How One Family Flew Business Class to Europe on Points — and Stayed in Style

Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

Learn how an entire family traveled to Europe on points, including business class flights, boutique stays, and mountain escapes.

How do you book business-class flights to Europe for a family of four using points? How do you cover hotels and vacation rentals with rewards while meeting Europe’s room occupancy rules? Hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle talk with Erin Hurd, NerdWallet’s director of travel, about her family trip through the countries of Georgia and Turkey. But first, they break down the latest travel headlines, including Southwest and T-Mobile offering free Wi-Fi to Rapid Rewards members, a limited-time sign-up offer on a major hotel card with annual free night certificates, and boosted welcome offers across several Delta credit cards, along with updated Sky Club visit rules.

Then, Erin explains how she booked four business-class seats to Europe using points while keeping taxes and fees in check. She explains how to unlock savings by comparing partner award charts and highlights a hidden perk on Air France/KLM’s Flying Blue program that offers discounted award tickets for kids. The conversation then turns to lodging, with Erin breaking down her strategy for mixing hotel points, free night certificates, and bank travel portals to secure family-sized rooms and unique stays. They explore how to stretch certificates with points, when to use portals to book boutique properties or cabins, and how Hyatt’s suite upgrade awards can add extra space for longer trips. The conversation also covers smart ways to search for award space for families, how to use a “player two” approach to double household credit card bonuses, and why even Europe’s stricter occupancy rules can be managed with the right planning.

Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews:

• IHG One Rewards Premier Review: Free Nights on a Silver Platter https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/ihg-credit-card

• Delta Reserve Credit Card: $650 Annual Fee, Sky Club Access https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/delta-reserve

• American Express Platinum Review: Top-Notch Lounge Access, Big Credits https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/american-express-platinum

• Delta SkyMiles Gold AmEx Review: Pricey for What You Get https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/american-express-gold-delta-skymiles

• Delta SkyMiles Platinum AmEx Review: One Big Perk Pays the Fee https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/american-express-platinum-delta-skymiles

• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Review: Free Night Award, Elite Status https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/marriott-bonvoy-boundless

• Capital One Venture X Review: A Worthy Option Among Premium Cards https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/capital-one-venture-x

• World of Hyatt Card Review: Lavish Benefits, Reasonable Cost https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/world-of-hyatt

Resources discussed in this episode:

• The Best Travel Credit Card Welcome Bonus Offers Right Now https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/top-rewards-credit-card-offers

Want even more tips and tricks to get the most out of your travel dollars? Subscribe to TravelNerd, our free newsletter designed to help you crack the code on spending less on your travel.

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