Member Success Story: Peter’s $6,000 savings on 7-Day Trip to Hawaii
For many families, a trip to Hawaii feels like a once-in-a-lifetime splurge. Between airfare for multiple people and the cost of lodging, it’s easy to assume it’s out of reach…especially if you’re traveling with kids.
But for Peter and his family, this trip to Hawaii was their first major trip using points and miles, and it cost them just $56 out of pocket.
Here’s how they made the trip happen, and why their story is a great reminder that this doesn’t require perfection or expertise.
👉 New to points and miles? Read our beginner-friendly guide: How to Get Started with Free Travel
Tell Us About Yourself
I work as an administrator with the Moreno Valley Unified School District in Southern California, where I support a variety of student programs, including Scholastic Esports. My wife, Sonia, and I have three teenage boys, so when we travel, we’re always planning for a full family.
Like many Travel Freely members, we started cautiously. We had been learning about points and miles and earning them for about a year before booking this trip. Hawaii ended up being our first big “free travel” win, and it honestly exceeded every expectation.
Tell Us About Your Trip
We traveled to the Big Island of Hawaii, and stayed near Kona where we rented a car so we could really explore the island. If you’re visiting the Big Island, I’d say a rental car is a must—there’s just too much to see.
Instead of staying in one place the whole time, we leaned into adventure and variety. Over the course of the trip, we:
- Rode horses through scenic landscapes
- Snorkeled with manta rays at night (an absolutely unforgettable experience)
- Explored downtown Kona on a guided foodie tour
- Drove to Hilo to see waterfalls and do a tree-to-table chocolate tour
- Visited Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
One thing I highly recommend, especially for families, is using GPS audio tours like Shaka Guide. They gave us flexibility while still teaching us about the island as we drove—perfect when traveling with kids.
What Kind of Points Did You Use for These Trips?
Airfare:
For airfare, we used Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, primarily earned from Chase Ink Business cards. To earn extra points, my wife and I each earn our own bonus and refer the other when possible.
One of the best moves we made was booking our flights through British Airways Avios, which can be used to book American Airlines flights from Los Angeles to the Big Island. If you’re on the West Coast and availability lines up, this can be a fantastic option.
Lodging:
We stayed in a Vacasa vacation rental*, which worked incredibly well for a family of five. We used a combination of:
- Capital One Miles
- Wyndham Rewards points
Because I have the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Business Card, we also received a 10% discount on the points required. That brought the cost down to about 27,000 points per night for a two-bedroom condo—an incredible value.
(*Note that Vacasa and Wyndham Rewards have ended their partnership and you can no longer use Wyndham points for Vacasa home rentals.)
Cards used: Ink Business Cash® Credit Card, Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card, Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, Wyndham Rewards Earner® Business Card
How Much Money Did You Save Using Points and Miles for Your Trips?
We paid $56 total out of pocket. If we had paid cash, the same trip would have cost over $6,000. This still amazes me!
What Were Some of the Highlights of Your Travel Experiences?
Peering down through our goggles at giant manta rays slowly somersaulting toward us was extraordinary. As they fed on plankton illuminated by undersea lighting, they often brushed their 900-pound bellies against ours.
What Advice Do You Have for Someone Just Starting with Points and Miles?
I highly recommend the above strategy for booking lodging for larger families. Vacasa rentals give you multiple bedrooms, kitchen, and private laundry. We spent 27K points per night for an amazing condo! If you’re just starting out and have a big family, consider Hyatt Place. We use those too, and they are even easier to book.
You can do this too! Honestly, the hardest part is figuring out where you want to go next.
How Has Travel Freely Helped You Achieve Your Free Travel Goals, and What Do You Like Best About the App?
Travel Freely has been a fantastic contributor to our success as travelers. Not only are the training modules a great foundation, but the organizational structure the app provides is unparalleled. I love reading about the individual credit cards in the CardGenie® too.
Final Thoughts
Peter’s story is a reminder that free (or nearly free) travel isn’t reserved for experts or frequent flyers. With a thoughtful approach, responsible credit use, and the right tools, even a big family trip to Hawaii can be well within reach.
👉Inspired by Peter’s story? Start tracking your cards with Travel Freely today – it’s free, beginner-friendly, and built to make stories like this possible.
Have a success story you’d like to share with us? We’d love to hear it! Reach out to us at or fill out our form here.
Cards that helped Peter and his family experience their dream travel experiences:
