Everyone loves a dream vacation—until the price tag hits harder than a sunburn. For families stretched thin by childcare, school schedules, and everyday expenses, the gap between a desirable getaway and an affordable one can feel impossible to bridge.
That was my reality time and again as I tried to plan rejuvenating trips for my family of four. I’d stumble upon stunning, picture-perfect resorts that would create unforgettable family memories—only to see the total cost and abandon the idea entirely.
I knew there had to be a smarter approach to luxury travel without the eye-watering price. Fortunately, there is one: strategic use of credit card rewards, which can sometimes reduce your out-of-pocket cost to next to nothing.
That’s exactly how my family ended up staying at a premium oceanfront Caribbean resort over a long holiday weekend—for a fraction of the listed rate.
Sticker Shock at Paradise
The resort was everything I’d hoped for: a private balcony overlooking turquoise Caribbean waters, soft sand at my feet, and a poolside scene complete with frozen drinks and colorful umbrellas. It was pure vacation bliss.
Until I checked the price for our holiday weekend dates.
The property was worth every penny at $6,205.32—but that was simply not a number I was willing or able to pay for a four-night stay. With three children, a dog, and a household budget to maintain, shelling out that kind of money wasn’t realistic.
Then I remembered a single credit card in my wallet that changed everything.
NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card’s rates, fees, rewards and other features.
We paid exactly $0 for the room and $0 in government-mandated state and local taxes and fees. The only cash we handed over was an $80-per-night resort fee—covering kayak rentals, paddle boats, snorkeling gear, valet parking, and more. That fee applies to cash-paying guests as well, so it wasn’t a hidden perk, just a standard charge.
In total, we redeemed 210,000 points for four nights at an oceanfront property over a busy holiday weekend—accommodating the whole family.
Remarkably, for one of those nights, we paid $0 in cash and 0 points. That was courtesy of a specific benefit tied to the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card.
Free Hotel Nights on a Silver Platter
The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is a standout travel rewards card that enables cardholders to accumulate free hotel nights across more than 6,000 properties worldwide. It earns a well-deserved 5-star rating from NerdWallet’s editorial team.
Among the card’s most valuable features:
- Annual free night certificate — worth up to 40,000 points each year, which can be supplemented with additional points for stays above the baseline redemption threshold.
- Strong rewards earning rates — up to 26 points per dollar spent at IHG properties (combining card rewards, loyalty program bonuses, and automatic elite status), plus 5 points per dollar on travel, gas, and restaurants, and 3 points per dollar on all other purchases.
- Automatic Platinum Elite status — unlocking priority check-in, late checkout when available, complimentary internet, room upgrades when available, and a dedicated customer service line.
- Travel credit — up to $120 toward a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or Nexus application once every four years.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Annual United® Airlines TravelBank Cash — up to $50 each calendar year upon registration.
- Comprehensive travel protections and additional benefits.
One perk in particular made this trip possible: when you pay for a stay of four nights or more using points, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card grants you the fourth night free. That means you only cover three nights’ worth of points and receive the fourth at no cost.
Yes, the card carries a $99 annual fee—but given the value it delivers, it’s well worth it.
Beyond that, the IHG One Rewards loyalty program waives taxes and fees on all hotel redemptions paid with points. On this trip alone, that benefit saved us $1,459.
Making the Most of Your Points
This one credit card helped my family connect, recharge, and create lasting luxury memories for a small fraction of what the trip would have otherwise cost.
Not every IHG redemption will yield results this dramatic. But whether you’re booking a modest room for a road trip, covering a teenager’s tournament weekend, or saving up for a splurge vacation like mine, this card delivers meaningful value.
One particularly useful feature: you can add points to your annual free night certificate to cover higher-priced stays. If your certificate covers 40,000 points but your desired hotel costs 70,000 points per night, you can top up the certificate with additional points from your IHG account to book the full stay.
Combined with the card’s suite of perks, credits, and protections, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card has become an essential tool in our family’s travel arsenal. My $99 annual fee is a small price to pay for the quality experiences it enables.
Credit card rewards have helped my family take trips we likely never could have afforded otherwise. Benefits like the fourth-night-free perk and waived taxes and fees make an enormous difference. I’m more than happy to pay the annual fee for the value this card returns to my family year after year.