How to Double Points with Partners for Family Trips

How to Double Points with Partners for Family Trips

Travel hacking is all about maximizing your rewards, and one of the best ways to do that is by doubling points with credit card partners. For families planning trips, this strategy can help you rack up miles faster, leading to more free flights, hotel stays, and unforgettable adventures. Here’s a guide to understanding partner programs and how to make the most of them for your family travel goals.

What Are Travel Partners?

Travel partners are airlines, hotels, and other travel services that collaborate with credit card reward programs. These partnerships allow you to transfer or earn points across different platforms, effectively multiplying your rewards.

For example:

• Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to airline partners like Southwest or United for free flights.

• Use Amex Membership Rewards to book stays at Marriott or Hilton properties.

Step-by-Step Guide to Doubling Points with Partners

1. Choose the Right Credit Cards

To maximize points, start with flexible cards that offer transfers to multiple partners.

• Chase Sapphire Preferred®: Earn points that transfer to airlines like United and hotels like Hyatt.

• American Express Gold Card: Transfer points to over 20 travel partners, including Delta and British Airways.

• Capital One Venture X: Redeem miles for travel or transfer to partners like Turkish Airlines for incredible deals.

Pro Tip: If you and your partner both apply for the same card, you can double your earning potential as a family.

2. Leverage Airline Alliances

Airlines are often part of global alliances, allowing you to use miles across multiple carriers.

• Star Alliance: Includes United, Lufthansa, and Singapore Airlines.

• SkyTeam: Includes Delta, Air France, and KLM.

• Oneworld: Includes American Airlines, British Airways, and Qatar Airways.

How to Double Points: Transfer your credit card points to a partner airline and book flights with alliance carriers to unlock more route options and award availability.

3. Maximize Hotel Partner Programs

Hotel loyalty programs often work with credit card reward systems, letting you double up on points during your stay.

• Use World of Hyatt points earned through Chase to book family-friendly resorts.

• Redeem Amex points for Hilton Honors stays and enjoy perks like free breakfast (perfect for families).

• Pair your hotel credit card points with promotions or bonus night offers to stretch your rewards.

Tip: Look for cards offering free anniversary nights, like the World of Hyatt or Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card.

4. Use Dining and Shopping Portals

Dining and shopping portals linked to your travel programs offer additional points for everyday purchases.

• Airline Dining Programs: Earn miles when dining at participating restaurants. Southwest, Delta, and United all have dining programs.

• Shopping Portals: Earn bonus points by shopping through portals like Rakuten (Amex Membership Rewards) or airline-specific portals.

Example: Pay for dinner at a participating restaurant with your rewards card linked to a dining program, then transfer those miles to an airline partner.

5. Pool Points as a Family

Many programs allow you to pool points between family members, which is perfect for doubling rewards.

• Chase Ultimate Rewards: Transfer points to your spouse’s account or combine them into one program for easier redemption.

• Hilton Honors: Pool points with up to 10 family members for free stays.

• Southwest Rapid Rewards: Use the Companion Pass to let one family member fly free with you.

Pro Tip: Designate one person to hold the bulk of the family’s points for streamlined redemptions.

6. Plan Off-Peak Travel

Many programs offer reduced points redemptions during off-peak travel times.

• Flying to Europe during Thanksgiving or spring break (when it's off-peak season there) can save your family a significant number of points.

• Book hotels during non-holiday periods to take advantage of lower points requirements.

Pairing this strategy with partner transfers ensures you get even more value from your rewards.

Example Itinerary: Doubling Points for a Family Trip

Destination: Orlando, Florida (for Disney World!)

1. Use Chase Ultimate Rewards points to book Southwest flights for the family.

2. Redeem World of Hyatt points for a stay at a nearby Hyatt Place or Grand Cypress.

3. Earn additional points by shopping for Disney gear through a shopping portal before your trip.

Final Tips for Doubling Points

• Stay Organized: Use tools like the Travel Freely app to track your cards, bonuses, and partner programs.

• Time Your Redemptions: Wait for transfer bonuses between credit card programs and partners to maximize your points.

• Be Strategic: Focus your spending on cards with high earning rates in categories like groceries, dining, and travel.

Final Thoughts

Doubling points with partners is one of the most powerful strategies in travel hacking, especially for families. With the right credit cards, strategic spending, and knowledge of partner programs, you can turn everyday expenses into unforgettable family trips.

Start earning, transferring, and pooling those points today—and watch as your family adventures come to life for little to no cost!