Multigenerational Travel on Points: How to Take the Whole Family for Less
The trip where all three generations are together? That's the one they'll talk about forever. Here's how to make it happen without a second mortgage.
Target Keywords: multigenerational travel on points, family travel with credit card points, how to book travel for grandkids with points, grandparents travel with grandchildren tips, family reunion trip on points
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Category: Aspirational + Educational (Destination Dreams + Points 101)
Cluster: Cluster 6 — Retirement Travel Planning
Schema: Article, FAQ
Let me tell you about the Hendersons.
Bob is 71. Karen is 68. Last Thanksgiving, instead of the usual routine — turkey at home, football on TV, everyone on their phones by 3 p.m. — they did something different. They took their two adult children, their spouses, and four grandchildren (ages 6 to 14) to an all-inclusive resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico.
Six adults. Four kids. Seven nights. Ocean-view suites.
Total cost in cash? That trip would have run about $18,000.
What the Hendersons actually paid? About $2,400 out of pocket — mostly for excursions and souvenirs. The flights came from a combination of Southwest points and Chase Ultimate Rewards. The resort was booked through Hyatt's Inclusive Collection using points Bob and Karen had been accumulating for just over a year.
The best part wasn't the money they saved. It was the look on their eight-year-old granddaughter's face when she saw the ocean from their balcony. It was Karen's son saying, "Mom, how did you pull this off?" It was all ten of them eating dinner together every night with nowhere to be and nothing to worry about.
That's what multigenerational travel is really about. And points make it possible for families who'd otherwise say, "Maybe next year."
Why This Matters More Than Ever
Here's something the travel industry knows but rarely talks about: adults over 55 are the primary funders of multigenerational trips. It's grandparents who plan them, grandparents who pay for them, and — increasingly — grandparents who are willing to learn about credit card points specifically so they can afford them.
The math is simple. A trip for two costs X. A trip for six costs 3X. A trip for ten costs... well, you see the problem. When you're funding travel for a whole family, the difference between paying cash and using points isn't a nice savings — it's the difference between the trip happening and not happening.
And here's the part that nobody else is writing about: you don't need to be a points expert to pull this off. You just need a strategy and a bit of advance planning.
That's what this guide is for.
Step 1: Pick the Right Kind of Trip
Not every destination works equally well for multigenerational travel. You need a place that can keep a 7-year-old entertained, give the teenagers enough independence to not be miserable, and let the adults actually relax.
Here are the four types of trips that work best — and how points fit each one.
The All-Inclusive Resort
Why it works: One price covers everything. Meals, drinks, activities, entertainment, kids' clubs. Nobody argues about who's paying for what. Grandparents relax by the pool while the kids are at the waterslide. Everyone's happy.
Best points play: Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards to World of Hyatt and book through Hyatt's Inclusive Collection (formerly Ziva/Zilara resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean). A family suite runs 25,000–35,000 points per night, all-inclusive. For four rooms over five nights, you're looking at roughly 500,000–700,000 points — but remember, that covers everything including meals for the entire family.
A Chase Sapphire Preferred sign-up bonus plus steady earning from two cards can build this balance in under a year.
The Disney Trip
Why it works: Disney is practically designed for multigenerational travel. Grandparents often say it's more fun the second time around — through the eyes of a grandchild. Three generations, one magical place, and enough to do that nobody has to compromise.
Best points play: Flights on Southwest Rapid Rewards (transfer from Chase) — Southwest's free checked bags and no change fees are a godsend with kids. For hotels, the Swan and Dolphin resorts at Walt Disney World are Marriott properties and bookable with Marriott Bonvoy points. You get the Disney magic without the Disney hotel prices.
The National Park Adventure
Why it works: National parks are America's great equalizer. Glacier, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon — they inspire genuine awe in kids and adults alike. Plus, hiking and exploring are free once you're there.
Best points play: Fly into the nearest airport using Chase or Amex points through the travel portal. Book lodges or nearby hotels with hotel points (Marriott and Hilton both have properties near major parks). Rent cars through the Chase portal using points. Total cost per family: dramatically less than you'd think.
The European Adventure
Why it works: Once the grandkids are old enough to appreciate it (usually 10+), Europe with grandparents is the stuff of lifelong memories. History comes alive when Grandpa is telling stories in the Colosseum.
Best points play: This is where business class flights on points really shine — especially on a 7+ hour flight with kids. Book the adults in business class using transfer partners, and use the portal for the kids' economy tickets. Or go all-economy and save the points for hotels. Our points vs. cash guide can help you figure out the best split.
Step 2: Build Your Points Balance for a Family Trip
Here's the honest truth: a multigenerational trip requires more points than a trip for two. But the earning is easier than you think, because you have a secret weapon — you're already spending enough money to generate the points you need.
The Two-Card Strategy for Family Trips
If you're serious about funding a family trip on points, here's what we recommend:
Card 1: Chase Sapphire Preferred — Your primary travel card. Earns 3x on dining, 2x on travel, and 1x on everything else. The sign-up bonus alone (typically 60,000–80,000 points) covers multiple round-trip domestic flights.
Card 2: Chase Freedom Flex or Freedom Unlimited — Your everyday spending card. The Freedom Flex earns 5x on rotating bonus categories (groceries, gas, pharmacies) and the Freedom Unlimited earns 1.5x on everything. Points from both transfer to your Sapphire card at the higher redemption rate.
