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Epic Norway Vacation With Kids (11 Days)

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 19:03:36 GMT

Norway Campervan Itinerary (11 Days)

Get ready for an epic campervan trip through the fjords of Western Norway. I’ll be breaking down our almost 2 week trip day by day so your family can easily recreate our Norwegian adventure!

Before we jump into the logistics of how we got there, I have to tell you, Norway completely blew us away! The fjords, the mountains, the glacial blue water, and just how family friendly everything felt made this one of our favorite trips we’ve ever taken.

So today I’m going to walk you through it day by day so you can recreate this adventure for your own family. Let’s dive in!

Day 1

We flew Air France premium economy from Detroit to Oslo, Norway. Our flight left at 9PM and we arrived to Oslo the next morning. This worked out perfect because it gave us an entire day to explore Oslo before we started our journey through the fjords.

JET LAG PRO TRIP: Honestly? Mindset is a huge part of it! If you convince yourself before you leave that jetlag will be bad, then it will. We try not to acknowledge it and really focus on being SO excited to be somewhere new and explore.. There is a 6 hour time difference between Michigan and Norway. Tyler and Haddon don't have a problem sleeping on planes, and Emsley and I usually don't sleep at all! So trust me, we are tired. But usually once we get off the plane we get a new burst of energy to explore. That night we go to sleep and usually by the next morning or the morning after we are completely adjusted.

Favorite things we did day 1:

-Eat at Oslo Food Hall. It is indoors but filled with different food trucks vendors. Pretty much any type of food you can think of they have. Its the perfect place to eat if you have a family where everyone likes to eat different food (that's us)!!!!

-Oslo Opera House is absolutely beautiful and you can walk on top of it!!! Fun free activity for kids to get their wiggles out!

-Take a quick metro stop to Frognerparken. This is one Norways largest parks!

Day 2

The hotel that we stayed at for the beginning and end of our Norway trip was The Hub Oslo. This is a Choice Hotel that we booked on points. There was a room that fit 4 and we paid 15,000 points a night. Best part?! Breakfast is free for everyone! Not hotel status needed. And it's AMAZING!! Like seriously, thee largest breakfast spread I've ever seen. We experience something similar to this when we were in Sweden on a different trip. Scandinavians don't mess around with breakfast!

After breakfast we packed up all of our luggage and took a train to the airport so we could pick up our campervan for the next 9 nights. Some of you might be hesitant to do a trip like this. Trust me, I was. I am totally bougie. Give me a luxury hotel and I'm a happy girl. I don't camp...EVER. BUT!!! Norway is a country that is made to be explored slowly, and you will miss so much staying in cities. An alternative option is to rent a car and stay in Airbnbs. We found price wise getting an RV was cheaper! And as you'll see, the camp sites are spectacular!

After we picked up our campervan from Arctic Campers we got groceries and headed out on first adventure. This was a 3 hr drive to Groven Camping.

On the way we found Heddal Stave Church. This is only one of 27 stave churches left in Norway. It's absolutely beautiful and like nothing we have seen here in the states. From there we made it to Groven around dinner time, ate dinner and went to bed.

Day 3

We had our first big day heading closer to the fjords. Norway’s landscape is ever changing. First you have city. Then as we head more west we hit lush green forest. And today we will finally reach the fjords! Our goal today is to reach Kinsarvik Campground in the Hardangerfjord. We only spent one night here but you could easily spend a week exploring.

Along the way to Kinsarvik we hit Mjønøy Bakeri AS. It’s so adorable. Imagine a lush green forest and deep in the woods is a bakery. It’s traditional small Norwegian huts and all the baked goods are made fresh there. You’ll need cash! You can get this from the ATM easily in Oslo. The raspberry cinnamon rolls will change your life! I think we spent $50 on baked goods here!

As you are traveling West to the Hardangerfjord you will come upon Haukelivegen Road on E-134. We stopped along the way and took pictures in the most beautiful field with the mountains as the backdrop. Around this time we also passed an adorable town with all black houses with bright green grass top roofs. I dream of going back here! One nice thing about Norway is there are pulls off everywhere for cars and vans to explore.

You’ll know when you hit Hardangerfjord. It’s absolutely breathtaking. There also are fruit stands all along the fjord you’ll want to stop at. It’s mostly plums and apples. Only one took PayPal so have cash. Prices are similar to USD. I would expect to pay $4–$5 for a small box of plums. You can convert that into NOK to see how much you’d need. At Mjønøy Bakery I think we spent $50. We wanted baked goods for a few days. We took out 100 USD in cash at the ATM in Oslo and that was all we needed for the trip!

Kinsarvik Campground was one of our favorites. The view of the fjord was incredible. Makes me want to tear up thinking about it. This is another reason why campgrounds are so important. For whatever reason in Norway they have the absolute best views. You’re not going to get that from Airbnbs and hotels. I think that might be something very unique to Norway. They really cater to the van life community. There is also a really fun amusement park. I’m not really sure if that’s the word but they have some rides and other children’s activities. It’s called Mikkelparken. We ended up passing on this because I think it was $80–$100 USD for the four of us. So we decided to just relax at the campground for free. Well I shouldn’t say for free. Each campground was about $25–$50 USD a night. So I think total for our trip we spent around $500–$600 to stay at the campgrounds for the 11 days.

Kinsarvik Campground also has a little playground and there is a calisthenics park as well. You’re literally inside the fjord so you’re surrounded on all sides by beautiful mountains and the water. And the crazy thing is the campground is right next to the school. What an amazing place to go to live. I definitely would recommend exploring here for more than a day if you have the time!

Day 4

This is the day we had to say goodbye to Kinsarvik Campground and head toward Gudvangen Campground. This is the part of the trip where every day just keeps getting more and more beautiful and more and more epic. This is really when you are in the heart of the fjords.

On the way to Gudvangen we knew there were a few waterfalls that we wanted to hit!

The best is Skjervsfossen. You can see it from a few different viewpoints but there is one in particular where you can go down to the bottom of the waterfall. The parking lot for this waterfall is extremely small. I would recommend getting here in the morning especially if you have a campervan so that you have a place to park. We ended up having a rainbow that day at the waterfall when we were there so it made for the best pictures!

Next waterfall is Tvindefossen. I’d skip this one. It was crowded and nowhere near as good!

Gudvangen Campground is absolutely adorable. They even have a fun little shop in the reception area. They can make you lattes, alcoholic drinks and they have some handmade items for sale. We met the most kind people when we were here. Thor was our favorite person that we met. He works at the Viking Village down the road and actually lives at the campground! We didn’t end up going to the Viking Village because we were crunched on time and we didn’t want to spend any money on it. I think it was around $80–$100 USD for the four of us to visit. But it’s a complete replica of a Viking village. And the people that work inside it have Vikings as their heritage and love sharing it with the world. It’s definitely worth going if you have time!

There are also lots of hiking trails in this area. We didn’t end up doing any hiking because the kids wanted to play at the playground at Gudvangen. That’s what I love about Norway because you can easily have a kid trip or an adult trip. There is so much to do for all ages!

