The going rate for non-stop flights from Washington DC to Mexico City for our dates was over $1,000 per person, but by transferring 118,000 Capital One points to Flying Blue for our AeroMexico flights, I only had to pay $700 in taxes and fees. This was a savings of over $3K AND we got premiere seats with extra leg room!
I strongly recommend credit card rewards travel to families because:
✈️ As you already know, prices multiply quickly when booking for a family! 😫
✈️ You’re traveling primarily around school schedules .. just like everyone else. That means peak season flight and hotel prices every. single. time.
Credit card rewards points have made it possible for my family to take big trips, even during peak season and holiday dates. Earning rewards points is about spending strategically, NOT about spending more. If you’re interested in learning how to get started, my DMs are always open.
Our cozy little 3* hotel in the La Condesa neighborhood was just $55/night. We could have used rewards points for a statement credit for this expense, but chose not to because it was already so affordable. I would recommend this hotel and will link it in the comments.
This makes our total cost for 4 flights + 8 nights in CDMX .. $1140. I'm not sure I'll ever beat that, but I'll try. 😁
📍 Chapultepec Castle, Mexico City
Check out my Mexico City story highlight for more info and follow along @wishyouwings for family travel inspo, tips, and tricks.
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🌎 Hi there! I'm Amanda and I assist families in planning and preparing for travel with customized itineraries and 1:1 travel coaching. Visit my website (link in bio) to learn more about the services I offer.
#traveler #traveltips #familytravel #travelabroad #travelersofinstagram #familytraveltip #familieswhotravel #takethekids #travelcontentcreator #familyadventures #travelreels #travel #traveladvice #takethetrip #familytravelers #cdmx #mexicocity #mexico #mexicotravel #visitmexico #pointsandmiles #milesand
With 7 full days in Mexico City, we sure packed in a lot! Because the activities are endless AND the city is enormous, it’s critical to plan ahead by prioritizing attractions and maximizing your time and use of public transport.
Day 1: Museum of Anthropology, Chapultepec Park & Castle
Day 2: Day trip to Teotihuacan, Taco Tour
Day 3: Chapultepec Park Zoo & Lake (pedal boat rental)
Day 4: Coyoacan neighborhood
Day 5: Polanco, Museo Soumaya, Lucha Libre at Arena Mexico
Day 6: El Centro / Zocalo, Tour of Mercado de la Merced
Day 7: Tour of Iztapalapa by Cable Car
[These were the main attractions, but not pictured are the many stops at playgrounds, pastry shops, taco stands, and parks.]
We zipped around on the city’s impressive system of metros, buses, and cable cars, took lots of cheap Uber rides .. and still managed to walk 52 miles in 7 days.
Does your family enjoy a good city break?
Stay tuned for more info on planning your own trip to Mexico City and follow along @wishyouwings for family travel inspo, tips, and tricks.
***
🌎 Hi there! I'm Amanda and I assist families in planning and preparing for travel with customized itineraries and 1:1 travel coaching. Visit my website (link in bio) to learn more about the services I offer.
#traveler #traveltips #familytravel #travelabroad #travelersofinstagram #familytraveltip #familieswhotravel #takethekids #travelcontentcreator #familyadventures #travelreels #travel #traveladvice #takethetrip #familytravelers #cdmx #mexicocity #mexico #mexicotravel #visitmexico
It’s true - the landlocked megalopolis of Mexico City is an unconventional choice for winter break. But with so many incredible sites, museums, and parks to explore (+ beautiful weather and good food!), we definitely didn’t have time to miss the beach.
We learned a lot on this adventure, so stay tuned for all my tips and tricks for planning your own family trip to Mexico City!
Did you travel over the holidays? Let me know in the comments!
Follow along @wishyouwings for family travel inspo, tips, and tricks.
***
🌎 Hi there! I'm Amanda and I assist families in planning and preparing for travel with customized itineraries and 1:1 travel coaching. Visit my website (link in bio) to learn more about the services I offer.
