Summer Family Road Trip on Points

New York City, Coastal Maine, and Acadia National Park

Everywhere We Stayed and How Much it Cost

Hyatt Regency Times Square

This was a great, centrally located and affordable NYC stay for a family on points. The priority on this trip was staying in Times Square, so we opted for 2 rooms at this hotel instead of trying to stay at one of the brands where all six of us can stay together in one room. When we stay in 2 rooms, my husband and I stay in separate rooms, usually boys room/girls room, so that no kids are by themselves. Sometimes we try to get connecting rooms but when you book last minute like we did it’s harder to get that accommodation. Usually we’re out adventuring well into the evening so we all just come straight back and crash. This hotel was great for that – right in the middle of all the action. 

Embassy Suites Portland

We took our time getting from NYC to Portland, Maine, stopping for dinner and vibes in Kennebunkport – definitely recommend stopping there! The Embassy Suites is all of our favorite Road Trip hotel brand because all 6 of us stay in one room and we usually have an internal door that closes to sequester our early risers so they don’t wake the entire family at first light. The kids are a big fan of the presence of the made-to-order omelette station despite never getting omelettes. They frequently have an interior atrium that feels… it just feels elite. Feels like an elite road trip stop. Ya know? Especially after slumming it at the Home 2 Suites (which we do A LOT so no shade thrown.)

Under Canvas Acadia

Under Canvas obviously came with a heftier points price tag than the other hotels but this was a luxury bucket list experience for us – and we LOVED every second of it! It was100% worth it and I would do it again! Perfect for kids, amazing for families, excellent food, top tier staff and hospitality, incredible stargazing, great coffee, fun activities included for adults and kids… I could go on and on but you should just read my full family review of Under Canvas here, and then book it for yourself.

How much it actually cost in points for our Summer Family Road Trip (6 nights, 7 days)

Hotel	Number of nights	Rooms needed	Average Hotel Points PRPN	Total Number of Transferrable Points Spent	Bank Transferred From
Hyatt Regency Times Square	2	2	29,000	116,000	Chase
Embassy Suite Portland ME	1	1	70,000	35,000	Amex*
Under Canvas Acadia	3	2	37,500	225,000	Chase
TOTAL	6			376,000
					*since Amex transfer 1:2 to Hilton, we only need half the Amex points!

To compare, here is a cost breakdown for the same trip if we had paid cash

When you pay with cash, you also have to pay the hotels resort or amenity fee AND taxes! Most hotel programs waive this fee when you pay with points (added bonus!) and you don’t pay any taxes.

Hotel	Number of nights	Rooms needed	Average Hotel Price Per Night Including taxes + resort fees	Tent 2 (a suite tent)	Total Cost for our family of 6
Hyatt Regency Times Square	2	2	$425		$1,700
Embassy Suite Portland ME	1	1	$306		$306
Under Canvas Acadia	3	2	$586	$900	$4,458
TOTAL	6				$6,464

The reality is that we never would have taken this trip it I didn’t use points…

Especially not after JUST going to Hawaii (on points!) 3 months earlier. Points and Miles has allowed our travel budget to stretch farther, higher end, and to more places that we would go without them. With 4 kids, traveling gets expensive fast. Honestly thought, just the ability to not stress about booking two rooms instead of cramming into one when going to visit my brothers would be enough for me to jump into the points and miles game. It has truly been such a blessing for our family!