Best Credit Card for Families Who Travel

Best Credit Card for Families Who Travel

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card was launched roughly a year ago, and has proven to be an incredibly popular product. We normally look at credit card values in the context of what a card has to offer for the primary cardmember as you’ll see in our top cards of 2022. However, sometimes it makes sense to look at the overall value of a card for a family.

Is there such a thing as a perfect credit card for families? Well, I’d argue the Capital One Venture X is unbeatable in that regard.

The Capital One Venture X pays for itself

First for some background, the Capital One Venture X has a $395 annual fee. However, in reality the card shouldn’t cost anyone nearly that much, as there are endless reasons to pick up this card. Among other things, the card offers:

  • A $300 annual travel credit redeemable through Capital One Travel; this should be good as cash to most cardmembers, as it can be used for flights, hotels, or rental cars
  • 10,000 anniversary bonus miles, which can be redeemed for $100 toward a travel purchase, or can be transfered to airline and hotel partners
  • Amazing airport lounge access, including a Priority Pass membership, Plaza Premium lounge access, and access to Capital One Lounges
  • Primary rental car coverage
  • Cell phone protection
  • Hertz President’s Circle elite status
  • 2x Venture miles per dollar spent with no caps on earnings and no foreign transaction fees, making this one of the best cards for everyday spending, and one of the best cards for foreign purchases
  • The card is also offering an excellent welcome bonus of 75,000 Venture miles upon completing minimum spending, and anecdotally lots of people are having success getting approved.

Go here for 75,000 mile sign-up bonus with the Capital One Card or read our full review here.

This is truly a card that pays for itself — the $300 annual travel credit and 10,000 anniversary bonus miles should more than cover the annual fee on an ongoing basis, and then the rest is just having your cake and eating it. Did we even mention you get early access to concerts such as Taylor Swift?

Why the Capital One Venture X is perfect for families

While the value of the Capital One Venture X is there for just a single user, what makes this card exceptional is the unrivaled value it offers to families. Capital One lets you add up to four authorized users to the Venture X at no extra cost, and best of all, each authorized user gets many of the same perks as the primary cardmember.

This is ideal for families who want to add their significant other, children, parents, etc., to their credit card (Capital One also doesn’t have a minimum age to add authorized users). Authorized users receive:

  • All the same lounge access perks as the primary cardmember, including a Priority Pass membership, access to Plaza Premium Lounges, and access to Capital One Lounges
  • Earn 2x Venture miles on spending with no foreign transaction fees; the primary cardmember is on the hook for paying and racks up the points, but this is a great everyday spending card to give to a spouse or children if you’re looking to maximize rewards in an easy way
  • The same protections, including cell phone protection, primary rental car coverage, etc.
  • Hertz President’s Circle elite status
  • In one example you can add your parents to the Capital One Venture X, so that they can get airport lounge access. If you have teens you can add them.
  • Go here to apply and get 75k miles

While there are several good premium credit cards, other popular options don’t let you add authorized users for free:

  • The Chase Sapphire Reserve Card (review) charges $75 per authorized user
  • The Platinum Card from American Express charges $175 to add a total of up to three authorized users (Rates & Fees)
  • So by comparison, being able to add four authorized users at no cost on the Capital One Venture X is unbelievably generous.

Bottom line

The Capital One Venture X has an amazing value proposition in general, but the area where the card really shines is for families. That’s because you can add four authorized users to the card at no extra cost, and they get many of the same perks as the primary cardmember, including airport lounge access. You also get to bring up to 3 people into a lounge with you when you fly at any Priority Club lounge (some are saying more than that). They are also adding a new Capital One Lounge in Denver and Las Vegas!

Being able to gift airport lounge access to family and close friends is an awesome opportunity, especially since it doesn’t come at any sort of opportunity cost. So if you are considering this card, be sure to think of it beyond just the value to the primary cardmember.

