Episode Details
Back to EpisodesPortugal on Points: A Case Study
Description
Award travel case study: how our family is booking Portugal flights and hotels for 4 people using points — and spending under $1,000 out of pocket.
Ever wonder what it actually looks like to build a trip from scratch using points and miles? In this episode, I walk you through exactly how I planned our family's upcoming spring break trip to Portugal — flights, hotels, layovers, and all the creative problem-solving in between. This one was inspired by coffee with a local friend who had done a great job earning points but couldn't figure out how to actually use them. Sound familiar?
We're covering Lisbon, Cascais, and Porto, with four nights in each of the first and last stops. I'll tell you which programs I used, how many points each piece cost, where I got creative (Southwest to DC, anyone?), and what I would do differently next time.
If you've been sitting on a stash of points and wondering how to turn them into a real trip, this episode will show you how.
In This Episode:
- Why Portugal in March — and how a band concert blew up my original plan
- Two different strategies to fly between the US and Portugal on points
- Three different tricks for booking accommodations for free
- How traveling as a couple is different than traveling as a family
- The four lessons I'll carry into every future award booking
New to points and miles? Start with Episode 7 (fundamentals) and Episode 8 (credit card benefit hunting) before this one.
Credit Cards
Articles
- How United Is Changing the Game (But Still Letting You Win)
- Why I Love the Southwest Companion Pass (and How to Get One)
- Best Credit Cards for Family Travel
- All free travel resources
Award Travel Tools
Don't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone.
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