We took a more scattered approach: jump into all programs (via card signups). Works so far and P3 has a better credit score than me!
The thing I dislike about buying an airfare (vrs. using points) is that they are just not as cancellable.
It definitely does feel good to share the occasional benefit!

This is an evolving situation. Son is pretty much on his own now and actually thinks like his dad… to an extent. He transfers regularly from Chase to Aeroplan and books trips. And with Hyatt as well. Daughter has not ventured out of the Chase ecosystem yet. They are now both getting used to Capital One points. If there is a great need I will bail them out, just like I did for my daughter to get her out of Malaysia avoiding going through the Middle East.

They have both become pretty good Google Flights users so many times they end up buying their own airfare. And yes I have been gifting son several of my Globalist goodies. Like I said, there are no set rules other than I will bail them out if they need my help. And I will continue letting them learn on their own, best way to learn.

Ooops, one question: what is your philosophy on sponsoring tickets for the “kids”? : only when travelling with/to parental “event”? Only when points (not cash) are used? And…do you try to balance between the two of them (i.e., “keep score”)?

I’ve taken approach of helping P3 learn the ropes but can’t do this for P4. (Mine are about the same age as yours.). On occasion, when they plan their own trips, I may trhrow them some room stays. And I do pay when It’s a family gathering. Just curious what others do.

I am $247 away from a Hilton FNC. I stopped doing the Aspire/Surpass upgrade/downgrade thingie some time ago when I went all in on Hyatt. And no time for MS anymore. Now with the Hyatt developments I am thinking of circling back to more Hilton “opportunities”. But lately Amex does not like me, I wonder why 🙂

I’ve heard somewhere that there are credit cards that actually give you a free night… LOL

No FNC’s available?

Oh, just burned 100k UA miles to book Detroit to Chicago on United First, Chicago to Tokyo Haneda on United Polaris and on to Bangkok on ANA Business in mid August. Good placeholder until picture gets clearer.

Need to get out of the house for a few nights to let the new wood floor set in or something. In pre Hyatt devaluations I would just book a Hyatt with points. Now? Nope. Did book a night at The Shinola, an Amex FHR property to use my $300 Amex Business Platinum credit. Prepaid $379 and likely going to cost $415. Will make sure to squeeze every FHR benefit however. Because this is what I do lol. The second night? Stay at a friend’s house to save the Hyatt points.

And so on it goes in the land of travel hacking…

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