First, let’s look at the United Explorer Card. The sign-up bonus on this card is often 40,000 United miles and sometimes it tops 60,000 miles. On top of that, the card offers some great benefits, such as one free checked bag for the primary cardmember and one companion.

You can save $60 on a round-trip ticket if you are checking one bag and $120 if you check two bags! This works even if you purchased the cheapest basic economy fare or an award ticket.

Another benefit of the card is priority boarding. Just pay the taxes and fees on your award tickets with the card, and you will be among the first to board the plane.

The United Explorer card also comes with two annual United Club passes and a $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit. I find TSA PreCheck to be invaluable, as it saves me time in line at security and I don’t have to take my shoes off.

You will earn 2x miles per dollar at restaurants, hotels and on United purchases, including tickets, upgrades, and in-flight purchases. The card has no foreign transaction fees and its annual fee is waived for the first year.

Domestic award redemptions start at 10,000 United miles for flights under 700 miles, or 12,500 United miles for flights anywhere in the continental U.S. Even with the lower, 40,000 offer, after meeting minimum spending requirements, you will have enough miles for two round trip tickets.

California and Florida are excellent family-friendly destinations, each offering sunshine, beautiful beaches, great food, theme parks and loads of other attractions.

How To Fly to California or Florida With United Miles

United provides more domestic economy award space to United credit card holders, so remember to sign into your account before you start the search.

Here’s an example of an itinerary bookable with 12,000 miles and $5.60 in taxes per person.

And here’s an example of an itinerary that you can book with just 10,000 United miles per person.

Find A Hyatt Property For Your Stay

For this trip, we’ll focus on Chase World of Hyatt credit card. The card has a sign-up bonus of 25,000 points after spending $3,000 in 3 months. If you spend an additional $3,000 in the first six months for a total of $6,000, you will earn an additional 25,000 points for a total of 50,000 points.

World of Hyatt Credit Card

60,000

total bonus points

30,000 points after $3k spend in 3 months. Up to 30,000 additional points by earning 2X points on the first $15,000 spent in non-bonus categories in the first 6 months.

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The card’s benefits include one free anniversary night at category 1-4 hotels and automatic World of Hyatt Discoverist status. You can earn 9X World of Hyatt points per dollar at Hyatt hotels, 2X points per dollar at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, local transit and commuting and on fitness clubs and gym memberships.

World of Hyatt is a favorite program of many travelers as award rates start at just 5,000 points for category 1 hotels. Hyatt also has many family-friendly properties in great destinations bookable for just 12,000 or 15,000 points.

Amazing Value in Family-Friendly Florida

There are a few great properties that you can book with just your signup bonus for a great family getaway to Florida.

The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa is a category 4 hotel that you can book with 15,000 points per night.

This hotel has an amazing pool with a lazy river, water slides, and a waterfall. A queen room can accommodate up to four people.

The Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay is another great option.

It’s a category 3 hotel and a night there costs only 17,000 points for a Club Access room. Club access includes a Grand Hyatt lounge that comes with breakfast, evening hors-d’oeuvres and snacks. It’s a great option for families with kids – you’ll save a lot of money by taking advantage of snacks, water, and soft drinks at the lounge.

There are many kid-friendly activities in the Tampa area, including the Florida Aquarium, Busch Gardens, the Museum of Science & Industry and, of course, nearby great beaches.

If you’re interested in visiting the theme parks, there are three category 2 hotels near Universal Studios, Orlando:

• Hyatt House Across from Universal Orlando
• Hyatt Place Across from Universal Orlando
• Hyatt House Orlando International Drive

You can book any of these properties for 8,000 points per night. Additionally, Hyatt House and Hyatt Place properties offer free breakfast to World of Hyatt members.

Hotels located close to theme parks are notoriously pricey, so this is a great opportunity to save some cash and enjoy The Wizarding World of Harry Potter!