Name: American Express® Gold Card
Brand: American Express

Quick summary

Balancing school attendance with family travel is a challenge, as both formal education and travel offer valuable learning experiences.
Missing school can impact academic progress, social development and even school funding, as some states tie budgets to attendance.
Travel provides unique educational benefits, such as exposure to new cultures, hands-on history lessons and opportunities for family problem-solving.
Parents can support learning during travel by involving children in trip planning, coordinating with teachers for assignments and dedicating time to study each day.

What to consider

Extended absences may lead to truancy issues or significant make-up work, and not all schools provide assignments in advance.
The best times to travel are after testing periods or around holidays, while avoiding the start of the school year is recommended.
If a child is struggling academically, it may be better to postpone travel and focus on academic support.

What you'll miss from the article

Practical tips for integrating travel into your child's education, including how to coordinate with teachers and maximize learning on the road.

Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.

If you’re like me, you’ve struggled with the parental decision between school and travel. It is absolutely important for children to receive a formal education, but travel also enriches their lives and provides experiences that a book cannot.

Once your kids hit school age, how do you balance the desire to travel and show them the world with the responsibilities of school?

Why It's Important to Attend School Every Day

Education, of course, is important. When they’re young, children are building study habits and a foundation for learning that will last a lifetime. As kids get older, missing school could be the difference between making a team, learning important information and skills, even earning coveted scholarships.

Many teachers believe that because a school's curriculum is sequential, missing more than two consecutive days for a family vacation can be a bad idea.

Studies show that students with high attendance are more likely to graduate, whereas missing school has been tied to crime and other behavioral problems. These stats tell us what can happen when school isn't a priority.

Many Schools Are Partially Funded Based on Attendance

When students miss class, the school itself can also be harmed. Several states tie school budgets to attendance. When a student isn’t in class, the school is potentially losing money out of its budget.

An article from The Washington Post found that some schools give students rewards for high attendance to avoid deductions from their budgets. The rewards range from “bicycles and laptops to performances by pop stars and $20,000 vouchers for a new car.”

Truancy Issues

In many states it's mandatory that children above a certain age (often 5 or 6) be enrolled in formal education. If your child misses too many dates, you may find yourself not only in the principal's office but in truancy court.

The Benefits of Traveling With Children

Formal education is important, but there are benefits to travel as well: exposure to new cultures and experiences, seeing geographical variations, learning the differences in international currencies compared to the US dollar and trying new foods.

Most important, Rory Mannion, director of admissions for The School in Rose Valley, says that "traveling as a family presents learning opportunities to work together, problem-solve and engage in conflict resolution."

How to Keep Your Children Learning While Traveling

It's important to keep children learning while they're out of school, and there are many ways to make this happen.

Involve the Kids in Trip Planning

When our family travels together, we include the kids in travel planning. It helps them learn about geography and gives them some ownership of the itinerary. Plus, it gives them something to look forward to.

Here's a cool math exercise: Have your children compare the value you receive from one hotel versus another when booking your room with points. Research the cash prices of each hotel room and compare that with how many points it takes to book the room. Use The Points Guy's monthly miles and points valuation chart and see what the results are. You may learn something as well.

Ask Their Teacher for Assignments

Talk with your children’s teacher ahead of your trip and explain why you’ll be gone. Discuss what assignments your child will miss and ask what your child can do to stay current. Depending upon your child’s age, the homework will vary. For example, they may be assigned a book report, worksheets or reading and homework from their textbooks.

Know that not all schools will give out assignments in advance. In that case, expect lots of make-up work when your children return.

Dedicate Time Every Day to Homework

To maintain the normal routine, set aside time every day for your child to study, read or keep a journal. This routine will make the transition easier when you return from the trip and makes it easier to plan your day.

Visit Historical and Significant Attractions

One of the things I love most about traveling is that you can actually visit history instead of just reading about it. Don't just read about the Revolutionary War. Take your children to Boston and walk the Freedom Trail. There are many historical tours that will transport you back in time.

The end of Boston's Freedom Trail at the Bunker Hill Monument. (Photo courtesy of Getty Images / aphotostory)

As Elizabeth Hanson, a certified parenting coach and homeschooler, says, "The excitement of real-life experiences is irreplaceable."

Have Your Child Create a Report of Their Trip

One of the best gifts your child can give is sharing the wonders of travel with others. Our family prints out pictures of our trips and my son, now in the third grade, does a short presentation to his class about what he saw. This provides valuable experience in public speaking for him and allows his classmates to learn about a new city through his eyes. Of course, not all classes or schools will use this kind of show-and-tell, but it's worth finding out.

We also set aside a small budget so our son can bring back souvenirs for the class. For example, we've brought pencils from Stockholm, shiny stones from Grand Cayman and chocolates from Cancun. And when we travel internationally, we keep some of the currency so it can be passed around the classroom.

When Should You Time Absences From School?

Although many say that all school days are important, there are some times of the year that are better or worse to miss than others.

Avoid the First Weeks of School

Briana Loomis, Ph.D., a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in child behavioral health, reminds us that "summer learning loss is real." The first few weeks of school provide the foundation for social bonds and academic success. When children miss school at the beginning of the year, "It can be harder to join in and form relationships" with their classmates and get into the groove of the new year.

After Testing Windows

These days, it is critical that students focus ahead of standardized testing and other important exams. If you have some flexibility as to when to plan your trip, speak with their teacher and explain the situation. Together you will find some dates that can avoid these critical spots in the school calendar as major testing dates are often set well in advance.

Robin O'Neal Smith of Be Social, Get Success is a parent and former school administrator. She says, "It is better to time the vacation after the testing window or right around a holiday so they miss less instructional time." She also adds that you should "create some windows of time during the trip when the child can devote to catching up."

Make Sure Your Child Isn't Struggling

Travel can be wonderful and enriching, but if your child is struggling with school, it would be best to avoid missing days until he/she catches up. The travel money may be better spent getting a tutor to help your child overcome those hurdles than to unintentionally add to the gap.

If the vacation is a way for you to get a break from work and unwind, consider a staycation. Pick your kids up after school and explore the attractions in your backyard. Most major cities have excellent museums, historical sites and more where you can create awesome family memories without hopping on a plane to travel somewhere exotic.

Should Your Child Miss School to Travel?

I understand the appeal of avoiding summer crowds and peak holiday-travel craziness. Flights and hotels are usually less expensive, there's often more award availability and you can sometimes have a less stressful experience. Additionally, not every parent's work schedule lines up with traveling during school breaks. The real answer to whether or not you should take your child out of school to travel is, "It depends." There are strong opinions on both sides of the issue and they both make valid points. There is likely no right or wrong answer, but instead, there are easier and much tougher times to make it work. Sometimes the right answer is to just stay home for now and save the trip for later.

Before booking that mid-year vacation, think about the timing of the trip and how your kids are progressing in their classes. If they are making friends and earning good grades, they probably can handle a few missed days. Just be sure to craft a lesson plan with their teacher so they don't fall behind.

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American Express® Gold Card

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Pros + cons

Pros

Valuable dining and food-related credits
Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
Multiple travel and purchase protections
No foreign transaction fees
Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

Cons

Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits

More details

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
$120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.

Pros

Valuable dining and food-related credits
Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
Multiple travel and purchase protections
No foreign transaction fees
Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

Cons

Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
$120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.

Once your kids hit school age, how do you balance the desire to travel and show them the world with the responsibilities of school?

Why It's Important to Attend School Every Day

Many teachers believe that because a school's curriculum is sequential, missing more than two consecutive days for a family vacation can be a bad idea.