Understanding Membership Rewards® Points: How We Use Them to Make Family Travel More Affordable

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What are Membership Rewards® Points?

When we first started learning about travel rewards, I thought all credit card rewards worked the same way. I didn't realize there were different types of points or that some rewards could give us so much more flexibility when planning family trips. Looking back, that was one of the biggest things holding us back.

Then we discovered Membership Rewards® Points, and everything changed. Instead of feeling tied to one airline or one hotel brand, we suddenly had more options for how we could use the rewards we were earning. As Moms Chasing Miles grew, we also realized we could earn Membership Rewards® Points through both the eligible American Express consumer cards we use for our family's everyday spending and the eligible American Express business cards we use to run our business. That combination has helped us build our Membership Rewards® balance faster than we ever expected, making family travel feel much more attainable.

So, what exactly are Membership Rewards® Points?

Membership Rewards® is the rewards program associated with many eligible American Express consumer and business cards. Depending on the card you carry, you can earn Membership Rewards® Points on eligible purchases and redeem them in several different ways, including transferring points to participating airline and hotel loyalty programs. For our family, that flexibility has become one of the biggest reasons we continue to prioritize earning Membership Rewards® Points.

How we earn Membership Rewards® Points

One of the biggest mistakes I made in the beginning was thinking I needed to find one "perfect" credit card that could do everything. What I've learned over the years is that earning Membership Rewards® Points isn't about finding one card—it's about earning rewards from the spending you're already doing.

For our family, that means earning Membership Rewards® Points on the purchases we're already making. We use the American Express® Gold Card for many of our everyday expenses, whether that's grocery pickup before soccer practice, grabbing dinner on one of our busiest nights, or stocking up on groceries for the week. At the same time, we use The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express for eligible purchases that help us run Moms Chasing Miles, like software subscriptions, website expenses, and other day-to-day business expenses. Instead of changing how we spend, we've simply become more intentional about using Membership Rewards®-earning cards for expenses we'd already be making.

That approach has allowed us to steadily build our Membership Rewards® balance over time without feeling like we're chasing points or spending money just to earn rewards.

Why Membership Rewards® Points Have Been So Valuable for Our Family

The reason we love Membership Rewards® Points isn't just because we earn them—it's because of what they allow us to do.

When we first started earning Membership Rewards® Points, we weren't dreaming about luxury travel. We just wanted to take our boys to places we never thought we'd be able to afford. Now, instead of starting with flight prices, we start by looking at our Membership Rewards® balance and seeing what's possible. That simple shift has helped us create family memories that once felt completely out of reach.

Instead of feeling limited to one travel brand, we have the flexibility to choose the option that makes the most sense for each trip, whether we're planning a weekend getaway or an international vacation.

Common misconceptions about Membership Rewards® Points

One of the questions we hear most often is, "Do I need five different Cards before I can start traveling with points?"

The short answer? No.

It's much more important to understand how Membership Rewards® Points work than it is to collect a wallet full of cards. We always tell beginners to start with a strategy, not a stack of cards.

Another misconception is that every redemption gives you the same value. One of the biggest lessons we've learned is that spending just a few extra minutes comparing redemption options can often help your Membership Rewards® Points go even further.

Finally, many beginners spend more time searching for the "perfect" Card than thinking about how they already spend money. We've found it's much more effective to choose eligible American Express consumer and business Cards that naturally fit your everyday spending. For our family, that means using the American Express® Gold Card for things like groceries and dining, while The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express helps us earn Membership Rewards® Points on eligible business purchases. Instead of changing our spending habits, we simply earn rewards on purchases we were already making.

Our approach today

If you had told me a few years ago that we'd be planning trips to places like Italy using points we'd earned from purchases we were already making, I probably wouldn't have believed you.

Today, our strategy is much simpler than people might expect. We don't feel like we have to chase every new Card or maximize every purchase. Instead, we focus on using the right Card for the spending we're already doing and letting those Membership Rewards® Points build over time.

Some of our everyday family spending earns Membership Rewards® Points on eligible American Express consumer Cards, while many of the purchases we make for Moms Chasing Miles earn Membership Rewards® Points on eligible American Express business Cards. Having both has helped us earn rewards in different parts of our lives without changing how we already spend.

Those points have helped us create memories with our boys that we once thought were out of reach. That's why we love learning about programs like Membership Rewards®—because for us, it has never just been about earning points. It's about making more family adventures possible.

Final thoughts

When we first started learning about points and miles, we never imagined we'd eventually be taking our boys on trips that once felt completely out of reach. Understanding how Membership Rewards® Points work has been a big part of that journey.

The program can feel overwhelming at first, but it doesn't have to be. Start by learning how points are earned, understand the role transfer partners can play, and build a strategy around the spending you're already doing instead of trying to change your habits.

Whether you're earning Membership Rewards® Points through eligible purchases on an American Express consumer Card, an American Express business Card, or both, understanding how the program works can help you get more value from those points.

For our family, Membership Rewards® Points have become more than points we earn from everyday spending. They've become a tool that's helped us create memories together, and that's why we believe learning how the program works is worth the effort.

Editorial Disclosure

Opinions expressed here are the authors' 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 this post.