There’s a moment—usually when hearing the ship’s horn echo across the harbor—when it hits you: you’re officially on your family cruise vacation, and everything is taken care of. That “all-in-one” magic is exactly why more parents like us decided to swap another road-trip for a first family cruise. Meals appear without grocery shopping, stateroom stewards transform towel squares into elephants, and the kids’ club team somehow makes your 6 year-old’s day. In this guide, I’m sharing the cruise tips you need to plan your family’s stress-free high-seas vacation.

Why Families Love Cruising

Cruising with kids has exploded in popularity and for good reason. Here’s why a family cruise might just be the easiest vacation you’ll ever plan:

• One room, many destinations. Unpack once, wake up to a new place every morning.
• Built-in childcare. Youth programs run morning to late night; some ships even have dedicated nurseries starting at six months.
• Predictable budgets. Meals, shows, kids’ clubs, splash zones, and late-night pizza are included in the fare.
• Something for everyone. Dedicated spaces for kids and adults, plus a wide variety of activities make this the perfect multigenerational trip.

Booking a Family Cruise

What’s Included in a Family Cruise Fare?

When you book a family cruise, your fare includes more than just a room. It covers accommodations, meals in the main dining rooms and buffet, kids’ clubs, pools, entertainment, and basic drinks like water, tea, and coffee and sometimes iced tea and lemonade (other juices are typically only free at breakfast). Most onboard shows, games, and activities are free, making it easy to keep everyone entertained without extra spending. That said, some things cost extra, like specialty restaurants, soda, and alcoholic drinks, Wi-Fi, shore excursions, and gratuities (tips). Many cruise lines offer bundled packages that include drinks or Wi-Fi, so if you catch a promo, you can simplify your budget and avoid surprise charges later.

Gratuities are typically mandatory on most cruises and are automatically added to your onboard account—they’re not included in the base fare. They usually range from $14 to $20 per person, per day, depending on the cruise line and your cabin type. Many cruisers will also choose to tip their stateroom attendant, bartenders, and other staff on top of the mandatory gratuities.

When to Book a Family Cruise

If you’re planning a family cruise, understanding when to book is key to locking in savings and getting the cabins that fit your crew.

Booking during Wave Season, which runs from January to March, offers some of the biggest savings. Cruise lines typically release most of their inventory for the following year during this time, and you’ll often find promotions like 40–60% off a second guest or “Kids Sail Free” offers. For families, try to book 9 to 12 months in advance to secure the best cabins, especially family staterooms, which are limited and sell out quickly. (Family staterooms on cruises are larger, specifically designed cabins that can accommodate families, typically accommodating 4 or more guests.)

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly and less crowded time to sail, consider the shoulder seasons:

• Caribbean: September through October (also hurricane season—more on this below)
• Alaska: May and September
• Mediterranean: May and October

Fares during these months often drop 15–25% compared to peak-season prices, and you’ll enjoy cooler temperatures, fewer crowds, and calmer waters: especially helpful if your kids are prone to motion sickness.

For flexible families, last-minute deals booked within 60 days of sailing can offer up to 30% savings. Just know that family cabins are rarely available at the last minute, so these deals work best for smaller families or those willing to book standard-sized inside rooms.

How Early Should You Book Your Cruise?

Inside & Ocean-View Cabins

If you’re looking for a bargain, waiting until 60 to 90 days before sailing. Around this time, cruise lines have a better sense of how full their ships are and will often start discounting unsold cabins to fill them. You could get savings of up to 30% off the earlier fares.

However, keep in mind: not every cruise line or itinerary follows this pattern. Some luxury lines or very popular sailings (like Alaska in peak summer) sell out early across all cabin types. But for most big family-friendly lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian, waiting for a last-minute deal on an inside or ocean-view cabin can work well: if your dates are flexible and you’re not picky about the exact cabin location.

Balcony cabins

When it comes to balcony cabins, the game changes. These are always popular with families: extra breathing room, ocean views, and the perfect private, outdoor spot for quiet nap time or early-morning coffee while the kids sleep in.

Balcony cabins tend to spike in price (sometimes by 15% or more) during school vacations like spring break, summer, and the holidays. If you want one of these (it’s our go-to choice a family cruise), it’s best to book 9 to 12 months in advance to lock in better rates and secure your ideal location on the ship.

