Jackie sent us her reader success story to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Here it is in her words:
I started on the points-and-miles journey in 2023 and have saved almost $13k in a year and a half of travel. Last year, my boyfriend and I took three-night trips to both Puerto Rico and Zion National Park. I took my mom to Fairhope, Alabama, for three nights, and my family also took a couple of local weekend trips.
But our 2025 family vacation was my biggest points-and-miles vacation yet. My family of seven (myself, my boyfriend, our three kids ages 15-26, my daughter’s boyfriend, and my son’s girlfriend) spent nine days exploring Grand Teton and Yellowstone, saving $6,051.95 on flights and hotels.
Flights
I had a Southwest® Companion Pass, so I used points to book my flight and the three kids’ flights. My boyfriend was my companion, and the other two paid cash for their own flights. We flew on a Friday evening from Pittsburgh to Bozeman, Montana, with a layover in Denver, and returned to Pittsburgh on a Saturday evening. And I used my
American Express Platinum Card® to visit the
American Express Centurion Lounge in Denver. With Southwest® Rapid Rewards and a Companion Pass, I saved $2,250 on flights on five round-trip flights.
All information about American Express cards has been collected independently by Points Talk Squad. American Express cards are no longer available through Points Talk Squad.
Lodging
The first night, I paid cash for two rooms at The Even Hotel Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport. I used my Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card to book these for a total of $518.64.
We then drove to Jackson and stayed in a cabin at Snake River Cabins and Campground. I also paid cash ($434.66) for this night.
The next night, we stayed at the Hampton Inn Jackson Hole and used Hilton Honors points for one room and a free-night award for the other. These two nights would have cost me $1,270.86.
We then drove to Livingston, Montana, and spent five nights at the Home2 by Hilton Livingston Yellowstone. I used Hilton Honors points (earned on my Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card and American Express Platinum Card® ) to book two rooms for four nights each and got the fifth night free using my Hilton status, saving me a total of $2,838.28.
Redeem four nights, get the fifth night free when you redeem points for a consecutive five-night Hilton hotel. You can receive a fifth Reward Night free, redeemable at that same hotel during that same stay.
Other Costs
We paid cash for the car rental (booked through Turo), food, and activities like a Snake River Float, horseback riding in Grand Teton, Yellowstone Hot Springs, and the Bozeman Rodeo. We had an amazing time hiking and seeing wildlife, geysers, waterfalls, and all the wonders of both parks!
My parents also went with us and used points for my mom’s flight and my dad’s flight to Bozeman, but paid cash for my dad’s return flight. We took advantage of one of Hilton’s offers and purchased Hilton points at a discount for their rooms in Jackson and Livingston, so they also got the fifth night free and saved about $700 on their rooms and about $600 on their flights.
Bottom Line
I’m excited to plan many more trips and continue on this points-and-miles journey!
Thanks for sharing your story with us, Jackie!
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