Traveling with kids can be hard, and the costs make it even tougher. Plane tickets, hotel nights, meals, tickets, and little extras all add up fast.
No one wants to come home with an empty wallet. The good news is that points can help you pay less. When we put our everyday spending on the right cards and use the rewards wisely, we can cover flights and hotels with far less cash and take more trips each year.
In this guide, we share a simple plan to use your rewards well. We also walk through ten great U.S. spots for families that work nicely with points.
If you have asked, “How do I book for my whole family with miles?” or “Can my child help us earn points?” you are in the right place.
Turn Everyday Spending Into Family Travel Savings
Everyone has daily costs. Families pay for groceries, utilities, school items, gas, activities, and trips. You can make those dollars work harder.
When you move these purchases to a well-chosen card, you earn points. Those points can pay for flights and hotels. That means lower out-of-pocket costs and the chance to travel more often.
The idea is simple. You earn rewards on money you already spend. The skill is picking a setup that earns the most on your biggest categories and then redeeming in smart ways.
If your household spends on groceries, dining, gas, streaming, or travel, your points can grow fast. With a steady plan, you can build a six-figure balance over time and use it for real family adventures.
Pick one main points program so your balance grows in one place. Add a second card only if it boosts the categories you use the most. Always pay your bill in full and on time because interest wipes out the value of rewards. If you add an authorized user, set clear rules and check spending often. When possible, use mobile wallets and online shopping portals to earn extra points on things you were going to buy anyway.
Top 10 Family-Friendly Destinations In The U.S. To Book With Points
Most family trips inside the United States will be on a major airline. Award prices change with dates, demand, and how early you book. Flexible points that can move to more than one airline or hotel program give you better odds to find seats and rooms.
Discover Travel Cards for Your Next Trip
Here is brand-neutral advice you can use now. Build a balance in a transferable points system so you can move points to more than one frequent flyer or hotel program. Use month view calendars when you search because they help you spot cheaper dates. For short domestic flights, programs that link points to cash prices can be simple and fair. For hotels, compare the full cash price with taxes to the points cost and try to beat your own value target.
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a dream for kids and fun for adults too. Big theme parks, water parks, and live shows can fill a whole week. You can also add a learning day at the nearby space and science center with real spacecraft and large-screen movies. Summer is hot and busy, so plan swim days or a quick beach break. For lighter crowds and cooler weather, try January, February, or the fall shoulder season. Many family-friendly hotels near the main resort areas price well on points, and staying near shuttles or within walking distance can save both time and money. To stretch your points, look for off-peak dates, consider midweek stays, and pick rooms that sleep four or more.
San Diego, California
San Diego is sunny, easy, and full of ocean views. Balboa Park has gardens, fountains, and museums, and the zoo can be a full-day highlight. Younger kids love the hands-on science center, a children’s museum, and simple beach time on a nearby island. La Jolla Cove has beautiful cliffs and, if you are lucky, sea lions on the rocks. Evenings are relaxed in the Gaslamp Quarter, and a ferry ride to Coronado makes a calm outing. Hotels that offer breakfast or kitchenettes can cut food costs, which matters with hungry kids.
Washington, District of Columbia
The capital is a great place to learn and explore outside. Many museums along the National Mall are free. Favorites include natural history, air and space, and art. Walk past the memorials, picnic by the reflecting pool, and time your trip for spring blossoms or the mild weather in September and October. Winter brings ice skating and lights. With a rental car, you can reach historic towns and battlefields in a couple of hours. Downtown hotels often price better on weekends because business travel slows, so compare Friday through Sunday award rates.
Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu mixes beaches, green hills, and city energy. Start with a family-friendly hike up a crater for wide ocean views. Snorkel in calm water during the day and watch sunset on a famous city beach at night. If you want more action, try beginner surf lessons or a guided reef tour. History lovers can visit harborside memorials and museums. Food fans can enjoy local markets and open-air spots along the main strip. For school breaks, book early because award seats for families can sell out fast.
Denver, Colorado
Denver is a four-season city with easy access to the mountains. In winter you can plan day trips to ski areas and sledding hills. City parks work well for snowshoeing and low-cost outdoor fun. All year you can visit hands-on museums, a great zoo, and an indoor action sports center with simulated ski and snowboard runs. Add a concert, try a food hall, or take a short drive to small mountain towns. Some cards include airport lounge access, which helps on long layovers, but always check current rules and hours before you count on it.
