Growing up, the idea of a vacation with my family of eight (I’m one of 6 kids) was unheard of. Financially and logistically, it wasn’t even in the cards. But this year, for the second time ever (first in Kauai), we turned the dream of a family trip into reality, planning an unforgettable getaway to Maui for 13 of us at an incredible value. Here’s how we managed to make it happen with minimal spending on flights and virtually no cost for our hotel stay.
Scouting Affordable Flights
Flying 13 people to Maui might sound like a budget breaker, but with daily flight searching, we found an undeniably great deal on Hawaiian Airlines:
- $99 one-way tickets from LAX to OGG.
- $134 return flights from OGG to Long Beach Airport.
We took advantage of Costco Hawaiian Airlines gift cards, which effectively gave us a 10% discount. Additionally, Chase offered a $100 discount on $500 spent, plus 10,000 Chase points for booking through their portal, valued at 2 cents per point.
Hawaiian Airlines also allows kids to earn miles, even on basic fares, which can be transferred to Alaska Airlines. With Alaska points valued at 2 cents per point, this added even more value to our trip.
Here’s the breakdown for our initial family of four (plus our <2yo lap seat infant Haven):
- Flight cost: Less than $900 after the Costco gift card discount.
- Value earned:
- 20,000 Hawaiian Airlines points (≈ $500 value).
- 10,000 Chase points + 2,680 points (5x points on Chase portal) = $250.
- $100 Chase cash credit.
In total, we received approximately $850 in value for a $900 spend—essentially offsetting most of the cost of our flights. We even received an additional $200 in unexpected cash credit that hasn’t been clawed back yet (although I feel a bit guilty about this loophole!).
Affordable Car Rental with Turo
For our car rental, we opted for a 7-seater van we found on Turo instead of traditional companies. With a Chase offer for $30 off $150 and a $100 coupon from Turo, we ended up paying much less than we would have with Costco rentals. Turo’s flexibility and affordability made it the perfect choice for our large group. Another family member used his company discount on Avis and booked another van so that we could fit our family of 13 comfortably between our two cars.
Staying at the Luxurious Andaz Maui
We stayed at the Andaz Maui, one of our top three favorite hotels in the U.S. and among the most aspirational Hyatt properties worldwide. Hosting a group of 13 meant booking three rooms for three nights. Here’s what the costs would have looked like if we had paid cash:
- Room cost: $1,000 per night per room.
- Breakfast cost: $60 per person, totaling $540 per day for 13 people, or $1,620 for three days.
The total cash price for the rooms and breakfast would have been approximately $10,620.
Instead, we used points to book:
- 35,000 points per room per night x 3 rooms x 3 nights = 315,000 Hyatt points
- Globalist status: complimentary buffet breakfast for every guest in each room (up to 4 guests)
By choosing an off-peak weekend with points availability, we turned what could have been a $10,620 expense into a nearly free stay. The experience was priceless, especially for my parents, who got to enjoy a world-class resort and the beauty of Maui.
Making the Dream a Reality
This trip wasn’t just a dream come true for our family—it was a masterclass in maximizing value through smart planning and strategic use of points and promotions. By stacking bonuses, leveraging loyalty programs, and booking strategically, we created a memorable and affordable family trip.
If you’re planning a group trip, remember: with a little research and creativity, the seemingly impossible can become a reality. Mahalo for following our journey—we hope it inspires your next adventure!
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