$100 TikTok Challenge

Event Summary: Get a $100 reward when you share your MaxRebates experience on TikTok.. If you are not familiar with MaxRebates they are cash back program where you shop online or with an app and earn rewards you can redeem with Paypal or gift cards by spending most anywhere you shop already. They are comparable to the Ibotta app but much more generous offering a $50 bonus for spending $25 .and a $5 free Starbucks drink.

Event Date: August 26 – September 15, 2022

MaxRebates Highlights:

  • 100% Cash Back: MaxRebates is an online shopping Cash Back platform with a network of thousands of top brands and merchants. Users enjoy 100% of the total Cash Back straight from the merchants, with no hidden commission fees.
  • Upload Receipts and Redeem Cash Back: MaxRebates offers $1 Cash Back for many popular offline and online stores like Starbucks, Apple, T.J. Maxx, Target, and more. >> 

Mechanics:

1. The activity is open to all MaxRebates users. If you are not a user you can sign-up and get an additional $50 bonus.

2. To submit an entry, the user must publish MaxRebates-related promotional content on the TikTok platform and upload the link to their video in the comments section below. We are open to submissions starting from August 26 until September 15. The total number of views for every video entry will be finalized on September 16.

3. After the event period, rewards will be distributed to participants whose TikToks registered a specific number of views. The rewards will be sent to your MaxRebates account within 15 days after the event ends.

4. Reward amounts will be as follows: 

Total Views/ PlaybacksReward
500 and below$2
501 – 2,000 $5
2,001 – 5,000$10
5,001 – 10,000$20
10,001 – 20,000$50
20,001 and up$100

The rewards can only be withdrawn when total Cash Back earnings in your account have reached the required minimum for withdrawal.

 5.  You can upload more than one video if you choose. However, MaxRebates will only consider the video with the highest number of views for users with multiple submissions.

Show your followers how MaxRebates has helped you get Cash Back and big savings in the most creative way!  You can also invite your friends as part of your content and earn additional bonus rewards with the MaxRebates friend referral program.

Bookmark the page so you can post the link to your entry in the comments section. Start uploading your TikTok videos now. Get more views and earn the maximum $100 reward. 

Not a member yet? Sign up for a FREE MaxRebates account today and start earning Cash Back every time you shop online.

MaxRebates promotion $50 sign up Bonus (stacks with the $100 Tik Tok Challenge)

MaxRebates new account promotion offer gives a $50 MaxRebates sign up bonus. Open an account to get the best money-saving deals on your shopping.

Sign up for Max Rebates

  • Click on the MaxRebates “Get $50 bonus” button, and you will get the Sign-up page
  • Create a free MaxRebates account and enter your details.
  • After successful sign up you will see a pop message showing Claim your $50 signup bonus.
  • Your bonus between $5-$50 will be applied to your account.
  • Make a purchase of $25 at least within 30 days of opening an account.
  • Withdraw your funds from PayPal or ACH bank.

Panera Bread: Free Flatbread Pizza + 3 Months Coffee Subscription

PGGoodEveryDay and Panera Bread is offering a free Panera Flatbread Pizza. To get FREE Panera Flatbread Pizza and 3-Months of Coffee Sign up for P&G Good Everyday Rewards and you will get 25 rewards points. Through March 31st, they have FREE Panera flatbread as well as 3 months of free coffee for 25 points.

1. Go to PGGoodEveryDay and create an account

2. Go to Panera to redeem 25 points and receive 3-Month MyPanera+ Coffee Subscription + Free Flatbread Pizza

3. Your unique coupon code should arrive quickly via email.

We tried Panera Flatbread pizza for the first time and it was surprisingly good. We saved a total of $11 on this order because we ordered our free coffee with the free flatbread promo codes as you can see below:

How to Save 10% on Panera Orders

Save more at Panera and other restaurants by signing up for a Chase Freedom Flex card where you can get 10% back at Panera by using Chase Offers. See below for an example:

Cowboy’s Chicken: $5 Off Promo Code

If you want authentic and incredible “fast food” chicken that beats Chick-fil-A hands down then check out Cowboy’s Chicken. They make some of the best wood fire chicken including sandwiches and enchilada plates.

