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3 Credit Cards That Paid for Our Family’s Last Luxury Trip

  • Writer: Pinot & Points
    Pinot & Points
  • 5 days ago
  • 3 min read

Updated: 1 day ago

When people ask how we manage to fly business class to Europe or check into five-star hotels with kids in tow, the answer always starts the same: it’s all in the points strategy.

With just a few smartly chosen cards, everyday spending can turn into champagne-taste experiences. Here’s how three cards in my wallet funded our last family adventure.



💼 The Platinum Card® from American Express


Best for: Flights + luxury travel perks

  • 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel

  • Lounge access, hotel elite status, and travel credits


How we used it: Every flight we book for our family of four goes on this card, earning 5x points per dollar. The perks start before takeoff — Centurion Lounge access means we can recharge, grab a bite, and even enjoy a pre-flight glass of Pinot Noir. It’s truly one of the best premium credit cards for turning points into luxury travel.




🍽️ Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Best for: Travel + dining

  • 3x points on dining

  • 2x points on travel

  • Flexible Ultimate Rewards points that transfer to partners like Hyatt, United, and Air France


How we used it: This is one of the best travel credit cards for families because its definition of “travel” is incredibly broad. From parking garages and train tickets to airfare, hotels, car rentals, cruises, ferries, and even taxis — almost every part of your trip qualifies. I love swiping this card on a current vacation to earn 2x points that help fund the next one.


Chase Sapphire Preferred referral link - https://www.referyourchasecard.com/19u/WZPGG7NAK1



🥂 American Express® Gold Card

Best for: Everyday spending

  • 4x points at restaurants worldwide

  • 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25k/year)

  • 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines


How we used it: Every grocery run before the trip adds up, and every family dinner out does too. Whether it’s dining down the street or across the Atlantic, every meal goes on this card. The Amex Gold quietly transforms everyday spending into the points that pay for our next family getaway.




Aesop Istros Room Spray

✨ The Strategy in Action

By pairing these three cards, we maximized every category:

  • Flights → Amex Platinum (5x)

  • Dining + groceries + travel → Amex Gold & Chase Sapphire Preferred (2x–4x)

  • Flexible points → balances in both Membership Rewards and Ultimate Rewards

The result? Enough rewards to book business class flights for four and cover multiple nights at luxury hotels — all from spending we’d be doing anyway.



🥂 The Pinot Edit Takeaway

You don’t need a dozen credit cards to unlock luxury travel. With the right strategic credit cards in your wallet — and a plan that fits your lifestyle — your next family vacation could be funded in points.



✨ Where to Learn More

Book a Swirl Session where we’ll identify the best credit card approach based on your current spending – ensuring you’re earning maximum points for every dollar.



Disclaimer

Referral Links: If you’d like to explore these cards, here are my personal referral links. If you apply through these, I may receive a referral bonus from the bank — at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Pinot & Points!


Amex Platinum referral link


Amex Gold referral link


Chase Sapphire Preferred referral link https://www.referyourchasecard.com/19u/WZPGG7NAK1

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