Family vacations are where some of our best memories are made — but let’s be real, they can also drain your wallet fast. Between park tickets, guided tours, and resort add-ons, it’s easy to feel like staying home and ordering takeout is the smarter choice.

Here’s the good news: you don’t have to skip the fun stuff to travel affordably. You just need the right strategy. At Points and Miles Teachers, I show families how to turn smart credit card use and rewards points into dream trips that cost less — and sometimes even nothing at all.

Today, I’m breaking down seven of the priciest family experiences — and showing how to make them far more affordable using points, perks, and insider tricks that actually work for real families.

1. Theme Park Tickets

Why it’s pricey:

• A single day at major parks like Disney or Universal can easily cost $600+ for a family of four — and that’s before food, parking, or souvenirs.
• Add multi-day tickets or park-hopper upgrades, and costs can soar even higher.

How to save smarter:

• Stack annual passes with free night certificates
  • Instead of one long (and expensive) vacation, plan two shorter trips using free hotel nights from your travel rewards cards.
  • Splitting up your park days helps you stretch an annual pass further and save hundreds on lodging.
  • Many nearby hotel programs also include perks like early park entry or shuttle service, which adds even more value.
• Buy discounted gift cards
  • Grocery stores and warehouse clubs often sell Disney, Universal, and other park gift cards at a discount.
  • Pay with a credit card that earns 4–5x points on groceries, then use those gift cards for tickets, dining, or souvenirs inside the parks.
  • Stack this with store promotions (like 4x fuel points or cashback weeks) for extra savings.
• Use Capital One Miles to offset park tickets
  • Once you’ve earned Capital One Miles, you can redeem them as a travel statement credit to reimburse yourself for travel expenses.
  • To ensure the purchase codes as travel (not entertainment), buy through trusted third-party sellers like Theme Park Frog or Get Away Today.
  • This allows you to book tickets now and erase the charge later using miles.
  • For more details on earning and redeeming, check out my Complete Guide to Capital One Miles.

2. Guided Excursions or Tours

Why it’s pricey:

• Guided snorkeling excursions or sightseeing tours can easily cost $300+ for a family, especially when you add transportation, equipment rentals, or lunch.
• Many travelers overpay for experiences that can often be done independently for a fraction of the cost.

How to save smarter:

• Book through travel portals with cash-back multipliers
  • When booking through Viator, GetYourGuide, or similar sites, always check Rakuten or Capital One Shopping for bonus cash back — sometimes 10–15% back.
  • It’s an instant rebate on something you were already planning to do, and you can stack it with your travel card’s bonus points.
• Book directly with local guides
  • Many small operators offer better pricing when you book through Instagram, Facebook, or WhatsApp rather than big booking platforms that charge them heavy fees.
  • Paying cash (or via a local payment app like Venmo or Revolut, depending on the destination) can sometimes score an off-menu discount while supporting local businesses directly.
• Find free or low-cost snorkel spots on your own
  • Ask locals (especially dive shops or hotel staff) where they go on their days off — they’ll often share lesser-known beaches with great visibility and coral.
  • Search on Google Maps, AllTrails, or Reddit for verified snorkel spots labeled with reviews and parking info.
  • In Hawaii, Mexico, and much of the Caribbean, many top reefs are just a short swim from shore, meaning you don’t need to pay for a tour at all.
• Bring your own snorkel gear
  • Packing your own set saves $20–$40 per person per day on rentals — and ensures a clean, comfortable fit.
  • Look for lightweight travel snorkel sets from Cressi, U.S. Divers, or Decathlon — often under $40 and compact enough for carry-on luggage.
  • If you’d rather buy on arrival, check local sporting goods stores or beach shops instead of hotel gift shops, which often double the price.
• Always pay with a travel rewards card
  • Use a card that earns 3–5x points on travel or entertainment purchases to maximize rewards.
  • Many premium cards also include trip delay or cancellation protection, so if weather cancels your tour, you’re covered automatically.

3. Ski Lift Tickets & Rentals

Why it’s pricey:

• Between lift passes, gear rentals, and lessons, ski days can easily cost $150–$200+ per person—before you even stop for lunch.
• Multi-day trips can quickly add up to thousands, especially at major resorts.

