Family Travel Unpacked: Make the Most of Travel With Kids

Melissa Conn
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  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Weekly

Family Travel Unpacked is a family travel podcast for parents who want to travel with kids more easily, confidently, and joyfully. Hosted by Melissa from The Family Voyage, each episode breaks down real-life family travel strategies, smart planning tips, and destination inspiration so travel with kids actually feels doable. From packing hacks and family vacation planning to hotel tips, points and award travel for families, and travel mistakes to avoid, you’ll laugh, learn, and walk away ready to plan your next stress-free family trip.

  1. 4d ago

    Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Recap & Mini Review

    Get the quick highs and lows in this Grand Hyatt Scottsdale review + recap episode, all in less time that it takes to drink your morning coffee! Find out if this could be the right resort for your trip to Scottsdale with kids - and what might be the biggest drawback for many families. Check prices at Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Amex Platinum Card for The Hotel Collection bookings: $300 statement credit, $100 property credit, breakfast for 2, guarantee 4pm late checkout, room upgrade Arizona with kids resources: Things to do in Phoenix and Scottsdale with kidsBest Scottsdale Resorts For FamiliesBest Scottsdale Family-Friendly Rentals For An Amazing StayRoyal Palms Resort & Spa Review: Is It the Best Romantic Getaway In Phoenix?How to Spend the Perfect Weekend in Scottsdale (Without the Kids!)8 Great Things to do in Arizona with KidsYour essential Arizona packing listSaguaro National Park visitors guide7 Fun Things To Do In Tucson With Kids3 Exciting Ways to Do a Day Trip to Sedona from PhoenixFun things to do in Flagstaff with kidsWhere to stay in Flagstaff with kidsDon't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone. Blog The Family Voyage Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop! Chase Sapphire credit cards

    5 min

  2. Jun 9

    What's in My Carry-On? Travel Essentials for Your Next Trip

    My carry-on has evolved over years of family travel - and at this point, it's pretty dialed in. This episode breaks down exactly what's in my bag, from the backpack I choose to the credit cards I pack and why. A few of these might surprise you! In this episode: How I choose the right backpack for every tripThe power adapter I use every single day — at home and abroadWhy I think carefully about which credit cards to pack (and make a list)What I bring to actually get some sleep on overnight flightsThe carry-on essential I'm still experimenting withTimestamps: 00:00 Welcome and summer travel updates01:25 Choosing the right carry-on backpack03:00 Power adapter and plane outlet hack04:13 Cables and battery packs05:23 Laptop and camera gear06:32 Sunglasses and the beach rule07:19 Snack strategy08:06 Picking the right travel credit cards10:38 Water bottle and hydration11:30 Plane comfort essentials12:41 Sleep tips and wrap-upResources: Backpacks: Travelon anti-theft backpackREI Flash 22REI Trail 25Tech & Power: TESSAN 100W multi-country USB/plug adapterClip on portable phone/watch chargeriWalk portable batteryCamera set: Olympus OM-D E-M10 bodyOlympus M.Zuiko 14-150 mm F4-5.6 II LensOlympus spare batterySunglasses: Knockaround sunglassesGoodr sunglassesEarbuds: Anker SoundCore X20 noise-canceling earbudsWater: Half-liter insulated water bottleCamelBak hydration bladderDon't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone. Blog The Family Voyage Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop! Chase Sapphire credit cards

    14 min

  3. Jun 2

    How We Planned London & Azores on Points

    This summer our family is heading to London and the Azores — and before we go, I'm walking you through exactly how we're paying for it with points and miles. From 32,500 AA miles per person to a $1 flight (yes, really), this episode breaks down every flight and every hotel booking and shows you what this trip would have cost in cash versus what we're actually paying out of pocket. If you've ever wondered whether the points and miles game is worth it for a family, this one's for you. IN THIS EPISODE Why we paired London and the Azores together — and why we couldn't squeeze in a second islandHow booking nine months out locked us into an ideal one-stop itinerary at 32,500 AA miles per personThe one-dollar flight from London to São Miguel — and why departure taxes matter more than you thinkHow we'll get home from the Azores with United miles and a cardholder dealFinding a four-person hotel room in London (harder than it sounds)How we used Amex points — a currency we were flush with but not using enough — to cover our Azores hotel stayThe full cash value of this trip vs. what we're actually payingTIMESTAMPS 00:00 Welcome and Points Preview  01:32 Trip Setup and Constraints  03:22 Flights to London with AA Miles  06:36 Avios Deal and UK Departure Taxes  08:04 Flying Home from the Azores  10:36 London Hotel: The Standard with Hyatt Points  13:23 Azores Hotel: DoubleTree with Amex and Hilton Points  15:16 Total Costs and Takeaways  16:46 Wrapping Up Credit Cards Chase Sapphire PreferredChase Sapphire ReserveCapital One Venture XAmex Gold CardAmex Platinum CardAward Search Tools PointsYeahAwardToolMore Resources Best Credit Cards for Family TravelHow to Travel Free with KidsEpisode 30 – Portugal on PointsEpisode 14 – Hacking HotelsEpisode 7 - Travel with kids for FREE? Yes please! Don't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone. Blog The Family Voyage Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop! Chase Sapphire credit cards

