It happens to every traveler at some point: the flight is delayed, the room isn’t ready, the weather ruins the big day you planned—or your kid gets sick the night before you’re supposed to leave.

Or in my case? Starts throwing up on the way to the airport.

Because of course.

There’s nothing like a travel day morning to test your sanity.

One kid’s missing a shoe. Someone’s crying because we didn’t bring that kind of granola bar. You’re running through the mental list of things you swore you wouldn’t forget, and your husband is calmly sipping coffee like boarding time is optional.

I’ve done this enough to know: the chaos is part of the deal. But I’ve also learned how to make travel mornings feel a lot less stressful—with a few routines and one small habit that’s made a surprisingly big difference.

When we book flights and hotels with points, people usually want to know the “how.” But once we’re past the strategy part (and if you’re curious, this beginner guide is a great place to start), the next question is usually: “Okay, what do you pack?”

A few years ago, if you had asked me whether it was worth traveling over school breaks, I would’ve laughed and said, “Only if we win the lottery.”

Because as someone who has worked in the travel industry for most of my adult life—first as a travel agent, then for an airline—I knew the golden rule of getting a good deal: Travel off-peak. That’s where the savings were. That’s where the wide-open seats, low hotel rates, and promo codes lived.

But when our kids got older, everything changed.

I used to believe a dream trip to Kauai with our family of six would stay just that—a dream. Between flights, hotels, and food, we were staring at a price tag at around $15,000. Not exactly in the budget for a family of six. But once I discovered how to stack travel rewards, everything changed.

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I used to think taking my entire family of six on a tropical vacation in the middle of winter would cost us $10,000 or more. Flights alone felt out of reach, especially when I started adding in food and two hotel rooms. But then I started using points the way they were meant to be used—intentionally, with a clear plan for each trip.

Hawaii is a bucket list trip for so many families—and for good reason. The beaches, volcanoes, and island adventures feel a world away, but you don’t need a passport to get there. The catch? Flights to Hawaii can be pricey, especially when you’re booking for a whole family. That’s why using points strategically can make this trip go from “maybe someday” to “booked!”

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. Feeling Overwhelmed by Points and Miles? You’re Not Alone If you’ve ever thought, “How in the world are people taking free vacations with credit card points?”—while also […]

Why I Always Save My Points for These Two Travel Programs One of the biggest frustrations with points and miles? Figuring out how to actually use them for good redemptions. Some airline and hotel programs make it unnecessarily complicated—blackout dates, unpredictable pricing, and sneaky fees can turn what should be a nearly free trip into […]