Family Travel on Points: Tips, Tricks and Tactics with Nick Reyes
Timestamps are as accurate as they can be but may be slightly off. We encourage you to listen to the full context.
Podcast Summary
Nick Reyes from Frequent Miler joins the podcast to prove that family award travel isn't just possible - it's actually easier than most people think. (03:00) Nick recently orchestrated an incredible $50,000+ luxury European trip for eight people, flying business class from New York to Milan and staying at premium hotels, all while spending only about $6,000 out of pocket using strategic points and miles planning. The conversation covers practical strategies for finding multiple award seats, booking business class for families, and Nick's comprehensive approach to family travel logistics from flights to hotels to managing the actual travel experience with kids.
• Main themes include flexible award searching, leveraging companion passes and family pooling programs, strategic hotel booking for families, and adapting travel expectations when traveling with children
Speakers
Chris Hutchins
Host of All The Hacks podcast, focused on helping ambitious professionals upgrade their money, points, and life through practical strategies and expert interviews.
Nick Reyes
Writer at Frequent Miler and co-host of the Frequent Miler On The Air podcast. He's an avid traveler who has visited 60+ countries and specializes in collecting points and miles for family travel. Nick has extensive experience booking award travel for large groups and has helped his 7-year-old son accumulate over 100 flights by age two.
Key Takeaways
Embrace Flexible Destination Planning
Instead of fixating on specific destinations and dates, successful family award travel requires flexibility in both location and timing. (01:25) Nick explains that rather than saying "I want to go to Paris on July 16," it's much more effective to think "I want to go to Europe sometime in the summer." This approach dramatically increases your chances of finding award availability for multiple passengers. The key is planning trips based on where award space exists rather than forcing specific itineraries, which opens up opportunities for unique experiences your family might never have considered otherwise.
Master Partner Award Programs for Better Value
Understanding how to book flights through airline partners rather than the operating carrier can save massive amounts of points. (08:24) Nick's European trip demonstrates this perfectly - the same Air France business class seats cost 800,000+ miles when booking through Air France directly, but only 48,500 miles per passenger when booked through Virgin Atlantic. This strategy requires learning different loyalty programs' partnerships, but modern award search tools make this much easier than in the past. Always compare multiple programs before booking to maximize your points' value.
Prioritize Sleep on International Flights
Business class isn't just about luxury when traveling with kids - it's about arriving rested and functional. (15:15) Nick emphasizes that tired kids make travel miserable for everyone, and the ability for each family member to have their own flat-bed seat transforms the experience. The mileage difference between economy and business class is often much smaller than the cash price difference, making business class awards a practical investment in family happiness rather than just a splurge. This strategy eliminates jet lag and helps everyone hit the ground running at your destination.
Utilize Family-Friendly Airline Programs
Certain airlines and loyalty programs offer significant advantages for family travel that many people overlook. (31:07) Air France provides 25% discounts for children ages 2-11 on award tickets, which can save 30,000 miles per child roundtrip - essentially a free one-way ticket to Europe. For lap infants, programs like Air Canada Aeroplan charge just 2,500 miles regardless of cabin class, while Virgin Atlantic offers reasonable flat rates by cabin. Understanding these program-specific benefits can dramatically reduce the cost of family award travel.
Plan One Major Activity Per Day
Managing expectations is crucial for successful family travel, which means embracing a slower pace with just one significant activity planned per day. (78:02) This approach prevents family meltdowns, reduces rushing, and allows flexibility if kids get tired or something takes longer than expected. If everyone's feeling good after completing the main activity, you can always add more, but having modest daily goals ensures no one feels disappointed or overwhelmed. This strategy also allows time for spontaneous discoveries and playground visits, which are essential for letting kids burn energy.
Statistics & Facts
- Nick's recent family trip to Europe cost over $50,000 in retail prices but only required about $6,000 out of pocket plus 800,000 miles for eight passengers flying business class roundtrip. (05:25)
- Air France offers a 25% discount on long-haul award flights for children ages 2-11, which can save 30,000 miles per child on a roundtrip Europe ticket - equivalent to another one-way business class award. (31:07)
- Nick's 7-year-old son has been on over 100 flights and visited around 30 countries, while his 4-year-old has similar travel experience, demonstrating that extensive family travel is feasible with proper planning and points strategy.
