Why kids who fly need their own email addresses
In an increasingly connected world, it's important that your kids have their own email addresses. This is especially the case if they fly. More often than not, in order to establish a frequent flyer account for your child, you need to use an email address that is distinct from your own. Each account needs an identifying email address and sharing one just won't cut it in these instances.
Even if you just travel once or twice a year as a family, there's no reason to let those frequent flyer miles go to waste. But, if your child doesn't have a frequent flyer account, it's a no-go. If you don't have an account, there's no way to earn miles. Kids may also need their own email addresses for establishing a relationship with Homeland Security's Trusted Traveler Programs (Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, Nexus or Sentri).
While you may not actually give your kids access to their own email address until they hit a certain age, you'll likely still need to create and manage one on their behalf -- even when they are just infants, toddlers or tweens. Here's some advice on how to do just that.
Use this Gmail tip to quickly setup email addresses for your kids
TPG editor-at-large Zach Honig shared some fantastic advice about using this simple Gmail trick to create a new email address. The beautiful part here is that the emails directed to this new address will actually be delivered to your Gmail inbox. And, this method is free. This is the perfect scenario for a parent that's setting up and managing email accounts for the sole purpose of managing their children's loyalty accounts.
Anyone with an existing Gmail address can use this technique. Say your email address is jake2656@gmail.com and your kids are Amy, Todd and Sara. You would use the following Gmail addresses when setting up their loyalty accounts:
- jake2656+amy@gmail.com
- jake2656+todd@gmail.com
- jake2656+sara@gmail.com
Whenever someone sends an email to any of the above addresses, it will appear in the jake2656@gmail.com inbox. This is awesome because you don't have to even bother setting up or registering any new email accounts. You're just sharing your inbox with your kids. This trick allows you a super easy way to get young ones signed up for loyalty programs with the added benefit of easy management on your part.
Or create a "real" Gmail email account
If you'd prefer, you can also create a real individual Gmail account for any of your kids who are under 13. Parents can manage these accounts with Google's Family Link parental control software. You can choose to keep these accounts to yourself or give your kids access. If you do, you can set up access to the specific Google products you'll allow them to access (like search, Chrome, Gmail, etc.).
Yahoo used to offer a similar service through Yahoo Family Account but it is not currently supporting the creation of new accounts.
Other email options for kids
If you want to create individual email addresses for your kids but don't want to use Gmail, there are other free and paid services that specifically cater to families. Take a look at offerings from:
- ZillaMail -- offers both a basic free service and a paid option ($1.95/month or $14.95 annually)
- KidsEmail -- free 30-day trial and then $4.95/month or $38.95 annually
- ZooBuh -- free 30-day trial and then $1/month
- Tocomail -- one-week free trial and then $2.99/month or $29.99 annually
Bottom line
Don't let an email address be the barrier to starting your kids' loyalty accounts. Setup an email address and then register your kids for their own frequent flyer accounts. You'll be glad you did when they earn enough miles for a free flight!
What solution do you use for managing email accounts for your family's loyalty accounts?
Looking for more family travel advice? Here are some resources:
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.