Turning Groceries Into Getaways :: How Points & Miles Made My Family Vacation Dreams a Reality
Summer is just around the corner. The season of sun soaked evenings, sandy toes, and the time honored tradition of packing the family into a car (or plane) in pursuit of adventure. It’s a time meant for memory making and slowing down. But let’s be honest, these days, with the rising cost of just living, many families are hitting pause on their travel dreams. And that genuinely breaks my heart.
You see, travel is my love language. Always has been. I didn’t board a plane until I was around 13, and I didn’t get my first passport until I was 21. But even before those milestones, I was captivated by the world and the idea of exploring as much of it as possible. I assumed one day I’d pass that passion on to my kids. But realistically, I thought we’d be sticking to road trips and budget-friendly domestic travel. International adventures? Those were reserved for “someday,” aka when they could afford their own plane tickets.
And then, a few years ago, I discovered the magical, almost too good to be true world of points and miles.
Fast forward to today: both of my young kids have their own passports and have already visited multiple countries. And yes, international travel with young kids is totally do-able. Here are some tips for flying with littles. This summer, we’re adding another. And no, I didn’t suddenly win the lottery. I’m a college professor. While I do have the flexibility to travel in the summer (bless you, academic calendar), I am not, by any stretch, swimming in disposable income.
What I am swimming in, however, are points and miles. And those, my friends, are travel gold.
Over the past few years, I’ve learned to strategically use credit card points and frequent flyer miles to dramatically cut down our travel costs, sometimes to zero. Flights and hotels, the two biggest ticket items in any vacation budget, are often fully covered with points we’ve earned from everyday spending.
For example, in summer 2025, our family of four (two adults, one child, and one infant) spent a week in Amsterdam. The total cash value of our flights and hotel? $7,210. Our out of pocket cost? Just $380. We paid $95 per person in taxes and fees for flights and stayed seven nights at the Hyatt Regency Amsterdam completely free using points.
Let me be clear: between two kids in daycare, homeowners insurance hikes, and the price of gas, we do not have an extra $7,000 lying around for a European vacation. But $380 for a trip we’ll remember forever? That, I can manage.
Another example: last summer, we traveled to Portugal for almost two weeks. Our flights alone would have cost $2,772. We stayed in a suite valued at $475 per night that we paid $0 again. This summer, we’re setting our sights on France. Paying cash for trips like these would have firmly placed them in the “dream on” category.
If this sounds a bit like travel sorcery, here’s the secret: it’s all about being smart with how you spend the money you’re already spending.
Here’s how it works: Instead of using cash or a debit card for everyday purchases like groceries, gas, restaurants, and bills, I put those expenses on credit cards that earn rewards (yes, even diapers and coffee runs count). The key is to pay off the card in full every month. No interest, no debt, just pure points accumulation.
Then, when it’s time to travel, we use those points and miles to book flights and hotels. There’s a bit of a learning curve in choosing the right cards and optimizing redemptions, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes a game. One that ends with your family boarding a plane to somewhere unforgettable.
