. They have proven their value over and over again and even though some have annual fees, their benefits WAYYY outweigh those.

As a busy mom, I honestly don’t have time to juggle 7 cards to maximize EVERY.SINGLE.CATEGORY of purchases. Simple is best in this stage of life, so I like to fully optimize my spending for travel with these top 3 cards.

But what are they?? Okay enough stalling! Here’s the TOP cards that you’ll see in my wallet at all times!

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

First up, Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card! This card is literally always rewarding me for doing what we do best – eat and shop (responsibly of course:)).

We’re talking a stunning 3x points on things like online groceries and dining out…this is hugeeee for our larger family!

Just by using the Chase Sapphire as our go-to card for all online grocery orders (Instacart fanatic over here) and eating out- we are earning 3x of our FAVORITE points.

And the best thing? The points are my absolute favorite kind because they’re so super flexible and valuable.

They transfer to SO many clutch airline and hotel partners. Like Air France for dirt cheap flights to Europe. Or Hyatt for luxury hotel stays for $0 and soooo many less points than if you were to use those points in your travel portal.

It is pretty easy to continue to have a healthy stash of Chase points via their business card offers (bonus points that these cards don’t impact your personal credit long term and have no to VERY low annual fees!). These cards are for sure the MVP of our indefinite points earning strategy…and you probably qualify for a business card and don’t even realize! (See the full breakdown HERE!)

However, I just like earning as many Chase points as I can at all times (they are THAT valuable)

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a KEY part of that strategy- DO NOT skip on this one, the #1 travel rewards card to have in your wallet!

See the full breakdown on the Sapphire Preferred HERE!

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

I’d be totally lost without my Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.

2x points on EVERYTHING! This is my “catch all” card for all those purchases that don’t fit into a high multiplier category on other cards. Utility bills, Gymnastics tuition, Car Insurance etc.

Like I said, as a busy mom I don’t have a ton of time for juggling 5 million cards, so my goal is always to just get at least MORE than 1x points on every purchase. And my Venture X card allows us to earn 2x points on all those random, have to make any way expenses!

I LOVE using my Capital One MILES specifically for flights (their airline transfer partners are amazing!). And don’t even get me started on the lounge access.

GAME. CHANGER.

Guys, this card gets our entire family unlimited entry to those heavenly airport lounges worldwide…complete with comfy seats, free food, and a place for the family to feel all fancy schmancy before we board our flight! (One you lounge…you neverrrrr go back! And this card gives it to us for free!)

Yes, at first glance the annual fee on this one is steep. HOWEVER, if you look at the annual credits it provides it truly does nullify that annual fee and then some. (and that’s not even taking into account that unlimited lounge access for the whole fam!)

If you spend at least $300 on travel a year on average, the Venture X is a no brainer.

The Capital One Venture X is the #2 card that will ALWAYS be in my wallet.

Chase Freedom Flex®

Then there’s my unsung hero, my secret weapon – the Chase Freedom Flex®.

I say this card isn’t a great REDEEMING card, but it is a fantastic EARNING card. Meaning there is no value when it comes to redeeming points for travel (no airline or hotel transfers), but this card is a phenomenal way to EARN points. Chase points that can then be moved over to that valuable Sapphire above and thennnnn transferred out for some WILD value on travel.

Here’s the KEY: every quarter, you get 5x points on rotating categories. 5x of the MOST valuable points on purchases I was going to make anyway??? Yes pleaseeeeee!

This quarter the 5x points categories are McDonald’s, PayPal, Pet Shops and Vet Services, and select charities. So I can hook up my Freedom Flex card to PayPal and then when checking out online somewhere, if there is an option for PayPal to pay, I choose that. BOOM 5x points in my pocket on an expense I was going to make anyway.

These were the rotating categories on the Chase Freedom Flex® in 2024:

• Q1: January–March: Grocery stores, fitness clubs, and self-care and spa services
• Q2: April–June: Hotels, restaurants, and Amazon
• Q3: July–September: Gas stations, EV charging, movie theaters, and select live entertainment
• Q4: October–December: McDonald’s, PayPal, pet shops and vet services, and select charities 

There is a $1,500 cap each quarter on this 5x bonus, but when possible we really try to max that our EVERY quarter!

Seriously, the Chase Freedom Flex® is such a sleeper MVP card, always making sure I’m getting the most out of EVERY dollar to put toward dream vacations for the family or even sneaking away with just Luke and me.

Honorable Mentions

Two other cards very worth mentioning here:

• The American Express Gold Card: Although, American Express points can be a bit more of an intermediate step in your points journey (highly recommend starting with the Chase Sapphire FIRST), this card is literal GOLD when it comes to earning points. The 4x points at supermarkets and restaurants in VERY valuable for earning discounted vacations. I love my American Express points for saving big on airfare.
• The Capital One Venture Rewards Card: If the higher annual fee on that Venture X intimidates you (I get it!), this is your next best option! The regular Venture card also earns you 2x points on EVERY purchase and Capital One miles are a game changer for both flights and being able to reimburse yourself for those harder to save on travel expenses!

And nowwwwww if you’re curious the best way to OPTIMIZE all these amazing points that you’re earning for nearly free travel, don’t forget to grab our FREE Points 101 guide here! Ground ZERO for starting to turn all those Target runs into bucket list vacations!