A memorable mother-daughter adventure to the Grand Canyon using 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points

I'm an avid bucket lister with an extensive list of experiences I aim to accomplish in my lifetime, often reviewing it to ensure I check off a few each year. However, that changed during COVID-19. Like many families, my focus shifted to health and family care. My mom, who has always prioritized family, raised my two siblings and me while caring for my late father during his battle with stage-four cancer. Now, she's looking after my grandparents as they near 90. Despite her selflessness, she has yet to fulfill her number one bucket list item: visiting the Grand Canyon.

With 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points—a highly regarded flexible point currency—I decided to finally take my mom to see the Grand Canyon. If you’re considering a special trip like this, now is the perfect time to apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, as Chase is offering its best-ever sign-up bonus: 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening.

Here’s how our trip unfolded and how I made it possible using points (and a bit of cash).

Day 1: Land in Phoenix and embark on a road trip to Clear Sky Resorts

To kick off our first day, we rose early in Pittsburgh at around 3:30 a.m. to catch a 6 a.m. flight to Phoenix, with a layover at JFK. Given the current challenges with many restaurants and shops being closed or understaffed, finding a place to eat during layovers can be quite tricky.

We arrived in Phoenix at approximately 11:30 a.m. and collected our Avis rental vehicle.

Cost: We secured a great deal on our rental car and paid in cash: $284.85.

Before starting our three-hour drive to our accommodation near the Grand Canyon, we indulged in delicious Mexican food at a fantastic spot called Cocina Madrigal, conveniently located less than 10 minutes from the airport. After lunch, we drove for three hours until we were on I-64, the main route into Grand Canyon National Park, when our GPS instructed us to turn right off the highway onto a dirt road. Initially, all we saw was a long expanse of desert… then the domes came into view.

In my search for hotels near the Grand Canyon, I found that most options were not only pricey but also outdated, prompting me to look for "glamping" alternatives. While I enjoy rugged backcountry trips, that’s not my mom’s style, so I aimed for something more luxurious and less rustic. Clear Sky Resorts turned out to be the ideal choice for both of us. The geodesic domes featured spacious, comfy beds, complimentary plush robes and slippers, an in-room fireplace, free drinks during happy hour at the "welcome dome," an on-site food truck serving coffee and meals, secure doors, and a stunningly modern bathroom.

Upon checking in at the welcome dome, we were greeted by their friendly and knowledgeable staff, who then transported us to our dome via golf cart. After settling in, we returned to the lobby to collect some complimentary drinks and our dinner, which we enjoyed on our private deck. When night fell, we donned our robes and relaxed on the deck, marveling at the breathtaking starlit sky without any light pollution. After stargazing outside, we retreated inside and continued to gaze at the stars from the comfort of our bed through the skylight.

Cost: A night in a Luxury Sky Dome required 25,353 Chase Ultimate Rewards points booked via the Chase Travel portal.

Day 2: Exploring the Grand Canyon

Thanks to the beautiful natural light flooding our dome, we woke up at 6 a.m., feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day—credit to the fantastic accommodations! We headed over to the food truck for breakfast and coffee. I couldn't resist jumping on the massive in-ground trampoline available on-site, and then we played cornhole (Clear Sky Resorts features a playground, various outdoor games, a trampoline, a disc golf course, and more). We were enjoying ourselves so much that we nearly lost track of time for our planned excursion.

We arranged a two-hour "Grand Entrance" tour with Pink Jeep Adventure tours to explore several key overlooks with a knowledgeable guide.

Cost: The "Scenic Rim two-hour tour" came to $174.44 for the two of us. We opted to pay cash, but we could have used 11,628 Chase Ultimate Rewards points as an alternative.

For my mom and me, experiencing the Canyon together was the highlight we were eagerly anticipating, and it exceeded our expectations. While it looks stunning in pictures, witnessing it firsthand is genuinely beyond words. My mom expressed, "This is the most breathtaking sight I have ever encountered in my life, apart from the birth of my children." It truly was that magnificent. We both found ourselves tearing up multiple times throughout the day, utterly in awe.

After completing the tour, we picked up some souvenirs and grabbed drive-thru meals to enjoy in the car while we waited to re-enter the park. Next, we headed to the main visitor center within the park and strolled to Mather's Point for even more breathtaking views.

