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Planning a family trip and wondering if you can use credit card points to book your Airbnb? The answer is yes, and done right, it can save you hundreds (or even thousands) on your next vacation.
We love a good resort stay, but sometimes a vacation rental is just what a family needs: more space, a kitchen, a washing machine, and a place to stretch out.
And sometimes, it’s not just about preference—it’s about points value. For example, I’ve seen Marriott hotels going for 70,000 points a night, while a spacious Airbnb in the same area might cost the equivalent of 30,000 points. Or we’re looking at 40,000 points per night for a hotel room—but we’d need two of them for our family of six. In those cases, booking an Airbnb for around 45,000 points and getting an entire home (with room to spare) is a no-brainer. When you’re traveling as a family, square footage, number of beds, and a washer/dryer can be just as valuable as a hotel breakfast.
If you’re trying to stretch your travel budget with points, here’s how to book Airbnb, Vacasa, and other vacation homes using the rewards you already have.
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1. Use Points to Erase Airbnb Charges
If you have a travel credit card that lets you redeem points as a statement credit, you can book your Airbnb directly, then “erase” the charge afterward. This is one of the easiest ways to use points for Airbnb stays.
Best cards for this strategy:
- Capital One Venture or Venture X: Earn 2x miles on all purchases and redeem them for Airbnb stays at 1 cent per mile. A $500 Airbnb = 50,000 miles. Why I love the Venture X.
- Other cards that allow redemptions for travel charges (check if Airbnb qualifies as travel with your issuer). My list here
Real-life tip: You can even charge the Airbnb before you’ve earned your bonus and use your miles retroactively within 90 days.
2. Redeem Points for Airbnb Gift Cards
Some rewards portals let you redeem points for Airbnb gift cards. While not always the highest value, it’s a solid option if you’re short on time or want a more direct route.
Programs that offer Airbnb gift cards:
- Select bank reward programs
- Capital One (occasionally)
- Cards I would look at for this here
Tip for moms: Watch for sales on Airbnb gift cards at stores like Target or Amazon, especially during holiday weekends or back-to-school sales. You can double dip with Rakuten to stack even more savings.
3. Use Travel Credits from Premium Cards
Several premium travel credit cards come with annual travel credits that may automatically apply to Airbnb purchases:
- Capital One Venture X: $300 credit (only valid for bookings through the Capital One Travel portal)
- Other premium cards from various issuers: Check if your annual credit applies to Airbnb as a qualifying travel charge
- Cards I would look at for this here
4. Stack Airline Miles When Booking Airbnb
You can actually earn frequent flyer miles when you book Airbnb through select airline portals:
- Delta SkyMiles: 1 mile per $1 spent
- British Airways Executive Club: 2 Avios per $1 spent
It’s an easy way to double dip; you use your card, earn miles, and pay for the stay with points.
5. Buy Airbnb Gift Cards in Bonus Categories
Buy Airbnb gift cards using cards that earn more at grocery stores, office supply stores, or drugstores:
- Some cards offer 4–5x rewards at these retailers
- Then use the gift cards toward your Airbnb booking
- Cards I would look at for elevated grocery rewards here
It’s a great option if you’re building points and want to earn a lot on the purchase itself.
6. Book Vacasa Vacation Homes with Wyndham Points
Vacasa has become one of my favorite ways to book vacation homes with points—especially for families who need space without blowing the budget.
How it works:
- Vacasa rentals can be booked with Wyndham Rewards points
- Each night costs 15,000 points per bedroom
- No taxes or cleaning fees when booked with points
- You must call Wyndham at 1-800-441-1034 to book (no online option yet)
Some of the best finds are 1-bedroom homes that sleep 6–8 people—perfect for families of five or more.
Cards that transfer to Wyndham:
- Capital One Miles: 1:1 transfer ratio (Venture, Venture X, Spark Miles)
- Citi ThankYou Points: Citi Strata Premier or Prestige: 1:1; Rewards+ or Double Cash: 1,000 = 800 Wyndham
- Full list here
Bonus: The Wyndham Rewards Earner® Business Card gives you 10% off redemptions—so just 13,500 points per night instead of 15,000.
Want a full guide? Here’s how to transfer credit card points to travel partners.
7. Book Vacation Rentals Through Travel Portals
Some bank travel portals include condos and vacation rentals:
- Capital One Travel occasionally shows vacation rentals
- Other portals may include homes and condos depending on the location
- Cards I would look at for this here
Redemption values are usually around 1 cent per point—not the best, but sometimes worth it for simplicity.
8. Use Hotel Vacation Clubs with Points
If you want a resort feel with more space, hotel vacation clubs can be a great option. Many include villas or suites with kitchens and laundry:
Worth checking out:
- Marriott Vacation Club – Especially near Disney and beach locations. More on booking Marriott stays.
- Hyatt Residence Club – Bookable with points through transfer. Read: The Mom’s Guide to Hyatt.
- IHG Holiday Inn Club Vacations – Some properties available Read: Guide to IHG
- Choice/Bluegreen Vacations – A few good options if you search
- Hilton Grand Vacations – May require phone booking or special promotions
- Cards I would look at for this here
These often include resort perks like pools, kids’ activities, and great locations.
Final Thoughts: Is Using Points for Airbnb Worth It?
Absolutely, if you’re strategic. My personal favorite combo:
- Use Capital One Miles to erase Airbnb charges
- Transfer Capital One or Citi points to Wyndham for Vacasa rentals
- Book a 1-bedroom Vacasa that sleeps 6–8 for max value
Don’t forget to stack with:
- Airline portals to earn miles
- Gift card promos
- Cards with grocery/office bonus categories
With a little planning, you can save big, and travel more often as a family.
Want to know which cards I recommend for Airbnb and vacation rentals? Here’s my list of favorites for flexible family travel cards.
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