Cowboy Chicken is celebrating the grand opening of a new location in Fresno, CA so they are giving all the locations a reason to join in and save. Wednesday, Oct 16 they are rolling back prices on the original menu items back to 1981 pricing. This is an app promotion only so you must download the app and then order to get some of these at ridiculous prices:
— Half Chicken Meal with signature Twice Baked Potaters and Ranchero Beans for only $3.29
— Homemade Peach Cobbler for only $1.19
Umm can we just live in 1981 again? 

If you do not already have the app you can get it here.
Download the Cowboy Chicken Rewards app and get $5 to spend! https://www.thelevelup.com/c/TW-CGAHD482JZ

Once you download the app you’re one step closer to unlocking rewards!You automatically receive $5 off your first transaction with the app. You will also receive a $5 credit for every $50 spent, pay at the counter, receive birthday treats and other great offers year round. An alternative way to order with Cowboy’s chicken is to use Chase Pay.
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Citi Double Cash Card Review: Earn 2x Points Everywhere

Why the Citi Double Cash is so valuable

The Citi Double Cash is possibly the most versatile no annual fee credit card out there. It’s the credit card I use for everyday spending, and it’s one I recommend regardless of whether you want to earn cash back or travel rewards.

Here are the four reasons that the Citi Double Cash should be in your wallet:

Earn a higher cash back on all spending

The Citi Double Cash has a phenomenal rewards structure if you’re looking to earn cash back. At this point that’s understandably what lots of people are looking to earn, as getting cash towards your daily expenses may be preferable to earning travel rewards.

The card offers:

  • 1% cash back when you make a purchase
  • 1% cash back when you pay for that purchase

By the time you’ve paid for your purchase you’ll get two cents back on every dollar spent. This is more rewarding than a vast majority of cash back credit cards, and is in line with the best cash back return you’ll find on a credit card.

There’s not a single card I can think of that offers a return of better than 2% cash back unless its a business card such as the Capital One Spark Visa and you have to pay a $59 annual fee.

The Citi® Double Cash Card used to just be an excellent cash back credit card, but nowadays it’s also an exceptional credit card for those looking to earn rewards points. So in this post I wanted to provide an updated review of this amazing card.

As far as were concerned, this card has ushered in a new era of credit cards, where you can earn 2x transferable points on all purchases with no caps. So not only is this a great card for those looking for a simple credit card strategy, but it’s also a great card for those who go great lengths to maximize their points.

No Annual Fee
The Citi Double Cash has no annual fee, which you can’t beat. A lot of people sacrifice credit card rewards because they don’t want a card with an annual fee, so here you’re getting a valuable card that won’t cost you anything.

0% Intro APR
The Citi Double Cash has an offer for 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer when transfers are completed within 4 months from date of account opening. After that, your APR will be 13.99% to 23.99%, based on your creditworthiness.

This won’t be for everyone, but I know that this is something that some people take advantage of. While some cards offer 12 months 0% APR, 18 months is quite a long time.

Mastercard Benefits
The Citi Double Cash is a Mastercard, which is worth mentioning because Mastercard has excellent acceptance with merchants.

The same is true of Visa, though this is an area where American Express is still improving. So there is something to be said for getting a Mastercard that will be accepted virtually everywhere.

Citi is among the most generous issuers in letting people product change between cards:

You can downgrade any personal Citi credit card to the Citi Double Cash; this even includes co-branded cards
You can generally only product change if you’ve had a card for at least 12 months, so you can’t do this with a new card
You’ll want to call Citi to see all the options available to you
The benefit of product-changing rather than applying new is that you can maintain your credit line, and also that it won’t count as a further inquiry on your credit report.

Whether you apply for the card outright or product change to it, you have options.

Earning Rewards With The Citi Double Cash
This is where the Citi Double Cash gets truly incredible, especially with the changes that were made to the card recently. When you spend a dollar on the card (and pay the bill) you’re potentially looking at earning two cents of rewards, and those rewards can even be transferred to Citi ThankYou points at a ratio of one cent per point.

