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Miles and points blogs are filled with aspirational, sexy trips booked on first-class flights and at world-class resorts. Bora Bora, the Maldives, Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome…you know the list. These are the stories that get the page views and impress readers.
I get it. I, too, like to read about aspirational trips and award redemptions. With miles and points, those trips are indeed possible! It’s fun to get ideas and inspiration. That trip photo might be the motivation for someone to open their first credit card and jump into this lucrative hobby.
HOWEVER…not every trip is like that. At least not for my family. I mean, sometimes I wish it was. Wouldn’t it be great if I was flying all over the world and had these crazy-good reviews/trip reports every week?
The reality is that some trips are simply not that exciting. Some might consider these trips kinda boring, actually. Yet, they are just as important.
My Recent Trip
A few weeks ago, I was invited to my niece’s baby shower in another city. My daughter and I already had plans at home that weekend to go to a ballet show. But you know what? Family is important. We can always see another ballet show, but this family event won’t be repeating anytime soon.
Thankfully, because of my miles and points stash, I didn’t have to think twice about booking a trip to this family event. I booked flights through the Capital One travel portal using my Capital One Venture X card (which has a $300 travel credit). I used Hyatt points to book a Category 1 Hyatt Place for 5000 points a night for two nights.
Flying in Economy and staying in an unspecial hotel don’t make headlines. Yet, going on this trip teaches important lessons to my kids.
When a family member has an important event, we show up. When your mother is sick, you make that trip as many times as you can. When your best friend gets married in another state, you go. These trips are not a waste of miles and points. They are absolutely the best use of miles and points.
Those flashy destinations? Yes, those are important, too. Dream big, see the world, be inspired. But, keep enough miles and points to make these ordinary trips happen as well. Connections with family and friends are priceless.
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Author: Nancy
Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.
We’re just like you. We have a few aspirational trips here and there but mostly we do regular trips with our kids (just more of them). We do road trips, see family, and go to Disneyland.
I will say that things may be getting out of hand though. A few weeks ago my 3 year old came up to me and asked when we were going to Mexico again LOL I thought “uhhh ok maybe it’s time to reel the expectations back in or something”. My kids have traveled so much since they were babies because their mom has a really bad case of wanderlust! And their parents really like relaxing at Mexican beaches while they wear themselves out at the pool all day. It’s the least stressful vacation mode we have found with 2 small children in tow
@Tammie I understand! That’s why we love cruising so much. Everyone is happy.
Last weekend I used points instead of paying $200 cash rate at a Hyatt Regency that was about an hour away, just for 1 night. We were upgraded to a suite and 2pm check-out, needed a little break and glad we could do it!
I went to an out of town funeral a few weeks ago. It was nice just to book with AA miles instead of second guessing if I should go because the flight was almost $1,000!
@Rachel I’m sorry for your loss. I’m glad you had miles to use for that flight! Those last-minute flight prices can be outrageous.
It’s fun to collect your points and dream about the BIG trip you’re going to take, someday. But our reality has been that almost all of our actual point redemptions have been on flights and hotels to visit our kids or my parents. We’ve stayed in a lot of Hampton Inns and Residence Inns over the years, all across the USA. Wouldn’t have it any other way.
@Earl I’m glad you’ve been able to use miles and points to see your family. It really is so important! I’ve also stayed at a lot of Hampton Inns, I’m a fan.
I agree, though I’ll go a little further – while aspirational trips are great, they aren’t a reality for the vast majority of us, even if we play the game. I almost always fly economy/LCC and it’s been a little too long (6 years) since I’ve been out of the country. But the points & miles game allows me to travel comfortably at least once or twice a year. Without it, I probably wouldn’t be able to travel much. It’s probably why I don’t get that many eyes on my blog haha!
@Island Miller I’ve read your blog before! 🙂
Any time TPG is unimpressed, I’m in!
@Mark LOL! TPG does have some great content, but I don’t think my posts about my trips in Hyatt Place locations would make the cut.
This is the appeal of your blog for me. You have some fun aspirational trips, but you also have some moderate trips which I can relate to. I like that you still allow comments as well. I am sure that part can be tricky at times. Some of the travel blogs are so high end and snooty that they don’t give me any useful info. Some are so focused on card referrals they don’t have much helpful content. I don’t have a high income so I am thrilled to use points to go on any vacation at all. That’s a huge improvement over waiting 5 years or more between flights.
@Clyn6 Thanks, I have a love/hate relationship with the blog comments section. 99% of comments are fine, but those other 1% of comments are something else. I’m glad you’ve been able to use miles and points to travel more often.
As I said many times on this blog, points and miles gave me the ability to create more special memories with my family.
In 2013 I flew my 93 year old grandmother on business class from Brazil to NYC to meet her first great grand son. She was very fortunate and she was coming anyway (on coach) but to use my miles to bump her to business class was priceless. Sadly it was the last trip she took before passing away at the age of 95. I burned 100k (2 signed up bonus from AA/Citi) but I have zero regrets.
After my divorce I started to play the one player game and even though I accumulate less points this game helped me to fly to Florida several times so my son could see his father and I can relax by the Hyatt Grand Cypress pool.
I love to read about aspirational destinations and Cat 8 hotels on OMAAT but my jam is to travel more, travel cheaper and spend more time with my family.
@Tania What an awesome thing to do for your grandmother! How awesome she could meet her first great grandson in person! Wow.
Yes, these are the lessons we teach our kids. Save up and be smart about your spending. In addition to the priorities you outline, we also teach them that sometimes going on vacation is about getting away, no matter where you go. Comfort Plus to Spain for 25k miles round-trip? Sure! Wasn’t planning on Spain but you know what, it was an amazing trip! It’s about keeping your mind open. I’d rather take 10 trips in economy or comfort than one trip and blow it all-out. Then again, we aren’t into manufactured spend, like most of those high-rollers.
@Lance 25k to Spain round-trip is an awesome deal! My family usually flies economy, but we are splurging on business class for the first time this summer.
Having the ability to be present at a family event is the best use of points ever! This past weekend my daughter was in a very important competition. I flew my son home from college to support her. I’ve never considered using my miles and points to be at important family events as a waste. It is the best gift of all!
I should have included that my daughter won and if my son had not been there for the hugs, tears, and the pictures it would have felt wrong.
I’m so glad he could be there for this event! 🙂