How Points and Miles Made Our Summer 2024 European Adventure Possible

Introduction

Some trips come together because of a single idea, a small spark that turns into something unforgettable. For us, that spark was my daughter’s fifth birthday. She had been talking about Paris and the Eiffel Tower for months, and I knew I had to make it happen. My wife, meanwhile, had been captivated by photos of Swiss playgrounds set against breathtaking mountain backdrops. As for myself, planning this trip gave me the opportunity to cap off my recent 40th birthday by giving my family an experience they’d never forget.

With those motivations in mind, the challenge became turning this vision into reality in a way that made sense financially. Flights to Europe, multiple cities, and high-end hotels could add up fast, but thanks to points and miles, we could make this trip happen at a fraction of what it would otherwise cost. By leveraging airline and hotel rewards, using credit card points strategically, and staying flexible with our plans, I was able to craft a multi-stop European adventure that took us from Madrid to Paris, Disneyland, and across Switzerland without breaking the bank.

Booking long-haul flights using points was the first step, and everything else followed from there. Madrid made sense as a starting point because of available award flights in business class. Paris was a firm goal, as it was my daughter’s current dream destination, and Disneyland was a perfect addition for a newly minted five-year-old. From there, Switzerland was about stunning scenery, natural beauty, adventure, and the chance to experience something completely different from the bustling European cities we had just visited.

Using a combination of transferable points, airline miles, and flexible hotel rewards, I pieced together an itinerary that maximized value while ensuring a comfortable and exciting experience for my family. This trip would be a case study in how smart travel planning can turn ambitious family vacations into reality—all without an eye-watering price tag.

Planning the Trip: Award Flights First

For a trip like this, securing flights was the most important part of the planning process. Flights to and from Europe, especially in premium cabins, are often the most expensive component of a trip, making them the best place to use points and miles for maximum value. Once flights were locked in, I could build the itinerary around them.

Finding long-haul business class availability for three people is no easy task, but I had a key tool in my arsenal: Seats.Aero Pro, which allows searches up to a year in advance instead of the usual two months most booking engines provide. I focused on finding direct business class award availability from New York to Europe and eventually found an overnight flight on Air Europa from JFK to Madrid through Flying Blue. The redemption price was an absolute steal—55,000 Flying Blue miles per person plus $21.20 in taxes and fees. At the time of booking, the cash price for these tickets was an eye-popping $21,658 total, making this one of the best points redemptions I’ve ever secured.

With the outbound flight in place, I started searching for return options from Switzerland. I found economy award availability from Zurich back to JFK on Delta, also through Flying Blue, for 15,125 miles per person plus $167.65 in taxes and fees. While not quite as thrilling as the outbound flight in business class, it was an excellent use of points for a direct flight home. The listed cash price for these tickets was $3,816 total at the time of booking, making it another solid redemption.

For the record I now know that cash prices for one-way international tickets are typically inflated compared to what a round trip would cost (unlike domestic travel where roundtrips typically are essentially 2 one ways combined onto a single itinerary), but without knowing that at the time this is the data I saved. Also, one-way tickets provide better flexibility if part of your plans change so that's certainly a perk of booking an award ticket over cash.

What I didn’t anticipate was that my original Air Europa flight to Madrid would be canceled. Flying Blue automatically rebooked us on a flight that didn’t work for our schedule, but since the cancellation was on the airline’s end, I was able to call and request a different routing. Fortunately, I was able to rebook on an Air France business class flight to Madrid with a short layover in Paris at no additional cost. This was a huge win, as by the time I was making the switch, that flight was pricing at 240,000 miles per person. Instead, I still only paid my original 55,000 miles per ticket, a massive advantage of using flexible points and having a bit of luck on my side.

Locking in these flights set the foundation for the rest of the trip. With Madrid as our starting point, Paris as a must-do, and Switzerland as the grand finale, I could begin filling in the details, leveraging hotel rewards and strategic cash bookings to keep costs down while maximizing comfort and experience.

Madrid: The Perfect Start

Touching down in Madrid, we were ready to dive into the adventure. For our first night, I booked Thompson Madrid using Hyatt points, a stylish and modern hotel that offered an upscale yet comfortable stay and (most importantly in my daughter's eyes) a pool. Since we had an early morning flight to Paris, we opted to move to Crowne Plaza Madrid Airport for the second night. It wasn’t flashy, but it was a convenient and practical stay that made the early departure much easier.

