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Erika's Picks for Best Credit Cards for Families
- Best for everyday family spending:
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express - Best for family entertainment:
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card - Best for family travel:
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card - Best for free flights for family members:
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card - Best for family dinners out:
American Express® Gold Card - Best for online shopping:
Amazon Prime Visa
You don’t need the headlines to tell you that life is expensive. Between groceries, gas, and utilities, your family spends thousands annually.
But what if you could earn cashback or perks like free hotels and discounted flights just by swiping the right card? You’re already spending the money, might as well cash in on the benefits.
These cards will help you turn everyday bills into savings or bucket list family vacations.
Best for Everyday Family Spending
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Rewards Rate
- 6% cashback on purchases at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%)
- 6% cashback on select U.S. streaming services
- 3% cashback on U.S. gas station and transit purchases (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more)
- 1% cashback on all other purchases
Welcome Offer
Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
Annual Fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 (rates and fees)
If most of your monthly budget is dedicated to supermarkets, streaming services, and gas or public transit, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express gives some of the best cashback for these categories. Cashback can be redeemed as a statement credit or at checkout on Amazon.com.
You can expect a generous welcome offer and other family-friendly perks, such as a $120 Disney streaming credit (up to $10 back per month as a statement credit; enrollment required) that could save you money on your family’s existing streaming needs.
The card also comes with valuable consumer protections, including purchase protection, extended warranty, and return protection.*
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is one of the better cashback cards out there, especially for families.
It’s simple to use, since you don’t need to track or activate rotating categories, like with some other cashback cards. And its highest-earning categories are the ones most commonly used by families: supermarkets, gas, and streaming.
And while a card with an annual fee can be intimidating, it is where you can earn the best cashback and perks. Thankfully, this card waives the annual fee for the first year to help take the sting out. (After that first year, you’ll want to make sure your cashback outweighs the fee.)
Best for Family Entertainment
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
Rewards Rate
- 8% cashback on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- 5% on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 3% on dining, entertainment, select streaming subscriptions, and grocery store purchases (excluding superstores)
- 1% on all other purchases
Welcome Offer
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual Fee
$0
If your family enjoys dining out and going to shows (or staying in to watch them), the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is a great card that earns cashback on those purchases.
It has a boosted earning rate on dining purchases at restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and fast-food chains, and on ticket purchases for movie theaters, sports events, amusement parks, tourist attractions, bowling alleys, aquariums, zoos, and more. At home, you can earn boosted points on video and music streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+.
You also get a whopping 8% cashback on purchases through Capital One Entertainment, where you can access VIP packages and on-site perks for sports, music, and dining.
Finally, the card also has a boosted earning rate on groceries, so you can also save money on your regular shopping (although this doesn’t apply to superstores like Walmart or Target).
Keeping the family entertained can be costly, whether it’s through monthly streaming subscriptions, dinners out, or tickets to the theater, amusement parks, or sporting events. Being able to earn cashback on these pricey purchases can help you save without sacrificing family fun. Plus, there’s no annual fee.
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is also good for travel, since it doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, includes travel accident insurance, and has a boosted earning rate for hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
The boosted cashback rate on groceries is also nice. However, if you do most of your grocery shopping at superstores like Walmart, you unfortunately won’t be able to benefit as much from this card.
Best for Family Travel
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Rewards Rate
- 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries
- 2x on all other travel purchases
- 1x on all other purchases
Welcome Offer
Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual Fee
$95
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a highly praised travel card for good reason. Not only will you find a generous welcome bonus and solid rewards rate with this card, but redeeming your Chase Ultimate Rewards® points is a breeze.
You can use your points to book flights, rental cars, hotels, cruises, and family-friendly tours and experiences through Chase Travel℠ for up to 1.75x the value with Chase's “Points Boost” — that means 10,000 points could be worth $175 in travel!
Chase also has numerous airline and hotel transfer partners — if you time a transfer well, you could get as much as 3-4 cents per point, stretching your rewards even further.
You also get travel protections such as trip delay, trip cancellation, baggage delay, and primary rental car coverage. And there are no foreign transaction fees.
For families that like to travel, the Sapphire Preferred can make your trips more convenient and affordable.
Although the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has an annual fee, the travel perks and protections that come with the card surpass any you will find with a no-annual-fee card.
Plus, it has a boosted earning rate on dining, some streaming services, and online groceries — common expenses for most families.
Having the protection of trip cancellation coverage, baggage coverage, and rental car insurance will give you peace of mind on your travels, and earning valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards® points means you can potentially save big on flights, hotels, and experiences.
Best for Free Flights for Family Members
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
Rewards Rate
- 4x points on Southwest Airlines® purchases
- 2x points at gas stations and restaurants
- 1x points on all other purchases
Welcome Offer
LAST CALL! Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Offer ends at 9 AM EST on 12/16/2025.