Day 5

After Gudvangen our goal was to get to Olden, Norway. From here you basically have to go to the top of the mountain and back down to get there.

At the top of the mountain is a really popular viewpoint called Stegastein Viewpoint. This is the first time we encountered the cruise people. I definitely don’t want to sound like I’m complaining about cruise people, it’s a great way to see Norway, but they literally take up an entire town when they dock. The road to get up the mountain to the viewpoint is extremely narrow. We were stuck behind a bike tour that was biking to the viewpoint. It made the traffic so bad and made it take way longer than it needed to. So just keep that in mind if you hit cruise ships this day. Once you get up to Stegastein Viewpoint again there was hardly any parking. This is a common theme. Not sure why because they have so many tourists. But the viewpoint is gorgeous and definitely worth a stop. From there you will finish driving up to the top of the mountain and back down! You’ll want to take this drive slow and stop along the way. There are streams, waterfalls and when you get to the very top you finally get to see the snow that is making all of the beautiful waterfalls! It’s crazy how cold it is at the top of the mountain compared to being at the bottom where the towns are. If you live in a mountain town this isn’t surprising to you at all, but being that we are from Michigan this was really exciting for us!

We are reaching the part of the trip where we decided to stay two nights instead of one, and I literally dream of staying an entire month here again someday. This is where you really start to hit the bright blue glacial water. Our campground happened to be right on the water. It was called Oldevatn Campground. Besides the view this was the campground that had the most amenities. It had an epic playground and free access to kayaks, row boats etc to go out on the water. You also are walking distance to many hikes and also about a 10 minute drive to Briksdalsbreen Glacier.

I don't think I've mentioned this yet, but the campgrounds in Norway are amazing! Extremely clean and well kept. I originally got an RV with a bathroom and shower because I thought it was the only place I would use those things. But we hardly ever used the bathroom in the RV and never used the shower. Even gas stations in Norway have impeccably clean bathrooms. Very different than the US.

When we arrived to the campground it was around dinner time so all the kids wanted to do was play on the trampoline and the playground. The playground also has a small little zip line and our kids went on that for hours. I also wanted to mention that this campground also has freshly baked bread and cinnamon rolls. You put in your order the night before and they have it ready in the morning. The cinnamon rolls are definitely nowhere near the level of Mjønøy, but having freshly baked cinnamon rolls while you sit outside and look at the glacier blue water of the fjord is like nothing else I’ve ever experienced. They also have a really fun outside cooking area with lots of tables, chairs, swing chairs etc. You can buy firewood from them and cook your food in these hanging kettles. If you look at the pictures in my highlights on my Instagram page you’ll be able to see what I’m talking about. We ended up having burgers on the grill that night as we watched the sun go down over the fjord. It’s hands down a core memory for our family and why we chose to stay a second night.

Day 6

Day six we went to Briksdalsbreen Glacier. Walking to the glacier is free but you do have to pay $5 to park (you can pay with a credit card). The hike is kind of long, about an hour and a half each way. If you have kids you can actually pay to have what they call "troll cars" take you up the mountain and back down if you don’t want to walk. I don’t know what the cost is but that definitely would be an option if you are in a time crunch or have mobility issues. The walk is really pretty and at one point I felt like I was living with the trolls in Frozen. It looked exactly like where they lived in the movie. You get to see absolutely amazing waterfalls along the way and at the top is the glacier. The glacier is bright blue just like the water. It was so amazing to see!

I also wanted to mention before I forget that Oldevatn campground also had lots of supplies inside the store. Not every campground has that. They also had handmade items by the owner’s mother. We bought some knit socks here. They also had handmade wool sweaters but not in our sizes. They gave us a tip that the grocery store in town has a café attached to it and the owner’s mom hand knits wool sweaters there. We went that day and she was exactly right! Because it was fall they only had five sweaters left. She spends all winter knitting and then in the spring puts out everything she has and when they are gone they are gone. I happened to find one in my size that I absolutely loved. It’s handmade baby merino wool. In USD it was $160 which I know sounds like a ton of money, but that’s actually a crazy good deal. You are going to see some popular wool sweater brands all through the fjords. Dale is one of them. Most of those are easily $250–$450 and they are made in a factory. So if you go to Olden, Norway I highly recommend stopping at the café next to the grocery store. The café is called Bunnpris.

We also did the hardest hike of our lives this day! The views once you get to the top are absolutely amazing but I definitely don’t think we would ever do this hike again. It’s called Rakssetra. It actually isn’t that long of a hike but it’s incredibly steep. You basically hike straight up for about an hour and a half and you come out to what looks like a beautiful lush green forest with the typical Norwegian huts with the grass on the top. They look more like cabins. We didn’t see anyone there when we went up so I’m not sure if anybody lives in them. But you have a beautiful view of the fjord from here.

We went back to the campground, had dinner, the kids played outside and we just soaked up our last night at Oldevatn. We wish we didn't have to go.

Day 7

We were so incredibly sad to leave this campground so we soaked it up as long as we could. We took the row boat back out on the water. The kids played on the playground and we made our way to Loen Skylift. This is about a 10 minute drive from the campground and we could have done this a different day as well. We knew it was on the way to our next campground so we saved it for the last day. You are probably getting the theme here; there are lots of free activities in Norway, but the ones that do cost money are expensive and add up quick. I think we paid around $100–$120 for the Skylift.

Unfortunately, we ran into the cruisers again. If we could do it again we actually would have tried to stop here on the first day because if you get stuck with a group of cruise ship people it really puts a damper on the experience. This time of year there is really no line unless you happen to be there when the cruise ships are there, so we just had awful luck. We had to wait in line about 30 to 40 minutes. You take a gondola all the way up to the top of the mountain. It’s called a Skylift because it’s a little bit different than what you usually imagine when you think of Switzerland as an example. I think you can fit 40 people in it! The ride up takes about seven minutes. At the top there is a really beautiful restaurant. It has floor to ceiling windows and looks out over the fjord.

The restaurant is called Hoven and if you want to have the front row seats by the windows you’ll need to reserve at least a day in advance. We didn’t super love the food here. It was also kind of expensive. I think our lunch was around $100. You can’t beat the views, so it’s worth going if you don’t plan to ever come back here. There are also tons of hikes that you can do up here as well. You also don’t have to take the Skylift up. You can actually hike all the way to the top. We met a couple that did this and you can take the Skylift down or hike all the way back down. It was kind of cold and rainy this day and the kids were a little grumpy, so we didn’t do any hiking up here. We just let them run around outside for a little bit and we took the Skylift back down. Because all the cruise ship people were up there at the same time as us we had to wait in line about 30 to 40 minutes to go back down the Skylift as well. Like I said, a regular day is never busy like this especially in September.

You can actually pull up cruise schedules for all of these towns. If I was planning my itinerary again I would make sure to really check the cruise schedule before I make any plans!

After the Skylift we headed to a town called Geiranger. We knew this was a very popular town based on YouTube videos that we had seen. The cruise ships dock here as well. And again unfortunately we seemed to follow them. My big issue here is the campground that we stayed at is right on the base of the water. The views are absolutely breathtaking unless the cruise ships are docked there. There were two cruise ships docked our first night there so we couldn’t hardly see the fjord. They left the next morning around 10 AM and that made all the difference!

Day 8

This is definitely the most touristy town that we encountered. All of the shops are really geared toward the cruise ship people. There is one place that I ate that I absolutely loved and was really looking forward to. It’s called FISKAKE. The fish that they use for this is caught right in the fjord that we were staying on. It’s a small little mom and pop shop and I highly recommend it!

Day 9

Once the cruise ship people left the town was extremely quiet.

It’s really fun because the campground has this wooden sign that shows you all the hikes you can get to from the campground and how long they are. So we did a shorter one with the kids. There are beautiful waterfalls all over Norway and the one right next to the campground is gorgeous! To get to the top there are tons of steps to get there. We definitely had some whining along the way even from myself! But once you get to the top there is also a really fun playground as well.

You might also notice as a theme for our trips that I always focus on countries that really put an emphasis on children. This was the same with Denmark and Sweden. You can travel anywhere around the world with your kids, but if you really want them to enjoy their time it’s important to find countries to visit that have things your kids will enjoy. My kids are 7 and 9 and it won’t be much longer that they will love playgrounds. So I really try to choose countries that have epic playgrounds. It’s a great way to build memories that your kids will never forget. With points and miles you can always come back when they are older and do the harder hikes!

We left Geiranger and headed towards Trollstigen. This is a really famous drive that is incredibly tight and windy. It’s also really interesting because when you get to this part of Norway the landscape changes as well. I’m trying to think of a way to describe it, but it changes from lush greenery to almost feeling kind of like the Dolomite Mountains. The mountains become more sharp looking and dull gray color. There is still some green but it’s completely different here!

I’m going to be completely honest with you that we were really exhausted by this day. Most days we are driving at least two hours, and every day has an activity. So we were feeling very tired. I think this just goes to show you that you could literally stay for months in Norway and still not see it all. There are some really amazing hikes up here but we honestly didn’t do anything.

We stayed at Trollstigen Campground. This was probably our least favorite campground. The playground was fun, but Trollstigen is really known for hiking and there really wasn't much else to do. The terrain is also more rugged, so we were really missing our glacial blue water views from the day before.

I definitely think if we had a few more days we would have really loved exploring this part of Norway! If I could go back and do things again I think I would stop at Olden and really explore there more, or take a few more days up near Trollstigen and really see what this area has to offer.

Day 10

This was our extremely long drive back to civilization! We had four hours of driving this day. We also shed some tears having to leave the fjords. Thankfully our last campground was one of the best yet so it was a great way to end the trip.

Sveastranda Campground was our last campground and it was huge! There was hardly anybody there because once you hit September it’s technically the off season. This campground is right on the water as well. This had the best playground yet! It had amazing free bathrooms and showers and the kitchen was huge as well! We usually only use the kitchens to do our dishes, but you could definitely cook a huge meal in here! The camp store here is also really nice and they have a pizza restaurant as well. We had lots of groceries that we needed to use up so we just ate dinner in the RV.

Day 11

We got up early this day and cleaned the entire campervan so that way we were ready to drop it back off at Arctic Campers. From this campground the drive was about an hour back. I highly highly recommend Arctic Campers. They were incredibly kind and helpful. I forgot to mention at the beginning that they have a little area on the inside where you check in for your camper where they keep all of the extra supplies. Everything is free and I highly recommend grabbing as many things as you can. Things like a rubber mat for your shoes, olive oil, sugar, salt etc. Groceries in Norway are expensive and anywhere you can save is a great idea. We also grabbed toilet paper and paper towel from there as well. We had to buy more paper towel along the way, so we left all of our extra supplies there for the next campers!

*When we got back to Oslo we had one more stop to Haralds Vaffel. This is a viral waffle shop in Oslo. The waffles are really good and I highly recommend trying it!!!!*

Unfortunately flights to the United States usually leave in the morning. So we took the train back into Oslo again and stayed at the same hotel we stayed in at the beginning. If I could do it again I would find a hotel right next to the airport instead of going back into the city. We were so exhausted and it just takes up so much time.

I also wanted to share where I made a crucial mistake. I’ve never thought about this before, but if you go to Norway this is definitely something you’ll want to check into. What time the trains run. I wrongfully assumed that the trains in Oslo run 24 hours a day. Our flight was around 6 AM. The train in Oslo doesn’t start until 5 AM. We didn’t realize that until we got all the way back into Oslo, so we had to scramble to figure out what to do. They don’t really have Uber in Oslo. They have a different company called Bolt. We couldn’t find any drivers to take us. The train that you take from the airport to the city center is a high speed train. It’s much faster than regular trains. So the drive is actually closer to over an hour. Unfortunately we had to pay $180 for a taxi to take us to the airport so that was a big bummer! Again, that’s why if I could do it again I would stay right at the airport.

We flew Air France economy home with a one night layover in France to do Disney. But that’s a story for another day!

Final Thoughts

Overall, Norway was hands down our favorite country we have visited yet (Denmark is a close 2nd)! We also fell in love with campervan trips. There were times where it was hard and we were frustrated with each other living in such small quarters. But the memories that we made I’ll never forget. We also loved our RV trip so much that we plan to take one every year!

If you really enjoyed hearing about this trip make sure to stay tuned for later in 2026. We have an RV trip coming up at the end of September where we are starting and ending in Munich, Germany and doing a big loop through Germany, Austria, Italy and Slovenia. We will be visiting the Bavarian Alps and the Dolomite Mountains!

I’d love to hear from you! Message me and let me know where you think we should do a campervan trip in 2027!

The Ultimate Family-Friendly Denmark Itinerary (6 Days, No Car Required)

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 13:09:52 GMT

Family Friendly Denmark Itinerary

This Denmark itinerary is perfect for families who want LEGO magic, walkable cities, and easy public transportation, without renting a car. Denmark is incredibly kid friendly, safe, and simple to navigate, even with kids in tow!

Getting There

Families can fly directly into Billund, home of LEGO, or connect through Europe.

On our trip:

• Outbound: KLM via Amsterdam into Billund

• Return: Direct Copenhagen to Chicago on SAS

Both flights were booked entirely on points, making this an amazing option for families wanting to stretch their travel budget.

Day 1: Arrive in Billund + LEGO House

Fly into Billund and head straight to LEGO House. There are taxis waiting at the airport to take you to Lego House. Pretty much every person that flies into Billund is there for Lego so there are always taxis waiting. I think the ride was 10-15 mins and we paid $20.

This experience is just as fun for adults as it is for kids and is so creative and unique.

You will get a wrist band to wear and all the activities you do at Lego will be saved on it so you can access them later. Each person also gets their own custom bag of 6 Lego pieces. You will also get a card with your unique configuration for those 6 Legos. We brought these home and used them as a Christmas ornament!

You literally can spend all day here! I highly recommend staying open to close.

