✈️ How to Use Points and Miles for Family Travel on a Budget
My guys at Notre Dame
Traveling with kids doesn’t have to break the bank. With a smart points-and-miles strategy, you can book flights, hotels, and even cruises for a fraction of the cost — or sometimes free. Here’s how we make family travel affordable, fun, and stress-free.
Heads up: This post has affiliate links. If you use them, I earn a tiny commission — the kind that fuels coffee, not private jets. Thanks for supporting my travel‑obsessed corner of the internet.See All the Trips We’ve Booked Using Points & Miles
Curious what’s actually possible with points and miles? I’ve rounded up every flight, hotel, cruise, and getaway we’ve booked using rewards — with real numbers and beginner‑friendly breakdowns. 👉 Explore Our Points & Miles Adventures
💳 Start with the Right Credit Cards
Beginner-friendly options: Chase Sapphire Preferred, Capital One Venture, and the Chase Freedom Flex.
Hotel-specific cards: Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy, and Hilton cards offer free nights and elite perks.
Airline cards: Southwest Rapid Rewards and Delta SkyMiles cards are great for domestic travel.
👉 Use our Stack & Save Credit Card Hub to find the best combo for your goals.
🧠 Understand Transfer Partners
Chase Ultimate Rewards → Southwest, Hyatt, United, etc.
Amex Membership Rewards → Delta, Hilton, Air France, etc.
Capital One Miles → Turkish Airlines, Wyndham, and more
Knowing how to transfer points unlocks huge value — especially for family-sized redemptions. Learn more about Transfer Partners
🏨 Book Hotels with Points
Use free night certificates for pre-cruise or road trip hotels
Hyatt Place is a favorite for families: 2 queens + sleeper sofa
Look for hotels with free breakfast and no resort fees
Check out all the Hyatts we have stayed at using points, miles, and other travel hacks.
✈️ Fly for Less
Use points to cover taxes and fees
Book early for better availability
🚢 Cruise Hacks with Points
Use casino status match for free or discounted cruises
Book through CruiseDirect or Princess Cruises for perks
Stack onboard credit with portal rewards and travel insurance
🧳 Pack Smart, Save More
Use packing cubes and a master checklist
Bring snacks, refillable water bottles, and layers
Pack items you already own — Reef shoes, Scout Bags, Athleta layers
👉 Shop our Cruise Packing List
💸 Stack & Save Strategy
We combine:
Credit card rewards
Portal cashback
Affiliate perks
Free night certificates
Airline and hotel loyalty programs
This lets us travel more often — without paying full price.
📲 Follow Our Family Travel Adventures
We share real-life tips, cruise reviews, packing lists, and stacking strategies on:
Let’s make travel easier, cheaper, and more fun — one trip at a time.
✍️ About the Author
Julie Davis is the founder of NO POINT LEFT BEHIND, where she helps families travel smarter using points, miles, and simple stacking strategies. She’s a mom, a lifelong planner, and a firm believer that travel doesn’t have to be expensive to be unforgettable.
Julie has booked everything from Caribbean cruises to Europe flights to weekend getaways using rewards — and she breaks it all down in a warm, beginner‑friendly way that makes travel hacking feel doable for real families.
When she’s not writing guides or testing new stacking combos, you’ll find her exploring national parks, cruising warm‑weather itineraries, or building out her next big travel hub.
👉 See all the trips Julie has booked using points & miles 👉 Explore the Stack & Save Credit Card Hub