Madrid itself was more than we could have hoped for—vibrant, walkable, and full of little surprises. One of our first stops was Plaza Mayor, the heart of the city, where we took in the atmosphere before making our way to the Palacio Real de Madrid. This grand palace was breathtaking, but what stood out most was just wandering the city and finding local playgrounds where our daughter could run around. Of course, no visit to Madrid would be complete without churros and chocolate, and we made sure to visit Chocolatería San Ginés, an institution for a reason. Thick, rich chocolate and crispy churros became an instant family favorite.

A small but meaningful moment came when my sister bought my daughter a Spanish hand fan. It was such a simple gift, but she absolutely loved it and carried it with her for the rest of the trip. It’s always those little things that stick with you, and even now, that fan is a treasured keepsake from our time in Madrid.

Paris: A Birthday to Remember

The journey to Paris was smooth, with a quick and inexpensive Iberia flight getting us there without issue. Almost. We were bringing a cheap umbrella stroller with us with the idea of making our next stop easier. Iberia lost it. After going back and forth and filing a missing baggage report we left the airport hoing to get the stroller back while we were still in Paris.

Knowing this was my daughter’s fifth birthday, I wanted to make it truly special, starting with our stay at the Hyatt Regency Paris Étoile, booked entirely with Hyatt points. The highlight? A suite with club access, giving us stunning views and the convenience of breakfast and snacks throughout the day. My sister who had joined us in Madrid scored an even more spectacular premium suite with unreal Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe views.

Making sure my daughter’s birthday was unforgettable, we decorated our hotel room with balloons and streamers we had packed from home, creating a surprise for her when she woke up. My mom had also arranged a Parisian birthday cake to be delivered to my sister’s room, adding another sweet touch to the day. That night, we celebrated with a special dinner, where she tried escargot for the first time—a bold choice for a five-year-old, but she loved it. Knowing her I can’t say I was surprised.

Exploring Paris was just as magical as I had hoped. We visited the Eiffel Tower, taking in the views from the top with a glass of champagne in hand for the adults. A Seine River cruise gave us a different perspective on the city, while stops at Notre Dame and the Pantheon brought us up close with its rich history. After 2 days at the Hyatt, the 4 of us moved to an AirBNB apartment in a really cool neighborhood near the Latin Quarter. One of the biggest surprises came from a recommendation by our AirBNB host: Sainte-Chapelle. This stunning chapel, hidden within the Paris Law Courthouse, was absolutely breathtaking, with its intricate stained glass windows creating an unforgettable atmosphere. It was a perfect reminder that local advice can be one of the best resources when traveling, helping you discover places you may not have otherwise considered.

Disneyland Paris: The Perfect Two-Day Experience

After spending most of 5 days in Paris proper it was time for my sister to head home and time for the remaining 3 of us to continue our adventure. We dedicated two full days to Disneyland Paris, and while it’s smaller than its U.S. counterparts, that was perfect for us. Smaller crowds made for an incredibly enjoyable experience, allowing us to ride everything we wanted mostly without long waits. The atmosphere was just as magical, and it gave us time to slow down and enjoy every moment.

Some of the best ride highlights included Tower of Terror, Avengers Assemble: Flight Force, and Crush’s Coaster. I’ve always loved roller coasters, but drop rides? Not my thing. Unfortunately (or fortunately?), my fearless daughter had other ideas, insisting that we go on Tower of Terror together. With no real excuse to back out, I braced myself for the inevitable. Let’s just say I survived, but those six hours of freefalling (or at least what felt like it) had me making some interesting noises that my wife and daughter found way too amusing.

Disneyland Paris was the perfect way to break up the more cultural stops on our itinerary. It gave our daughter something she would absolutely love and gave us a chance to simply have fun as a family, riding coasters, eating treats, and soaking up the Disney magic without the overwhelming crowds you'll find all year long in Florida.

Switzerland: A Land of Postcard Perfection

After the whirlwind of Paris and Disneyland, Switzerland provided the perfect contrast—peaceful, scenic, and full of outdoor adventures. We arrived in Basel by train and stayed at the Holiday Inn Express Basel, a practical paid stay that also helped us earn some IHG points along the way. The next morning, we picked up a rental car, ready to embark on a road trip through Bern, Luzern-Kriens, and Zurich—with plenty of stops at some of Switzerland’s most incredible playgrounds.

