4 Simple Ways Parents Can Budget for Their Teens — And Earn Travel Rewards

Rachel SmithDecember 15, 2018
Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.

Teenagers. They’re seemingly close to adulthood, yet still far from monetary independence.

So what are parents to do when it comes to finances? To credit cards and the subsequent rewards earned?

Here are four simple ways parents can budget for their teens and teach them about managing their finances.

1. Plan ahead for study abroad

Is your teenager taking a foreign language class? If they seem particularly interested in a certain country, it might be a good idea to see what study abroad programs their school offers.

Many high schools in the U.S. offer study abroad trips to students. Spain, Italy and France are popular destinations, and often these trips are about a week in length. Saving up travel rewards can significantly offset the cost of international airfare.

In order to prepare, choose a credit card that allows point redemption with any airline. This flexibility allows your student to fly with the group, and you as parents do not need to travel with your teen to redeem the reward. Simply book the ticket using the rewards, and your teen will be ready to travel with their classmates.

2. Add your teen as an authorized user (with limits)

If you are considering adding your teen to your credit card as an authorized user, beware that most credit cards give all authorized user the same credit limit.

The exception to this is American Express. American Express cards allow for the main account holder to set spending limits for authorized users. This is a great option for parents who want to ensure their teens don’t go overboard.

And since American Express has partner cards such as the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card and more, you are on your way to earning more rewards while teaching your teen about personal finance.

It’s important to ensure that your kid understands the spending boundaries. If you’re not sure if this approach is a good idea for your teen just yet, you could also consider a debit card until they’re ready for credit.

3. Earn rewards at the pump

One effective way to show teens how to consistently use, and pay off, a credit card statement is at the gas pump.

If your teen is of driving age and your family decides to help pay for some of their gas, a good way to do so is with a credit card that rewards gas as a bonus, like The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card. This card gives 5X bonus points at gas stations.

4. Cruise into spring break

Cruises can be a great option for family spring breaks. Look for a travel rewards card that allows bonus categories for cruises, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.

While it is a personal decision to involve your teenager with a credit card, it can be a good way to instill positive financial practices under supervision. And even if you don’t get your teen involved, you can still choose to earn travel rewards that will work for the whole family.

How to Maximize Your Rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2021, including those best for:

We want to hear from you and encourage a lively discussion among our users. Please help us keep our site clean and safe by following our posting guidelines, and avoid disclosing personal or sensitive information such as bank account or phone numbers. Any comments posted under NerdWallet’s official account are not reviewed or endorsed by representatives of financial institutions affiliated with the reviewed products, unless explicitly stated otherwise.