How to Score a Free Trip for a Family of Four with Points: A Travel Hacking Crash Course
Traveling with a family of four can feel like a budget-busting nightmare—flights, snacks, extra bags, you name it. But here’s the thing: you can totally pull off a free trip using credit card points, even with a crew that size. I’ve dragged my own gang of four across the country without cracking open my wallet for tickets, and I’m here to spill how you can do it too. It’s not as hard as it sounds—just takes some hustle and a little know-how. Let’s break it down.
Step 1: Pick the Right Card (or Two)
First, you need points—lots of them. With four people, you’re looking at a bigger haul than a solo flyer, so start with a credit card that packs a punch. Look for one with a fat welcome bonus—think 60,000 to 100,000 points after you spend a set amount, like $4,000 in three months. Cards with transferable points are your best bet, like Chase Sapphire Preferred or American Express Gold, because you can shift those points to airlines that fly where you want. Check the annual fee too—$95 or so is fine if the perks outweigh it, but don’t get stuck with a $500 one unless you’re ready.
Here’s the kicker: with a family, your everyday spending is probably higher—groceries, school stuff, gas—so hitting that minimum spend isn’t as tough as you’d think. My wife and I grabbed two cards last year, split the bills between them, and racked up 140,000 points total just paying for normal life. If you can swing it, get one card for you and one for your partner—just don’t overdo it or Chase might shut you down with their 5/24 rule (five new cards in two years, and they’re out).
Step 2: Pile Up Those Points
Once you’ve got the cards, make them work. Put everything on them—diapers, Costco runs, that random Amazon order for the kids’ headphones. We’re talking thousands a month anyway, right? Just pay it off every time so you’re not drowning in interest. Look at bonus categories too—like 3x points on dining or travel—and lean into those. Date night at Chili’s? Points. Gas for the minivan? Points.
If you’ve got a big expense coming—like braces or a new fridge—time it with a new card signup. Last summer, we dropped $2,000 on a family reunion trip and used a fresh card to cover it. Boom, another 75,000 points. Aim for at least 100,000-150,000 points total to cover four tickets somewhere decent.
Step 3: Hunt for Family-Friendly Deals
Now, the fun part: finding flights. Four seats on points can be tricky—airlines don’t always release a ton of award seats at once. Start by picking a spot that’s realistic—maybe a domestic trip like Orlando for Disney or Denver for some mountains. Check airline sites like Southwest (their points are dead simple) or United, which has no blackout dates for awards. Use the “flexible dates” option to see when four seats pop up.
Here’s a trick: split the search. Book two tickets on one flight, two on another if you have to—same day, close times. We flew to San Diego once with me and my son on a 10 a.m. Delta flight, my wife and daughter on an 11 a.m. one. No biggie. Also, look for airlines with stopovers—British Airways lets you pause in London on the way to somewhere else, stretching those points further. Aim for 20,000-30,000 points per person round-trip domestically; overseas might hit 50,000 each.
Step 4: Book Smart and Save
When you’ve got the flights, transfer your points to the airline—Chase to United, Amex to Delta, whatever works. Double-check availability first; nothing’s worse than moving points and finding the seats gone. Book early—60-90 days out is solid for domestic, longer for international. Pick seats together if you can; kids hate being split up.
Southwest is a family hack goldmine—no assigned seats means you board early with kids under six, and points prices are tied to cash fares. We scored four tickets to Phoenix for 32,000 points total once because fares were dirt cheap. If you’re eyeing business class (dream big!), it’s tougher but doable—think 80,000 points each to Europe if you catch a deal.
Watch Out for These Traps
Don’t mess this up: skip cash back rewards—they’re weak compared to points. Don’t book through the card’s portal either—transferring to airlines usually gets you more bang. Track your points like a hawk—use an app or a notebook, whatever works. And if there’s a transfer bonus—like 30% extra to Virgin Atlantic—jump on it fast.
Real Talk: Our First Big Win
Last year, we took our four (me, my wife, two wild kids) to Florida for free. Two Chase cards, 130,000 points from bills and a car repair, transferred to Southwest. Four round-trip tickets, 40,000 points total, zero dollars. Kids got their Mickey Mouse fix, we got a break, and the only cost was sunscreen.
Your Game Plan
- Grab a card (or two) with big bonuses
- Throw all your family spending on it—pay it off fast
- Hunt for four seats on flexible dates
- Transfer points, book, and roll
You don’t need to be a genius—just consistent. Start today, and in three months, you’re jetting off with the fam, no cash spent. Where’re you taking them first?
Tell me—I’m stoked to hear!