117. How to Book Family Flights to Europe Using Points and Miles

Dreaming of taking your family to Europe without draining your wallet? In this episode, we sit down with our team member and resident Europe travel expert, Traci Siegel, to share her tried-and-true tips for flying a family overseas using points and miles. These strategies will help make your dream a reality! Family Travel 101: The Big Differences Flying solo or as a couple is one thing—booking flights for a family of four, five, or more is a whole different game. Traci shares the biggest challenges families face, like securing multiple award seats, navigating school calendars, and choosing flights that work with kids' needs. Traci’s advice? Plan ahead, prioritize nonstop routes when possible, and always consider how the experience will feel with little ones in tow. The Best Programs for Family Flights to Europe Traci breaks down her top picks for family-friendly travel to Europe: Flying Blue (KLM/Air France): The ultimate program for family flights thanks to its 25% discount for kids aged 2-11. Aeroplan (Air Canada): Great availability and useful for connecting flights. Virgin Atlantic: Often overlooked, but perfect for flights to London—especially since they now allow household pooling of points. British Airways: A solid option, especially with their recent improvements in saver availability. Alaska Mileage Plan: Can be great for business-class flights to Ireland on Aer Lingus. Timing Is Everything: When to Book for the Best Deals The key to scoring great flights? Timing. As Traci says, “Planning ahead is a superpower when you’re traveling with kids.” If you’re eyeing flights for next year’s spring break, start looking during this year’s break! She also recommends tools like Seats.aero to set alerts for award availability.  Business Class with Kids: Is It Worth It? Many parents wonder if business class is worth the points for family travel. Traci breaks down the pros and cons, and drops a tip about how to try a smooth last-minute switch from economy to business class. Europe with kids doesn't have to be a bucket-list dream. It's something you can do every year, and you can use these strategies to plan your next trip today!   Links: Links For This Episode: https://pointstalk.supercast.com Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad   Episode Minute By Minute: 00:30 – Meet Traci and hear about her family's frequent trips to Europe 03:00 – The biggest differences when booking award flights for families 06:15 – Top airline programs for family-friendly travel 10:30 – The importance of timing and when to start searching 15:20 – How to fly business class with kids without breaking the points bank 22:45 – Common mistakes and how to avoid them 28:00 – Tips for booking from smaller airports 35:00 – Final takeaways and encouragement to start planning today If you've ever dreamed of taking your family to Europe, this episode gives you the roadmap to make it happen with points and miles. Tune in now to get all the details, plus Traci’s expert insights and funny family travel stories!