As a financial advisor myself and certified FT miles/points junkie, I must admit I have had to do some inner soul searching about this. Most people are just not cut out for this hobby and messing with credit cards will only lead to financial hardships. So, I have reconciled with myself by doing the following:

-No client is allowed to carry a balance on their credit cards

-All clients are encouraged to use their credit cards and get something in return in either miles/points, cash rebates or whatever...get something for your credit card use for crying out loud!

-Most clients know my travel hobby and I have treated some of them to unforgettable experiences (first class ticket to Hawai, first class ticket to Seattle, Venice hotel with upgrades, etc.) and have told them I am available for consulting in these matters:-)

-To the few who I know have the aptitude for it, I have totally come out to them and converted them to AA card churning, US Mint dollar coin buying mileage whores like myself....Sometimes I wonder if I should initiate a fee for this type of consulting as the airlines are doing Regardless, after what they have accomplished on top of the top notch financial and tax advice they are getting from me, I know they are not looking to switch to another advisor such as the one mentioned in the article