How to save smarter:

• Book ski resorts with points:
  • Brands like Hyatt, Marriott, and IHG have ski-friendly properties in top destinations such as Park City, Vail, and Lake Tahoe.
  • Using points not only saves on lodging but can unlock daily resort credits, breakfast, or lift vouchers at select properties.
  • Example: Hyatt’s Alila and Destination properties often include credits that offset rentals or après-ski dining.
• Prepay through your travel portal or program:
  • Use your card’s travel portal to book lift tickets, lessons, or rentals in advance. Through the Chase Travel portal, eligible bookings can get you up to 1.75 cents per point with Points Boost on select properties, a meaningful step up from standard redemptions. These purchases often trigger statement credits or bonus points, reducing your total cost.
  • These purchases often trigger statement credits or bonus points, reducing your total cost.
  • Some resorts also offer early-bird or multi-day discounts when you buy tickets online before arrival.
• Take advantage of card protections and perks:
  • Premium travel cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® and Reserve® include trip delay and interruption coverage, so if weather shuts down lifts or flights, you’re protected.
  • Some cards also provide rental gear insurance or reimbursement for lost or delayed equipment, adding even more value.
• Extra tip: Rent gear off-mountain.
  • Local rental shops (not at the base of the resort) typically charge 20–40% less for skis, boots, and boards.
  • Reserve online in advance to lock in lower rates and ensure availability during peak weekends.

4. Hawaiian Luaus

Why it’s pricey: Luaus often run $150+ per adult and $100 per child — and that adds up fast.

How to save smarter:

• Book on points, charge to your room: If you’re staying at a resort like the Grand Hyatt Kauai on points, charge the luau to your room. Then erase it later with your travel credits or statement offers.
• If you’re going to pay for a luau, try to book through Viator and use a shopping portal like Rakuten to earn up to 10x the points on your purchase.
• Famous ones like Drums of the Pacific at the Hyatt Regency Maui or Feast at Lele on Maui, and Paradise Cove on Oʻahu are amazing but pricey.
• Find free alternatives: Many resorts host complimentary cultural nights, hula lessons, or lei-making classes. You’ll get the Hawaiian spirit for free — no buffet required.
• Look for combo or “activity pass” deals Companies like Go City (Oʻahu, Maui) or Hawaiian Discount Activities include luaus in their multi-activity passes. If you’re planning snorkeling or ATV tours too, you can save 20–30% overall by bundling.
• Eat elsewhere and buy a show-only ticket Some luaus offer a “show only” option (no dinner) for a lower price—perfect if you just want to see the fire dancers and music without the buffet markup.
• Choose weekday shows Luaus held on weeknights (Mon–Thurs) are often cheaper and less crowded than weekend ones. Bonus: you’ll have better seats and more relaxed vibes.

Planning a Hawaii trip with your family? I’ve pulled all of our Hawaii itineraries, hotel stays, and island guides into one place here: Hawaii on Points and Miles (Complete Family Guide)

5. Boat or Whale-Watching Tours

Why it’s pricey: A half-day family boat tour can easily cost $400 or more for a family of four — and in destinations like Alaska or Hawaii the most iconic experiences run even higher.

How to save smarter:

Redeem points through travel portals. Chase Ultimate Rewards and Capital One miles can both be redeemed directly through their travel portals for tour and activity bookings through Viator and similar platforms. This means the whale watching or glacier cruise you were going to pay cash for can be covered entirely with points you are already earning on everyday spending.

6. Broadway or West End Shows

Why it’s pricey: Tickets for four can be $600+ once you factor in fees.

How to save smarter:

• Use cardholder experiences: Amex, Chase, and Citi all offer exclusive access or discounted tickets through their experiences programs.
• Rush Tickets and Digital Lotteries: Enter same-day lotteries or line up early for rush seats — you can snag $30 to $50 tickets to major shows that normally cost $150 or more. We used TodayTix on our recent NYC girls trip to see Redwood starring Idina Menzel and Six — both at a fraction of face value. Also check each show’s official website directly — many productions now run their own lottery which often has better odds than third-party apps.
• TKTS Booths or Same-Day Apps (like TodayTix) Grab same-day tickets at 20–50% off. Be flexible with your show choice for the biggest savings.
• See a Preview or Weekday Matinee Tickets for previews (before official opening) or midweek matinees are often way cheaper — and the performances are just as good.
• Use Discount Sites & Promo Codes Check BroadwayBox, TodayTix, and TheatreMonkey for legit promo codes and deals before you buy anywhere else.
• Earn points on entertainment: Use a card that earns a bonus on live events — then redeem those points toward your next trip.

