Traveling with family is always an adventure, but let’s be real: it can get expensive. Flights, hotels, rental cars, meals—everything adds up quickly. But this time, I was able to take my kids, my mom, and myself on an unforgettable trip to Sedona, Arizona without breaking the bank. How? Points and miles, baby! 💳✈️ Let me walk you through how I made it happen, and why you should consider using credit cards to rack up points for your next trip.

We’ve also been to Sedona once before, check out Arizona and Utah National Parks + Sedona on Points and Miles blog post.

Day 1: The Journey Begins—KC to Phoenix

Our journey kicked off right after school when we boarded a Southwest flight from Kansas City to Phoenix. The best part? I used points and my Southwest Companion Pass to cover my flight, as well as the flights for my son, daughter, and mom. That’s four flights for the cost of one (plus taxes)! Without points, this family trip simply wouldn’t have been possible.

If you’ve never heard of Southwest’s Companion Pass, it’s one of the best deals in the travel world. By earning a certain number of points in a calendar year, you can get a “companion” ticket for free whenever you fly. It’s seriously a game changer. ✨

We were running a bit late, so we didn’t get a chance to check out the brand-new Escape Lounge at KCI, but next time, for sure! 🛋️

Pro tip: If you fly Southwest often, getting the Companion Pass is a must. It’s all about using points, whether through credit card sign-ups or everyday spending, to unlock free travel.

Car Rental Adventure: Points to the Rescue (Mostly)

When we arrived in Phoenix, I realized that my car rental was not at the airport like I thought it would be. I had booked with NU Car Rental, and although it was listed as an airport pickup, it turned out we had to take a shuttle to a separate location. Not a huge deal, but it did take about an hour to get the car, and the neighborhood seemed a bit sketchy at night. 🤔

Still, it wasn’t enough to dampen our excitement as we hit the road for Sedona, about two hours away. Without my Capital One Venture X business card, which offers a fantastic travel credit, I don’t know how I would’ve covered this expense. The travel credit is a great way to offset the card’s annual fee, and it helped make this trip even more affordable.💳

Hyatt: Free Nights, Big Savings

Once we arrived in Sedona, we checked into Hyatt Pinon Point using three free night certificates I earned last year through the Hyatt Personal Card. That’s right—free nights! 💯

These free night certificates are one of the best perks of the Hyatt card. It’s not just about earning points for flights; you can earn amazing hotel benefits, too. We had a comfy little room with a king bed, pull-out couch, and a small kitchen—perfect for our needs on this trip. If you’re planning to stay at Hyatt properties, consider signing up for this card to earn free nights and maximize your travel rewards.

Day 2: Exploring Sedona and More Freebies

Sedona is all about outdoor adventures, and we took full advantage of that! The kids and I took a shuttle to Cathedral Rock and hiked for about 2.5 hours, enjoying stunning views and making memories along the way. A tip for traveling in Sedona: the city offers a free trailhead shuttle service, which made parking so much easier.

After our hike, we stopped for ice cream at Rocky Roads (a hidden gem in West Sedona, by the way). Not only was the ice cream amazing, but I also loved how affordable things seemed when you got away from the touristy areas near the resort. Another perk of booking my stay with points? I saved money on food and drinks. 🍦

Day 3: More Fun, More Free Stuff

By the third day, we were really getting into the Sedona vibe. We hit up The Coffee Pot for breakfast again (they serve huge, delicious meals for about $70 for four people). This is a perfect example of how much you can save by having free breakfast at a hotel. I’ve learned that free breakfast is one of the top things to look for when booking accommodations—it makes a huge difference, especially when traveling with kids.

We also took another hike to Devil’s Bridge, which involved a lot of uphill scrambling. My son loved it, but let’s just say that Devil’s Bridge definitely kicked my butt. 😅 After another ice cream stop (yes, we’re addicted), we spent the afternoon relaxing by the pool, taking advantage of the free kids’ activities, and even playing some pickleball with the rackets provided by the resort.

For dinner, we treated ourselves to tacos at Sedona Organic Taco Co., and let me tell you—they were amazing! If you’re ever in the area, go there. Trust me. 🌮

Wrapping Up: How Points Made This Trip Possible

By the end of our trip, I had used points and miles for everything from flights and hotels to car rentals and meals. Here’s a quick recap of how I made it all happen:

• Flights: I used Southwest points + Companion Pass for free flights for my family (minus taxes and fees).
• Hotel: Hyatt Free Night certificates (earned with the Hyatt Personal Card) covered three nights at a beautiful property in Sedona.
• Car Rental: A combination of points and travel credits from my Capital One Venture X business card helped offset the cost of the car.
• Food: I’ve shared how free breakfast at the hotel saved us a lot of money, and we made good use of free activities at the resort, like the pool and pickleball.

None of this would have been possible without using points and miles. If you’re not already collecting points, you’re leaving a lot of free travel opportunities on the table. It’s not about spending more; it’s about spending smarter and earning rewards that let you travel for less.

How You Can Get Started:

The best part is that you don’t have to be a frequent flyer to start earning points! Consider signing up for credit cards that offer solid welcome bonuses. Many cards will give you hundreds of dollars in free travel just for meeting a minimum spending requirement. Plus, if you’re strategic, you can earn free nights at hotels, flights, and more! 🌟

If you’re interested in learning more about how to maximize your points or want tips on which cards to sign up for, don’t hesitate to reach out! I’m happy to share my favorite resources and strategies for earning and using travel rewards.

Happy travels! ✈️