Family suites

Family suites are bigger cabins with extra bedrooms, two bathrooms, and room to actually spread out. The catch? Cruise ships don’t have many of them, sometimes just a handful per ship, and as expected, they will be priced much higher than standard rooms.

Because they’re in high demand and low supply, you’ll usually need to book 12 months or more in advance to get one. For the newest, most popular ships, you’ll want to place the deposit on a family suite as soon as bookings open for your desired sail date. Some families even pre-register with travel agents for early access, especially on ships like Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas or Disney Cruise Line’s newest launches, where these family-friendly suites disappear fast.

Where to Go on Your First Family Cruise

A well-chosen itinerary is the secret that turns a good family cruise into an unforgettable experience. Destinations determine sailing length, sea conditions, excursion options.

Caribbean

The Caribbean is the most popular choice for first-time family cruisers and for good reason. Warm weather, short flights from the U.S., and plenty of family-friendly ports make it an easy win.

• Western Caribbean (Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Jamaica)
  This route typically offers calmer waters, beach-based excursions, and plenty of all-ages fun like turtle farms, pirate-themed boat rides, and all-inclusive beach clubs.
• Eastern Caribbean (St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Puerto Rico)
  These ports bring a nice mix of soft adventure and culture. Think historic forts, shopping, and scenic trams. It’s best to sail here in January through early spring, when the weather is dry and sunny.

Caribbean Shoulder Season Cruises: Worth the Risk?

Let’s talk about sailing the Caribbean in shoulder season — typically September and October. It’s often the cheapest time to cruise, but it does overlap with hurricane season.

Here’s the reality:

• Hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 30, peaking between mid-August and early October.
• Cruise ships are excellent at avoiding storms. They monitor weather 24/7, adjust routes in real-time, and prioritize safety. Sometimes this means swapping ports or altering itineraries last minute (port changes can also happen outside of hurricane season for a number of reasons).
• Some destinations — like Aruba, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Jamaica — are less prone to storm disruptions compared to the Eastern Caribbean.

Why families still choose this season:

• Lower prices — often 30% less than peak fares.
• Fewer crowds — shorter lines, easier embarkation, and quieter beaches.
• Perfect temperatures — still in the mid-80s°F, ideal for beach days.

Things to know before booking:

• Travel insurance is a must: look for policies that cover trip interruptions or cancellations due to weather.
• Stay flexible: ports or itineraries can change with little notice.
• Choose newer, larger ships: they offer more activities, so a surprise sea day feels less stressful.
• Opt for Western Caribbean itineraries: they typically experience fewer hurricane disruptions.

Booking a family cruise during shoulder season can be a fantastic deal if you’re well-prepared. While I personally lean toward avoiding hurricane season in the Caribbean—mainly out of necessity because our kids are in school then, it’s worth mentioning because many families do sail during this time and have a wonderful, sunny trip.

Alaska

If your family loves wildlife, wide-open views, and cooler temps, Alaska is an unforgettable option. Cruises typically run from May to September, and some of the best for families are sailings from Seattle, which doesn’t require passports for U.S. citizens under 16. (Note: If your itinerary departs from or returns to Vancouver, kids will need a valid passport.)

Choose an itinerary with Glacier Bay or Tracy Arm Fjord, and book a balcony cabin if possible, your kids might just spot whales, seals, or bald eagles without ever leaving the room.

Popular port stops like Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan offer family-friendly excursions like dog-sledding, glacier hikes, and lumberjack shows.

Mediterranean

A Mediterranean cruise is a fantastic way to combine sightseeing with comfort: no packing and unpacking between cities. Ideal for spring break or early summer, these sailings avoid peak heat and crowd levels while still letting you visit Europe’s most iconic destinations.

Classic 7-night itineraries from Barcelona or Rome (Civitavecchia) often include stops like:

• Naples for Pompeii or pizza-making classes
• Florence/Pisa from Livorno
• Villefranche as a gateway to Nice and Monaco
• Palma de Mallorca or Valencia for beaches + bike tours

Mediterranean cruises usually have a stop almost every day, with very few sea days to rest in between, so they’re best for kids (and parents) who can handle exploring new cities day after day.

