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.
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.
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.
In Budapest, the family spent two luxurious nights at the Parisi Udvar Hotel, a stunning Hyatt property set within a 19th-century shopping arcade. "It was just 20,000 points per night—40,000 total—and thanks to my Hyatt Globalist status, we got upgraded to a two-bedroom suite that fit all four of us comfortably," Rachel adds. The redemption value was impressive, working out to about nine cents per point.
Rachel scored another incredible redemption for their return home: business class tickets on KLM for 197,000 points total, translating to more than $23,000 in value. The family’s favorite bonus? "KLM gives you these charming little Delft houses as souvenirs," Rachel says. "It was a fun way to wrap up an unforgettable trip."
Balancing splurges and saves
Rachel strategically combined luxury hotel stays booked with points and comfortable, budget-friendly Airbnbs to maximize both comfort and savings. After their two-night indulgence at the elegant Parisi Udvar hotel in Budapest, the family transitioned to a spacious rental apartment. “We love hotels for the amenities and special touches, but rentals make longer stays much easier for a family of four,” Rachel explains. “The kids having their own rooms is a game changer—they sleep better, and so do we.”
In Vienna, the family spent most of their time at a home swap apartment in the heart of the city, but Rachel had a clever trick up her sleeve. She booked a single night at the luxurious Park Hyatt Vienna with points (30,000 total), securing an early confirmed upgrade to a suite through her Hyatt Globalist status. “Booking just one night at a hotel with a pool is one of my favorite travel tips for families,” Rachel shares. “You get to enjoy the amenities all day, leave your bags until your room is ready, and extend the luxury into the next day with breakfast and another dip in the pool—without blowing your budget.”
They followed a similar pattern in Prague, splitting their four-night stay between a stylish apartment rental and the upscale Hyatt Andaz, booked for just 40,000 points total and upgraded again to a suite. “Traveling with points allowed us these little luxury splurges,” Rachel says. “But balancing them with apartment stays meant we never felt stretched financially, even with all the special experiences along the way.”
Old-world charm, kid-approved fun
Each stop on the family’s journey offered its own standout moments, from big cultural sights to small, unexpected joys. In Budapest, they were all fascinated by the city’s grand architecture and thermal baths. “Soaking in the Széchenyi Baths while surrounded by these incredible old buildings was surreal,” Rachel recalls. “It felt like something out of a movie.”
In Vienna, the family dove deep into World War II history. The Flak Towers, looming remnants of the war, left a powerful impression. “The kids asked so many questions—it opened up important conversations and gave the kids context around history they’d only read about in books” she says. They also found time for fun, stopping at the Prater amusement park and checking out its iconic giant Ferris wheel.
Prague delivered a fairy tale ending. “The boys loved wandering the cobblestone streets and spotting castles and old clock towers,” says Rachel. “It felt like we’d stepped into a storybook.” One unexpected favorite? The morning train rides. “Watching the countryside go by was almost meditative,” she adds. “It gave us space to decompress between cities.”
What she'd do differently next time
Even a well-planned trip has hiccups, and Rachel isn’t shy about sharing theirs. The biggest misstep? A metro ticketing snafu in Budapest. “We didn’t realize we had to validate our subway tickets before getting on the train,” she says. “We ended up being stopped by an officer and fined on the spot. Luckily, we had cash.”
The experience left them rattled but also wiser. Now, she recommends researching local transportation rules before arrival—especially in cities with older systems or more rigid rules. “It’s easy to assume you know how public transit works, but the small differences can cost you,” she says.
Another lesson: book placeholder flights only if you’re willing to lose a bit of sleep over it. “I couldn’t relax knowing we had a terrible flight lined up, even though I hoped something better would likely open up with points,” she says. It eventually did—but she didn’t love cutting it so close.
Takeaways for families new to using points
For families just getting into points and miles, Rachel’s biggest advice is to treat points like a second currency. “You have dollars, and you have points. The goal is to use both wisely,” she says. That means knowing what you have, keeping track of transferable points, and understanding your loyalty program statuses.
She also recommends setting up all your hotel and airline accounts before you need them. “You don’t want to be scrambling when a great redemption pops up,” she says. “Being able to act quickly is key.”
And while business class flights and luxury hotels can feel aspirational, Rachel encourages families to zoom out. “If you’re on a tighter budget, fly coach and spread your points out over more trips. It’s about creating memories—not maximizing luxury at every turn.”
Finally, her favorite reminder: start early. “Planning as far in advance as you can—especially around school breaks—gives you way more flexibility and options with points,” she says. “Taking advantage of last minute opportunities is great but planning ahead is one of the best ways to stretch what you have and still feel like you’re getting a rich experience.”
The bottom line
Group size: Two adults and two kids
Days: 15
Cost: Taxes on points purchases, including flights, $1,720
Rentals: $1,606
How Many Points: 556,900
Total cost: $3,326