Earning Cash Back With The Citi Double Cash
The Citi Double Cash offers 1% cash back when you make a purchase, and 1% cash back when you pay for that purchase.

So after paying for your purchase, you’ll earn rewards worth two cents back on every dollar spent, which is great. A lot of people earn 1-1.5% cash back on their credit cards, so this is much better.

HOW TO REDEEM CITI DOUBLE CASH REWARDS AS CASH
As explained above, the Citi Double Cash offers a return of two cents on the dollar for your spending (after paying your bill), but how does the actual process of earning cash back work?

The cash back will show in your Citi account after logging in, and will appear in two columns — the 1% cash back you earn from spending, and then the 1% cash back you earn from paying for your purchase.

You’ll need a minimum of a $25 cash back balance to redeem your Citi Double Cash rewards, which is earned after $1,250 of spending. You have four redemption options for Citi Double Cash rewards:

  • You can redeem for a gift card from a variety of retailers
  • You can redeem for a statement credit, which will post to your account within 2-3 days
  • You can redeem for a direct deposit, which can be to a Citi account, or an account with another bank
  • You can redeem for a check, which will be mailed to you within 7-10 days
  • Personally, I wouldn’t redeem for a gift card (why limit yourself?), but rather would choose either a direct deposit or check, which gives you the most flexibility.

Earning ThankYou Points With The Citi Double Cash
In September 2019, Citi added the functionality to convert Citi Cash Rewards into Citi ThankYou points at the rate of 100 ThankYou points per $1 of Cash Rewards. In other words, 100 cents cashback converts into 100 ThankYou points.

There are lots of ways you can redeem your Citi ThankYou points. You can redeem them for one cent each towards gift cards and other purchases, though that isn’t worth it. At that rate you’re just better off earning cash back outright rather than gift cards.

Where this gets really valuable is if you have the Citi Double Cash in conjunction with either the Citi Premier or Citi Prestige. If that’s the case then you can also transfer these points to Citi’s airline transfer partners, including Etihad Guest, Singapore KrisFlyer, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, and more. This is a fantastic way to redeem for international first & business class experiences.

Points potentially transfer at the following rates to the following programs:

Citi ThankYou Transfer Partner Transfer Ratio
Aeroméxico Club Premier 1000 : 1000
Air France KLM Flying Blue 1000 : 1000
Avianca LifeMiles 1000 : 1000
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles 1000 : 1000
Etihad Guest 1000 : 1000
EVA Air Infinity MileageLands 1000 : 1000
Jet Airways JetPrivilege 1000 : 1000
JetBlue TrueBlue 1000 : 1000
Malaysia Airlines Enrich 1000 : 1000
Qantas Frequent Flyer 1000 : 1000
Qatar Privilege Club 1000 : 1000
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer 1000 : 1000
Thai Royal Orchid Plus 1000 : 1000
Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles 1000 : 1000
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club 1000 : 1000
This is the first credit card out there to offer an uncapped return of 2x transferable points per dollar spent. I value ThankYou points at 1.7 cents each, so to me that’s like a return of 3.4% on spending.

In some cases, you can do even better than that. Citi frequently has transfer bonuses, so you can potentially take advantage of those while earning 2x points on this card.

The only card that compares in any way is The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, which offers 2x Membership Rewards points on the first $50,000 spent every calendar year.

Is The Citi Double Cash Right For You?
The Citi Double Cash has long been lucrative. However, historically I’ve thought this card was ideal for those looking to earn simple cash back rewards, rather than true points hobbyists. That’s no longer the case, since major changes were made several months back.

After you spend a dollar on the card and pay the bill you’ll have your choice of earning:

Two cents cash back
Two transferable points, assuming you have the card in conjunction with the Citi Premier or Citi Prestige
Earning 2x transferable points per dollar spent with no caps on earnings is unrivaled.