The math for a typical couple spending $5,500/month:
| Category | Monthly Spend | Points Earned |
|---|---|---|
| Dining | $600 | 1,800 (3x on Sapphire) |
| Groceries | $800 | 4,000 (5x on Freedom Flex during Q bonus) |
| Gas | $300 | 1,500 (5x on Freedom Flex during Q bonus) |
| Travel | $200 | 400 (2x on Sapphire) |
| Everything else | $3,600 | 5,400 (1.5x on Freedom Unlimited) |
| Monthly total | $5,500 | ~13,100 points |
| Annual total | ~157,200 points | |
| Plus two sign-up bonuses | ~140,000–160,000 points | |
| Year 1 total | ~300,000+ points |
Three hundred thousand points. From spending you were going to do anyway. That's enough for flights for an entire family — or a week at an all-inclusive.
For the full breakdown of earning strategies, read our guide on how to earn 100,000 points in 6 months.
Step 3: The Logistics of Booking for a Whole Family
This is where multigenerational travel gets tricky — not because it's complicated, but because most guides assume you're booking for one or two people. Here's how to handle the details.
Booking Flights for Family Members
Through the Chase Travel Portal: You can book flights in anyone's name. Search for the flights, enter each person's information, and pay with your points. This is the simplest approach for a family of six or more — you can book everyone on the same reservation.
Through airline partner transfers: When you transfer Chase points to an airline like Southwest or United, you can book award tickets in anyone's name, not just your own. You'll need each person's full name (as it appears on their ID or passport) and date of birth.
Pro tip for large groups: Book as early as possible. Award availability is limited, and finding six or eight seats on the same flight gets harder as the departure date approaches. We recommend searching 10–11 months out for the best selection.
Booking Hotels for Multiple Rooms
Most hotel loyalty programs (Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton) limit award bookings to one room per reservation online. If you need three or four rooms, you have a few options:
- Book multiple separate reservations using the same loyalty account
- Call the hotel directly and explain you'd like to book multiple award rooms for a family group — they can often link the reservations so you'll be on the same floor
- Mix points and cash — book one or two rooms on points and pay cash for the rest
Getting the Whole Family Involved
Here's a thought that might change how you approach this: your adult children might have points too. Even if they've never thought about it, they probably have a rewards credit card with an untouched balance.
Before you plan the trip, ask your kids to check their points. You might be surprised. A combined family points pool can turn a good trip into an extraordinary one.
Step 4: Save Even More With These Insider Tips
Book Shoulder Season
Travel in May, September, or early October and you'll find better award availability, lower cash prices for anything not covered by points, fewer crowds, and — in Europe especially — better weather than you'd expect.
Use "Positioning Flights" Strategically
If your family is scattered across different cities, it's sometimes cheaper (in points) to have everyone fly to one hub city and depart together from there. A $79 positioning flight on Southwest can save thousands of points on the main itinerary.
Consider a Vacation Rental + Points Flights
Points aren't just for hotels. Use your points for flights (where the value is highest) and rent a house through Vrbo or Airbnb for the accommodation. For a family of eight or ten, a vacation home is often more comfortable than multiple hotel rooms — and it gives you a kitchen, a common area, and space to breathe.
Take Our Quiz
Not sure where your points could take the whole family? Our Travel Score Quiz analyzes your current points balance and spending patterns, then suggests trips tailored to your situation — including multigenerational options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my credit card points to book flights for my grandchildren?
Yes. Whether you book through the Chase Travel Portal, the Amex portal, or transfer points to an airline partner, you can book travel in anyone's name. There are no restrictions on who the traveler is — only who earns and owns the points.
How far in advance should I book a multigenerational trip?
As far as possible. For award flights, 10–11 months out gives you the best availability for multiple seats. For hotels, 6–9 months is usually sufficient. The bigger the group, the more advance planning matters.
What if different family members have points in different programs?
This is more common than people think. If some family members have Chase points and others have Amex, focus each program on what it does best. Use Chase points for Hyatt hotels and United flights. Use Amex points for Delta flights or Hilton stays. Mix and match — there's no rule that says one trip has to use one program.
Is it better to fly everyone business class or save points for the hotel?
For domestic trips, economy is usually fine — save your points for the hotel or resort. For international trips with long flights (7+ hours), consider business class for the grandparents and economy for the younger adults and older kids. The comfort difference matters more at 65 than at 35. Our points vs. cash guide has a framework for making this call.
What's the most affordable multigenerational destination on points?
All-inclusive resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean offer the best overall value because points cover lodging AND meals for the whole family. Domestic destinations like Orlando and national parks are also excellent because flights are cheaper in points and there's plenty of free or low-cost entertainment.
The Trip They'll Never Forget
Here's what we know after talking to hundreds of families in the WanderWise community: nobody remembers the best Tuesday of 2024. But everyone remembers the trip where three generations watched the sunset over the Grand Canyon together. Or the morning the grandkids discovered the pool at the resort. Or the night everyone stayed up playing cards in a rented villa in Tuscany.
Those trips don't have to cost what you think they cost. Not anymore.
The points are there. The strategy is here. The family is waiting.
Start planning. And if you need help — whether it's figuring out which card to open, how to build your points balance, or exactly how to book a trip for ten people — that's what WanderWise is here for.
Travel more. Spend less. Know better.