For lunch make sure to eat at Mini Chef!!! It's such a cool experience! You actually place your order by using Lego bricks!! Each color has its own food. You "build" it on a small Lego sheet and then insert it into the computer on your table. The Lego's mini figures then "make" your meal and it's delivered out to you by robots! The computer at your table lets you know when the order is done and you go grab it from the robots. The whole experience was SO FUN! I have videos in my "Denmark" highlight on my Instagram page!

PRO TIP: You need to book this experience in advance! As soon as we knew our dates for Lego I booked the restaurant. It's a little on the high side for lunch, I think we paid over $100 total. But you can have as many extras of the sides that you want. They didn't tell us this until after we ate. So we actually ordered all our sides again, ate some more, and took the leftovers in our backpacks! In the end the cost was totally worth it and if we went back to Lego House again we would gladly eat here again.

Day 2: LEGOLAND or Lalandia + Travel to Copenhagen

Spend the morning at either LEGOLAND or Lalandia Water Park, depending on your family’s vibe. We flew into Billund and left the same day. It was a LONG day. I don't recommend doing it that way. I added in staying a night in Billund so you can have a little bit of a rest before you start your long travel day to Copenhagen. We didn't get to do Legoland or Lalandia when we were there but both look amazing!!!

In the afternoon, begin your journey to Copenhagen:

• Take a bus located right near LEGO House (about 30 minutes) You'll need cash!

• Transfer to a train for the three hour ride into Copenhagen

• From there, take a short local train or metro to your hotel stop

Day 3: Copenhagen – Easy Exploring + Playgrounds Everywhere

Copenhagen is one of the most family friendly cities we’ve ever visited. There are playgrounds everywhere, even right in the city center, making it easy for kids to burn off energy while you explore.

Spend the day wandering Nyhavn, strolling along the canals, stopping at playgrounds, and enjoying the relaxed pace of the city.

There are amazing restaurants, bakeries, and coffee shops on every corner.

Day 4: Tivoli Gardens + Classic Copenhagen

Spend the morning at Christiansborg Palace and walk along Strøget, Copenhagen’s main pedestrian only shopping street. You also can visit the marble church as well! Copenhagen is so walkable so it's easy to get to all the touristy sites without having to navigate trains or pay extra for taxi's.

I would grab lunch somewhere and then head to Tivoli Gardens. Tivoli is one of the oldest amusement parks in world. Walt Disney actually got his idea for Disney from Tivoli. Tivoli is amazing because it has the vibe of Disney but on a way smaller scale. I think the most we ever waited in line was 20 mins. It's set up similar to Disney, and there are food and drink options everywhere! Our favorite ride is Rutschebanen, which is a wooden roller coaster that is actually operated by a person! They control the speed of the ride and when it stops. This is one of the oldest rollercoasters in the world. We rode this multiple times. Our kids loved it!!

They don't have fireworks like Disney, but everything does light up at night. It feels very magical when that happens. For dinner we ate at Tivoli's food hall. This is essentially a big building with food trucks all inside. This is a great option if you have family members that all want different food. There is everything from burgers and chicken strips, to Indian and Mexican food.

Day 5: Day Trip to Roskilde (Vikings + Cathedral)

Roskilde is an easy and worthwhile day trip, just a 30-minute direct train ride from Copenhagen.

Start at the Viking Ship Museum. Make sure you attend the English-speaking walking tour, which runs daily (usually twice per day). The tour is free, led by an archaeologist, and completely transforms the experience. Having someone explain the history and purpose of the ships makes it far better than walking through on your own.

Plan to eat lunch at the museum café. The food is phenomenal, and the stew is still something I dream about. Highly recommend eating here before heading on.

After lunch, walk to Roskilde Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the burial place of Danish kings and queens. It’s an easy and meaningful stop that pairs perfectly with the museum.

Day 6: Final Copenhagen Morning + Fly Home

Enjoy one last slow morning in Copenhagen; breakfast, a playground stop, or do some shopping. The women's clothing stores looked amazing, but very expensive. If I could do this part of the trip different I would maybe do a walking tour in Copenhagen or a food tour. There is SO much to see in Copenhagen and really one full day isn't enough. When our family doesn't have planned activities we tend to "wander" and lose a few hours just trying to figure out what to do. I think adding in a planned activity either on this last day (or the first day in Copenhagen) will make your family really feel like they got the most out of the trip.

Flights back to the US don't usually leave until late afternoon or night so it does really give you another full day to explore. Just keep in mind you will have your luggage with you. If your hotel can hold it for you, I would definitely go that route!!

We took a direct SAS flight from Copenhagen to Chicago makes getting home especially easy for families.

Where We Stayed (On Points)

We stayed at Hotel SKT. Annæ, located right near Nyhavn.

This hotel is a Mr & Mrs Smith property that can be booked with Hyatt points. The penthouse suite fits four people comfortably and is in a perfect, walkable location for families.

Our total out of pocket for this entire trip was $3,720. Denmark was actually only a portion of our trip. We also visited The Netherlands and Sweden as well. So under 4 grand for an almost 2 week Euro adventure is such a good value. I think there is SO much to see in each country and if I could do it again I would keep each country as a separate trip. I am in the process on getting a Netherlands and Sweden itinerary up as well! If you just did Denmark this trip would be so much less than $3,700. If you are new to points and miles and are wondering how you can get family vacations for less send me a DM on Instagram or check out my beginners guide.

I'd love to hear what day of this itinerary sounds most exciting to you and what you'd love to see on your first trip to Denmark!

8 day Costa Rica Itinerary

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 02:58:21 GMT

Today I want to share with you not only our itinerary but also how much we spent with a complete breakdown. Spoiler alert: We only spent $2,300 TOTAL! That includes flights, hotels, rental car, food, excursions etc. International travel doesn't have a break the bank. You have to know how to budget and be strategic with your points. Lets dive in!

Costa Rica with Kids: Our Exact Itinerary (Plus the Real Cost at the End)

If you’re planning a family trip to Costa Rica, here’s exactly how we did it day by day — where we stayed, what we loved, what we’d skip next time, and how it all flowed.

Stay to the end for the full cost breakdown and how you can do this with points and miles too.

Our Costa Rica Itinerary (Day by Day)

Day 1 – Travel Day

We flew to Charlotte and grabbed dinner with a friend. Nothing fancy — just an easy, calm travel night to start the trip.

Day 2 – Arrival + Beach Time

Early morning flight
Priority Pass lounge breakfast (huge win with kids)
Landed in Costa Rica around 12:20 PM

Picked up our rental car and drove 35 minutes to Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo.

The rest of the day was intentionally slow:

Pool
Beach
Resort food
Zero plans

Exactly what we needed after travel.

Day 3-5 – Andaz Resort Days

This part of the trip was pure rest.

What we did:

Swimming
Beach time
Kids Club (free, with optional paid activities)
Eating on-site
Letting the kids just be kids

Breakfast was included, and it was phenomenal!! HUGE buffet style with the freshest fruit and fresh made juices!

Hands down one of the most amazing things about the Andaz was all the monkeys, and really just the wildlife in general. There were so many monkeys all over the resort! The kids loved seeing them up close and personal-except for when one of them stole some food off our plate! We saw two different kinds of monkeys, iguanas, lizards, and even an armadillo!

No excursions. No rushing. This was about slowing down before heading inland.

Must-Do at Andaz: Papagayo Park

I highly recommend checking out Papagayo Park ( LINK ).
This is completely free for guests staying inside Peninsula Papagayo.

They have:

A waterpark
Outdoor exercise area
Bike track
Restaurant & ice cream
So much space for kids to run

We didn’t go until our last day and I truly wish we had gone sooner — we would’ve spent every day there.

Hack: At Papagayo Park they have more grab-and-go type foods, perfect if you want to save some money!

Food Tip

Make dinner reservations in advance.
I didn’t love the food at Andaz, but that’s okay because you get free shuttles to nearby resort restaurants.

Highly recommend:

Prieta Beach Club
Mirador Beach Club at the Four Seasons

Day 5 – Drive to La Fortuna

We checked out and drove about 3 hours to our Airbnb near La Fortuna.

Stopped for lunch
Grabbed groceries
Settled in

Airbnb thoughts:

I recommend this Airbnb ( LINK ) for location, but it is more rustic. We absolutely loved the outside area-plenty of seating, hammock, and a small pool for the kids!

If I did this trip again, I’d go to La Fortuna FIRST.

It’s hard to move from a 5-star luxury resort to a glamping-style stay.

Notes if you stay here:

5-minute drive to town (not walkable)
Keep all food in the fridge (even packaged — ants are real)
No hot water at the sink, but hot showers were great
Once we stored food properly, no issues at all

Day 6 – La Fortuna + Jungle Night Tour

Very low-key day — and it POURED almost the entire time.

We spent:

A lot of time inside watching movies and playing games
Some time exploring downtown

Many shops were touristy, but we loved a store called Wandering

Dinner: Soda Shop

We ate at a Soda shop, which is basically a small, family-run local restaurant.

They may not pass a U.S. health inspection… but honestly, that’s part of the charm ��

The food is local, authentic, and SO good.

�� Soda El Turnito

Try the fresh strawberry watermelon juice — unreal.

Night Jungle Tour

We used La Fortuna Explorers.
Daniel owns the company and took us himself — just our family.

Such a fun experience and one of our favorite memories. We saw lots and lots of different frogs-even a poison dart frog!! We saw some Pit Vipers and lots of cool bugs!

Day 7 – Mistico Hanging Bridges

More rain. So much rain.

We had a 6:30 AM entry (everyone says you’ll see tons of wildlife).
That may be true… if it’s not pouring.

We saw:

One toucan (thanks to another tour group)
Several kinds of birds
And a family of Collared Peccary (kind looks like a small boar)

Otherwise?

Soaked
Slippery

My honest take:
At $108 for a family of four, this felt overpriced for us.
If the weather was better, I might feel differently. But all in all the hanging bridges were beautiful, and being rain soaked added all the more to make this memory extra memorable!

Day 8 – Tabacon Hot Springs

We checked out of the Airbnb and drove 12 minutes to Tabacon Thermal Springs for one night.

One night was perfect — especially with the higher Hilton points cost now.

Why we chose Tabacon:

Spa vibe
Naturally geothermal heated (not electric like many others)

Things to know:

More geared toward couples
Pools are VERY rocky (bring water shoes!)
Springs weren’t as hot as we expected
Hottest pools are adults-only (“Shangri-La”)

The resort provides robes, and you take a quick shuttle to the springs (never waited more than a minute).

We went:

During the day
Back to the room to change
Then again at night

Seeing the springs lit up after dark was magical.

Travel Home

We drove 2.5 hours back to the rental car return and flew home that afternoon.

VERDICT: How I’d Do This Trip Again

Option 1

Just do Andaz Papagayo for a long weekend.

No rental car needed
Private transfer instead
Stay entirely in the Peninsula

Option 2

If La Fortuna is a must — do it FIRST.

More adventurous & rustic
End the trip relaxing
Shorter drive to the airport on departure day

The Big Picture Cost Breakdown

Total Out-of-Pocket : $2,300

Flights – $0

We used airline vouchers from a delayed Cayman Islands trip in 2025.

Flying the next day earned us $600 per person, which covered our Costa Rica flights.

Lodging

Andaz Papagayo: 35,000 points/night — $0 out of pocket
La Fortuna Airbnb: $511
$300 Airbnb credit
$211 counted toward total
Tabacon Thermal Springs:
105,000 Hilton points/night (as of Jan 2026)
Best booked via Amex → Hilton (1:2 transfer)
Kids 7 & under are free
Only out-of-pocket: $35 for Emsley

Transportation

Rental car: $415 (7 days, Adobe — local company)
Gas: Budgeted $100, spent ~$50 (used rest for souvenirs)

Food

Andaz food: $600
Airbnb groceries: $260

Activities

Night Jungle Tour: $190
Mistico Hanging Bridges: $108

Extras

Coffee, souvenirs, treats, snacks: $250

If you have any questions at all, please message me — I’m always happy to help.

I hope your family gets to experience Costa Rica very soon ��

Southwest Consumer and Business Credit Card Comparison (2025)

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 01:45:17 GMT

Southwest Credit Card Comparison: What You Get with Each Tier

With Southwest’s move toward assigned seating and upgraded boarding, the benefits of holding a Rapid Rewards credit card just became a lot more valuable. Here's a breakdown of what each consumer and business card offers—including how early you can pick your seat and which perks come with each card tier.

Consumer Credit Cards

1. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

Old Annual Fee: $69
New Annual Fee: $99
Seat Selection Timing: You can choose a standard seat starting within 48 hours before departure .
Extra Legroom Seats: Not included.
Ideal For: Occasional flyers looking to earn points without premium fees. Still helpful, but lacks early seat access.

2. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

Old Annual Fee: $99
New Annual Fee: $149
Seat Selection Timing: Also allows seat selection within 48 hours before departure , but now you can choose from preferred or standard seats .
Extra Legroom Seats: Not included.
Ideal For: More frequent travelers who want access to better seat zones without paying for top-tier perks.

3. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

Old Annual Fee: $149
New Annual Fee: $229
Seat Selection Timing: You can select a preferred or standard seat at the time of booking , which is a major upgrade.
Extra Legroom Seats: Yes , you’ll be able to upgrade to these seats within 48 hours of departure if available —at no extra charge.
Ideal For: Frequent Southwest flyers who want maximum control over their seats and travel experience.

Business Credit Cards

1. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Business Credit Card

Annual Fee: $99 (unchanged)
Seat Selection Timing: Like the consumer Plus card, it offers access to standard seats within 48 hours before departure .
Extra Legroom Seats: Not included.
Ideal For: Small business owners or side hustlers looking for basic travel rewards without a high fee.

2. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card

Old Annual Fee: $99
New Annual Fee: $149
Seat Selection Timing: You can choose a preferred or standard seat within 48 hours before departure .
Extra Legroom Seats: Not included.
Ideal For: Business owners who want mid-level perks and status progress without breaking the bank.

3. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card

Old Annual Fee: $199
New Annual Fee: $299
Seat Selection Timing: This premium card gives you access to preferred or standard seating at the time of booking .
Extra Legroom Seats: Yes , eligible to upgrade to extra legroom within 48 hours at no cost, if seats are available.
Ideal For: High-volume business travelers who value early seat choice, priority boarding, and added flexibility.

What Does This Mean for You?

If you're planning to fly Southwest after assigned seating begins in early 2026 , the card you choose will directly impact how comfortable your flight is —not just how many points you earn. Here’s the bottom line:

Want to pick your seat at booking? Go with the Priority (consumer) or Performance Business card.
Okay waiting until 48 hours before the flight? Then Plus or Premier may still offer solid value.
Need extra legroom without paying more? Only the Priority and Performance Business cards unlock that privilege.

The annual fees have gone up—but for travelers who value flexibility, seat control, and less stress at boarding, the extra cost might be worth it.

Southwest Companion Pass Guide

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 13:26:46 GMT

Southwest Companion Pass Guide for Families

How to Fly 2-for-1 All Year Using Points & Miles!

Dreaming of family getaways without draining your bank account? What if I told you there’s a magical little travel hack that lets one person fly FREE with you every time you fly, even when you use points?!

Yup, it’s called the Southwest Companion Pass and it’s basically the holy grail of family travel savings!!!

What Is the Southwest Companion Pass?

The Southwest Companion Pass lets one person (your companion—usually your spouse or kiddo!) fly FREE with you on any Southwest flight, whether you pay with cash or points.

That means every single flight = 2-for-1 ✌️
You just pay taxes & fees (usually around $5.60 one way).

Why It’s PERFECT for Families

✅ Works with points (hello, almost-free travel!)
✅ No blackout dates
✅ You can change your companion up to 3 times per calendar year (girls trip or one-on-one travel with your kids!) PRO TIP: The first time you designate a companion counts as change 1 (weird I know). So technically you can only change your companion twice. So if you do want to bounce around between people make sure you are strategic with when you do it so you don't end up getting stuck with a friend for a girls trip being your only companion for the rest of your flights/trips for the year. I plan to have my spouse as my companion since he will usually be on all our trips and maybe we will take a few one on one trips. You'll have to figure out what works best for your family.
✅ Works even on last-minute bookings
✅ Covers domestic AND international Southwest routes (Mexico, Caribbean, etc.)
✅ Valid for up to two years depending on when you earn it

How Do You Earn the Companion Pass?

You need to earn 135,000 qualifying Southwest points in a calendar year. But here’s the secret sauce: Most families earn this by getting TWO Southwest credit cards with welcome bonuses.

For example:

One personal Southwest card ��
One business Southwest card (yes, even your side hustle counts as a business!)

If each card gives you 75,000 points after meeting the minimum spend, BOOM you’re there.

Timing Tip (HUGE!)

Earn your Companion Pass in January or February and it’s valid for the rest of that year AND all of the next year!
So if you earn it in Jan 2026, it’s good through Dec 2027. That’s nearly two full years of BOGO flights!

PRO TIP: Be very very careful WHEN you get your cards. Southwest puts out really good welcome offers each fall. People get SO excited and apply too early. As I write this Southwest released an elevated welcome offer on the personal cards. It's July 25. You have 5 months to earn the welcome offer. If you apply for the card now you have until Dec 25 aka you will earn your 100k in points THIS year. You don't want to earn the 100k in points until NEXT year.

Also make sure to CHECK YOUR TRACKER! You can find this in your Chase app under the card you are working on for your welcome offer. The second most common mistake people make is accidentally meeting the welcome offer too soon. If you have to spend 4k in 5 months and you want to meet the welcome offer in January of the following year (you apply for the card in the fall) you want to make sure to SAVE at least $500 for January in spend. You don't want to cut it too close and you forget and use the card, an automatic payment comes out, of your hubby buys something at the store and forgot he couldn't use the card. All of these have happened to me. Thankfully I didn't go over. Last year I think I had $100 left in December because of automatic payments coming out. You never want to cut it that close!

Which Cards Should I Get?

These change often, but here are your basics:

Personal Cards: Southwest Plus, Premier, or Priority
Business Card: Southwest Performance Business

Since this guide is a broad overview I’ll always have the latest offers saved—just DM me on Instagram and I’ll send you links and help you figure out the best combo!

I also have an IN DEPTH post about the latest changes to Southwest (including the increase in annual fees and changes to benefits). Click HERE and that will send you to the blog post so you can read more about that!

Real Life Example

Let’s say you earn the pass in February. You and your husband/kid/bestie can now fly 2-for-1 to:

Florida for spring break
Colorado for summer hikes
Grandma’s for the holidays

ALL using points—and only paying $11.20 round-trip in taxes. Total per person!

Final Thoughts

If you're a mom who loves saving money, making memories, and showing your kids the world, this is for you!

Hotel Room Upgrade Template

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 20:43:47 GMT

Think fancy hotel rooms are out of your budget?! Think again!

When we first started using points and miles I thought I'd only be able to get basic rooms. The crazy part is, I always book the basic room and SO many times I get upgraded (for FREE) with this template. You can use this for cash stays too!

PRO TIP: Email 7 to 10 days before your trip. Try to find the email of the GM if you can. Otherwise, emailing the regular reservations email is great too. Occasionally I will come across a hotel that doesn't have an email listed. I do something very millennial of me...call the hotel! hah! I ask the front desk for the email of the general manager. If they do ask why I let them know I have a question about my upcoming stay that I'd like to chat with them about. I've never had a time where someone wouldn't give me the email. I know it feels weird to call, but trust me, it's not weird at all.

This template is made to be customized. This is just a basic format to get your creativity juices flowing. I always make sure to research the hotel before visiting and highlight something particular about that property that I'm most excited to experience myself or have heard wonderful reviews of from other people. Take Hotel Indigo in Traverse City as an example. I mentioned that what I loved most about the hotel was that it was on Traverse Bay and had beautiful views of the water. Not all rooms have water views, so I made sure to highlight that in my email. We were upgraded to a king view suite with views of the bay!

Outside of a larger room we've also gotten treats and heartwarming notes as well.

I hope this template helps you and your family get a killer upgrade for your next hotel stay! If you do use the template and get an upgrade would you mind sending me a DM on Instagram and let me know?! I'd love to be able to share your success story!

Happy Travels!

UPGRADE TEMPLATE

Subject: Upcoming Stay – Special Occasion + Upgrade Request

Dear [Hotel Name] Team,

I hope this message finds you well!

My name is [Your Full Name], and I have an upcoming reservation at your hotel [reservation number] from [Check-in Date] to [Check-out Date]. I just wanted to say how thrilled I am to stay at [Hotel Name]—I’ve heard such wonderful things about your service and the beautiful property, and I can’t wait to experience it myself!

This trip is extra special because [briefly mention the occasion—e.g., we’re celebrating our anniversary, it’s a family getaway we’ve been dreaming of, it’s my birthday trip, etc.]. We’ve been looking forward to this for quite some time, and your hotel was our top choice.

If there’s any chance for a complimentary upgrade or a room with a view, we’d be so grateful. We completely understand if it’s not possible, but thought we’d ask just in case!

Thank you for your time, and regardless of the upgrade, we’re really looking forward to our stay with you.

Warm regards,

[Your Full Name]

Treat from our stay at Kimpton Seafire in Grand Cayman

3 Day Upper Peninsula Michigan Itinerary

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 02:44:44 GMT

3 Days of Magic in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula: Pictured Rocks, Narnia Trail, and the Big Spring

If you’re looking for a Michigan road trip that feels straight out of a fantasy novel, this 3-day Upper Peninsula itinerary delivers. Between cliffside hikes, mossy forest trails, and a glassy spring that seems almost unreal, you'll find yourself wondering if you've stepped into another world. Whether you’re planning your first U.P. adventure or returning for another taste of its wild beauty, this itinerary blends iconic stops with lesser-known gems—and leaves room for spontaneous detours along the way.

�� Day 1 – Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore: Painted Cliffs and Sunset Shores

Base: Munising, MI

The trip begins with one of Michigan’s most iconic natural wonders: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Towering sandstone cliffs painted in streaks of red, yellow, and green rise above the turquoise waters of Lake Superior—it’s jaw-dropping in every season.

Morning/Afternoon Activities:

Hike to Miners Castle or Chapel Rock for sweeping cliffside views. These trails offer relatively easy access with major payoff. If you’re short on time, Miners Castle is the most accessible. For a deeper adventure, Chapel Rock is a must—its isolated tree-topped rock formation is one of the U.P.’s signature sights.
Don’t skip Sable Falls. Just a short walk from the parking lot, this gorgeous waterfall is tucked into a forested ravine and leads down to a beautiful stretch of beach on Lake Superior.

Afternoon/Evening:

Boat or Kayak Tour: For the best view of the painted cliffs, you’ll want to get on the water. Book a Pictured Rocks boat cruise or a guided kayak tour —especially in the late afternoon when the sunlight brings out the colors in the rock face. The experience is unforgettable.
Dinner in Munising: Head back into town for dinner. You have to try a pasty from Muldoon’s —a flaky meat- or veggie-filled pastry brought over by Cornish miners and now a U.P. staple. It’s comfort food done right.
Sunset at Miners Beach: Cap off the day by watching the sun dip below the horizon at Miners Beach. The golden light on the waves, backed by forest and cliffs, is as peaceful as it gets.

�� Day 2 – Narnia Trail (Bush Bay Trail): A Hidden Gem in Cedarville

Base: Cedarville or Monistic

Today, trade dramatic cliffs for a slower, more magical kind of beauty. The Bush Bay Trail , nicknamed the “Narnia Trail” by those who’ve walked it, is tucked along M-134 near Cedarville.

Morning:

Drive to the Bush Bay Trailhead , located east of Cedarville. PRO TIP: There are no signs for the Bush Bay Trail. The best way to fine this trail is Google! Google "Bush Bay Trail" and then click on the map that shows up with the location. This will take you exactly where you need to go! The moment you step into the trail, it feels like something out of a fairytale. Twisted cedar trees, mossy rocks, and lichen-draped branches line your path.
Look for the Lamppost: About a mile in, you’ll spot a lone lamppost standing mysteriously in the woods—cue all the Narnia vibes. Nearby is a boulder field covered in moss that looks more like something from Iceland than Michigan.

Trail Details:

This is an easy 4-mile roundtrip hike with very little elevation gain, but the trail can get muddy, so bring sturdy shoes. It’s ideal for families, photographers, and anyone who loves the quiet enchantment of the forest.

Afternoon:

After your hike, grab coffee or a meal in Cedarville or head toward Manistique if you want to be closer to the next day’s destination. The drive is scenic and peaceful, offering glimpses of the Lake Huron shoreline.

�� Day 3 – The Big Spring: Lake Kitch-iti-kipi’s

Base: Manistique, MI

Your final day begins at one of the U.P.’s most serene and otherworldly locations: Lake Kitch-iti-kipi , also known as The Big Spring. It’s a place that feels almost too magical to be real.

Morning:

Arrive early to avoid the crowds and enjoy the spring’s quiet beauty. The park opens at sunrise, and early visitors often get the peaceful, glassy reflections all to themselves.
Ride the self-operated raft across the spring. The water is so clear and teal-blue that it almost looks fake. Peer down into the 40-foot-deep pool and you’ll see trout swimming among the bubbling sands of the spring floor.
Take your time. The ride is slow and peaceful—no motors, just the sound of water, wind in the trees, and the occasional “wow” from fellow passengers.

Late Morning:

Grab breakfast or lunch at Three Seasons Café in nearby Manistique before heading home. If you’re not ready for the trip to end, you can add a quick detour to Tahquamenon Falls —Michigan’s second-largest waterfall and another highlight of the U.P.

✨Final Thoughts: Pure Michigan Magic

In just three days, you’ll have experienced Michigan’s Upper Peninsula at its finest—from towering cliffs and turquoise waters to enchanted forests and sacred springs. This trip is proof that you don’t have to travel far to feel like you’re in another world.

Whether you’re exploring solo, with your partner, or adventuring with kids, the U.P. has a way of capturing hearts and slowing time. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself planning your return before the trip is even over.

5 MUST HAVE Travel Apps (I Can't Live Without!!!)

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 02:01:17 GMT

Traveling is all about adventure, but having the right tools makes it even better. Whether you're optimizing credit card rewards, tracking flights, or scoring deals, these five travel apps are absolute game-changers. If you’re serious about maximizing travel savings and convenience, these are the apps you need!

Rakuten – Earn Cash Back on Travel & Everyday Purchases

Why pay full price when you can get cash back on travel bookings, hotels, and everyday purchases? Rakuten partners with thousands of retailers (including travel sites like Expedia and Priceline) to give you cash back just for booking through their app. It’s like getting paid to travel!

�� Why I love it: The cash-back rewards add up quickly, and I use them to offset travel costs.

GET RAKUTEN NOW!

Travel Freely – The Best App for Maximizing Credit Card Rewards

If you love using credit card points and miles to travel for less, Travel Freely is a must-have. It helps you keep track of your credit cards, sign-up bonuses, and spending requirements, ensuring you never miss a free travel opportunity. It even gives personalized recommendations to help you optimize your rewards strategy.

�� Why I love it: It takes all the guesswork out of managing points and miles, so I can travel for free more often.

GET TRAVEL FREELY NOW!

Flighty – The Ultimate Flight Tracking App

Delays, cancellations, and gate changes can turn a travel day into a headache, but Flighty keeps you ahead of the game. This powerful app provides real-time flight tracking, predicts delays before airlines announce them, and even shows historical on-time performance for your flights. It’s like having an insider travel assistant in your pocket.

�� Why I love it: It alerts me to delays before airlines do, giving me a head start on rebooking or making backup plans.