Money-Saving Cruise Tips

Kids Sail Free Calendars

Several cruise lines offer Kids Sail Free deals that can make a family cruise much more affordable. Here’s a quick look at who’s offering what:

• MSC Cruises: Kids under 18 sail free year-round on select sailings when they share a cabin with their parents. Taxes and port fees still apply.
• Norwegian Cruise Line: Offers seasonal “Friends and Family Sail Free” promotions where third and fourth guests in a cabin (often your kids) cruise free.
• Royal Caribbean: Known for seasonal Kids Sail Free deals, usually during major sales like Black Friday and Wave Season. Kids 12 and under are typically eligible.
• Costa Cruises: Kids up to 18 sail free when sharing a cabin with two adults, on select itineraries. Extra fees like port charges and insurance still apply.
• Disney Cruise Line: Disney doesn’t typically run “Kids Sail Free” promotions like other cruise lines. On occassion, they offer some promotions. For example: Kids Sail Half Price deals exclusively for Disney+ subscribers. On select sailings (past e.g., January–June 2025 on Disney Wish, Dream, and Wonder), the 3rd and 4th guests under 18 in a stateroom sail at 50% off. Sometimes they offer toddlers under three sail free on shoulder-season cruises.

Always double-check the fine print: these promotions often have blackout dates, limited availability, and require you to pay taxes and port fees separately.

Price-Drop Monitoring

Some cruise lines offer a price-drop guarantee, meaning if the price of your cruise fare drops before your final payment is due, you can reprice and get the lower rate.

Here’s how it usually works:

1. You book your family cruise with a refundable deposit (or sometimes even a non-refundable one).
2. The fare can fluctuate between the time you book and the final payment date (usually 90 to 120 days before departure).
3. If the price drops, you (or your travel agent) can request a price adjustment, onboard credit, or upgrade (depending on the line’s policy).

Cruise Lines That Typically Allow Price Drops Before Final Payment

• Royal Caribbean: Allows repricing anytime before final payment, if you book under a refundable deposit.
• Norwegian Cruise Line: Allows fare adjustments before final payment, especially with refundable deposit bookings.
• Carnival Cruise Line: You can reprice or receive onboard credit before final payment if the rate drops.
• Celebrity Cruises: Similar policy to Royal Caribbean (they’re under the same parent company, Royal Caribbean Group).
• Princess Cruises: More selective, but fare adjustments are often allowed before final payment under certain fare codes (especially refundable ones).

Important Notes:

• Once you make the final payment, most cruise lines won’t adjust the fare. At that point, you’re locked in. If you want to be able to price adjust, leave a small amount of the final payment left to pay until the final due date.
• Non-refundable deposit fares may have stricter rules or penalties for changes.
• Luxury lines like Viking are less flexible and often don’t allow repricing after booking.

Tools to Watch Price Drops:

• Shipmate app: lets you set alerts for your specific cruise.
• Google Alerts: set up with your cruise name and ship (e.g., “Wonder of the Seas June 2025 price drop”).
• Cruise travel agents: many will monitor price changes for you and automatically request an adjustment.

Always double-check when final payment is due — it’s your deadline to grab a lower fare if one pops up.

Loyalty & Card Perks

Status Matching

• Status Matching with MSC Cruises: One travel hack that often surprises families is status matching, MSC Cruises does this. You can submit your status from other programs (like Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, or Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor) and be matched to a comparable tier in MSC’s Voyagers Club. MSC is the only major line open to cross-industry status matches with hotels and other lines.
• Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Silversea share status within their own network.

Credit Cards

• Capital One Travel: Sometimes rebates 5-10% of cruise fares booked through its portal. You can also use Capital One’s “cover your travel purchase” tool to “erase” your cruise-related purchases with points.
• Onboard Charging: Pay your account balance with a points-earning credit card on the ship to earn reward points. Charges on-board cruise lines qualify as travel on most rewards cards.

Cabin Pricing

Look for “Interior Plus” or “Oceanview Family” layouts with pull-down bunks; they start ~20% above standard interior rates yet cost half a balcony. Two connecting interior cabins often total less money than one balcony room. The extra bathroom alone may be worth the trade if you’re traveling with teens, as cruise ship bathrooms are notoriously small.