#traveler #traveltips #familytravel #travelabroad #travelersofinstagram #familytraveltip #familieswhotravel #travelcontentcreator #familyadventures #travelreels #travel #traveladvice #takethetrip #familytravelers #cdmx #mexicocity #mexico #mexicotravel #visitmexico
Are you really even a travel rewards points enthusiast if you aren’t strategizing every purchase, including gifts?
Maximize your card perks AND rewards earnings on holiday gift cards at Dunkin this year using your Amex Gold! It’s considered “Dining” so you’ll get:
🍩 20% back as a statement credit*
🍩 $7 back as a statement credit (monthly Amex DD perk)
🍩 4x points per dollar spent
For $130 worth of gift cards, my total cost was just $97 after the statement credits AND I earned 388 Amex Points, which is worth about $8 in travel. Not bad for something I was going to buy anyways!
*May vary by account, check your card agreement for confirmation. Please spend responsibly.
Comment “Gold” if you need a referral link for this card, which currently has a bonus offer between 60K and 100K points, depending on your credit history! Follow along @wishyouwings for family travel inspo, tips, and tricks.
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🌎 Hi there! I'm Amanda and I assist families in planning and preparing for travel. Visit my website (link in bio) to learn more.
#traveler #traveltips #familytravel #travelabroad #takethekids #travelwithkids #travelersofinstagram #familytraveltip #travelingwithkids #familieswhotravel #travelcontentcreator #familyadventures #travelreels #travel #traveladvice #takethetrip #familytravelers #creditcardrewards #pointsandmiles #milesandpoints #amexgold #creditcardrewardstips #rewardscardtravel
The small change I always make before travel? Swap out my wedding rings.
While I probably still won't “blend in” abroad, there’s no reason to draw extra attention with bling. If nothing else, I’d hate for my rings to get lost at sea or in a jungle somewhere.
We bought this simple silver band years ago, and it represents the same commitment .. except with no risk of it getting lost or stolen. 😅 It’s sterling silver, under $10, and perfect for travel. Comment “shop” if you need the link!
What changes do you make to your appearance when traveling?
Follow along @wishyouwings for family travel inspo, tips, and tricks.
***
🌎 Hi there! I'm Amanda and I assist families in planning and preparing for travel. Visit my website (link in bio) to learn more.
#traveler #traveltips #familytravel #travelabroad #takethekids #travelwithkids #travelersofinstagram #familytraveltip #travelingwithkids #familieswhotravel #travelcontentcreator #familyadventures #travelreels #travel #traveladvice #takethetrip #familytravelers #travelsafety #travelsafetytips
Here’s a fun twist on a classic! Map snowflakes are perfect for decorating and commemorating past travels. I used some pages from an old atlas, but you could also print maps from Google or use travel themed scrapbook paper.
Instructions:
❄️ Screenshot the template in my stories.*
❄️ Print it and cut it out (or trace it onto plain white paper via your computer screen). You only need one quarter of the pattern. I made two different sizes.
❄️ Cut your map into a square and fold it into quarters.
❄️ Trace the template onto the paper quarter.
❄️ Cut it out.
❄️ Open and flatten it under a book.
❄️ Tape it to your window. You could also glue it to the front of a holiday card.
❄️ Save and reuse every year!
Will you try this easy DIY?
*Template is by Martha Stewart.
Follow along @wishyouwings for family travel inspo, tips, and tricks.
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🌎 Hi there! I'm Amanda and I assist families in planning and preparing for travel. Visit my website (link in bio) to learn more.
