## Traveling with Kids as a (Single) Parent: Savings Tips and Travel Hacks
Traveling with kids as a (single) parent can be challenging but also incredibly rewarding. With the right strategies, you can make family trips both memorable and budget-friendly. As a non-traditional medical resident, age gap mom, and travel lover, I’ve navigated this space, for over 15 years now, From short distance road trips (5-8 hours) to plane rides across the USA and internationally and have picked up a few travel hacks along the way. Here are some of my favorite tips and hacks for traveling with kids while maximizing savings.
### 1. Start Early: Build Travel Rewards with Frequent Flyer Accounts for Kids
One of the best ways to save on flights is to build up travel rewards over time. Most airlines allow you to create frequent flyer accounts for your kids. Even if they are too young to buy their own tickets, they can still accumulate miles for future travel.
Here are a few frequent flyer programs that allow accounts for kids:
- **Delta SkyMiles**: Delta has no minimum age for frequent flyer accounts, so your child can start earning miles with their very first flight.
(perks are the free checked bagged, which comes in clutch for the moms/other family members that over pack lol)
- **American Airlines AAdvantage**: Similarly, American Airlines lets you set up an AAdvantage account for your child.
- **United MileagePlus**: United Airlines also allows kids to have their own MileagePlus accounts.
- **Southwest Rapid Rewards**: Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards allows you to sign up kids for their free frequent flyer program, and has no black out dates and unlimited reward seats!
Be sure to keep track of their miles and use them strategically for future flights. Some airlines even offer mileage pooling options for families, allowing you to combine everyone's miles for faster redemptions.
### 2. Choose Credit Cards with Travel Perks
When you're traveling with kids, the right credit card can make all the difference. Many credit cards offer free travel rewards, and some even reimburse for expenses like TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. These can save you time and stress at the airport.
Here are a few credit cards worth considering:
- **Chase Sapphire Preferred**: This card offers valuable points on travel and dining, which you can redeem for flights, hotels, and more through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program. Plus, it has no foreign transaction fees, perfect for international travel.
- **Capital One Venture Rewards**: This card offers 2x miles on every purchase and provides reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, saving you both money and time.
- **American Express Platinum**: While this card has a higher annual fee, it offers a wide range of benefits, including access to airport lounges, $200 in airline fee credits annually, and reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
When choosing a card, consider your travel habits and prioritize the benefits that will be most valuable for your family trips.
### 3. Ideal Times to Travel with Kids
Timing can be everything when it comes to saving money on travel. The best times to fly with kids—both for cost and convenience—are often during off-peak hours and seasons.
- **During the Week**: Flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to be cheaper than on weekends. This can help reduce airfare costs, especially for larger families.
- **Early Morning or Late-Night Flights**: Traveling during off-peak hours, such as early mornings or late at night, often means cheaper flights. Plus, kids may sleep during the trip, making the journey easier.
- **Off-Peak Seasons**: Traveling during school breaks can be more expensive. Instead, plan your trips during off-peak seasons like late January or early February. You’ll save money and avoid the crowds.
### 4. Use Apps and Tools for Last-Minute Deals
Flexibility can be a single parent’s secret weapon for snagging great travel deals. Apps like **Hopper** and **Google Flights** allow you to track flight prices and set alerts for price drops. Additionally, platforms like **Skyscanner** and **Momondo** are great for finding last-minute deals on flights and hotels.
Consider signing up for **Scott's Cheap Flights** (now called **Going**), which sends alerts for deeply discounted fares and mistake fares. Even a spontaneous getaway could be affordable with the right timing!
That’s a wrap on the first half of our travel hacks for single parents on the go! With these tips—like setting up frequent flyer accounts for your little ones and leveraging credit card perks—you’re already on the path to saving big while making family travel a breeze. But wait, we’re just getting started! Be sure to return for Part 2, where I’ll dive into more game-changing tips, including the best times to travel, how to stay organized, and even more tricks for flying stress-free with kids. Trust me, you won’t want to miss it!
Happy Travel - Sincerely Shan
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