Glacier National Park Travel Hacks: Points Strategy
Glacier National Park Travel Hacks
I love free travel almost as much as I love to travel. We have paid cash for about 5 flights in the last 6 years. I will plot to figure out not to pay for days. I have booked 27 free domestic and 2 international flights for taxes and fees just this year. Then I paid for one.
This blog contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). Thanks for supporting NO POINT LEFT BEHIND — it helps me keep sharing savvy travel hacks and family adventures
Why Glacier National Park Was on Our List
My husband has Glacier National Park on his list. I have traveled a lot without him this year, thanks to all my cruise deals. Cruising is not his favorite, but I am hoping to change that later this year. Anyway, I booked a fantastic trip to Glacier for us earlier this year for next month. I have booked this trip before for the whole family using Southwest, and we were going to have to fly into Spokane and drive 4 hours after flying. Wildfires prevented us from going on that trip, so fingers-crossed this year is successful.
Check out all the amazing places we visit on points and miles and how we do it -> Real Points & Miles Adventures
Flight Strategy: Miles vs. Paid Ticket
My youngest is a senior but we homeschool so all his classes this year are dual-enrolled. He decided he wanted to do them all online. Then he asked if he could go on this trip with us. He wanted to see Glacier National Park. He pointed out he could do his schoolwork in the hotel. I didn’t have enough Delta miles to get him a free ticket. I could have transferred the points from my American Express rewards but it was so many points and I knew I had European trips in mind for those so I bought a plane ticket. It pained me for a moment. Then I remembered I was lucky to have a 16-year-old son who still wants to travel with us.
I maximized my points by booking an almost $600 plane ticket on my American Express Platinum card. It gives me 5 points per dollar on plane tickets. I paid extra for a refundable ticket. It is fire season in Montana after all.
Hotel Hacks: Free Nights with Chase Marriott Card
New to credit card reward points or want to learn more -> Best Points Credit Cards for Travel
We had already booked our hotel when we added our youngest. Last year, the Chase Marriott card had a signup bonus of 5 free night certificates (50k certificates). The certificates were for 50k points or below rooms. I used four of these for our trip to Kalispell, staying at Town Place Suites Kalispell I have done this sign-up bonus before. You can get a sign-up bonus on the Chase Marriott card every two years. The last time we got them, we used them for a wonderful trip to the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country for free. I had to top off those certificates with my points, but it was well worth it for a fabulous water park resort. You can use up to 15,000 points with a certificate to get a room worth more points than the certificate.
The Chase Marriott card is $95 a year. It comes with a free night certificate after the first year.
Final Thoughts: Smart Travel to Glacier National Park
Our Glacier National Park adventure proved that with the right strategy, even a bucket‑list destination can be affordable and stress‑free. By combining Delta SkyMiles, Marriott free night certificates, and flexible homeschool scheduling, we turned what could have been an expensive trip into a smart travel win. The flights, hotels, and points all aligned to make this journey possible — and the payoff was unforgettable views, family bonding, and the freedom to explore at our own pace.
For travelers looking to stretch their budget, Glacier National Park is a perfect example of how points and miles can unlock experiences that might otherwise feel out of reach. Whether you’re planning your first national park trip or adding another adventure to your list, smart travel hacks make it easier to say yes to the journey. I’ll definitely be using these strategies again — and I encourage you to explore how points, perks, and planning can open the door to your own Glacier adventure.
🤔 New to points and miles? I’ve got answers to your most common questions. Read the FAQ → Frequently Asked Questions
If you enjoy learning how we travel as a family using points, miles, and smart credit card strategies, I’d love for you to follow along:
