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Traveling with a family doesn’t have to break the bank. With the right discounts, you can save on flights, hotels, and attractions — without sacrificing fun.
Here’s how to find the best family travel discounts so your next adventure doesn’t hurt your wallet.
Erika Recommends
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
Get an annual boost of 10,000 Companion Pass®-qualifying points. - Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express
Free checked bags for you and up to eight travel companions. - Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Points can transfer to family-friendly hotels like Hyatt and Marriott.
Where to Find the Best Family Travel Discounts
Before you book your next big getaway, spend some time looking for family travel discounts so you can extend your fun without overextending your bank account.
Here’s where to start your search for the best deals.
Travel booking sites with exclusive family discounts
Travel booking sites like Expedia and Priceline make it easy to hunt for deals, including flights, hotels, and packages. Or if you’re a Costco member, check out current Costco Travel deals.
When browsing these sites, keep your eyes peeled for family-specific discounts.
READ MORE: Best Travel Apps to Save Money on Flights & Hotels
Airlines with family-friendly discounts and perks
Look for airlines that offer kid-friendly discounts and perks (think: free checked bags for all that kid gear you have to lug around!).
Southwest is a great example of a family-friendly airline. If you can qualify for the Southwest Companion Pass®, you can book a free flight for a family member.
Pro Tip: If you have a Southwest credit card, like the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card, you’ll get a boost of 10,000 Companion Pass-qualifying points every year.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
Rewards Rate
- 3x points on Southwest Airlines purchases
- 2x points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental purchases
- 2x points on local transit, rideshare, internet, cable, phone, and select streaming
- 1x points on everything else
Welcome Offer
Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$149
. . .
For families with lap infants, most U.S. airlines let you fly with babies under age two for free.
Or, if there are open seats on the flight and you’ve brought a car seat, the airline may let you use the car seat in an empty spot free of charge. (If it’s a full flight, you’ll need to have purchased a seat in advance.)
Frontier offers a Kids Fly Free program for children under 14. The catch is that you need to have a DISCOUNT DEN® membership with Frontier, and it’s only on select flights.
If you have an airline credit card, there’s a good chance you have free checked bags for you and your travel companions.
For example, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express comes with a free first checked bag for you and up to eight traveling companions on the same flight.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express
Rewards Rate
- 2x miles on Delta purchases
- 2x miles at U.S. grocery stores
- 2x miles at restaurants worldwide and on U.S. takeout and delivery
- 1x miles on all other purchases
Welcome Offer
Earn 80,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Annual Fee
$0 for the first year, then $150 (rates and fees)
. . .
Hotels and resorts that offer free stays for kids
Many hotels and resorts worldwide offer promotions where children can stay for free.
For instance, Iberostar Hotels and Resorts allow children 12 and under to stay at no additional cost in double rooms at select properties during certain times of year (check the fine print for your destination to be sure!).
Similarly, Hyatt’s Sunscape Resorts and Marriott Bonvoy provide seasonal deals where kids can stay free, enhancing the value of their all-inclusive packages.
Numerous all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico, such as Palace Resorts and Hilton, offer family-friendly promotions, including complimentary stays for children.
Pro Tip: If you have a Chase travel rewards card, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, your points are transferable to both World of Hyatt and Marriott Bonvoy.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Rewards Rate
- 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries
- 2x on all other travel purchases
- 1x on all other purchases
Welcome Offer
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$95
. . .
How To Save on Attractions and Activities
Adults may be content with a long day of sightseeing or lounging on the beach, but kids tend to need a bit more entertainment on vacation.
But you don’t have to overspend on attractions and activities when you can use these tips to save.
Look for free admission days at museums and zoos
Many kid-friendly hot spots like zoos, aquariums, and museums offer discounted or free entry for children.
You may have to plan your excursion for a specific day of the week or month to save, but if you’re lucky, all you have to do to save is visit the attraction towards the end of the day or during an early weekday morning.
If you can’t quickly find discounted admission info on the attraction’s website, do a Google search to see if any local organizations are selling discounted tickets for kids.
Take advantage of local discount programs
Many cities with impressive tourist attractions participate in CityPASS®, a discounted ticket package that offers admission to top attractions across North America. Not only can you save money, but you can also skip the ticket lines.
While it’s not a guarantee that your next travel destination participates in this program, many cities offer their own generic version of CityPASS®, so you can enjoy everything the city has to offer at a reasonable price.
Use attraction passes and bundled tickets
Similar to CityPASS®, you can find attraction passes or bundled ticket options that provide access to multiple sights for one reduced price.
These passes are a smart way to save if you plan to visit several museums, zoos, or historical landmarks, and they often include added perks like skip-the-line entry or public transportation access.
For example, Disney Parks often charge you less per day if you buy multiple days’ worth of tickets at once. Be sure to check what’s included and compare individual ticket prices to ensure you’re getting the best deal for your itinerary.
READ MORE: How To Travel on a Budget With Kids
Travel Rewards and Memberships for Discounts
It’s easy to forget that many of us have access to travel discounts through memberships we already pay for. Don’t leave any stone unturned when booking your next trip!
Use loyalty rewards for free flights and hotel stays
Frequent flyer programs and hotel loyalty clubs allow you to accumulate points every time you travel, which can later be redeemed for free flights, hotel stays, or upgrades.
Signing up is usually free, and with consistent use — especially when paired with a travel rewards credit card — you can unlock valuable perks like early check-in, complimentary breakfasts, and even entire trips for a low cost.
Discounts through AAA, Costco Travel, and AARP
Organizations like AAA, Costco Travel, and AARP offer exclusive travel deals to their members, including discounted hotel rates, car rentals, cruises, and vacation packages.
These benefits often extend to brand-name partners and can be used in combination with other promotions.
Military, student, and teacher travel discounts
Some airlines, hotels, and rental car companies offer exclusive rates for customers in certain professions. These discounts are most commonly available for military members, teachers, and healthcare workers.
Students also often qualify for discounts. If you’re traveling with a student, you may be able to enjoy a special discount thanks to your hard-working scholar!
FAQs About Finding Family Travel Discounts
Are attraction passes worth the cost?
Attraction passes are often a great way to save on vacation activities, but only if you plan to fully use the pass. While you don’t usually need to check every activity off your list to save, crunch the numbers on how many you will realistically do before investing in an attraction pass.
How can I use credit card rewards to save on family trips?
If you have a rewards credit card, chances are you’ve already started earning rewards you can use to help fund your next family trip. Start by seeing how to stretch your rewards the furthest — usually this is with partner airline or hotel bookings.
If flights or hotel stays aren’t what you’re after, see if you’ve accumulated any cashback you can use for your next trip.
Are there special travel discounts for large groups?
If you’re traveling with a big family group, you may be able to save a little on your bookings. Airlines, hotels, and tour companies often provide group rates for parties of 10 or more. These discounts can include reduced fares, free tickets for group leaders, or complimentary upgrades.
TL;DR: Saving Money on Family Trips
Family travel can be affordable with the right discounts by your side.
To save on your next family getaway, use your credit card’s travel rewards, look for bundled attraction passes, check for family-friendly flights and hotels, and explore membership programs to find the best savings.
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Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
