You have one of the ingredients in QUALITY time. I did Sunday nite thru Friday travelling while my kids were young and what we did from Friday nite to Sunday nite far
exceeded what could happen Monday thru Thursday. Definitely out to dinner on Friday with the family, or head to the beach
or a special place for the weekend. Take a little extra time with the very significant other and praise and compliment them.

Now that my kids are grown and on their own,
they say they do not even remember me being gone that much. I think this is because we
all spent quality time together when I was
at home.

As for the reward portion of trips, etc., I still get requests from them for miles so that they can take trips. Probably because the rewards were there when they were growing up. Now, the rewards are for my wife and I, and she goes with me ocassionally to interesting places.

Sure, all these extras cost a little more, but, believe one who has been there, it's worth it.