Travel Party of 5 | Points & Miles for Family Travel

Travel Party of 5 | Points & Miles for Family Travel

Do you struggle to understand how people travel using points and miles from credit cards? It can be easy to waste a lot of time learning travel hacking on your own, especially if you find it complex and confusing. Let us pull back the curtain and show you how you can maximize money you're already spending to earn enough credit card points and miles to travel with your family for nearly free. We've used credit card points and miles to take our family of 5 on trips to places like Costa Rica, San Diego, Disneyland, Oceanside, NYC, Washington DC, Hawaii, and next year we have already booked Paris, Spain and Japan! Using credit card points and miles (often called travel hacking) doesn't have to be overwhelming or take a ton of time, and we can show you how. Can you earn a lot of points and miles without opening up multiple credit cards? Only if you have a really high amount of spend each month. For people with larger families, opening new cards is the easiest and fastest way to earn enough points and miles to take a couple of really low cost (but not low budget) family vacations every year! If you want to learn ways to help you and your family travel more affordably using credit card points, this show is for you.

Episodes

June 23, 2025 22 mins

Frequent Miler Article

Chase has refreshed the Sapphire Reserve and launched a brand-new Sapphire Reserve for Business card, both with a hefty $795 annual fee and elevated welcome offers. The changes reflect Chase's push into the ultra-premium card space with enhanced credits and benefits, though the value proposition varies depending on your spending habits and travel patterns.

• Both cards offer $300 annual travel cr...

Mark as Played

Thanks for finding our podcast! We are a family of 5 who does most of our travel using credit card points and miles and we share how we leverage credit card offers to earn a ton of points/miles so we can afford travel as a larger family.

Follow us on Instagram @TravelPartyof5

The towering sequoias of Mariposa Grove, the refreshing mist from Bridal Veil Falls, and the unexpected joy of watching our typically reserved 11-year-old excla...

Mark as Played

[WAITLIST] 1:1 Points Travel Strategy Session - get on the waitlist here!

Link to my entire trip planning checklist for FREE! 

And make sure to follow us on Instagram! @travelpartyof5 

Despite recent devaluations from major programs like Hilton, Capital One, and others, points and miles are still a viable way to travel the world with your family if you're willing to adapt your strategy and mindset.

• Frustrating changes ...

Mark as Played

[WAITLIST] 1:1 Points Travel Strategy Session - get on the waitlist here!

Travel Freely App - How we keep track of all our cards! 

Card Pointers App 

And make sure to follow us on Instagram! @travelpartyof5 

The intimidating numbers associated with credit card annual fees often mask the real value these cards provide through their benefits and credits when used strategically.

• Breaking down how we manage $5,500 in credit card...

Mark as Played

[WAITLIST] 1:1 Points Travel Strategy Session - get on the waitlist here!

And make sure to follow us on Instagram! @travelpartyof5 

In this episode we take you through our recent stay at the Arizona Grand Hotel in Phoenix, exploring their impressive water park and sharing our experience as a family of five.

• All-suite hotel with space for families of all sizes
• Water park features three thrilling water slides, wave poo...

Mark as Played

[WAITLIST] 1:1 Points Travel Strategy Session - get on the waitlist here!

Travel Freely App - How we keep track of all our cards! 

And make sure to follow us on Instagram! @travelpartyof5 

Contrary to popular belief, opening multiple credit cards doesn't automatically tank your credit score. I'm living proof – with eight new cards in just six months and an "excellent" credit score of 808 to show for it.

Th...

Mark as Played

We dive into the complex world of changing and canceling award travel, sharing real experiences and practical strategies to help save your trip when plans change.

• Domestic carriers like American, Alaska, and Southwest generally don't charge fees for award ticket changes
• International airlines like Air France/Flying Blue, British Airways, and Singapore typically charge significant change fees
• A personal s...

Mark as Played

CHASE SAPPHIRE 100K OFFER!!! (major thanks for using our links!)

Follow us on Instagram @travelpartyof5 

Discover our first episode in the Summer in Phoenix staycation series where we visit the Hilton Phoenix Tapatio Cliffs to determine if it's worth your points or dollars for a family getaway.

• Hilton Phoenix Tapatio Cliffs is nestled in the mountains about 20 minutes north of Phoenix airport
• Property features f...

Mark as Played

RideSafer Vest

CHASE SAPPHIRE 100K OFFER!!! (major thanks for using our links!)

Follow us on Instagram @travelpartyof5 

Positioning flights are a strategic tool for families who want to access better award flight availability and save money when traveling. These flights take you from your home airport to another airport where you'll begin your main journey, opening up more travel opportunities.

• Alaska Airlines offers t...

Mark as Played
April 28, 2025 22 mins

CHASE SAPPHIRE 100K OFFER!!! (major thanks for using our links!)

