I’m a former travel agent turned mom of four and points enthusiast. I teach families how to use credit card points and travel perks to see more of the world—without spending a fortune or getting overwhelmed by the process.
How to Use Your Travel Points for Family Vacations Without the Stress: 5 Ideas That Work
Advertiser Disclosure: The Rewards Mom has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. The Rewards Mom and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
If you’ve been sitting on a pile of points and wondering how to use your travel points for family vacations, you’re not alone.
I talk to so many moms who’ve done the work — signed up for the cards, tracked the bonuses, built up big balances — and then freeze when it’s time to actually spend them. What if you “waste” them? What if a better deal comes later?
Here’s the truth: those points were never meant to live in an account. They were meant to turn into memories.
And if you’ve been waiting for the perfect trip… maybe this is it.
If you’re newer to points or just want a refresher on how to start using them intentionally, then my Beginner’s Guide to Points & Miles walks through everything step-by-step.
1. Hyatt’s with a Water Slide to Blow Your Kids’ Minds
You don’t have to fly across the world to figure out how to use your travel points for family vacations. Sometimes the best use is at home, with a resort-style hotel where your kids can swim, laugh, and wear themselves out by 7 p.m. I swear with some of the fancy trips I have taken my kids on, they like the pool the best!
Hyatt has some of the best family-friendly properties for that. You’ll find resorts with water slides, lazy rivers, and rooms that make you feel like you splurged, even if you didn’t spend a dime.
Five-acre water playground, lazy river, and FlowRider surf wave.
Mom Tip: Bring water shoes—kids won’t want to leave the slides.
💡 Rewards Mom Tip: When using points, look for “Resort Fee Waived” properties—Hyatt often includes water park access in that category.
If you want more ideas like this, my Mom’s Guide to Hyatt breaks down how to find these kinds of stays and make your points stretch even further.
2. Use Your Airline Miles or Companion Pass to Fly Somewhere You Never Thought You’d Go
Flights are often the hardest part of family travel. When you need four, five, or six seats, those prices can stop a trip before it starts.
This is where your points can open doors you didn’t think were possible.
If you’ve built up airline miles, or earned a Companion Pass, use them to go somewhere totally new. You don’t have to go far; you just have to go.
🌴 Hawai‘i
Long routes = big CP savings; cheap inter-island hops.
Tip: Book early, then reprice.
☀️ Cancún
Holiday fares soar—CP doubles value.
Tip: Pair with points all-inclusives.
🌅 Cabo & Puerto Vallarta
Short-haul sun; weekends price high in cash.
Tip: Go shoulder season.
🏖️ San Juan
No passport; beaches + rainforest + Old Town.
Tip: Split resort + Old San Juan.
🎢 Orlando
Dozens of nonstops; CP halves flight costs.
Tip: Fly mid-week; reprice later.
🌊 San Diego
Beaches, zoo, Legoland—great for kids.
Tip: Add rest days.
🏔️ Jackson Hole
Gateway to Yellowstone; pricey route = big CP win.
Tip: Early summer or fall.
⛰️ Denver
Mountain hub; Rockies road-trip springboard.
Tip: Compare points vs cash.
💡 Rewards Mom Tip: Book early, then reprice—no change fees. Your companion flies for just taxes & fees.
Most domestic round trips are still under 25,000 points per person when you plan early or stay flexible.
3. Use Marriott Points to Get Extra Space and Less Stress
Let’s be real: traveling with kids is easier when everyone has a little space. That’s what makes Marriott such a solid option for how to use your travel points for family vacations. You can find two-room suites, free breakfast, and kitchens almost anywhere you go.
Even better, Marriott has such a large global footprint that you can match your trip to your travel style, whether that’s a theme park week or a simple long weekend, pretty much anywhere you go.
Kitchenettes + space; subway access for museums/parks.
Tip: Book longer stays for laundry/kitchen wins.