Citi Double Cash Card Alternatives
The Citi Double Cash is now industry leading when it comes to the return it offers on transferable points, though there are still some other cards that may be worth considering:

If you want a card that has among the best cash back rates in the industry, the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card (review) has a $95 annual fee, a welcome bonus worth $500 of travel, provides great perks, and potentially offers up to 2.625% cash back
If you’re looking to earn flexible travel rewards, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card (review) and Chase Freedom Unlimited® (review) are an incredible duo that offer a great return on spending and valuable perks
If you want a cash back card and spend a lot on dining, the Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card (review) has a $95 annual fee that’s waived for the first year, offers a welcome bonus worth $300 cash back, has no foreign transaction fees, and offers 4% cash back on dining and entertainment
If you want a travel rewards card that offers flexible points, the Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card (review) has a $95 annual fee that’s waived for the first year, offers a welcome bonus of 50,000 points, offers 2x Venture miles per dollar spent, has no foreign transaction fees, and more

Citi Double Cash Card Summary
The Citi Double Cash has gone from a great cash back credit card, to an unrivaled card for those who are into miles & points. Not only can the card potentially earn up to two cents back per dollar spent, but in conjunction with the Citi Premier or Citi Prestige you can potentially earn 2x ThankYou points per dollar spent, which can be transferred to airlines or hotels.

This card is now a must-have. I picked up the card recently, and it’s now the card I use for my everyday, non-bonused spending.

This card is also a no brainer for paying your taxes with, for example, since you can do so for a fee of 1.87% (which is like acquiring ThankYou points for under a penny each). The same is true for payments through Plastiq.

Apple Music: 6 Months For Free (New Users) Or 3 Months For Free (Existing Members)

Apple Music: 6 Months For Free (New Users) Or 3 Months For Free (Existing Members)

Apple Music’s standard free trial offer is a generous 90 days so you should jump on this offer!

By using the Shazam app, would-be Apple Music subscribers can get a total of 6 months Apple Music for free. And you can even get some free months it if you’re currently, or have previously been, an Apple Music subscriber.

How to get your free 6 months of Apple Music

To take advantage of the offer, download and open the Shazam app. Next, hit the Library symbol on the top left of the home screen or swipe left to right. This should bring up a “Limited Time” offer for Apple Music. Tap Try Now, then Try It Free. Finally, hit Confirm and you’re all sorted.

An alternative way to take advantage of the offer is to use Shazam to identify a song. When you get Shazam to listen to a song, it will bring up associated info, such as lyrics and other tracks by the artist. In addition, this will bring up text reading: “Get up to 6 months free of Apple Music.”

Tap the text and you’ll get ushered through to a page where you can Try It Free.

And existing Apple Music customers look here!! 👀

The frustrating thing about these offers, of course, is that they often don’t apply to the most ardent supporters of a service. They’re there to pull in new customers, so if you’re someone already paying your monthly $10 there’s no need to offer it to you.

If you’re already an Apple Music subscriber, you can get three months for free by cancelling your subscription and resubscribing.

To do this, load up your Settings and navigate to Subscriptions. Then tap on Apple Music and Cancel Subscription. Next, open the Shazam app, go to the Library page and Settings Then tap on Disconnect next to Apple Music. With Apple Music disconnected, you should be able to see the offer as described above.

Existing users and previous members can also get 3 months for free, existing users will need to cancel their account first and you’ll also need to disconnect Apple music from Shazam if they were already connected. Normally we only see three or four months for new users, so this is much better than standard.

Spotify, an Apple Music competitor, is also running 3 mos for a one month, 3-month free trials, and 6 free months for AT&T Fiber subscribers.

To recap:

  • It’s currently possible to get six months of Apple Music for free. To get this offer you need to do the following:
  • Download Shazam & then identify a song if you haven’t already
  • Hit ‘Library’
  • Select any song
  • Click open in Apple Music
  • Prompt for six months free should show up

The Apple Music holidays offer was launched by Apple for Black Friday and Cyber Monday in the USA, UK and Canada. It ran from November 29 through December 2. However, Apple has seemingly decided to extend this for the holidays.