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. Then I started using points the way they were meant to be used.

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 […]

If you’re a mom trying to stretch your points for family vacations, Hyatt is one of the best hotel programs out there. With family-friendly properties, incredible point value, and perks that make travel easier, Hyatt consistently ranks as a top choice for families looking to book hotel stays with points.

Getting through airport security with kids can feel like an Olympic sport. Between juggling snacks, backpacks, and emotional meltdowns, the last thing you want is to be stuck in a painfully long TSA line. The good news? There are ways to skip the chaos—and some of them are completely free when you use the right credit card.

If you’ve ever stared at a meal check on vacation wondering how you’re going to make this work for an entire week, it can feel like your stomach dropped down to your toes. I’ve been there.

The good news? With a little planning, you can stretch your food budget way farther than you think, while still feeling like you are having a vacation.