Skip the Drink Package

The cost of the drink package is typically not worth it for kids, when most cruise lines offer free juice at breakfast and free water, iced tea, and lemonade throughout the day. If your kids are soda drinkers, check your cruise line’s policy for how many cans of soda you can bring onboard with you in addition to the included drinks.

Resident & Military Discounts

Many cruise lines offer special fares for residents of certain U.S. states, especially those near cruise ports. For example, Florida residents often receive discounted rates on cruises departing from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or Port Canaveral. These offers are typically only valid for sailings that leave from the same state you live in. So if you’re a Floridian, the discount usually applies to cruises leaving from Florida ports. Disney Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Lines, and others often have specific rates or discounts available for Florida residents.

Norwegian Cruise Line often offers resident rates for various coastal states beyond Florida, including Texas, California, New York, and Louisiana. These discounts can be up to 20%.

Resident Rate promos can happen in many states on select sailings and are subject to availability, so it’s worth entering your zip code when booking directly on the cruise line’s website to see if you qualify. You must be able to show ID proving residency, otherwise the cruise line will reprice you at the pier, which can be very costly.

For military families, several cruise lines offer year-round discounts for active duty, retired, and reserve members of the U.S. and Canadian armed forces.

Carnival leads in this space with reduced rates and even allows bookings of multiple cabins under the military rate for qualifying service members.

Royal Caribbean, Princess and Disney Cruise Line offers special military rates on select cruises, though they typically apply only to the service member’s cabin.

The Big-Five Family Friendly Cruise Lines

Royal Caribbean

Kids’ Clubs & Nursery

The Adventure Ocean^® program starts at 6 months and runs through 12 years, with STEM labs, art studios and late-night group sitting.

Family Cabins & Suites

• Ultra-Spacious Family Oceanview: one large room, sleeps six and is budget-friendly for big families.
• Ultimate Family Suite (found on Icon-class & Wonder/Oasis variants): Has two levels, indoor slide, LEGO® wall, private cinema, hot tub on the balcony, and a Royal Genie butler. Prices are high, but perks include priority status and unlimited specialty dining.

Private Island

Perfect Day at Coco Cay: their water-park private island has the tallest slide in North America, a freshwater lagoon, and free beach clubs.

Onboard Experience

FlowRider surf simulators, ice-skating shows, skydiving tunnels, and the Ultimate Abyss dry slide spiraling ten stories.

Carnival Cruise Line

Kids’ Clubs

• Camp Ocean (ages 2–11) with ocean-themed rooms.
• Circle C (12–14) and Club O2 (15–17) with video games and dance parties.

Family Cabins

Family Harbor Suites & Lounge cabins sit near a private lounge stocked with breakfast, snacks, evening milk-and-cookies and a dedicated concierge. Suites sleep up to five, include two TVs, and kids eat free in most specialty restaurants on embarkation night.

Private Island

Half Moon Cay is Carnival’s private island in the Bahamas, offering white-sand beaches, horseback riding through the surf, a splash zone for young kids, and plenty of shaded loungers for parents looking to relax while little ones play.

Onboard Experience

WaterWorks splash parks, ropes courses, Seuss-at-Sea parades and the first roller coaster at sea on Mardi Gras-class ships.

MSC Cruises

Kids’ Clubs

Five age-bracketed clubs from 0-17 years, powered by Chicco (baby gear) and LEGO® playrooms.

Family Cabins

You can book two or three adjoining rooms that open into one mega-suite sleeping up to 10 (great for extended families). Some ships add “Super-Family Plus” (three cabins side-by-side) at a discounted package rate.

Private Island

Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve is a former sand-mining site turned eco-paradise with shallow lagoons, lighthouse light shows and late-night beach parties, all tied to MSC’s sustainability focus.

Onboard Experience

MSC Cruises partners with LEGO® to offer themed kids’ clubs, LEGO® Experience Days, and exclusive onboard activities across its entire fleet.

Disney Cruise Line

Kids’ Clubs & Nursery

Disney sets the bar high, as expected. It’s a Small World Nursery welcomes little cruisers from 6 months to 3 years, while the Oceaneer Club/Lab (ages 3–12) runs all-day Jedi trainings, Marvel meet-ups and crafty science labs. Tweens get to experience Edge (11–14) for karaoke battles and Vibe (14–17) for gaming tournaments and late-night dance parties.