From there, we drove to Sedona to check into the Poco Diablo Resort, unaware that we were about to experience one of the most stunning drives of our lives. After over an hour of driving through the desert, we suddenly found ourselves atop the lush Oak Creek Canyon, winding down its curvy roads. Once again, we were left speechless by the area's natural beauty.

Cost: A night at the Poco Diablo Resort set us back 15,545 Chase Ultimate Rewards points via the Chase Travel portal.

We then ventured out for dinner at Sound Bites Grill, where live music fills the air every Thursday night. We sipped sangria while enjoying Spanish guitar against the backdrop of the red rocks at sunset during our meal. After dining, we did some shopping before returning to the hotel, as I had an early morning hike planned.

Day 3: Hiking and shopping in Sedona, visiting the Chapel of the Holy Cross, followed by a drive to Scottsdale

Since I was hiking solo in the desert, I aimed for an easy, well-marked trail that would have plenty of foot traffic early in the morning. Following the advice of our Jeep guide and the Clear Sky staff, I chose Bell Rock, which turned out to be an excellent decision. Parking was a breeze, the trail had a good number of hikers (without being overcrowded), and the views were breathtaking from every perspective. I hiked for a while and took a break in the shade of a juniper tree near the top, soaking in the mystical "vortex" energy that Sedona is famous for.

After our hike, we treated ourselves to coffee and donuts at Sedonuts (which were absolutely divine) before checking out of our room. Since my mom is quite religious, we couldn't leave Sedona without visiting the Chapel of the Holy Cross. Regardless of your beliefs, the chapel is a stunning architectural and spiritual masterpiece that merits a visit.

Next, we explored Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village for some shopping and enjoyed lunch at the Secret Garden Cafe (definitely our favorite meal of the trip). Afterward, we headed to Scottsdale!

After a morning hike, a midday trek up to the chapel, and a whole afternoon of shopping (not to mention a two-hour drive), we were exhausted. We headed straight to our hotel: The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch. The property and its surroundings are absolutely breathtaking, so we decided to unwind, explore the resort a bit, and enjoy an early night in.

Price: A night at The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch set us back 12,000 World of Hyatt points. I transferred my Chase Ultimate Rewards points to my Hyatt account to make the reservation directly with them.

Day 4: Scottsdale

On our final full day, we set out to explore Scottsdale and enjoy some time at the hotel pool! We kicked off the morning with breakfast at Butter's Pancake House, a local hotspot. Earlier in our trip, we had forgotten to visit the Grand Canyon Harley Davidson store (we always grab a shirt for my uncle, a veteran and Harley enthusiast), so we made a detour to the Scottsdale location. To our surprise, we discovered it was the largest Harley Davidson store in the world! Spanning 150,000 square feet, it features a tattoo parlor, movie theater, barbershop, and even a chapel—who knew you could get married at a Harley Davidson? After that, we headed back to the hotel for some pool relaxation.

The main hotel pool is stunning, spacious, and has a pool bar and restaurant with live music... but every single chair was occupied. Thanks to our wonderful concierge, we learned about a smaller, lesser-known pool on another side of the resort and made our way there. To our delight, we found the entire pool and its cabanas all to ourselves.

After spending a few hours outdoors in the scorching heat of over 100 degrees, we decided it was time for some shopping. We headed to Old Town Scottsdale, a charming and walkable area filled with unique shops and restaurants.

We dined at Grimaldi's Pizza, thanks to a friend's recommendation. My calzone was delicious, but unexpectedly, my favorite margarita of the trip (I sampled one at every stop) was at this pizzeria! The salted watermelon margarita is absolutely divine—truly one of the best drinks I've ever tasted.

Post-dinner, the temperature soared to around 110 degrees, and we were ready to call it a night. Upon returning to the resort, we noticed that the National QB Club was hosting an event. My mom has a celebrity crush on Terry Bradshaw, so we may have lingered in the courtyard for about an hour, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. Unfortunately, he didn't show, so we retreated to pack up for our early departure at 6:30 a.m. the following morning.

Day 5: Farewell Phoenix, hello Pittsburgh

On our final day, we boarded our Southwest flight back to Pittsburgh. It was a nonstop journey, which we truly appreciated after such a busy trip.

This adventure exceeded all our expectations, and we're incredibly grateful to have used points and miles for an unforgettable mother-daughter experience together.