💡 Rewards Mom Tip: Compare points over 4 vs. 5 nights—Marriott’s 5th-night-free can drop your average cost a lot.
If you want to make sure you’re getting good value, then my Guide to Booking Marriott Stays explains when to use points vs. cash, and how to combine both.
4. Weekend Getaway with IHG or Hilton Points
IHG or Hilton are the perfect points for a quick weekend getaway close to home.
IHG gives you a 4th Night Free on award stays, and Hilton offers a 5th Night Free when you book with points. Both benefit programs are perfect for weekend trips that feel bigger than they are.
Ocean-front property with kids’ water playgrounds & family-zone pools.
Mom Tip: Book early—top family suites go fast on points.
💡 Rewards Mom Tip: Both IHG & Hilton offer 5-night award savings—compare 4 vs. 5 nights to drop your nightly average.
I love using these programs for quick, low-stress family getaways.
5. Cash Out Some Points for a Memory-Heavy Stay
Let’s talk about something most points experts won’t say out loud: You don’t have to chase “maximum value” for every redemption. Do what YOU WANT with them!
If redeeming points for an Airbnb, cruise, or National Park cabin gets your family actually traveling, then that’s the best value there is.
Even at the base redemption, 600,000 points = roughly $6,000 in travel. That’s a whole vacation, or a few smaller ones, sitting in your account right now.
🏕️ Airbnb Near Yellowstone or Glacier
Wide-open skies, space for the whole crew, and coffee by the campfire.
Mom Tip: Filter for washer/dryer + full kitchen for smoother mornings.
🚢 Disney Cruise Adventure
One price covers food, shows, characters, and nonstop smiles.
Mom Tip: Off-peak sailings use fewer points and smaller crowds mean happier kids.
🏖️ Cabin or Beach Rental
Cozy cabins or ocean breezes—points-based bookings that feel like home.
Mom Tip: Use flexible rewards to “erase” the purchase after you book.
🌲 National Park Lodge Stay
Rustic charm, s’mores by the fire, and stargazing with no screens in sight.
Mom Tip: Book 9–12 months out—these classic spots go fast.
🌆 Big-City Family Break
Two connecting rooms, museum passes, and breakfast pastries from a corner café.
Mom Tip: Keep it light—one big outing a day is plenty with little ones.
💡 Rewards Mom Tip: Don’t overthink “cents per point.” If it gets your family making memories, it’s a perfect redemption.
If you’ve ever wondered when it is smart to redeem through your card’s travel portal instead of transferring, check out my post on When to Use Points to Book Travel Directly.
The Heart of It
Here’s the thing: points aren’t the goal, the memories are. Don’t let analysis paralysis steal the joy of what you’ve already earned.
Start with one small trip. Pick a weekend. Find a hotel your kids will love. These aren’t just points, they’re the catalyst for the next family story you’ll tell around the dinner table.
Want more real-life ideas like this? Join my free email newsletter for weekly inspiration and family travel tips, or come hang out in the Rewards Mom Facebook group where other families share what they’ve booked.
Ready for Your Next Step?
If this post gave you the motivation to finally use your points, you can start with How to Start Using Points and Miles. It’s the step-by-step guide that will help you plan your first (or next!) trip with confidence.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
Advertiser Disclosure: The Rewards Mom has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. The Rewards Mom and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
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I’m a former travel agent and airline employee turned points and miles enthusiast, here to help families travel more—for way less. With four kids of my own, I know how hard (and pricey!) it can be to plan a trip that actually works. That’s where points come in.
We’ve used them to visit 24 countries (Hawaii’s still my favorite), and I love showing other families how to do the same. On this site, you’ll find simple guides, smart tips, and one-on-one help if you want it. Whether you're just starting or ready to dive deeper, I'm here to make it easier—and more fun.
Let’s start checking off that bucket list.
Meet Kristin. Former Travel Pro Turned Mom & Points Aficionado
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