Holidays in New York City
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post..
In December, my family of four spent four unforgettable nights in New York City during the holiday season. From the nostalgic window displays at Macy’s Herald Square to the charming Christmas Markets scattered across Manhattan, NYC was bursting with festive cheer!
Whether you’re planning your own NYC holiday trip or want to learn how to save big by traveling with points and miles, here’s a breakdown of how we made it happen — nearly for free.
✈️ Flights & Transportation: Traveling on a Budget with Points
We flew roundtrip from Kansas City (MCI) to LaGuardia (LGA) on Southwest Airlines, using our Southwest Companion Passes and Rapid Rewards points. All four of us flew for just under $45 total in taxes and fees — incredible, right?
To get to and from the airport, we used Lyft and earned 5X points by paying with my Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
During our stay, we primarily used the NYC subway and walked everywhere. Our kids loved the subway experience — it felt like a real New York adventure!
🏨 Hotel: Staying in Style at Thompson Central Park NYC
We stayed at the Thompson Central Park NYC, a stunning Hyatt property in an unbeatable location. I used Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, transferred from my Chase Ink Business Cash® Card (which has no annual fee) via my Chase Sapphire Preferred®, which gives access to 14 valuable transfer partners, including Hyatt.
This stay didn’t cost us a dime out-of-pocket, and the hotel was gorgeous. Highly recommend for families or couples looking for a luxury stay without the luxury price tag!
🎭 Things to Do in NYC During the Holidays
Our itinerary was packed with iconic NYC attractions and holiday fun:
- Wicked on Broadway – One of the biggest highlights! I booked this $500+ experience for FREE by transferring Chase points to Hyatt and using Hyatt FIND Experiences.
- Summit One Vanderbilt – Incredible views and immersive art.
- Statue of Liberty Cruise – A classic NYC must-see.
- Museum of Natural History – Perfect for kids and adults alike.
- Harry Potter New York Store – Magical for fans!
- Christmas Markets – We visited several, but Columbus Circle Holiday Market was our favorite.
💡 Pro tip: I booked most of our attractions through Groupon and Viator, stacking purchases through the AAdvantage Shopping Portal to earn American Airlines miles! Always look for ways to stack deals and earn bonus points when booking travel experiences.
For more tips, check out my post: 5 Ways to Book Experiences to Earn More Points and Save Money.
🍴 Where We Ate: Holiday Market Eats & Hidden Gems
- Columbus Circle Holiday Market – The food here was amazing! Our top pick? Empanada Mama — so flavorful and satisfying!
- Burger Joint (inside Thompson Central Park) – This quirky, hidden burger spot is just off the hotel lobby and seriously delicious. One cozy night, we grabbed burgers and fries and had an in-room picnic while watching Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. So fun and so New York!
❤️ Final Thoughts: Making Travel Dreams a Reality with Points
This was my fourth visit to NYC, and the magic never fades. My first trip was at 18, coming from a small Missouri town of just 500 people. That trip changed my perspective, and now I get to pass that same sense of adventure and curiosity on to my kids.
Thanks to points and miles, we’re able to travel more often, for less, and with more comfort than ever before. I’m so grateful for the flexibility and opportunity it provides.
💳 Credit Cards That Made This Trip Possible
If you’re ready to start traveling more (and spending less), here are the cards that helped us:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Chase Ink Business Cash® Card
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Credit Cards
If you’re thinking of applying, I’d be so grateful if you used my affiliate links. It’s a free way to support my blog and helps me continue sharing tips and guides — thank you!
Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
I found out about points and miles accidentally.
I was researching index funds and happened upon the points and miles community through creators who also post about budgets, financial independence, and investing.
Points and miles allowed those people to travel and work toward financial independence simultaneously.
Thank goodness I got started when I did. The past almost two years of travel have been something we will never forget.
Earning points and miles through credit cards is only a good choice if you have the financial discipline to use them, like cash/debit cards.
Since we started traveling with points and miles, we have had more money going into our investment and savings accounts than ever.
Now I'm excited to teach you!
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