Seasoned from the Start

Seasoned from the StartSeasoned from the StartSeasoned from the Start

Seasoned from the Start

Seasoned from the StartSeasoned from the StartSeasoned from the Start
  • Home
  • Our Journey
  • The Carry-On Guide
  • Family Survival Tips
  • Packing for a Full Crew
  • Travel Perks that Pay Off
  • More
    • Home
    • Our Journey
    • The Carry-On Guide
    • Family Survival Tips
    • Packing for a Full Crew
    • Travel Perks that Pay Off
  • Home
  • Our Journey
  • The Carry-On Guide
  • Family Survival Tips
  • Packing for a Full Crew
  • Travel Perks that Pay Off

Travel Cards: Miles, Lounge Access & More

Why a Travel Credit Card Matters

A travel credit card helps you turn everyday spending into free or discounted flights, hotels, and travel perks you’d otherwise pay for out of pocket. Beyond rewards, many offer valuable protections like no foreign transaction fees, travel insurance, and airport lounge access. Used responsibly, a travel card can make trips more comfortable, more affordable, and far less stressful. 

Why the Capital One Venture Card Is a Must-Have for Travel

⭐ 1. Unlimited, Easy Rewards on Every Purchase

✈️ 3. Flexible Redemption Options — No Blackout Dates

💥 2. Generous Welcome Bonus Kickstarts Your Travel

One of the biggest selling points of the Venture card is its uncomplicated rewards structure:

  • Earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere — no categories to activate or track. 
  • Bonus miles on travel bookings: When you book hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars through Capital One Travel, you can earn elevated rewards (typicall

One of the biggest selling points of the Venture card is its uncomplicated rewards structure:

  • Earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere — no categories to activate or track. 
  • Bonus miles on travel bookings: When you book hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars through Capital One Travel, you can earn elevated rewards (typically 5x miles).


This simplicity means you can rack up travel rewards on daily spending — from groceries to bills — then use them toward flights, hotels, car rentals, and more.  


Our family frequently books trips with our Capital One Venture points!

💥 2. Generous Welcome Bonus Kickstarts Your Travel

✈️ 3. Flexible Redemption Options — No Blackout Dates

💥 2. Generous Welcome Bonus Kickstarts Your Travel

New cardholders commonly receive a large sign-up bonus (often ~75,000 miles after meeting a minimum spend). 


This bonus alone can translate into:

  • Hundreds of dollars toward travel 
  • Enough miles for a free flight or hotel stay early in your membership
     

For many travelers, this bonus alone offsets the card’s annual fee in the first year.


CURREN

New cardholders commonly receive a large sign-up bonus (often ~75,000 miles after meeting a minimum spend). 


This bonus alone can translate into:

  • Hundreds of dollars toward travel 
  • Enough miles for a free flight or hotel stay early in your membership
     

For many travelers, this bonus alone offsets the card’s annual fee in the first year.


CURRENT OFFER W/LINK BELOW:
Earn  100,000 bonus miles (equal to $1,000 towards travel) once you spend  $10,000 on purchases within the first 6 months from account opening.  (12/25/25)

✈️ 3. Flexible Redemption Options — No Blackout Dates

✈️ 3. Flexible Redemption Options — No Blackout Dates

✈️ 3. Flexible Redemption Options — No Blackout Dates

Unlike some airline or hotel-specific cards that limit redemptions to certain partners or blackout dates, Venture miles are highly flexible:

  • Book through Capital One Travel for direct redemptions.
  • Redeem for travel statement credits — cover past travel purchases made with the card. 
  • Transfer miles to airline or hotel partners — Capital One p

Unlike some airline or hotel-specific cards that limit redemptions to certain partners or blackout dates, Venture miles are highly flexible:

  • Book through Capital One Travel for direct redemptions.
  • Redeem for travel statement credits — cover past travel purchases made with the card. 
  • Transfer miles to airline or hotel partners — Capital One partners with more than 15 loyalty programs, giving you award-booking flexibility. 
  • Use miles to erase purchases. 
  • Or like Amy... use your points to get gift cards to use for birthday parties, teacher appreciation days, or holidays!
     

This flexibility lets you use your rewards how you want — whether booking the exact flight you want or redeeming on everyday travel charges.

🌍 4. Travel Perks That Matter on the Road

🛋️ Priority Pass Lounge Access — A Game-Changer for Travelers (Especially Families)

✈️ 3. Flexible Redemption Options — No Blackout Dates

The Venture card offers practical perks that travelers value, especially for international or frequent trips:

  • No foreign transaction fees — save up to 3–5% on purchases abroad.
  • Up to $120 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® — helps speed you through security and customs. 
  • Travel insurance protection — benefits like lost luggag

The Venture card offers practical perks that travelers value, especially for international or frequent trips:

  • No foreign transaction fees — save up to 3–5% on purchases abroad.
  • Up to $120 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® — helps speed you through security and customs. 
  • Travel insurance protection — benefits like lost luggage reimbursement, travel accident insurance, and rental car coverage when you use the card. 
  • Annual travel credit to use towards booking travel with Capital One.
  • Priority Pass lounge access - get access to lounges worldwide.
     