Annual Fee
$229
If you regularly fly Southwest, you’re probably familiar with the Southwest companion pass that allows one person to fly free with you for up to two calendar years (tax and fees not included). For families that travel a lot, having one less fare is a huge relief on your vacation budget.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card can help you earn that companion pass faster, with an annual 10,000-qualifying points boost.
Other travel perks include one free checked bag for up to eight travelers on the same reservation, which is a big win for families packing for little ones. And it comes with coverage for lost/delayed baggage, rental cars, and travel accidents, which can give you peace of mind on your next trip.
We love Southwest for its companion pass, and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is your best option for earning that pass faster.
It’s not the easiest perk to activate, and you will have to time it to maximize the value (read our tips on how to get the Southwest companion pass). But if your family vacation plans include a lot of air travel within the U.S. or to Mexico or the Caribbean, scoring the companion pass can save you thousands of dollars.
While there are other Southwest credit cards, the Priority has the most to offer, and it’s the only one that doesn’t have an annual cap on the boosted earnings rate for gas station and restaurant purchases.
Best for Family Dinners Out
American Express® Gold Card
Rewards Rate
- 4x points at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year (then 1x points for the rest of the year)
- 4x points at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year (then 1x points for the rest of the year)
- 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com
- 2x points on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com
- 1x points on all other purchases
Welcome Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Annual Fee
$325 (rates and fees)
No shame here: You’re a busy family that doesn’t always have time for home-cooked meals. Whether you’re running through the drive-thru before soccer practice or sitting down at a fancier restaurant for a birthday celebration, the American Express® Gold Card gives the highest cashback reward for restaurants and takeout.
Plus, it comes with these foodie-friendly extras:
- $100 Resy credit: Up to $50 twice a year as a statement credit when making Resy purchases (enrollment required)
- $84 Dunkin’ credit: Up to $7 monthly in statement credits at U.S. Dunkin’ locations (enrollment required)
- $120 dining credit: Up to $10 monthly in statement credits when using your Gold card at partners GrubHub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys (enrollment required)
And you can still earn even if you aren’t dining out, as groceries at U.S. supermarkets are another category where the Gold Card offers a boosted earning rate.
Not only does the American Express® Gold Card have the highest rewards for restaurants, but the rewards rate for groceries and flights is also decent. And the restaurant rate applies worldwide, so you can still earn a lot of points while traveling.
We also love the dining extras that come with this card, like the $84 Dunkin’ credit and $120 dining credit for GrubHub, The Cheesecake Factory, and Five Guys.
Best for Online Shopping
Amazon Prime Visa
Rewards Rate
- Prime Card Bonus: Earn 10% back or more on a rotating selection of items and categories on Amazon.com with an eligible Prime membership
- 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership
- 2% back at gas stations, on local transit and commuting, and at restaurants
- 1% back on all other purchases
Welcome Offer
Limited-Time Offer: Get a $250 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members
Annual Fee
$0
The Amazon Prime Visa is a great card to have if you frequently shop at Amazon, like many families do. You can earn up to 10% cashback on Amazon purchases, plus score boosted earning rates in common categories like restaurants and gas — helpful for family dinners out and driving the kids around town.
You can redeem rewards for Amazon purchases, cashback, gift cards, and bookings with Chase Travel℠. And since there’s no annual fee, the card won’t add anything to your family budget.
The card also comes with lots of protections that you don’t often see with a no-annual-fee credit card, like extended warranty protection, purchase protection, and travel insurance for auto rentals, lost/delayed baggage, and travel accidents.
Amazon is great for busy families, since you can order everything from baby food to school supplies, delivered right to your door. And since you can get up to 10% (or more) with the Amazon Prime Visa, you can save some money on those everyday purchases.
The only catch is that the highest cashback rate is on a rotating selection of items and categories, so you’ll need to track when it’s the best time to buy.
But it’s great that your rewards aren’t limited to the Amazon ecosystem — you can also redeem them for cashback, gift cards, and travel at Chase.com.
What Makes a Credit Card ‘Family-Friendly’?
When choosing a credit card, you want to find one that aligns with your household’s spending habits. For example, don’t invest in cards that only earn on dining out if most of your spending is at the grocery store.
Also, be realistic about travel perks and points redemptions. While a solo traveler may be able to score thousands of dollars in free vacations, your family of six may be living a completely different lifestyle that wouldn’t benefit from the same card.
Here are some features to look for:
High rewards for family spending
Figure out where you spend the most money each month and then look for credit cards that will best reward you for that spending. Outside of your rent or mortgage, you are probably spending the most on groceries, dining, gas, utilities, streaming services, and clothing stores or online shopping.
Making the simple change of which card you pull out for which expense is an easy way to save more or even get closer to free vacations. For example, using the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express for the first $6,000 will earn you $360 back — that’s a free night in a hotel.