#traveler #traveltips #familytravel #travelabroad #takethekids #travelwithkids #travelersofinstagram #familytraveltip #travelingwithkids #familieswhotravel #travelcontentcreator #familyadventures #travelreels #travel #traveladvice #takethetrip #familytravelers #holidaytravel #holidaytraveltips #papersnowflakes #maps #holidaydecor
We’re frequently traveling as a family over holidays like Christmas and Easter and have found it’s much easier to celebrate the holiday in advance. Here are some tips:
🎄 Inform Santa of your trip plans. If your kids are worried that Santa wouldn’t know you’re going to be away on the big day, write him a letter with your trip dates so he knows to come a little early.
🎄 Gift trip essentials. Kill two birds with one stone by gifting items for the trip (e.g., water shoes, new hat, etc). Airplane snacks and small items for airplane entertainment (card games, coloring, etc) make perfect stocking stuffers.
Have you ever traveled over the holidays? What tips would you add to this list?
Follow along @wishyouwings for family travel inspo, tips, and tricks.
***
🌎 Hi there! I'm Amanda and I assist families in planning and preparing for travel. Visit my website (link in bio) to learn more.
#traveler #traveltips #familytravel #travelabroad #takethekids #travelwithkids #travelersofinstagram #familytraveltip #travelingwithkids #familieswhotravel #travelcontentcreator #familyadventures #travelreels #travel #traveladvice #takethetrip #familytravelers #holidaytravel #holidaytraveltips
This isn’t a super fancy reel because I didn’t anticipate making any content about our random Marriott. But our stay actually ended up being pretty awesome and I wanted to spread the word to other families visiting DC.
Our favorite hotel perks included:
✔️ Large and comfortable “family room” with full kitchen
✔️ Incredibly friendly staff
✔️ Indoor pool and hot tub
✔️ Movie night with free snacks and drinks
✔️ Free buffet breakfast, including waffles with whipped cream
✔️ Great location within easy walking distance of the mall
Official name: Residence Inn Washington, DC National Mall
Tip: Parking in the hotel garage was an extra $53/night (😱) but we easily found street parking right outside. There are cheaper garages nearby, but the reviews said things like, “If you drive anything larger than a RAV4 you’re gonna be in trouble.” My husband drives a pick-up truck, so we didn’t even try. Bonus: Street parking was free Saturday evening into Sunday!
Be sure to save this post for your trip to DC and follow along @wishyouwings for family travel inspo, tips, and tricks.
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🌎 Hi there! I'm Amanda and I assist families in planning and preparing for travel. Visit my website (link in bio) to learn more.
#traveler #traveltips #familytravel #travelabroad #takethekids #travelwithkids #travelersofinstagram #familytraveltip #travelingwithkids #familieswhotravel #travelcontentcreator #contentcreator #familyadventures #travelreels #travel #travellover #itinerary #tripplanning #familycontentcreator #travel #traveladvice #takethetrip #familytravelers #washingtondc #visitdc #thenationalmall #weekendgetaway #roadtrip #dcitinerary #DCwithkids #marriott
This National Parks water bottle from @wander.state is so neat. It’s the perfect way to document your adventures and makes such a unique holiday gift! (AD)
Linked in my stories and bio, or comment “shop” for a link sent to your DMs.
What’s your favorite National Park?
Follow along @wishyouwings for family travel inspo, tips, and tricks.
***
🌎 Hi there! I'm Amanda and I assist families in planning and preparing for travel. Visit my website (link in bio) to learn more.
#traveler #traveltips #familytravel #travelabroad #takethekids #travelwithkids #travelersofinstagram #familytraveltip #travelingwithkids #familieswhotravel #travelcontentcreator #contentcreator #familyadventures #travelreels #travel #travellover #itinerary #tripplanning #familycontentcreator #tripplanner #travel #traveladvice #takethetrip #familytravel #nationalparks #USnationalparks #UStravel #amazoninfluencer #giftsfortravelers
After sharing a crazy travel emergency story earlier this week, I put a poll in stories about travel insurance. I was shocked by how few people said they purchase, so I did a little research and this was the published stat.