Family Cabins

A Concierge One-Bedroom Suite sleeps up to five with a separate master, living area and split-bath layout (one room with sink + shower, another with sink + tub/toilet. Concierge guests get a private lounge, sun deck, priority boarding, complimentary Wi-Fi and a personal concierge who can snag character-breakfast reservations before everyone else. Upgrade to the Concierge 2-Bedroom for two full bedrooms, 2½ baths, and a dining table that converts to a kids’ gaming zone.

Private Island

Castaway Cay is Disney’s private island with a stroller-friendly tram system, a kids’ club right on the beach, included soda stations, and limited cabanas that book fast (available 120 days out for concierge guests, 90 days for everyone else).

Onboard Experience

Disney Cruise Line offers Marvel Day at Sea, Pixar parties, first-run Disney movies in 3-D, and rotational dining where you and your family rotate between three main dining venues, and the same wait staff follows you, ensuring a personalized dining experience.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Kids’ Clubs

Norwegian’s youth program includes Splash Academy for ages 3–12, where kids are grouped by age for themed activities like circus school, science experiments, and arts and crafts. Teens (13-17) hang out at Entourage, a lounge-style space with games and music. For little ones, Guppies offers supervised playtimes (with a parent present) for ages 6 to 36 months.

Family Cabins

• Mini-Suite: extra-large balcony cabin with spacious bathroom (double sink, oversized shower).
• 2-Bedroom Haven Villa: the Haven “ship-within-a-ship” sleeps up to six, has a living room, butler service, and access to a private sundeck and restaurant.

Private Island

Great Stirrup Cay is a Bahamian island revamped with zip lines, a kid-friendly lagoon, and a Silver Cove luxury area (extra fee).

Onboard Experience

Top-deck go-kart tracks, open-air laser tag arenas, cutting-edge virtual reality arcades, and Broadway-style shows like Six and Beetlejuice, all designed to keep older kids and teens just as entertained as the grown-ups.

Final Thoughts

There’s a reason so many parents fall in love with cruising: it’s one of the few vacations where every family member can actually relax and enjoy themselves. From the moment you step onboard, everything from meals to entertainment is handled, freeing you up to focus on quality time. Whether you’re sailing the Caribbean, glacier-spotting in Alaska, or hopping Mediterranean ports, a family cruise turns travel into something joyful and low-stress.

Just remember: the magic starts with the planning. Book early if you want a family suite, take advantage of cruise line promotions, and pick the itinerary that fits your family’s travel style. If your first cruise goes anything like ours did, you’ll be dreaming about the next one before you even step off the ship!

Feel free to email me or send a message on Instagram if you need further advice. I’m always happy to share more tips and insights to help you travel.

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  Family | Featured | Florida | North America | United States | USA

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The post First-Time Family Cruise Tips: How to Book the Perfect Trip appeared first on Mari on the Map.

_{This site is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers.}

Traveling with a family means you need even more points to get anywhere—for us, it’s flights and lodging times four, which can deplete our hard-earned rewards rather quickly. Enter two player mode, where I can tap my husband, so our family can earn more faster. Two player mode is one of the most powerful strategies you can use to exponentially increase your rewards. In this guide, I’ll walk you through what two player mode is, when and how to use it, and how to take advantage of credit card and travel programs that allow you to pool your points. Assemble your team, and get ready to earn more travel rewards faster than ever before.

What is Two Player Mode?

Two player mode refers to the strategy of teaming up with a partner—whether it’s a spouse, partner, friend, or family member—to maximize credit card rewards, hotel points, and airline miles. The idea is simple: by opening cards under each of your names separately and combining your points, you can accelerate the rate at which you accumulate travel rewards. The sky is the limit with this strategy. If you have multiple players who you trust, you can keep adding them to the “game”. Fun fact: I have a friend who works with her parents and siblings in six player mode!

My husband and I used two player mode to plan our family trip to Oahu and Maui for only $67.20 for our flights and hotels. Read all about it here.

When should you use two player mode to earn more travel rewards?