    18 min

  4. May 26

    The Magic Combo: Southwest Companion Pass + World of Hyatt Points

    Southwest Companion Pass + World of Hyatt points = endless family travel possibilities. Here's how to make them work together. What happens when you combine the Southwest Companion Pass with World of Hyatt points? You get one of the most versatile family travel strategies out there — whether you're looking for an easy long weekend at a Texas resort, a ski trip in Colorado, an eco-adventure in Costa Rica, or an all-inclusive in Jamaica. In this episode I'm breaking down how these two programs work together, walking through some of my favorite properties across several trip types, and sharing honest real-world experience from stays I've actually done with my family. In this episode: How the Southwest Companion Pass works — and why having two in one household is a game-changerThe best tip for saving even more on Southwest fares after you bookHow Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to World of Hyatt at 1:1 — and why that mattersThree ways to earn a Category 1-4 free night certificate from the Chase World of Hyatt cardWhat Hyatt's new five-tier award chart means for families (and the silver lining for cert holders)Easy long weekend getaways: Florida, Texas, New Mexico, CaliforniaFamily adventure trips: Costa Rica, Joshua Tree, skiing, Hawaii and why Anchorage is suddenly on the tableAll-inclusives: the properties, AND the important caveats families need to know before bookingTimestamps 00:00 — Welcome  01:42 — Earning the Southwest Companion Pass and Saving More After You Book 05:20 — Chase, Hyatt Points and Free Night Certificates  07:36 — Understanding Hyatt's New Award Chart  09:12 — Easy Long Weekend Getaways 18:31 — Family Adventure Trips 28:19 — All-Inclusive Resorts 32:27 — Wrap-Up Resources Southwest Southwest credit cards How to earn the Southwest companion passEpisode 17 — Southwest Companion Pass deep diveChase / Hyatt Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card World of Hyatt award chartHotel Reviews on The Family Voyage Andaz Costa Rica at Peninsula PapagayoHyatt Regency Lost PinesHyatt Regency WaikikiHyatt Regency Coconut PointHyatt Regency Grand CypressDon't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone. Blog The Family Voyage Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop! Chase Sapphire credit cards

    34 min

  5. May 19

    Clash of the (Sort of) Ninety-Five Dollar Travel Credit Cards

    Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Capital One Venture X — which travel credit card is right for your family? Melissa breaks down annual fees, earning rates, transfer partners, lounge access, and real-world redemptions to help you decide. Spoiler: you'll probably want both. In this episode: Why the Venture X's $395 annual fee is effectively comparable to the Sapphire Preferred's $95 — and how the math worksThe Capital One travel portal price match trick that actually worksCurrent welcome bonusesHow the Chase Freedom Unlimited pairs with the Sapphire Preferred to maximize everyday earningTransfer partners: why Chase and Capital One complement each other rather than competeWhat's changing with World of Hyatt's award chart and what it means for your redemptionsCapital One Offers: the underrated feature that scored Melissa's family 10k bonus points on an Expedia booking and 5k on StubHub — plus a jaw-dropping theme park ticket offerLounge access: what the recent guest policy changes mean for familiesThe Chase 5/24 rule, Capital One's inquiry sensitivity, and the right order to open these cardsHow to freeze a credit bureau before applying to improve your Capital One approval oddsHow Ronnie and Melissa divide the cards in their household — and how she uses his Venture X at Target, the grocery store and all around townTimestamps 00:00 Welcome 02:18 Why Compare the Capital One Venture X vs Chase Sapphire Preferred? 03:37 Annual Fee Math Explained 07:01 Bonuses and Real Examples 08:22 Earning Rates and Strategy 11:45 Portals vs Transfer Partners 16:41 CapitalOne Offers Hack 18:34 Premium Perks 21:44 Application Tips 24:11 Final Recommendations Credit Cards Chase Sapphire Preferred  Chase Freedom Unlimited Chase Ink Business Preferred Capital One Venture X (Personal)  Capital One Venture X Business Award Search Tools PointsYeah AwardTool Articles Free travel resources Best Credit Cards for Family Travel Get your free ebook Don't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone. Blog The Family Voyage Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop! Chase Sapphire credit cards

