Member Success Story: Family of Five, 8 Nights in Punta Cana, and Over $14,000 Saved
When Travel Freely member Jessica and her family of 5 set their sights on Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean, they knew the costs of international travel could add up quickly, especially with kids. But with the right strategy, Jessica and her family turned what could’ve been a pricey trip into a luxury vacation for a fraction of the cost. Their secret? A smart combination of points, miles, a companion pass, and a whole lot of savvy.
Tell Us About Yourself
Hi! I’m Jessica, and I live in Michigan with my husband and our 3 kids. As a family of 5, we’re always looking for smart ways to travel without breaking the bank — especially when it comes to flights and accommodations. I was introduced to points and miles a few years ago and knew it could help us travel more, and better, for less.
We love active vacations, beach destinations, and experiences where everyone in the family — from our youngest to our teens — can relax and have fun. Punta Cana had been on our radar for a while, and this winter we finally made it happen. It ended up being one of our best family trips yet — and we did it all using points!
Tell Us About Your Trip
We spent 8 days in Punta Cana as a family of 5, splitting our time between 2 all-inclusive resorts: Dreams Macao Beach and Dreams Onyx. With 3 kids, we knew we’d need 2 rooms for comfort and sanity, and using points made that entirely doable.
We flew nonstop from Chicago to Punta Cana and back, and thanks to some great lounge access perks, our travel days felt almost luxurious. While in Punta Cana, we alternated between relaxing on the beach, floating through lazy rivers, and riding water slides. Our kids had an absolute blast — and so did we.
The first half of our trip was spent at Dreams Macao, where the water parks, lazy river, and food options were perfect for families. We loved the setup, especially the 2 water park areas—one for younger kids and one for older ones. The buffet was great, and our favorite restaurants were the hibachi spot and the Asian-inspired Himitsu. We skipped the Italian restaurant after one visit, but overall, the food scene here was a win.
For the second half, we moved to Dreams Onyx, which offered slightly faster water slides and a beautiful beach with coral reefs perfect for snorkeling. The lazy river wasn’t quite as relaxing due to some waterfalls, but the kids didn’t seem to mind. The buffet was still strong, but we found ourselves preferring Macao’s dining options overall. The Bluewater Grill at Onyx stood out as the one restaurant we’d return to.
What Kind of Points Did You Use for This Trip?
We used a combination of Chase Ultimate Rewards® — transferred to World of Hyatt® — and Southwest Rapid Rewards® points. Note that Southwest is also a transfer partner of Chase.
Flights: We flew Southwest and used the Southwest Companion Pass to save big. I kept checking and rebooking our flights, and eventually scored roundtrip fares for just 27,000 points per person for 4 of us and used the Companion Pass to cover our 5th family member.
Airport Lounges: My husband was approved for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, which gives him Priority Pass lounge access. We added our son as an authorized user so he could bring in guests too. This allowed our whole group to enjoy free food and drinks at the MDW lounge in Chicago and Punta Cana’s lounge, which even had a rooftop pool overlooking the runway.
Hotels:
- At Dreams Macao, we booked 2 rooms for 4 nights at 29,000 Hyatt points per room per night. We only paid $63/night in cash to add our 9-year-old to the booking.
- At Dreams Onyx, we spent 23,000 Hyatt points per room per night and paid $71/night in cash to add our youngest again.
Best of all? No taxes or fees when booking these all-inclusive stays with points.
How Much Money Did You Save Using Points and Miles for Your Trip?
All in, we saved approximately $3,462 on flights and over $11,000 on hotels, which brings the total savings for this trip to around $14,500. Being able to book high-end, family-friendly resorts without dipping into our savings made this trip feel even more like a win.
Not only did we enjoy beachfront resorts, full buffets, and endless kid-friendly amenities, but we also avoided the high cost of food, flights, and airport snacks. Getting lounge access for all 5 of us on travel days was another huge bonus — it really elevated the entire experience.
What Were Some of the Highlights of Your Trip?
There were so many memorable moments. Watching our boys race down the water slides and float along the lazy rivers was a highlight for us as parents. At Dreams Onyx, snorkeling right off the beach was something special — especially seeing the kids feed the fish with bread and watch them swarm. We all loved the tacos from the poolside food trucks, the family-friendly buffet dinners, and the mix of relaxation and adventure each resort offered.
Both properties felt spacious and never too crowded, and we always found a spot to relax while keeping an eye on the kids. The split-stay setup gave us a fun way to explore 2 different resort vibes without doubling the price — all thanks to points!
What Advice Do You Have for Someone Just Starting with Points and Miles?
Start with Chase. The Chase Ultimate Rewards ecosystem is powerful, and Hyatt is one of the best transfer partners out there — especially for families. The value we got using points at these resorts was far better than we would’ve found with other hotel chains.
Also, be patient. It might seem complicated at first, but you really only need to learn what’s relevant at each stage. I didn’t dig into transfer partners until we had a stash of points ready to redeem. Once you earn that first bonus, the rest starts to make sense.
If you’re a family paying monthly expenses anyway, why not get something back? Earning points on everyday spending adds up fast — and those points can take you somewhere amazing.
How Has Travel Freely Helped You Achieve Your Free Travel Goals, and What Do You Like Best About the App?
Travel Freely has been an essential part of our journey. The app helped us stay organized — especially with tracking annual fees, signup deadlines, and referral opportunities. We loved the alerts and the way it simplified everything into one easy-to-manage dashboard.
Even more than that, having someone like Zac available for direct support made a huge difference. Knowing we could ask questions and get helpful, thoughtful answers gave us the confidence to take the leap. It’s rare to find that kind of personal support with a free app, and it really sets Travel Freely apart.
Final Thoughts
Jessica and her family’s Punta Cana getaway was everything a vacation should be — relaxing, fun, full of adventure, and surprisingly affordable. From water parks and lazy rivers to snorkeling and rooftop lounge breakfasts, it was a dream trip made possible by points and smart planning.
Looking back, Jessica said it best: “We saved more than $14,000 and had the kind of vacation we couldn’t have imagined paying full price for. I’ll call that a win.”
Her story is proof that with the right cards, the right tools, and the right timing, families can unlock luxury travel experiences without luxury prices. Whether you’re just getting started or ready to plan your next escape, Jessica’s journey is a reminder that free travel is real — and absolutely within reach.
Cards that helped Jessica and her family experience their dream vacation:
Great "ultra-premium" card. Despite the big annual fee, the overall first year value is worth it for most people. This is due to the large signup bonus, extra benefits like Priority Pass, up to $300 annual travel credit and Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit.
Our #1 personal card we recommend most often. Hands down the single best "starter card" for beginners and the MVP card for free travel.
One of the very best business cards. A highly recommended business card for an incredible signup bonus and 3X categories.
A no-brainer, great business card. Your choice to receive 1.5% cash back or 1.5x points.