1. Maximizing Sign-Up Bonuses

Many credit cards offer generous sign-up bonuses, but these are usually per individual cardholder. By having your partner refer you to a card they already have, you can earn a sign-up bonus, and they can earn a referral bonus, doubling your rewards. DO NOT add your partner or have them add you as an authorized user on a card. Being added as an authorized user will make you ineligible for that card’s sign-up bonus, at least temporarily.

Example: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® card often offers 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months. If both you and your partner sign up, you can earn 120,000 points in total. If one of you opens it first and refers the other, the first card holder will also earn points for the referral, which can sometimes be 20,000 points or more. However, if you are approved for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® card and add your partner as an authorized user, you now only have the ability to earn the single 60,000 sign-up bonus.

2. Accelerating Your Earning Potential

Some credit cards offer enhanced rewards in specific categories, like 5x points on travel or groceries. By having separate cards, you can both take advantage of these multipliers on all of your household purchases.

3. Combining Points for Big Redemptions

Certain loyalty programs allow you to pool points with another person. This is especially valuable for programs with high redemption thresholds, like international flights or hotel stays, where having twice the points can make all the difference.

Credit Card Programs That Allow You to Pool Points

Some of the top rewards programs let you combine points with your partner. Here’s how to make the most of these opportunities:

Chase Ultimate Rewards®

Chase allows you to transfer your points between accounts for free if you have a spouse or domestic partner. You just need to add your partner as an authorized user to one of your Chase cards. You can combine points for bigger redemptions, like flights or hotel stays. If you don’t want to add your partner as an authorized user, so you can keep referring cards to each other, you still have the option to pool your points into one hotel loyalty program. More on that below.

Citi ThankYou® Points

Citi’s ThankYou points can be transferred between household members who are linked through their Citi account, so you can pool points this way if you both have eligible cards.

Hotel Points Programs That Allow You to Pool

Hotel loyalty programs are another great way to make the most of two player mode and earn more travel rewards. Here’s how you can leverage hotel points pooling:

World of Hyatt

Hyatt allows you to combine points with a member of your household. This is a great option for when you want to redeem your points for a suite or longer stays. You can also have you and your partner transfer your individual Chase Ultimate Rewards points into the same World of Hyatt account.

Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott allows you to combine points with up to five members, as long as they each have a Marriott Bonvoy account. You can also transfer points between accounts to use for stays or experiences.

Hilton Honors

Hilton offers a pooling program where you can combine points with up to 10 people. This can help you book a luxurious stay for a longer period or upgrade your accommodations.

Airline Programs That Allow You to Pool Points

Some airlines have pooling programs that let you combine miles with a partner. Here’s a look at how to do it:

Southwest Rapid Rewards®

Southwest allows you to transfer points to another Rapid Rewards member. However, this comes with a fee, so make sure you do the math before transferring points. Southwest also offers one of the most lucrative benefits for families that you can earn with or without a player two: the Southwest Companion Pass.

JetBlue TrueBlue

JetBlue’s family pooling program allows you to combine points with up to five people. It’s free to pool points with family members, making it a great option for families or couples who travel frequently.

British Airways Avios

British Airways allows you to pool Avios points with other members of your household. This is an excellent way to accumulate points faster for travel to Europe or to other international destinations.

Air France-KLM Flying Blue Family

Flying Blue‘s family program allows you to pool miles with family members, which can be a great way to accumulate and redeem miles faster. Through this program, you can link up to seven family members and combine your miles for rewards like flights or upgrades.

How to Keep Track of the Extra Cards

As you and your partner begin managing multiple rewards cards, it’s important to stay organized. Here are a few tips for keeping track of your extra cards:

1. Use Apps Like CardPointers: CardPointers can help you keep track of which card to use for different categories and remember to earn more travel rewards in the right places.
2. Set Up Alerts for Spending and Bonuses: Many credit cards allow you to set alerts for spending and bonus categories, so make sure you’re maximizing your rewards.
3. Track Your Rewards Points Separately: It’s a good idea to keep track of both your and your partner’s points separately to avoid confusion when it comes time to redeem them.