Family-friendly entertainment
If your family travels a lot or frequently books activities in your hometown, like concerts, visits to the zoo, or sporting events, you may want a card that gives you access to booking portals.
Platforms like Chase Travel℠, Capital One Entertainment, and Amex Experiences often feature family-friendly activities.
Also, consider a card that has a high rewards rate on experiences. For example, the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card has an 8% cashback rate for tickets purchased through Capital One Entertainment.
Travel protections that matter
For families that travel, look for complimentary travel insurance for lost or damaged luggage, delayed or canceled trips, and emergency medical coverage.
But read the fine print to make sure everyone in your family is covered in every circumstance. For international or costly trips, consider also investing in a travel insurance policy, since your credit card perks might not fully cover every mishap that could happen.
COMPARE: Best Credit Cards With Travel Insurance
Free checked bags
Don’t waste money on baggage fees! They can eat up hundreds of dollars of your vacation fund, depending on your family size.
Co-branded airline credit cards often include free checked baggage — some for your entire group. For example, when you book a Southwest flight with the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card, you get a free checked bag for each passenger booked — up to eight companions.
Lounge access for kids
Some airport lounges offer designated nursing and family rooms and kids' play areas (however, these are limited, so check your closest airport to make sure this is a perk you can use!).
Generally, children under two don’t count toward your guest count.
Premium credit cards often feature lounge access for you and guests. For example, the (admittedly pricey) Chase Sapphire Reserve® allows cardholders and two guests access to over 1,300 Priority Pass lounges.
COMPARE: Best Credit Cards for Lounge Access
How to Maximize Rewards Without Overspending
The goal is to keep your everyday spending the same while still earning as many rewards as possible.
Here are some tips to help you do that without taking on debt.
Stack categories
It can feel inconvenient to use a different card for each type of purchase, but this is how you will get the most out of your spending. Lots of credit cards don’t charge annual fees, so it’s possible to keep several of them that you can rotate through, without losing money to an annual fee.
For example, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is ideal for supermarket shopping, but when you go out for dinner, switch to a card that offers a higher cashback rate for dining, such as the (no-annual-fee) Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card.
Add an authorized user
Your credit card may offer a reward bonus for adding an authorized user within the first three to six months of opening your account. You might need to reach an additional spending limit, but it could unlock more points.
In the past, I earned an additional 5,000 points when I added an authorized user to my Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
You will need to check which cards are offering a similar promotion before signing up.
Remember: Authorizing a user to your account doesn’t mean you need to let them have access to a card. If you want your teen to build a credit score, this could be a good way to do it.
Pool points
Before you spend your points, make sure you have pooled all your points together from related cards and your spouse's card.
This is especially true for Chase Ultimate Rewards® — you will need to combine the points from your different accounts or Chase cards to spend together.
Transfer to a better travel partner
Most card issuers value their reward points at 1 cent per point, if not less. But you may be able to transfer your points to a partner airline or hotel that values these points at 1.5 to 2 cents per point (or more).
Pair this transfer with a travel partner that is having a special deal on flights or hotel stays, and you can save even more.
COMPARE: Best Travel Credit Cards
Time big purchases
If you know you are going to make a big purchase, you can time opening a new credit card to make the most of it.
Many cards come with sign-up bonuses — the bigger the bonus, the more you usually have to spend within the first few months. If you’re budgeting for a new laptop or home renovation project, use that purchase to hit your spending requirement for the bonus.
Bottom Line: Choose the Right Credit Card for Your Family
If it feels like all of your paycheck is devoted to keeping your family alive with little to spend on fun and vacationing, you need to rethink how you are spending.
By switching up your payment method, you could be earning cashback on purchases you have to make anyway (like gas and groceries) or saving up points to cover the costs of your dream vacation.
Pay attention to where you spend the most and the type of rewards you’d like to earn (points or cashback), then select a card that matches your family’s habits and goals. Also look for benefits like travel insurance or statement credits for retailers you use frequently, so you can maximize the card’s value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add my child or teenager as an authorized user to earn more rewards?
Sometimes. Many cards will offer a bonus for adding an authorized user and spending a minimum amount. Check with your card provider if there is an age requirement, and remember that any missed payments to the card will affect your child’s credit score.
Which credit cards offer travel insurance that covers the whole family?
There are several cards that offer travel insurance for you and your immediate family. Typically, these are the travel credit cards that come with an annual fee.
For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card will cover each person in your immediate family traveling with you, up to $10,000 per traveler, through its trip cancellation insurance if you use the card to book your trip.
Are there cards that offer points or discounts for theme parks or family attractions?
Typically, the credit cards that offer direct discounts on theme parks or family attractions are ones that are connected to the theme park. For example, the Disney® Premier Visa® Card offers 10% to 15% off select Disney merchandise and park purchases.
Capital One, Chase, and American Express might also have special offers through their booking platforms, which might occasionally include deals on theme parks or family attractions.
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Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
