Booking family travel can be an expensive endeavor, but with the smart use of credit card points, you can significantly reduce costs and even enjoy a dream vacation without breaking the bank. From flights and hotels to vacation packages and all-inclusive resorts, there are plenty of opportunities to use points and miles to your advantage.

In this blog, we’ll cover how to maximize your credit card points for family travel, the best times to book to get the best rates, and some tips for finding all-inclusive resorts where kids travel for free. By following these tips, you can make your family vacation more affordable and enjoyable!

1. Start with the Right Credit Card

The first step to booking family travel using points is ensuring you have the right credit card. Not all cards are created equal, and some offer better travel rewards, more flexibility, or greater opportunities to earn bonus points.

Here are some of the top categories of cards to consider:

  • General Travel Credit Cards: These cards allow you to earn points or miles that can be used across different airlines, hotels, or travel portals. They’re a great option for families who want flexibility. Examples include:
    • Chase Sapphire Preferred/Reserve: Offers 2-3x points on travel and dining and allows you to transfer points to a variety of airline and hotel partners.
    • American Express Membership Rewards Cards: These cards offer flexible points that can be transferred to various travel partners.
  • Airline-Specific Credit Cards: If your family has a preferred airline, a co-branded airline card might be worth considering. These cards offer bonus points for spending with the airline, and you can often enjoy perks like free checked bags or priority boarding.
    • Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express and Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card are excellent options if you frequently fly with these airlines.
  • Hotel-Specific Credit Cards: If you prefer staying in certain hotel chains, consider a co-branded hotel credit card. Many offer bonus points on hotel stays, free nights, and elite status perks.
    • Examples include the Hilton Honors American Express Card and the World of Hyatt Credit Card.

Pro Tip: Choose a card that aligns with your travel habits. If you want more flexibility, go for a general travel card. If you fly frequently with a particular airline or prefer certain hotel brands, co-branded cards can maximize your rewards.

2. Maximize Points with Sign-Up Bonuses

One of the fastest ways to accumulate points is through credit card sign-up bonuses. Most travel credit cards offer large bonuses for new cardholders after meeting a minimum spending requirement within the first three months.

  • Meet the Minimum Spend: The key to earning these bonuses is to make sure you can meet the required spending threshold without going over your budget. Look at upcoming expenses, like groceries, utilities, or school supplies, to see how you can hit the minimum spend naturally.
  • Take Advantage of Bonus Categories: Many travel cards offer additional points on certain spending categories. For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred gives 2x points on travel and dining, while the American Express Gold Card offers 4x points at U.S. supermarkets. Be sure to use your card for these purchases to maximize your rewards.

Pro Tip: Use your credit card for as many of your regular expenses as possible (while paying off your balance each month) to quickly rack up points for your next family vacation.

3. Transfer Points to Travel Partners for Maximum Value

One of the best ways to stretch your credit card points further is by transferring them to travel partners like airlines or hotels. Many cards offer 1:1 transfers, which can provide greater value than simply redeeming points through the credit card’s travel portal.

  • Airline Transfers: If your card allows point transfers to airline programs, you can often find great deals on award flights by booking directly through the airline’s frequent flyer program. This is especially valuable for long-haul or international travel. Examples of popular transfer partners include United Airlines, Southwest, British Airways, and Delta.
  • Hotel Transfers: If you prefer staying in hotels, consider transferring points to hotel loyalty programs like Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, or World of Hyatt. This can help you book free hotel nights for your family trip, saving you hundreds of dollars in accommodations.

Pro Tip: Before transferring points, check both your card’s travel portal and the airline or hotel partner for award availability and value. Sometimes transferring points gives you a better deal, while other times, the travel portal offers more flexibility.

4. When to Book: Timing Your Travel for the Best Rates

Timing is critical when booking family travel using points. The availability of award flights and hotel rooms can vary significantly based on the time of year and how far in advance you book.

  • Flights: For domestic flights, the best time to book is usually 2-3 months in advance. For international flights, aim to book 6-9 months ahead of time, especially if you’re traveling during peak seasons like summer or holidays.
  • Hotels: Many hotel loyalty programs allow you to book rooms up to a year in advance. If you’re planning to use points for your hotel stay, book as early as possible to ensure availability, particularly at popular family destinations.
  • Last-Minute Deals: While booking early is often ideal, keep an eye out for last-minute deals or award seat availability if your travel dates are flexible. Some airlines and hotels release award seats closer to the travel date, so it’s worth checking regularly.

Pro Tip: Set up price alerts through travel portals or frequent flyer programs to be notified of drops in point requirements or the release of more award seats.

5. Look for All-Inclusive Resorts with Free Kids’ Travel

All-inclusive resorts are a great option for families because they bundle the cost of accommodations, meals, activities, and entertainment into one price. Even better, some all-inclusive resorts offer deals where kids can stay and eat for free.

  • Club Med and Hyatt Ziva: These are two popular all-inclusive resort brands that often run promotions where kids stay for free. Using your credit card points to book these stays can cover the entire cost of your family vacation.
  • Look for “Kids Stay Free” Offers: Check for special promotions where kids under a certain age can stay free at the resort. This is a great way to stretch your points further since you’ll only need to cover the cost for adults.
  • Use Points for Extras: While the stay may be covered by points, there may still be costs for extras like excursions, spa treatments, or premium dining options. If your credit card offers statement credits, you can redeem points to cover these expenses as well.

Pro Tip: Some resorts allow you to transfer credit card points directly to their loyalty programs, which can sometimes unlock even better value for your points.

6. Use Points to Book Vacation Packages

Another way to save on family travel is by booking vacation packages that combine flights, hotels, and even activities into one bundle. Many travel portals, such as Expedia and Chase Ultimate Rewards, allow you to use your points to book these all-in-one packages.

  • Expedia Packages: Many credit card portals partner with Expedia, allowing you to use points for vacation packages that include flights, hotels, and car rentals. This is a great way to simplify the booking process and cover all major expenses in one go.
  • Family-Friendly Packages: Look for packages that include family-friendly perks like airport transfers, kids’ activities, or free meals. These packages are often available at top family destinations and can help you save on additional costs.

Pro Tip: Always compare the cost of booking flights and hotels separately with booking a vacation package. While packages can offer convenience, booking separately might give you more flexibility in some cases.

7. Redeem Points for Family Flights

Flights are often the most expensive part of a family vacation, but you can cover these costs with points if you plan carefully.

  • Book Early: For domestic flights, start searching for award availability 2-3 months before your departure date. For international flights, aim to book 6-9 months in advance to ensure availability and the best rates.
  • Take Advantage of Airline Miles: If you’ve built up points through a specific airline’s frequent flyer program, look for award seat availability to redeem those miles for free flights. Some airlines offer companion fares, where you can book a second ticket at a discount or for free when booking with miles.
  • Avoid Peak Times: If you can, avoid booking flights during peak travel times like the holidays or summer break. Award seats are often limited, and points requirements are higher during these periods.

Pro Tip: Use tools like Google Flights or Hopper to monitor flight prices and get notifications when award seats become available.

Conclusion: Maximize Your Credit Card Points for Family Travel

Using credit card points to book family travel is a fantastic way to save money and unlock new opportunities for adventure. Whether you’re booking flights, hotels, or vacation packages, strategic use of points can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs.

By choosing the right credit card, maximizing points through sign-up bonuses and category spending, and booking at the right time, you can ensure that your family travels in comfort—without breaking the bank. Plus, don’t forget to keep an eye out for all-inclusive resorts that offer free kids’ travel, and use your points.