Five Trips for Families to Take This Summer
Today is the first official day of summer and that means it is also the longest day of the year. I can think of no better time to make or review a list of places you want to go with your family this summer! Maybe you think you already have summer all planned out, or perhaps you are just putting away the book bags and beginning to imagine the summertime possibilities. Either way, you are in the right place as we put our heads together and outline what this summer can hold for our families.
While I won't give too many specific lists of places to visit (though I'll give a few), there are five types of trips I highly recommend you consider for the summer in order to dream big, explore local, make a difference, and (re)connect with the people you love the most.
Go somewhere brand new
Whether it is in the Poconos, the Catskills, the Outer Banks, beaches of Florida, a National Park, a theme park, or somewhere entirely different, many families have their favorite summer travel spots that they return to their year after year. I traditions like that are phenomenal, and we have one of those spots ourselves at the Hyatt Lost Pines outside Austin, but I would challenge you to not solely press repeat on a summertime travel list. Keep the familiar favorite, but take your family somewhere new as well.
It is amazing what can happen when your family gets to experience and explore a brand new place, create new unique memories, and carve out entirely new trails together. This new place can be relatively nearby, or on the other side of the planet, but find a new spot and make it happen. Who knows, it might even become a favorite spot to return to in the future.
Go play at a resort
Summer vacation is meant to be fun. There doesn't have to be learning and life-changing experiences packed into every single day. In fact, it would be missed opportunity to have a summer break without some old fashioned play time. Even if you like the majority of your travels to be more adventurous, I highly recommend at least a weekend of letting someone else do all the work while you just play with your family.
Float a lazy river, roast s'mores at night, ride some horses, sip a cool drink by the pool, stay up late to watch an outdoor movie, and just play until you are all ready to crash. The nicer family-friendly resorts can have exceptionally high paid rates during summer weekends of easily $300 - $500 per night, but this is exactly where your hotel points can come in handy to create a weekend of playtime without your wallet feeling the pain at check-out.
Some nice points-friendly resorts to consider in the United States are:
- Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa: 15,000 Hyatt points per night (or a Category 1 -4 Hyatt certificate)
- Hyatt Regency Coconut Point: 15,000 Hyatt points per night (or a Category 1 -4 Hyatt certificate)
- Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach: 20,000 Hyatt points per night
- Hotel del Coronado: 95,000 Hilton Honors points per night or use a Hilton weekend night certificate
- Westin Kierland Resort and Spa: 12,000 SPG points per night
Finding standard award availability close-in to a summer weekend can be tough, so book as far out as your schedule allows, check to see if a minimum stay requirement is in effect, and keep trying different dates until you find one that works.
Go visit family or friends
I know it can be harder to coordinate logistics to spend time with friends and family members than it is booking a long weekend somewhere for your own family, but it is almost always worth it. Depending on where your friends and family live, this may be a good time to brush up on your short-haul airline redemptions so you can maximize your time on the ground with them instead of spending the bulk of your time road tripping to get there and back.
Short haul saver award flight options:
- American Airlines flights of 500 miles or less: 7,500 AAdvantage miles (6,500 miles if on Reduced Mileage Award list)
- United Airlines flights of 700 miles or less: 10,000 MileagePlus miles
- JetBlue and Southwest: Can be as low as a few thousand points each direction, based on selling price of the ticket
- Delta and Alaska Airlines flights can start at around 5,000 miles (or less) each way
- Fly United and Star Alliance airlines within certain zones: 7,500 LifeMiles, Citi ThankYou transfer partner
As an example, you can fly on United Airlines from Texas to Florida for just 7,500 LifeMiles each direction, which is a much better deal in my book than driving the 10 to 20 hours that trip can take by car.
When you get together with friends and family, it may make sense to go in on renting a house or Airbnb somewhere fun. Or perhaps you go right to the hometown of your friends or family. In that case, I would consider using hotel points to rent a room nearby so you can spend some time together, without spending too much time together.
Go somewhere you can make a difference
Whether you take a trip to somewhere with the purpose of helping others in mind, or you simply incorporate helping others into a pre-existing family trip, there are many travel-related helping opportunities out there. If your kids aren't old enough yet to take a trip with volunteering at the forefront, you can make a difference closer to home by volunteering at the local animal shelter, selling lemonade to raise funds for a cause close to your family's heart, visit and bring small gifts to a local nursing home, or collect small toys for a children's hospital 'poke' chest.
Go explore your own backyard
Travel sites can sometimes emphasize the distant and exotic over the local and accessible, but this summer I recommend making it a point to explore your own backyard. Pick somewhere within about an hour's drive that you don't get to visit often enough and then spend the afternoon enjoying your local state parks, children's museums, sporting events, ethnic neighborhoods and restaurants, green spaces, or cultural events. Speaking for myself, I probably fly to New York City more frequently than I bring my children into Houston for the day. One requires about an hour of driving and one requires more than 1,500 of flying, so it is somewhat ridiculous that we don't get into Houston more frequently.
We have some dates penciled in this summer to enjoy local treasures in Houston, Galveston, and even a 'Blue Lagoon' about 70 miles north of Houston. If we didn't write those things on our calendar the way we would other trips, they likely wouldn't happen.
If you have a Bank of America debit or credit card, it is a good time to double check the list of 'Museums on Us' attractions you can visit the first weekend of each month for free. There may be included children's museums, botanical gardens, science centers and more that you can visit in your own community showing nothing more than a credit card you already have.
Where will your adventures take your family this summer?
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.