These perks aren’t just nice bonuses — they can save you money and headaches on real trips.

💼 5. Great Value for the Annual Fee

🛋️ Priority Pass Lounge Access — A Game-Changer for Travelers (Especially Families)

🛋️ Priority Pass Lounge Access — A Game-Changer for Travelers (Especially Families)

With an annual fee around $95, the Venture Rewards card strikes a balance between cost and benefits:

  • Low compared to premium cards with higher fees
  • Easy to offset with travel credits and rewards earned
  • No complicated spending requirements
     

That’s why many financial experts and reviewers call the Venture card one of the best “everyday travel” cards available.

🛋️ Priority Pass Lounge Access — A Game-Changer for Travelers (Especially Families)

🛋️ Priority Pass Lounge Access — A Game-Changer for Travelers (Especially Families)

🛋️ Priority Pass Lounge Access — A Game-Changer for Travelers (Especially Families)

One of the most valuable — and often overlooked — benefits of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is Priority Pass lounge access. This membership opens the door to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, giving cardholders a quieter, more comfortable place to relax before flights.

With Priority Pass, travelers can enjoy:

  • Comfortable seati

One of the most valuable — and often overlooked — benefits of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is Priority Pass lounge access. This membership opens the door to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, giving cardholders a quieter, more comfortable place to relax before flights.

With Priority Pass, travelers can enjoy:

  • Comfortable seating away from crowded gate areas
  • Complimentary food and drinks
  • Clean restrooms and calmer environments
  • Reliable Wi-Fi and charging stations
     

For families, lounge access can completely change the airport experience — offering space for kids to eat, recharge devices, and decompress before boarding. Instead of navigating packed terminals, Priority Pass lounges turn airports into a place to reset and start the trip on the right note.


Why it matters: Lounge access isn’t not just a luxury perk — it’s a practical travel tool that saves money, reduces stress, and makes traveling smoother for everyone.

✈️ Travel Smarter With the Capital One Venture Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Card makes travel easier with simple rewards, flexible redemptions, no foreign transaction fees, and Priority Pass lounge access for a more comfortable airport experience. If you’re ready to turn everyday spending into better trips, click the link to learn more and apply.


Current Offer (if approved):   Earn  100,000 bonus miles (equal to $1,000 towards travel) once you spend  $10,000 on purchases within the first 6 months from account opening.  (current as of 12/25/25)

GET THE CAPITAL ONE VENTURE CARD TODAY!

TRAVEL CARD COMPARISON

🧭 1. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

🛫 3. American Express Travel Cards (Gold & Platinum)

🧭 1. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Best for: Travelers who want simple, easy rewards without tracking categories.


Annual Fee: ~$95

Rewards Structure:

  • 10X miles on hotels  & rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • 5X miles on flights & vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
  • 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere — straightforward and easy


Redemption: 

  • Redeem at a fixed value (about 1¢ per mile) toward travel purchases or transfer to ~15 airline and hotel partners.


Perks: 

  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Up to $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
  • Annual travel credit
  • Priority Pass membership 
  • Rental car insurance & travel protections


Why choose it: Simple earning + flexible redemption with no category juggling. 

✨ 2. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

🛫 3. American Express Travel Cards (Gold & Platinum)

🧭 1. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

 Best for: Travelers who want higher redemption value and travel protections.


Annual Fee: ~$95

Rewards Structure:

  • 5X points on travel booked through Chase Travel 
  • 3X points on dining & select streaming/groceries 
  • 2X points on other travel


Redemption: 

  • Points often worth more (up to ~1.25–1.5¢) when redeemed through Chase Travel or with select bonuses.


Perks: 

  • Up to $50 annual hotel credit
  • Primary rental car insurance 
  • Trip cancellation/interruption, baggage delay, trip delay reimbursements
  • No foreign transaction fees


Why choose it: Potentially more value per point and better travel protections than many cards in this tier. 

🛫 3. American Express Travel Cards (Gold & Platinum)

🛫 3. American Express Travel Cards (Gold & Platinum)

🛫 3. American Express Travel Cards (Gold & Platinum)

American Express cards occupy a different tier — from high-value category earnings to premium perks.


💼 Amex Gold Card

Best for: Travelers who also spend on dining & groceries and want travel rewards.

Annual Fee: ~$325

Rewards Structure:

  • 4X Membership Rewards® points at restaurants & U.S. supermarkets 
  • 3X points on flights and AmEx travel purchases

Perks: 

  • Uber Cash & dining credits 
  • No foreign transaction fees

Why choose it: Excellent for those who combine travel with everyday spending — not just flights and stays. 


