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Category: Podcast
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Premium economy offers a valuable middle ground between business class and economy, giving families significantly more comfort without the high price tag of business class tickets.
• Premium economy on Air France features better seat recline and footrests
• Cabin arrangement is typically 2-4-2 with approximately 40-48 seats
• Passengers receive amenity kits with essentials like earplugs, socks, and toiletries
• Kids get special activity boxes with puzzles and games
• Access to one business class lavatory with premium skincare products
• Flight attendants offer additional snacks and treats throughout the flight
• Self-service refreshment station available for drinks and snacks
• Booked five tickets using 150,000 Amex points transferred to Virgin Atlantic (with bonus)
• Total taxes and fees were approximately $1,700 ($350 per person)
• For a family of five, booking requires strategic seat selection
• Particularly worthwhile for flights over seven hours
• Award availability is typically better than business class
• Excellent option for daytime flights when everyone is awake
If you get value from our podcast and want to apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred card with its limited-time 100,000 point bonus offer, please consider using our referral link (above).
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Raya's Carryon backpack (affiliate link)
Duane's Men's Crossbody (affiliate link)
Raya's crossbody bag (affiliate link)
Raya's toiletry bag (affiliate link)
Raya's mini backpack (Nordace mini)
Our family of five conquered Paris, Barcelona, and Madrid over two weeks, and we're sharing all our hard-won wisdom for making European family travel successful and enjoyable.
• Pack in carry-on only bags for a family of five by planning to do laundry during your trip
• Manage jet lag with children by keeping them awake upon arrival and using melatonin the first few nights
• Use eSIMs instead of international phone plans for more reliable and affordable data coverage
• Bring the RideSafer travel vest for young children instead of bulky car seats
• Plan only one major activity per day and leave plenty of unscheduled time
• Include at least one completely free day in each city to allow for rest and spontaneous adventures
• Set clear expectations with children about overnight flights and sleeping arrangements
• Take advantage of hotel laundry facilities to pack lighter
• Always use official taxi stands at airports and ignore unlicensed drivers
If you've enjoyed our podcast, we would greatly appreciate if you could leave a review on iTunes. It would make our day to see our podcast recommended alongside other popular travel podcasts!
The activities we did in Madrid (Food Tour and Flamenco show!): vi.me/1T9xd
If you're planning a trip to Europe using points and miles or have questions about traveling as a family of five, follow us on Instagram @TravelPartyofFive where we share highlights and tips from our adventures.
In this episode:
We travel to Madrid as part of our two-week European adventure, staying at the Hyatt Centric Gran Via using points, free night certificates, and suite upgrades for our family of five.
• Taking the train from Barcelona to Madrid is simple and stress-free compared to flying
• The Hyatt Centric Gran Via Madrid offers excellent location, service, and a memorable breakfast experience
• Experiencing a flamenco show provides cultural entertainment even children can appreciate
• The Royal Palace of Madrid showcases incredible opulence with special access to the royal kitchens
• Madrid's tapas culture is perfect for families, allowing everyone to try small portions of different foods
• Adjusting plans for rainy weather led to unexpected discoveries like the Museum of Illusions
• Retiro Park offers a beautiful outdoor space for kids to play when weather permits
• Following recommendations from “Somebody Feed Phil” led to authentic food experiences
• Using Hyatt Globalist status maximizes value with free breakfast and potential room upgrades
Barcelona captivated us with its stunning architecture, vibrant culture, and delicious cuisine while we strategically used Hyatt points and upgrade awards to minimize travel costs. We navigated rainy weather by pivoting our plans, discovering indoor treasures and developing a daily rhythm that balanced sightseeing with leisurely meals at the hotel's exceptional club lounge.
• Used points for Grand Hyatt Barcelona, strategically applying suite upgrade and club access awards
• Experienced an enormous junior suite with a bathroom “as big as our entire Paris hotel room”
• Enjoyed the hotel's exceptional breakfast buffet featuring churros, chocolate, and Nutella on tap
• Visited Barcelona Aquarium and Time Out Market food hall during unexpected rainy weather
• Explored Mercado de la Boqueria for an impromptu family food tour sampling local specialties
• Took a family-friendly walking tour through the Gothic Quarter with churros and chocolate
• Marveled at Park Güell's whimsical “gingerbread houses” while kids chased pigeons
• Toured the breathtaking Sagrada Familia with its stunning colored stained glass windows
• Savored daily churros con chocolate, seafood paella, and exceptional pastries
• Missed beach visits and Tibidabo amusement park due to weather but already planning our return
If you found this podcast helpful, please leave a review on Apple or Spotify! Reviews help our show reach more people, and we truly appreciate your feedback.
Paris Macaron Class: vi.me/mTi2C
Bespoke Family Tours of Paris with Zoe at The Petit Guide (we did the Montmartre tour)
Photo shoot: Flytographer! If you've never used them before, use my link to get $25 off your first photo shoot!
In this episode, we're sharing how we took our family of 5 to Paris using travel points, showing how we explored Paris while staying at the Hyatt Regency Paris E'toile with Eiffel Tower views. We break down exactly how we managed hotel accommodations, transportation, dining and activities for three kids in one of Europe's most beautiful cities.
• Using 85,000 airline points to fly all five family members to Paris
• Navigating European hotel room limitations with connecting rooms for families
• Taking advantage of Club Lounge access at Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile
• Using the Paris Metro system with kids – surprisingly easy with navigation apps
• Participating in kid-friendly activities like The Petite Guide tour of Montmartre
• Taking a macaroon-making class where kids got hands-on experience
• Visiting the Louvre Museum and seeing Napoleon's apartments
• Enjoying the Tuileries Gardens with playground, trampolines and carousel
• Finding family-friendly dining at Le Relais de L'Entrecôte and Brasserie de Louvre
• Experiencing unexpected kindness from strangers on the Metro
If you enjoyed hearing about our Paris adventures, please share this episode with a friend who might be planning their own family trip!