Authorized User Cards: When They Help, When They Don’t

Authorized users are typically a no-no in player two mode, but being an authorized user on your partner’s credit card can sometimes help you rack up more points. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

When It Helps:

• If the card offers valuable rewards like lounge access and your partner doesn’t mind you having access. For perks like lounge access, you can typically bring in two other people with the cardholder, but it might be worth your partner having their own card as an authorized user if you have a larger family to bring into the lounge or if your partner travels a lot without you.
• When you can use the points for mutual travel benefits, like booking a flight or hotel stay together.
• If you want to improve your credit score by having a positive credit account associated with your name.

When It Doesn’t Help:

• If the card has an annual fee that you’ll be responsible for, or if it doesn’t offer rewards for your personal spending habits.
• If you don’t trust your partner to manage the credit responsibly, as missed payments or high balances could hurt both of your credit scores.

Getting a Reluctant Partner Onboard

Getting your partner to join you in two player mode can sometimes be tricky, especially if they’re skeptical of rewards travel in general. Here are some tips to convince them:

1. Focus on the Benefits: Highlight the travel rewards and perks that come with the cards, such as free checked bags, access to airport lounges, and priority boarding. Who wouldn’t want those benefits when traveling?
2. Emphasize the “Free” Travel: Remind them that rewards from credit cards can be used for flights, hotel stays, and even car rentals—all of which reduce the overall cost of travel.
3. Offer to Handle the Heavy Lifting: If they’re not interested in tracking points or managing the cards, offer to take care of the details—like managing the spending requirements and redeeming points.
4. Remind Them There’s a Potential Credit Score Boost: Many people worry about how credit cards will affect their credit score, but as long as you use your cards responsibly—by paying on time and keeping balances low—rewards travel won’t negatively impact your credit. In fact, it can even improve your credit score over time by showing responsible credit usage. Many avid rewards travelers have credit scores over 800.

When should you not use two player mode?

While two player mode can help you rack up rewards, it’s not always the best choice. Here are a few situations where you might want to reconsider this strategy:

1. If Your Partner Isn’t Onboard: If your partner isn’t interested in managing credit cards, or if they’re reluctant to open accounts, the extra effort may not be worth it for you, especially if you’ve tried the tips above for getting them onboard.
2. If Your Partner Has Bad Credit: You need a good credit score to be approved for many rewards cards. If your partner’s credit score is low, it could hurt their chances of approval.

Final Thoughts: Double Your Points, Double Your Fun

Two player mode is an incredibly powerful way to earn more travel rewards, and with the right strategies, it can open up a whole new world of possibilities. By pooling points from credit cards, airlines, and hotel programs, you can book more family trips by having enough points to get more than two people where you want to go.

So grab your travel partner, get organized, and start multiplying those rewards for your next adventure!

If you have any questions or need further advice feel free to email me or send me a message on Instagram. I’m always happy to share more tips and insights to help you.

_{Please note that this article contains affiliate links, and I may earn a referral commission if you choose to apply through my links. As a small business, these earnings help me to continue to bring you content like this at no extra cost to you. Thank you!}

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  Advice | Family | Featured | How to | Rewards Travel

  How to Maximize Points with Shopping Portals and Credit Card Bonuses

  ByMari October 30, 2025November 6, 2025

  When it comes to maximizing your points and miles for travel, you might be overlooking one of the easiest ways to boost your balance: online shopping portals. These tools have helped us earn extra rewards for purchases our family is already making, and when used strategically, they can be a significant points earning strategy.

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  Advice | Featured | How to | Rewards Travel

  Why Points Are Better Than Cashback (and Why You’ll Travel Further Because of It)

  ByMari October 9, 2025October 9, 2025

  People often ask me why I prefer points over cashback — especially when cashback feels so simple and straightforward. I get it. Seeing a flat percentage show up in your account feels tangible and easy. But if you love to travel, you’re leaving serious value (and unforgettable experiences) on the table.

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  Family | Featured | North America | Rewards Travel | Southwest | United States

  Southwest Companion Pass Guide: Your Ticket to Free Flights for Family Travel

  ByMari August 23, 2025October 30, 2025

  The Southwest Companion Pass is a must-have for anyone who loves to travel with a friend or family member—especially if you’re looking to stretch your budget further. With this pass, a designated companion flies with you for free—you just cover their taxes and fees, which are typically only $5.60 each way on Southwest. As you can see, getting BOGO (buy one, get one) tickets on every flight for the duration of your companion pass can drastically reduce the cost of family vacations.

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