Families spend a lot on groceries, dining and phone plans, and trips cost more per booking. That makes everyday earning, free additional cards and trip protection the features that matter.
Advertiser disclosure: Fareroo is independent. Card links marked Partner are affiliate links: if you click and are approved, Fareroo may earn a commission from the issuer or an affiliate network, at no cost to you. That compensation may affect which cards appear on this page and in what order. Unmarked card links go straight to the issuer's official page and earn us nothing. We don't cover every card on the market. Card details below were checked on the issuers' official pages on October 22, 2026. Terms, fees and offers change often, so always read the issuer's current terms before you apply.
The picks
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Annual fee$95Foreign transaction fee$0 (none)
Trip cancellation and interruption cover is per covered traveler (up to $10,000 each, $20,000 per trip), which matters when you book for four.
Earning
- 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel
- 3x on dining, gas stations, EV charging and vacation homes at select top brands
- 3x on select streaming services and online grocery (excludes Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
- 2x on other travel, 1x on everything else
Worth knowing
- Points transfer to 10 airline and 4 hotel programs, including United, Southwest, Air Canada Aeroplan, Flying Blue, British Airways, Singapore KrisFlyer, World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy and IHG
- Up to $100 a year in statement credits for hotels booked through Chase Travel
- Up to $120 every four years toward Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS
- Trip cancellation/interruption cover up to $10,000 per covered traveler and $20,000 per trip; primary rental-car coverage (secondary inside the US for New York residents)
Welcome offers vary by where you apply and change often, so we don't list amounts. Details checked on the official Chase page on October 22, 2026. Terms apply.
American Express® Gold Card
Annual fee$325Foreign transaction fee$0 (none)
Up to five additional cards at no annual fee, and 4X at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 a year.
Earning
- 4X points at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 a year, then 1X)
- 4X at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 a year, then 1X)
- 3X on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com; 5X on prepaid hotels via AmexTravel.com
- 1X on other eligible purchases
Worth knowing
- Transfer points to 20 airline and hotel partners
- Up to 5 additional cards with no annual fee
- Monthly dining, Uber Cash and Dunkin' credits (enrollment required for some)
Welcome offers vary by where you apply and change often, so we don't list amounts. Details checked on the official American Express page on October 22, 2026. Terms apply.
Citi Strata Premier® Card
Annual fee$95Foreign transaction fee$0 (none)
No fee for authorized users, and 3X at supermarkets, restaurants and gas stations.
Earning
- 10 points per $1 on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked on cititravel.com
- 3 points per $1 on air travel and other hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and gas and EV charging
- 1 point per $1 on other purchases
Worth knowing
- Transfer ThankYou points to American Airlines, JetBlue, Virgin Atlantic, Cathay, EVA Air, Choice Hotels, The Leading Hotels of the World and others (minimum 1,000 points)
- $100 off one $500+ hotel stay a year booked through cititravel.com
- No fee for authorized users
Welcome offers vary by where you apply and change often, so we don't list amounts. Details checked on the official Citi page on October 22, 2026. Terms apply.
Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
Annual fee$0Foreign transaction fee$0 (none)
No annual fee, 3X on phone plans and cell phone protection when you pay the bill with the card.
Earning
- Unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations and EV charging, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans
- 1X on other purchases
Worth knowing
- Transfer points to select travel loyalty programs
- Cell phone protection up to $600 when you pay your phone bill with the card ($25 deductible)
- Visa Signature Concierge and Luxury Hotel Collection access
Welcome offers vary by where you apply and change often, so we don't list amounts. Details checked on the official Wells Fargo page on October 22, 2026. Terms apply.
Family tips
- An authorized user's spending earns points for the main account, but the primary cardholder is responsible for all charges.
- Insurance benefits usually require paying for the trip with the card; read the issuer's Guide to Benefits for who counts as a covered traveler.
- Award seats for a whole family are scarce at peak times. Book early or consider paying cash when Fareroo finds a fare drop.
Questions people ask
Do kids need their own card to earn?
No. Many issuers let you add authorized users; their purchases earn on your account. Age rules vary by issuer.
Does travel insurance from a card cover my whole family?
It depends on the card's terms. Chase, for example, states its trip cancellation limits per covered traveler. Check the Guide to Benefits before relying on it.
More card guides
Not financial advice. Fareroo is a travel-deals site, not a financial adviser, bank or lender. This page is general information to help you compare options; it doesn't consider your finances. A credit card only pays off if you pay the balance in full every month: interest and fees can quickly cost more than any rewards. Approval and terms are decided by the issuer. Never open a card just to chase a bonus you can't earn with normal spending.