GET FLIGHTY NOW!

Fudget – Real-Time Travel Budgeting Made Easy

Keeping track of expenses while traveling can be a challenge, but Fudget makes budgeting simple. It helps you set daily spending goals, track expenses in real-time, and stay within budget. Whether you're on a tight budget or just want to manage costs efficiently, Fudget keeps your finances in check.

�� Why I love it: It helps me avoid overspending so I can make my travel funds last longer.

GET FUDGET NOW!

Daily Drop Pro – Travel Deals & Hacks at Your Fingertips

Want to save big on travel but don’t have time to search for deals? Daily Drop Pro sends exclusive flight deals, mistake fares, and insider travel hacks straight to your phone. Whether it’s discounted business class tickets or hidden hotel deals, this app finds the best savings for you.

�� Why I love it: It makes it easy to jump on limited-time deals without spending hours searching.

GET DAILY DROP PRO NOW!

Final Thoughts

These five apps have completely changed the way I travel. From maximizing rewards to scoring deals and staying organized, they make every trip smoother, cheaper, and more enjoyable.

�� Which travel app do you swear by? Drop your favorites in the comments!

How To Book Choice Hotels on Points

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 04:28:37 GMT

How-To Guide: Points Bookings with Choice Hotels

Are you dreaming of international travel but struggling to find hotels that can actually fit your whole family in one room?

Here’s the solution: Choice Hotels! They’ve revamped their booking system, and now you can plan nearly a year in advance—50 weeks instead of just 100 days!

The best part? Many Choice Hotels offer rooms for four people, making it easier (and cheaper!) to travel as a family (children ages 9 and under are free. Make sure to check with Choice for older children before booking).

Want all the details on how to maximize Choice Points, plus a sneak peek at where we're staying in Norway this August? Read below!

WHO IS CHOICE HOTELS?

With over 7,000 hotels across 25+ countries, Choice Hotels offers an incredible range of lodging options through its 12 unique brands:

Sleep Inn

Quality Inn

MainStay Suites

Comfort Inn

Country Inn & Suites

Park Plaza

Park Inn by Radisson

Ascend

Cambria Hotels

Clarion Pointe

Clarion

EconoLodge

Everhome Suites

While Choice Hotels might not have the same name recognition as Marriott or Hilton, don’t sleep on these gems! Brands like Ascend, Cambria, and Clarion offer luxurious experiences that rival their larger competitors.

TRANSFERABLE PARTNERS WITH CHOICE

There are four key points transfer partners for Choice Hotels:

American Express – 1:1 ratio

Capital One – 1:1 ratio

Citi ThankYou Points – 1:2 or 1:5 ratio, depending on the card

Wells Fargo – 1:2 ratio

Pro Tip: Sign up for one of these cards when there’s an elevated welcome offer, earn the bonus, and voilà—you’ll have points ready to transfer to Choice!

HOW TO TRANSFER POINTS

Transferring points to Choice Hotels is simple. Below is how we transferred using Amex Membership Rewards.

*Always check award availability before transferring points! For example, I researched the hotel in Norway we wanted to stay at, confirmed it could fit four people, and checked the availability for our dates. Once you transfer points, you cannot reverse them, so plan ahead!

Steps to Transfer:

Important : The names on both accounts must match, and you’ll need your Choice Hotels membership number. Transfers are often instant but can take up to 48 hours. Be patient—my first transfer took a few hours, while the second was instant.

BOOKING A CHOICE HOTEL

AFTER YOU BOOK

I recommend keeping a record of your reward bookings. A simple Google Sheet works great to track:

-Location

-Dates

-Points used

-Cash price equivalent

For our trip, we booked Clarion Hotel The Hub in Oslo, Norway, for both the start and end of our trip. This hotel allows families of four (children 9 and under) to share one room—perfect for family travel!

Our Booking Details:

Clarion Hotel The Hub Oslo

-Cost: 15,000 points per night (vs. $380 cash rate)

-Value: 2.5 cents per point (cpp)

-Perks: Indoor pool, free breakfast

By using points, we’re saving nearly $800 for two nights—an amazing deal! Down below is a picture of the hotel!

Conclusion

Choice Hotels’ extended award calendar (now up to 50 weeks) is a game-changer for families planning ahead. Add in the ability for families of four to share a single room, and it’s clear that Choice is a fantastic option for European travel.

If you’re ready to book a stay at a Choice Hotel, I’ve linked the two cards we personally use below. These cards are flexible, allow points transfers to Choice, and have been invaluable for our travels.

Note: There’s no cost to you for using my links, but if you find value in this guide, our family would greatly appreciate your support by clicking through!

Capital One Venture X

American Express Gold Personal

9fffc9ba

Epic Norway Vacation With Kids (11 Days)

Norway Campervan Itinerary (11 Days)

The Ultimate Family-Friendly Denmark Itinerary (6 Days, No Car Required)

Family Friendly Denmark Itinerary

8 day Costa Rica Itinerary

Costa Rica with Kids: Our Exact Itinerary (Plus the Real Cost at the End)

Our Costa Rica Itinerary (Day by Day)

Day 1 – Travel Day

Southwest Consumer and Business Credit Card Comparison (2025)

Southwest Credit Card Comparison: What You Get with Each Tier

Consumer Credit Cards

1. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

2. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

3. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

Business Credit Cards

1. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Business Credit Card

2. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card

3. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card

What Does This Mean for You?

The annual fees have gone up—but for travelers who value flexibility, seat control, and less stress at boarding, the extra cost might be worth it.

Southwest Companion Pass Guide

Southwest Companion Pass Guide for Families

Dreaming of family getaways without draining your bank account? What if I told you there’s a magical little travel hack that lets one person fly FREE with you every time you fly, even when you use points?!

Yup, it’s called the Southwest Companion Pass and it’s basically the holy grail of family travel savings!!!

What Is the Southwest Companion Pass?

Why It’s PERFECT for Families

How Do You Earn the Companion Pass?

Timing Tip (HUGE!)

Which Cards Should I Get?

Real Life Example

Final Thoughts

Hotel Room Upgrade Template

3 Day Upper Peninsula Michigan Itinerary

3 Days of Magic in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula: Pictured Rocks, Narnia Trail, and the Big Spring

�� Day 1 – Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore: Painted Cliffs and Sunset Shores

�� Day 2 – Narnia Trail (Bush Bay Trail): A Hidden Gem in Cedarville

�� Day 3 – The Big Spring: Lake Kitch-iti-kipi’s

✨Final Thoughts: Pure Michigan Magic

5 MUST HAVE Travel Apps (I Can't Live Without!!!)

Rakuten – Earn Cash Back on Travel & Everyday Purchases

Travel Freely – The Best App for Maximizing Credit Card Rewards

Flighty – The Ultimate Flight Tracking App

﻿ Daily Drop Pro – Travel Deals & Hacks at Your Fingertips

Final Thoughts

�� Which travel app do you swear by? Drop your favorites in the comments!

How To Book Choice Hotels on Points

Daily Drop Pro – Travel Deals & Hacks at Your Fingertips