Average Cost: $328.96 Points Used: 28,000 + Taxes & Fees: $11.20 CPP: 1.13

After opening a total of 3 AA cards in 2024 for a trip we had planned, but never executed, we had plenty of AA miles to burn. So despite the "poor" redemption - it helped us save a little bit and use miles that would be otherwise sitting there. For the flight back, the cash was so cheap thanks to a Hopper alert that we booked in cash. 

This was also Noah's first flight, and he did great - he just slept the whole time. 

Average Cost: $678 Points Used: 60,000 + Taxes & Fees: $47.20 CPP: 1.05

For the flight to San Diego, I used all of my United Travel Bank credits from my Amex Business Platinums. For the return, this Alaska flight was most ideal time, but wasn't really available for cheap points anywhere execept its own site. The taxes were only $11.20, but when transferring Amex points to domestic airlines, you get hit with an excise tax, hence the extra $36. 

Again, with so many points earned, I felt that burning was better even with such a low value. 

Average Cost: $338 Points Used: 23,000 + Taxes & Fees: $11.20 CPP: 1.42

After knowing Noah could travel well, we quickly booked several weekend trips to continue our love for travel. I also wanted to checkout the new Capital One Landing lounge in DCA, so we booked this flight to Boston. Points transferred from Chase to JetBlue 1:1 (the other banks have worse ratios) and Noah checked off another airline. 

Average Cost: $680 Points Used: 42,000 + Taxes & Fees: $16.80 CPP: 1.58

On the Sunday of our return from Boston, there weren't any good economy flights available that fit our time and price. So... we booked domestic business class instead! The points used basically was equivalent to the economy flights. We transferred Amex points to Virgin Atlantic to book this Delta flight - which was nice to have some extra legroom, but nothing otherwise special. 

With my Amex Business Platinum I was able to check out the Delta lounge - and even take a shower!

Average Cost: $329 Points Used: 21,000 + Taxes & Fees: $11.20 CPP: 1.51

I love finding Turkish Airlines sweet spots for domestic United flights - it's usually the cheapest option on top of not charging extra points or cash for lap infants. It also helped we flew on the Wednesday after labor day weekend, so chose a non-busy time to fly and a non-peak time for the beach. On the way back I used up the remaining United credits I had. 

Average Cost: $9,540.50 Points Used: 620,133 + Taxes & Fees: $0 CPP: 1.54

I did what I tell everyone else not to do - use the travel portal. Problem was that there is only one direct flight from IAD to ICN, and we went during a holiday so no award seats were even given out. I had built up over a million Amex points, so it was time to put them to work. With the Amex Business Platinum, I also get a 35% rebate from using my points through the Amex portal, so I decided to bite the bullet and redeem my points for this trip. 

And it was totally worth it simply becuase Noah was now crawling and he actually had space to move around and sleep. If had to carry him the whole time, it would have been unbearable. 

Business

Average Cost: $596 Points Used: 28,000 + Taxes & Fees: $37.20 CPP: 2.00

Economy

Average Cost: $271 Points Used: 10,000 + Taxes & Fees: $37.200 CPP: 2.34

There was only one business class seat for this flight... so of course I gave that to Sarah and Noah. They enjoyed sleeping and being up front, while I just watched movies from my aisle economy seat. I love Cathay Pacific though and it was a superb short flight. I transferred my Capital One Points directly to Cathay Pacific for this. 

Average Cost: $42,299 Points Used: 330,000 + Taxes & Fees: $356.98 CPP: 13.42

Infant cost: $2,200

This was the capstone flight I was looking forward to all year - the best redemption, the longest flight, the most luxurious experience.  Even with the crazy $2,200 fare for a lap infant, it was still worth it to experience the first class lounge, michelin star dining, and the ability for all three of us to sleep comfortability on our way back to the states.  

Points were also transferred from Capital One. 

Average Cost: $978 Points Used: 77,000 + Taxes & Fees: $11.20 CPP: 1.26

I originally had booked a business class seat for even fewer points to DCA because of how the timing would work out with our flight back from Hong Kong. But times changed and by the time I could rebook, all the prices were shooting up. 

Fortunately Sarah had opened up a Delta card just for this idea so we used the points and got free checked bags for our way home. At JFK we also got to check out the new, massiave Capital One lounge.