20-05-2025
How We Used Points to Cover a Kid-Friendly Family Vacation in Eastern Europe
Rachel Lipson has explored Europe plenty of times—both as a musician when she was younger, and with her family over the years. But her recent spring break trip was about something entirely different: Introducing her two kids to places that were new to everyone. After years of revisiting familiar spots with her husband, Kamali, and their sons, Max (11) and Henry (9), Rachel craved an adventure where they could all experience discovery together. The solution? A two-week journey exploring the historic cities of Budapest, Vienna, and Prague—also known as Europe's golden triangle.
From their home in Park Slope, Brooklyn, Rachel—who runs the popular substack Brooklyn Family Travelers—meticulously planned an itinerary that combined smart budgeting with luxurious touches, primarily through savvy use of credit card points and miles. The family aimed to dive deep into Eastern Europe's rich history and vibrant culture, and Rachel's strategy ensured they traveled comfortably without blowing their budget. "Eastern Europe was high on my list," Rachel explains. "I loved the idea of hopping between these iconic cities by train, making the most of each place without feeling rushed."
Here, Rachel shares exactly how she made this memorable trip happen, leveraging points and miles to maximize their travel budget—and how other families can follow her lead.
The family dove deep into World War II history at landmarks like the Flak Towers—former anti-aircraft artillery stations.
Rache Lisnor
The Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel, which dates back to 1897, has become a symbol of the Eastern European city itself.
Getty Images
Finding the right pace and place
For Rachel, picking this particular itinerary started with the school calendar. 'The moment the dates came out, I began mapping out possibilities,' she explains. While Rachel had spent time across Western Europe, cities like Budapest, Vienna, and Prague felt like uncharted territory, offering a compelling mix of old-world charm, history and family-friendly activities.
She intentionally structured the trip to give each city its due. Budapest earned four nights, Vienna five, and Prague three—just enough time to explore at a comfortable pace without overwhelming the kids. "With young boys, we wanted to balance sightseeing and downtime," Rachel says. "Having multiple nights in each city lets us settle in, experience local life, and not feel pressured to rush through all the sights."
Convenience played a role, too. "We loved that the train rides between cities weren't too long," Rachel says. "They became a fun part of the adventure instead of just transit days." This thoughtful pacing—paired with Rachel's careful points planning—meant every family member could enjoy the journey as much as the destinations themselves.
The Parisi Udvar Hotel in Budapest is set within a 19th-century shopping arcade—and cost the family just 20,000 points per night.
Párisi Udvar Hotel Budapest
Their best points redemptions
Rachel's careful planning paid off with several standout redemptions that elevated their family trip from comfortable to extraordinary. Initially, she booked economy flights to Budapest via Air France with points transferred from a credit card. But a last-minute search uncovered something much better: "Just days before departure, I found business class flights on Austrian Airlines," she says. "It was only 252,000 points total for all four of us, and those tickets would've cost around $27,000 in cash." They happily paid a $70 per-person cancellation fee to redeposit their original points, and upgraded their travel experience dramatically.