New York City, New York
New York has big views and something new in every neighborhood. Winter brings lights and markets, and January and February can bring lower prices for flights and hotels. Spring blooms are pretty, and summer days in Central Park are perfect for picnics and playgrounds. Ride a ferry to a harbor landmark, spend time at a natural history museum, and take the subway to a seaside amusement area. End a day with sunset views from an observation deck, then wander quieter streets outside the busiest blocks. Compare award options for all three major area airports because a smaller airport can save points and stress.
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is much more than nightlife. The food is great, and families have plenty to do. Try spicy fried chicken or classic Southern desserts. Balance the city with easy nature time. Several state parks with lakes and simple trails are a short drive away. Add a live show, visit the zoo, or stroll through an indoor garden with seasonal displays. Weeknights often cost fewer points, and hotels that include parking make life easier with kids.
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago is fun in every season. Winter can feel like a snow globe, and summer means beaches, festivals, and long daylight. Pick from top museums, aquariums, and zoos. Spend time at Navy Pier or a hands-on children’s museum. A river architecture cruise is a cool way to learn while you ride. Sometimes two connecting rooms on points cost less than one suite, so compare before you book.
Boston, Massachusetts
Boston is a great walking city with pretty water views and lots of parks. Follow the Freedom Trail and the Black Heritage Trail to make history feel real for kids. Visit a historic market, step aboard a famous ship, and see the aquarium. Try local seafood and classic desserts. In summer, rent bikes and ride along the river paths. Central hotels often price lower on weekends, and for midweek summer trips it helps to book early to lock in good rates.
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans mixes music, food, and family fun during the day. Start with chicory-style coffee and powdered pastries near the river. Take a swamp boat tour to see wildlife, then wander the French Quarter and hear live jazz on many corners. Use the historic streetcar to reach the Garden District and Uptown for a low cost. You can also visit nearby plantations or spend a day at a large World War II museum with interactive exhibits. Staying along the streetcar line makes it easy to get around and keep nap time on track.
How To Maximize Points For Family Travel
The first step is having the right cards. After that, make sure your earning and redeeming match your real life.
Pick Cards That Fit Your Budget and Goals
Choose a welcome offer you can meet without overspending. Focus on cards that reward your biggest categories, like groceries, dining, gas, transit, or travel. Higher earn rates in the places you already spend will grow your balance faster. Think about the annual fee and the perks you will actually use. Lounge visits, statement credits, travel protections, and stay-longer style benefits can be worth it if they fit your routine.
Smart Ways to Redeem
Search for award seats before you move points, since many transfers cannot be undone. Be flexible with dates and times. Moving a trip by a day or flying early morning can open seats for the whole family. Look at nearby airports for both your start and end points. A short drive can save a lot of points. For hotels, compare the points price for a standard room to the full cash price with taxes and resort fees. Do the per-night math to make sure you are getting fair value. Use stay-longer discounts or free-night style offers when they apply, because they lower your average cost.
Family Tips That Save Time and Money
Try to choose seats together when you book. If seat selection costs extra, look for rows with pairs or trios so your group can stay close. Bring an approved car seat if your child rests better in one, and check airline rules on size and setup before you fly. Use family boarding and gate-check a stroller when allowed. Pack snacks and refillable bottles to cut airport spending. If you plan to use lounges as a quiet break, confirm access rules before the trip.
Start Planning Your Family Vacation On Points
Family trips make memories that last. When you put everyday spending into a strong points setup and redeem with care, you can fly and stay for a fraction of the usual price. That means more beach time, more city weekends, and more time together.
Use your cards wisely, pay every bill in full and on time, and watch your credit health and points balance grow side by side.
We would love to cheer you on. Join our free TheMilesAcademy community for weekly tips, and try our no-cost card finder tool to build a smarter rewards plan for your family goals. When you make that dream trip happen with points, come back and tell us so we can celebrate with you.
Join Our Free Community And Build Your Family Travel Plan
If this guide helped, take the next step with us. Join our free TheMilesAcademy community to learn simple, step by step ways to book family trips with points. We share weekly tips, checklists you can copy, and real examples from parents who are doing this on normal budgets. You can ask questions, get friendly feedback, and keep your plan moving.
To make earning easier, try our no cost card finder tool. Tell us your monthly spending and travel goals, and the tool shows a brand neutral setup that fits your life. It points out useful categories, helps you avoid overlap, and gives you a clear path to your first or next redemption. Start there, then come back to the community and show us your progress so we can cheer you on.