 ✈️ Amex Platinum Card

Best for: Frequent, premium travelers who want luxury travel perks.

Annual Fee: ~$895 (updated in 2025)

Rewards Structure:

  • 5X points on flights booked directly and prepaid hotels via AmEx Travel

Perks: 

  • Access to ~1,500+ lounges worldwide (Centurion, Priority Pass, etc. )
  • Up to $600 in hotel credits annually 
  • Annual airline fee and other lifestyle credits 
  • Elite benefits with airlines & hote

Why choose it: If you travel often and will use the high-end perks, this card can justify its steep fee through credits and luxury benefits you’d otherwise pay for.

Why Airport Lounges Are a Must When Traveling With a Family

Family travel is rewarding—but let’s be honest, it’s also exhausting. Long security lines, delayed flights, hungry kids, overstimulated toddlers, and nowhere to sit can turn an airport into a stress test. That’s why airport lounge access, especially through cards like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card with Priority Pass, has become a game-changer for families who travel.


But not all lounges are created equal. When you’re traveling with kids, certain lounge features aren’t luxuries — they’re must-haves.


Priority Pass Access Makes It All Possible -   The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card includes Priority Pass membership, which opens the door to 1,300+ lounges worldwide. For families, that means:

  • More lounge options across domestic and international airports
  • Flexibility when flying different airlines
  • Consistent comfort no matter where you travel
     

Instead of hoping for a good gate experience, you’re planning for one.   Lounge access turns airports from a hurdle into part of the trip.

Space to Spread Out (and Breathe)

Anyone who has traveled with children knows that cramped gate seating is a recipe for meltdowns. A family-friendly lounge should offer:

  • Open seating areas where kids aren’t elbow-to-elbow with strangers 
  • Family seating clusters or quieter corners 
  • Enough room for strollers, backpacks, and carry-ons
     

Lounges accessed through Priority Pass often provide far more space than gate areas, allowing kids to move, parents to relax, and everyone to decompress before boarding.


Why it matters: Less crowding means less stress — for you and everyone around you.

Complimentary Food (That Actually Works for Kids)

Airport food for a family can easily cost more than the flight itself. A good lounge eliminates that problem entirely.


Family-friendly lounge food essentials include:

  • Simple options like pasta, rice, bread, fruit, yogurt, and snacks 
  • Drinks for all ages — juice, milk, water, coffee, and tea 
  • Flexible eating times (no rushing to a restaurant before boarding)
     

With lounge access, kids can eat when they’re hungry, not when boarding is called.


Why it matters: Fewer hangry kids, fewer rushed meals, and real savings on travel days.

Clean Bathrooms (This One Is Non-Negotiable)

Public airport bathrooms are unpredictable at best. Lounges typically offer:

  • Cleaner, better-maintained restroom 
  • Shorter or nonexistent line 
  • More space for parents assisting younger children
     

When you’re juggling carry-ons, coats, and kids, this upgrade alone can justify lounge access.


Why it matters: Clean, calm bathroom breaks can prevent small problems from becoming big ones.

Power Outlets and Charging Stations Everywhere

Between tablets, phones, headphones, smartwatches, and portable fans, family travel is device-heavy. A lounge should have:

  • Easily accessible power outlets at most seats 
  • USB ports for quick charging 
  • No competition for charging space
     

Lounges let parents recharge devices before boarding — not while balancing cords at the gate.


Why it matters: Charged devices = entertained kids = smoother flights.

Wi-Fi That Actually Works

Airport Wi-Fi can be unreliable, slow, or capped. Lounge Wi-Fi is typically:

  • Faster and more stable 
  • Less congested 
  • Easier to connect multiple devices
     

This allows kids to stream shows, parents to check emails, and everyone to stay connected without frustration.


Why it matters: Reliable Wi-Fi keeps everyone occupied and calm before boarding.

Final Thoughts: Lounges Aren’t a Luxury — They’re a Family Travel Tool

When you’re traveling alone, a lounge is a nice perk.  When you’re traveling with a family, it’s a strategic advantage.


From free food and clean bathrooms to space, Wi-Fi, and calm, the right lounge can:

  • Reduce travel stress 
  • Save money 
  • Improve behavior and moods 
  • Make the entire journey smoother
     

With Priority Pass access through the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, families gain access to one of the most underrated tools in travel — a place to pause, reset, and start the journey on the right foot.

what my kids love about lounges...

My kids love airport lounges because they’re comfortable and stress-free. They can choose cozy places to sit and relax, move around without feeling cramped, and keep all their devices charged thanks to easily accessible outlets and USB charging stations. Unlimited food and drinks, bathrooms right inside the lounge, and even beds in some locations make travel days so much easier — and at JFK, we lucked out with a lounge that handled security for us, letting us skip the line while they sorted our electronics and bags before we even reached the checkpoint, which completely took the stress out of the process. 


Copyright © 2025 Seasoned from the Start - All Rights Reserved.


Powered by

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

Accept