Guys. If you’re already spending the money to travel, a good travel insurance policy is just a tiny drop in the budget bucket. For our whole family, we pay about $100 for coverage for a 2-week trip.
A common confusion is that if you have good medical coverage at home, you don’t need travel insurance. In an emergency, your healthcare itself be covered by your primary medical insurance carrier, and please also consider the cost of other expenses, like several extra weeks abroad for your spouse/family, rebooked flights, potential evacuation costs or private care for the trip home .. all during unplanned time off of work! These expenses add up very, very quickly and will only be covered by a good TRAVEL insurance plan.
Please think twice about skipping this small and very worthwhile expense.
Follow along @wishyouwings for family travel inspo, tips, and tricks.
***
🌎 Hi there! I'm Amanda and I assist families in planning and preparing for travel. Visit my website (link in bio) to learn more.
#traveler #traveltips #familytravel #travelabroad #takethekids #travelwithkids #travelersofinstagram #familytraveltip #travelingwithkids #familieswhotravel #travelcontentcreator #contentcreator #familyadventures #travelreels #travel #travellover #itinerary #tripplanning #familycontentcreator #tripplanner #travel #traveladvice #takethetrip #familytravel #safetravel #travelinsurance
Crazy story time! [I’m keeping details intentionally vague here to protect the privacy of my clients.] I recently coached an older couple who were headed to Europe for the vacation of a lifetime. We talked extensively about travel insurance, including what it covers and how it's different from medical or trip insurance coverages. I made some recommendations on plans and thankfully, they booked it.
While on vacation, one of them fell, causing severe medical complications that resulted in a lengthy hospital stay. This extended their trip by several weeks and it was eventually necessary to be accompanied by a private doctor on their flight home .. all to the tune of $200,000! Everything was completely covered by their travel insurance plan.
Pleeeeease remember that having good medical coverage at home does NOT negate the need for travel insurance. In an emergency, your healthcare itself be covered by your primary medical insurance carrier, but consider the cost of other expenses, like several extra weeks abroad for your spouse/family, rebooked flights, potential evacuation costs or private care for the trip home .. and don’t forget that this would all be during unplanned time off of work! These expenses add up very, very quickly and will only be covered by a good TRAVEL insurance plan. A policy for our entire family is about $100 per trip and I will never, ever travel without it.
Do you typically book travel insurance? Have you ever needed to use it?
Follow along @wishyouwings for family travel inspo, tips, and tricks.
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🌎 Hi there! I'm Amanda and I assist families in planning and preparing for travel. Visit my website (link in bio) to learn more.
#traveler #traveltips #familytravel #travelabroad #takethekids #travelwithkids #travelersofinstagram #familytraveltip #travelingwithkids #familieswhotravel #travelcontentcreator #contentcreator #familyadventures #travelreels #travel #travellover #itinerary #tripplanning #familycontentcreator #tripplanner
With so many fun, family friendly attractions in DC, I’ll be honest, I hesitated to put the Library of Congress on our list. But we had never visited and there was an open time slot available, so we decided to go for it.
Not only was it one of the most gorgeous buildings we’ve ever seen, but it was packed with activities for kids, including a scavenger hunt, crafts, and a special reading area. It ended up being one of our favorite stops of the weekend!
Tell me about a spot you found to be unexpectedly family friendly.
Save this post for your trip to DC and follow along @wishyouwings for family travel inspo, tips, and tricks.
***
🌎 Hi there! I'm Amanda and I assist families in planning and preparing for travel. Visit my website (link in bio) to learn more.
#traveler #traveltips #familytravel #travelabroad #takethekids #travelwithkids #travelersofinstagram #familytraveltip #travelingwithkids #familieswhotravel #travelcontentcreator #contentcreator #familyadventures #travelreels #travel #travellover #itinerary #tripplanning #takethetrip #familytravelers #washingtondc #visitdc #thenationalmall #weekendgetaway #roadtrip #dcitinerary #DCwithkids #libraryofcongress