One of our first stops was Bernaqua, an indoor water park included with our stay at the Holiday Inn Bern Westside, which I had booked using IHG points. It was a fantastic way to unwind, with everything from thrilling water slides to relaxing pools. Bern itself was a delight, and we made sure to visit the city’s famous Bear Pit (Bärengraben), where bears roam in a beautifully designed natural habitat right in the middle of the city. Watching them was a unique experience that felt worlds away from a traditional zoo and the setting by the river was beautiful.

Continuing through Switzerland, we structured our route around some of the most stunning playgrounds in the world. Mooraculum Adventure Park, nestled high in the mountains of Sörenberg, was a highlight, though getting there was an adventure in itself. I may or may not have taken a very roundabout route, at one point driving down what my daughter noticed was definitely not an actual road. Eventually, we found our way to the parking lot, and the reward was well worth it—natural play structures, interactive activities, and a breathtaking setting. On the way out, we took a one-lane mountain road with occasional pull-off points, a nerve-wracking but unforgettable drive through some of the most spectacular scenery imaginable. My wife did not enjoy her passenger seat experience, but she managed to relax enough at times to notice how stunning it was.

Another must-visit was Rondos Kinderland, a mountainside play area that truly has to be seen to be believed. Between the Alpine backdrop and the innovative play structures, it was like something out of a dream. The sheer scale and thoughtfulness of Swiss playgrounds made them a major highlight of the trip, proving that family-friendly experiences don’t always have to be amusement parks or tourist attractions—sometimes, it’s about simply letting kids explore and play in the most beautiful places on Earth.

Zurich marked the final leg of our journey, and hotel prices were through the roof thanks to Taylor Swift’s concerts during our stay. My daughter got a kick out of spotting "Swifties" in their fun outfits, though sometimes a bit louder than her parents would have wished. Luckily for us, I had booked Hyatt Place Zurich Airport The Circle with Hyatt points, securing a stay that would have otherwise cost over $500 per night. This was a perfect example of how Hyatt’s fixed award chart can be a game-changer, especially during peak events. The hotel provided a comfortable place to relax before our flight home, and we even used Priority Pass lounge access to make our departure smoother.

Final Thoughts: Lessons Learned & Tips

Looking back, this trip was a masterclass in how to maximize points and miles for a family adventure, but there were also valuable lessons in structuring a multi-stop itinerary. One thing I would absolutely change in the future is how we planned our return journey. Because we traveled progressively further away from home throughout the trip, by the time we boarded our long-haul economy flight from Zurich to New York, I was more than ready to be done. My daughter, to her credit, was an angel, but by the time we finally disembarked, I was deep in cabin fever mode.

For future trips, I would strongly recommend that families, especially those with young children, plan their longest flight in the most comfortable cabin possible at the beginning of the trip. It is much easier to find economy award availability than business class, and having that extra comfort at the start sets the right tone for the rest of the adventure. Business class on the way to Madrid allowed us to arrive well-rested and ready to hit the ground running, which made a huge difference. If I had structured the trip in reverse—starting in Zurich and making my way west—I could have tried to book the longest flight in business class to Zurich, then a 6 hr economy flight home if that was all that was offered, which would have made for a much more comfortable return.

Flexibility also proved to be key, especially when my original Air Europa flight was canceled. Because I had booked with transferable points, I had the freedom to change to a much better Air France business class flight for no additional cost. This experience reinforced just how valuable transferable currencies like Chase Ultimate Rewards and Amex Membership Rewards can be, giving travelers options when things don’t go as planned.

Finally, this trip was a perfect example of how fixed award charts can lead to incredible savings. With hotels like Hyatt Regency Paris Étoile and Hyatt Place Zurich Airport The Circle, we secured rooms during high-demand times without having to worry about fluctuating cash prices. This saved us thousands of dollars and allowed us to stay in fantastic locations without breaking the budget.

When I was planning our Summer 2025 adventure this past fall, I definitely used everything I learned on this trip to fine-tune our next big journey. Points and miles made this experience possible, and I’m already looking forward to seeing how they’ll help us pull off the next one!