How I “Saved” Over $2,527 on Our LA Family Trip Using Points and Miles (Step by Step)
We “saved” over $2,527 on an LA family trip using points and miles. See the exact hotel and flight strategy, costs, and step-by-step breakdown.
Flights and hotels for our LA family trip would have cost over $2,800 out of pocket. Using points and miles, we paid just $274 and were able to show up for our son’s esports opening weekend without financial stress. This wasn’t a luxury redemption or a points flex. It was a real-life example of how transferable points create flexibility when something important comes up.
Quick Stats
- Hotel: The Huntley Santa Monica Beach
$217 out of pocket vs $1,334+ retail - Flights: Delta round-trip for two
$44.80 total vs $1,192+ retail
Total out-of-pocket: $274
Total “savings”: ~$2,527
Points value:
- Flights: 2.04 CPP
- Hotel: 1.99 CPP
Trip purpose: Supporting our middle son’s esports opening weekend tournament
I put “savings” in quotes because let’s be honest. If we were paying cash, we wouldn’t stay at this hotel and we probably wouldn’t fly Delta. But that’s the whole point of points and miles. They let you show up when it matters without financial stress.
Without points, this trip likely wouldn’t have happened.
Why This Trip Matters (And Why I’m Sharing It)
We’re heading to Santa Monica for our middle son’s esports opening events. This post isn’t about luxury travel. It’s about how transferable points and credit card benefits can turn a family obligation into something affordable.
Total out-of-pocket for hotel and flights for three people? $274.
Here’s exactly how we did it.
The Hotel: The Huntley Santa Monica Beach (I Prefer)
What We Paid
- Out-of-pocket: $216.96 (taxes and fees)
- Points used: 56,250 I Prefer points
- Source: Citi ThankYou Points transferred at 1:4
(225,000 Citi points equivalent)
The Math
- Retail rate: ~$1,334 (or $1550.96 in full) for our dates
- Our cost: $216.96
- Value: 1.99 cents per point
How to Replicate This
Step 1: Know your transfer partners
I used Citi ThankYou Points and transferred to the I Prefer hotel program at a 1:4 ratio (vs Capital One points that also transfer there at 1:2).
Step 2: Check if the redemption makes sense
CPP formula:
(Cash price – taxes/fees) ÷ points used
- Aim for 1.5+ CPP for hotels
- 2.0+ CPP is excellent
This redemption easily cleared that bar.
Pro tip: Hotel points don’t always cover taxes and fees. For higher-end properties or programs like Marriott and I Prefer, budget $200–$300 out of pocket.
I do talk about cents per point, but in real life I usually calculate it after the booking, not before. The value here wasn’t about squeezing out decimals. It was being there for our son and also getting to show our oldest around Santa Monica. That’s worth more than any spreadsheet.
The Flights: Delta With the 15% Business Card Discount
What We Paid (2 People)
- Retail: $596.36 per person round-trip
- Award cost: 28,200 SkyMiles per person
- Taxes: $22.40 per person
- Total for both: $44.80
Our Oldest Son (Flying From Chicago)
- Cost: $11.20 total ($5.60 each way)
He booked on his own points. Not included in the totals, but worth mentioning because points made it possible for him to be there too.
The Math
- Retail for two: ~$1,192
- Our cost: $44.80
- Value: 2.04 CPP
Why the Delta Business Card Matters
- 15% off Delta award flights
- Free checked bags
- Priority boarding
Strategy breakdown:
- Booked standard Delta award tickets
- Applied the 15% SkyMiles discount from the business card
- Paid only required taxes and fees
That 15% discount is one of the most underrated benefits out there. Over time, it can save you a lot more than the annual fee, especially if you fly Delta even a few times a year.
The Real ROI: Family Time
This wasn’t what I originally planned to use these Delta points for. But points give you flexibility, and flexibility is everything.
Because of points:
- We’ve attended every opening weekend of this tournament
- This year, our oldest son flew in on his own points
- We showed up without stressing about a $2,527+ bill
The redemptions were solid. But the real value was being present for moments that matter.
Key Takeaways: How You Can Do This Too
- Citi ThankYou Points
- Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Amex Membership Rewards
- Capital One Miles
These give you options when plans change.
2. Don’t Ignore Business Card Benefits
- The Delta 15% discount is available to many small businesses
- Business cards often have stronger perks than personal cards
3. Understand CPP (But Don’t Obsess)
- Good: 1.5+ CPP
- Great: 2.0+ CPP
- Excellent: 2.5+ CPP
Both of our redemptions were just under or over 2.0 CPP. Solid. But CPP should inform your decisions, not control them.
4. Stay Flexible
I didn’t plan to use these points this way. But having a balance gave us options when something important came up.
5. Remember the Why
Points aren’t just about luxury travel. They’re about removing financial barriers to moments that matter.
FAQs
How long did it take to earn these points?
These came from a mix of sign-up bonuses and everyday spending. The points for this trip came from my husband’s Citi Strata Premier (hotel) and my Delta Business Gold card (flights), both earned within the last year.
What if I don’t have a Delta Business Card?
You can still book Delta awards directly or through partners like Virgin Atlantic or others. You just won’t get the 15% discount. It’s valuable to know your airline alliances.
Is 1.99 CPP good for hotels?
Yes. Anything over 1.5 CPP is solid for hotels. Over 2.0 CPP is excellent. Just don’t let CPP be the only reason you book or skip a trip. Key takeaway here, know the value of your points and miles.
Can this work for international travel?
Absolutely. Transferable points often shine even more for international business or first class flights and luxury hotels.
How do I get started?
Start with one transferable points card, learn the basics, then build from there.
Final Thoughts
Total cost: $262 for the two of us
Total value: Priceless
This is why I earn points and miles. Not for flashy photos, but for the freedom to say yes to family moments without financial stress.
Our middle son gets family support at something he loves. Our oldest used his own points to be there. And we showed up as parents without a four-figure price tag.
That’s the real value of points and miles.
Have questions about strategies like this? Drop them in the comments.
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