    26 min

  6. May 12

    Europe with Kids: A Beginners Guide

    Planning a family trip to Europe but not sure where to start? In this episode Melissa breaks down everything you need to know to plan your first family trip to Europe — from choosing the right destination for your family to getting around once you're there without losing your mind. With nine trips to Europe across more than a decade of family travel, Melissa has done it every way imaginable: road trips, trains, ferries, budget flights, and everything in between. She shares which countries work best for first-timers and why, what to expect logistically, and how to use points and miles to bring the cost of a family trip to Europe within reach. In this episode: The single most important mindset shift for a first Europe trip with kidsWhat you need to know about passports and travel authorizations before you bookA destination-by-destination breakdown of the best countries for first-time Europe families - including Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Greece, France, and IcelandHow to get around Europe with kidsHow to use points and miles to significantly reduce your costsPractical on-the-ground tips: adapters, eSIMs, travel insurance, and more00:00 Welcome  02:11 Big picture planning 05:35 Best destinations for a first family trip to Europe  17:57 Getting around Europe with kids  22:30 Europe on a budget  24:27 Logistical tips for your family trip to Europe  26:08 Do you need travel insurance? 27:11 Final thoughts and where to go from here Articles Europe with Kids — Complete Destination Hub Should you bring your car seat to Europe? Ireland with Kids Travel Guide Where to Go in Italy with Kids Spring Portugal with Kids Itinerary, Recap and (Slight) Regrets Greece with Kids: Where Should You Go? Athens with Kids in One Day (or Two) Naxos with Kids Visiting Crete with Kids Paris with Kids Best Iceland Tours Travel Insurance & Gear Squaremouth (compare insurance plans) Universal travel power adapter Airalo eSIM (use code MELISS0517) Don't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone. Blog The Family Voyage Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop! Chase Sapphire credit cards

    28 min

  7. May 5

    Road Trip with Kids: How to Plan, Pack & Actually Enjoy the Drive

    With summer airfare through the roof, road trips are having a major moment — and honestly, they deserve it. In this episode, Melissa shares her best family road trip tips from two cross-country drives and multiple thousand-mile trips with her kids: how to plan your route, pack the car smart, keep everyone happy on long driving days, and use points, miles, and credit card perks to save big on hotels and gas. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro & why road trips make sense this summer 01:41 – Route planning: apps, mindset & building in buffer 06:04 – Packing the car: comfort, gear & staying organized 13:55 – Food & entertainment on the road 19:53 – Saving money: gas, tolls, hotels & park passes Credit cards mentioned: Chase Sapphire PreferredCapital One Venture XUnited Explorer CardGear mentioned in this episode: Cigarette lighter USB power stripInflatable footrestMini cutting board & knifePortable jump starter & battery packYoto MiniTonieboxUSB mini vacuumApps & tools: RoadtrippersWanderlogGasBuddyCardPointersRoad trip guides on The Family Voyage: Michigan Road Trip ItineraryNew York & Canada Road TripRoad Trip Tips with KidsHave a question or a topic you'd like covered? Reach out at melissa@thefamilyvoyage.com or find me on Facebook/Instagram at @thefamilyvoyage. If this episode was helpful, share it with a family who's figuring out their summer plans — and don't forget to leave a five-star review wherever you listen. It helps other families find the show! Don't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone. Blog The Family Voyage Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop! Chase Sapphire credit cards

    28 min

  8. Apr 28

    Portugal with Kids: Itinerary, Tips and My Honest Take

    Family travel to Portugal with kids: honest recap of our spring break family trip to Portugal covering Lisbon, Sintra, Cascais and Porto. We just got back from nine nights in Portugal with our kids and this episode covers everything — what worked, what surprised us, and what you need to know before you go. We share our full itinerary across Lisbon and Porto, a night in Cascais after a Sintra day trip, our honest take on navigating Celiac disease in Portugal, why our whole family liked Porto better than Lisbon, a private Douro Valley day trip, and a few things we'd do differently. Links to all tours, hotels, and resources mentioned are below. TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction  4:00 Lisbon with kids  17:30 Sintra and Cascais  21:00 Jewish history tour and Day 5 in Lisbon  23:30 Porto with kids 27:00 Douro Valley day trip 28:30 Wrapping up LINKS Tours & Experiences 2-hour Lisbon tuk tuk tour Lisbon food tour Quake Lisbon Oceanário de Lisboa Private Sintra day trip Pena Palace Park and/or Interior Moorish Castle in Sintra Jewish Lisbon tour Daytrip – Douro Valley private day trip Tile painting workshop in Porto Livraria Lello in Porto Where to Stay Hyatt Regency Lisbon  Hotel Baia, Cascais Líbere Porto Laranjais Resources Portugal With Kids Itinerary Best Things to Do in Lisbon With Kids Where to Stay in Lisbon With Kids Where to Stay in Porto With Kids Books The Girl with the Secret Name Rick Steves Portugal Don't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone. Blog The Family Voyage Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop! Chase Sapphire credit cards

    28 min
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About

Family Travel Unpacked is a family travel podcast for parents who want to travel with kids more easily, confidently, and joyfully. Hosted by Melissa from The Family Voyage, each episode breaks down real-life family travel strategies, smart planning tips, and destination inspiration so travel with kids actually feels doable. From packing hacks and family vacation planning to hotel tips, points and award travel for families, and travel mistakes to avoid, you’ll laugh, learn, and walk away ready to plan your next stress-free family trip.

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