7. Resort Add-Ons

Why it’s pricey:

• Daily extras like cabanas, spa treatments, breakfast, parking, and resort fees can quickly add hundreds to your bill.
• It’s often not the room that costs the most—it’s the add-ons.

How to save smarter:

• Book through luxury collections with built-in perks:
  • Programs like Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts, Visa Infinite Hotels, and Chase Luxury Hotel Collection often include:
    • Daily breakfast for two
    • $100+ resort or dining credit
    • Guaranteed late checkout
    • Complimentary room upgrade at check-in (when available)
  • These benefits can offset higher nightly rates and give you elite-style perks without elite status.
• Split your strategy: use points and travel credits:
  • Pay for your base stay with points.
  • Use annual travel credits from premium cards toward extras like spa services, cabanas, or on-site dining.
  • This approach lets you save cash while still enjoying resort amenities.
• Check for resort fee waivers on award stays:
  • Some Hyatt and Hilton properties waive resort fees on award stays, which can save $40 to $60 per night. Always verify directly with the property before booking to confirm — policies vary by location and are not guaranteed across all properties.
  • Always verify this before booking to maximize your redemption value.
• Consider splitting your stay:
  • This can be especially helpful when traveling to all-inclusive resorts like Hyatt Ziva Cancun where the points cost per night is high. Staying a more affordable nearby Hyatt for your arrival and departure nights and the splurge property in between stretches your points significantly further.

Final Thoughts

Family trips don’t have to drain your wallet — they just take a little strategy. These are the exact tactics we use to make our adventures affordable, whether it’s a Kauai luau, a whale-watching tour, or front-row Broadway seats in NYC.

The truth? You don’t have to skip the bucket-list experiences. By earning the right points, redeeming them for high-value stays, and stacking every available offer, you can enjoy it all — without the sticker shock.

Ready to start earning points for your next family adventure? These are the cards I would open first, ranked in the order I would open them. Best offers here.

New to points and miles entirely? My free Blueprint course walks you through the whole system from scratch — how to earn, how to transfer, and how to actually book trips like the ones in this post. It is completely free.

Looking for more ways to use points for specific destinations? I have pulled together everything you need for two of the most popular family travel destinations on the list. If New York City is calling, start with our complete four-night family NYC trip guide where we paid less than $50 total, then check out how four of us did a two-night girls trip to the Andaz 5th Avenue entirely on points — Broadway shows, flea markets, and all. And if Hawaii is the dream, our complete Hawaii on Points and Miles family guide has every island, every hotel stay, and every real cost breakdown in one place. These are the trips that prove the strategy actually works. 🤍

How We Took a Magical 4-Night Holiday Trip to NYC Using Points and Miles

Girls Trip to NYC on Points: Two Nights at the Andaz 5th Avenue for Nearly Free

Hawaii on Points and Miles: Complete Family Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions: Saving on Expensive Family Travel Experiences With Points

Can you really use credit card points to pay for theme park tickets?
Yes and this is one of the most underused strategies in points and miles. Capital One miles can be redeemed as a travel statement credit against theme park ticket purchases — meaning you buy the tickets, the charge posts to your card, and then you erase it with your miles. The key is buying through a third-party seller like Theme Park Frog or Get Away Today so the purchase codes as travel rather than entertainment. Chase Ultimate Rewards points can also be used to book theme park tickets directly through the Chase Travel portal on select properties. For families who go to Disney or Universal even once a year this strategy alone can save hundreds of dollars annually.

What is the cheapest way to get Broadway tickets for a family?
The single best move is entering the lottery through TodayTix or directly through the show’s official website. Many productions now run their own lottery separate from third-party apps and the odds are often better. Winning tickets typically run $30 to $50 for shows that sell for $150 or more at face value. If you do not win the lottery, check TKTS in Times Square or the app on the morning of the show for same-day discounts of 20 to 50 percent. Weekday matinees and preview performances are also consistently the cheapest tickets available. We used TodayTix on a recent NYC girls trip to see Redwood and Six at a fraction of face value — the system works.