We spent 24 hours in Chicago before flying to Paris using points and miles, staying at the Intercontinental Magnificent Mile and exploring the city with our three kids. This strategic positioning flight saved us points while giving us an exciting mini-vacation in Chicago with deep dish pizza, the Bean, and activities like the Ice Cream Museum.

• Booked Chicago...

Mark as Played
April 21, 2025 14 mins

CHASE SAPPHIRE 100K OFFER!!! (major thanks for using our links!)

Premium economy offers a valuable middle ground between business class and economy, giving families significantly more comfort without the high price tag of business class tickets.

• Premium economy on Air France features better seat recline and footrests
• Cabin arrangement is typically 2-4-2 with approximately 40-48 seats
• Passengers receive amenity...

Mark as Played

CHASE SAPPHIRE PREFERRED 100K SIGNUP BONUS!!! (THANK YOU FOR USING OUR LINK!!!)

$40 off Away Luggage (we have the "Bigger Carry On" in 4 different colors!)

Duane's shoe bag

Raya's Carryon backpack (affiliate link)

Duane's Men's Crossbody (affiliate link)

Raya's crossbody bag (affiliate link)

Raya's toiletry bag (affiliate link)

Raya's mini backpack (Nordace mini)

Our family of five conquered Par...

Mark as Played

The activities we did in Madrid (Food Tour and Flamenco show!): vi.me/1T9xd

If you're planning a trip to Europe using points and miles or have questions about traveling as a family of five, follow us on Instagram @TravelPartyofFive where we share highlights and tips from our adventures.

In this episode:

We travel to Madrid as part of our two-week European adventure, staying at the Hyatt Centric Gran Via using points, free night c...

Mark as Played

The tour we did (churros and chocolate) and the tour we almost did (dragon tour!): vi.me/bWWul

Barcelona captivated us with its stunning architecture, vibrant culture, and delicious cuisine while we strategically used Hyatt points and upgrade awards to minimize travel costs. We navigated rainy weather by pivoting our plans, discovering indoor treasures and developing a daily rhythm that balanced sightseeing with leisurely meals at t...

Mark as Played
March 24, 2025 44 mins

Paris Macaron Class: vi.me/mTi2C

Bespoke Family Tours of Paris with Zoe at The Petit Guide (we did the Montmartre tour)

Photo shoot: Flytographer! If you've never used them before, use my link to get $25 off your first photo shoot! 

In this episode, we're sharing how we took our family of 5 to Paris using travel points, showing how we explored Paris while staying at the Hyatt Regency Paris E'toile with Eiffel Tower view...

Mark as Played

We break down exactly how we booked our entire family of five for a two-week European adventure across Paris, Barcelona, and Madrid using points and miles. This trip demonstrates how strategic credit card usage, elite status benefits, and advance planning can transform an expensive dream vacation into an affordable reality.

• Booked 5 economy seats on Air France for 85,000 Flying Blue miles with 25% discount for kids under...

Mark as Played

We explore strategies for handling credit card denials and share insights on navigating bank-specific rules to improve approval odds while discussing recent Hyatt award chart devaluations affecting popular properties worldwide.

• Cancellation strategies for point bookings when plans change, including leveraging elite status for fee waivers
• Comprehensive overview of Hyatt's 2024 award chart changes affecting 118 ...

Mark as Played

Link to my entire trip planning checklist for FREE! 

Planning a family trip can be stressful, but it doesn't have to be. Our discussion revolves around creating a structured timeline to help you earn points and maximize your travel experience. 

- Sharing a detailed planning timeline starting 18 months prior 
- Discussing how to choose travel destinations based on flight availability 
- Understanding the role of...

Mark as Played
February 24, 2025 30 mins

Airline alliances are essential to maximizing your points and facilitating family travel. By understanding and utilizing these partnerships, families can find better availability, save points, and streamline their travel experiences.

• Explanation of airline alliances 
• Importance of booking through the correct airline system 
• Discussion of major airline alliances 
• Real-world examples of leveraging airline...

Mark as Played

This episode celebrates a memorable surprise anniversary staycation at the newly renovated Grand Hyatt Scottsdale, showcasing the couple's enriching experiences with their family. Insights into hotel amenities, dining options, and spa highlights deliver practical tips for families considering this luxury getaway.

• Surprise staycation for anniversary 
• Overview of the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale renovations 
• Ben...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Welcome to Bookmarked by Reese’s Book Club — the podcast where great stories, bold women, and irresistible conversations collide! Hosted by award-winning journalist Danielle Robay, each week new episodes balance thoughtful literary insight with the fervor of buzzy book trends, pop culture and more. Bookmarked brings together celebrities, tastemakers, influencers and authors from Reese's Book Club and beyond to share stories that transcend the page. Pull up a chair. You’re not just listening — you’re part of the conversation.

    On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    24/7 News: The Latest

    The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

    The Bobby Bones Show

    Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.