Do hotel points cover resort fees?
Sometimes but not always. Some Hyatt and Hilton properties waive resort fees on award stays which can save $40 to $60 per night. However this is not a guaranteed policy across all properties and it has become less consistent in recent years. Always call the hotel directly before booking an award stay and ask specifically whether resort fees are waived for points reservations. Do not assume. If resort fees are not waived factor that cash cost into your redemption value calculation before deciding whether the points booking is worth it.

What is the best credit card for family travel experiences like theme parks, tours, and shows?
The right card depends on your existing points balances, how you spend, and where you want to go. In general flexible points cards that earn on everyday categories like groceries, dining, and gas give families the most options because those points transfer to multiple airlines and hotels. I rank my current recommendations in the order I would open them, with notes on why each one fits different family situations. See my best offers page here.

Can you use points for whale watching tours, boat excursions, or guided experiences?
Yes. Chase Ultimate Rewards and Capital One miles can both be redeemed through their respective travel portals for tours and activities booked through Viator and similar platforms. This means the whale watching cruise, the glacier tour, or the guided snorkel excursion you were planning to pay cash for can potentially be covered entirely with points.

Is a Hawaiian luau worth the money and can you use points to pay for it?
A luau is one of those experiences that lands differently depending on which one you choose. The big name ones like Feast at Lele on Maui and Paradise Cove on Oʻahu are genuinely spectacular and worth the price if your budget allows. For a more affordable option look for community-run or hotel-hosted cultural evenings which often cost significantly less and still offer authentic performances. To pay with points you have two main options — charge the luau to your hotel room if you are staying on points at a resort like the Grand Hyatt Kauai and then use travel credits to offset the charge, or book through Viator using Capital One miles or Chase Ultimate Rewards through the travel portal. Booking through a shopping portal like Rakuten before you click to Viator can also stack additional cash back on top.

What is the split-stay strategy and how does it work for resort trips?
The split-stay strategy means dividing your trip between two different properties — typically a more affordable points hotel for your arrival and departure nights and a higher-end resort for the middle nights when you want to enjoy the amenities. This works especially well at all-inclusive resorts like Hyatt Ziva Cancun where the points cost per night is very high. By staying one night on arrival at a nearby Hyatt Place or Hyatt House at a much lower points cost and then checking into the resort for the bulk of your stay you can stretch your points significantly further. The same approach works at Disney resort hotels, Hawaii beachfront properties, and most major resort destinations.

How do you find free or low-cost alternatives to expensive family tour experiences?
The best source is almost always a local. Ask hotel staff, Airbnb hosts, or tour operators where they personally go on their days off — they almost always share spots that do not show up on the first page of Google. For snorkeling specifically dive shops are usually the most reliable source of honest beach recommendations because their business depends on conditions being good. Google Maps, AllTrails, and destination-specific Reddit communities are also excellent for finding verified free spots with real reviews and parking information. In Hawaii, Mexico, and most of the Caribbean some of the best snorkeling in the country is steps from shore with no tour required.

Do travel credit cards really protect you if a tour or experience gets canceled?
Yes and this is one of the most overlooked benefits of premium travel cards. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve include trip interruption and cancellation coverage that can reimburse you for prepaid nonrefundable tours if they are canceled due to weather, illness, or other covered reasons. The Chase Sapphire Reserve also now includes emergency evacuation coverage up to $100,000 which matters for adventure activities in remote locations. Always pay for tours and experiences with a card that includes these protections — it costs nothing extra and provides significant peace of mind especially when booking expensive excursions in advance.

How do you know if a points redemption for a travel experience is actually a good deal?
The math is simple. Divide the cash price of the experience by the number of points required to cover it. That gives you your cents-per-point value. Anything above 1.5 cents per point is generally a solid redemption. Anything above 2 cents per point is excellent. For context a $400 whale watching tour covered by 20,000 Capital One miles works out to 2 cents per mile — a strong redemption. A $50 gift shop purchase covered by 10,000 points works out to 0.5 cents per point — not worth it. Always run the math before you redeem and compare your points value to what you would otherwise pay in cash.