Thank you MDtR-Chicago,

That helps a lot.

I would say I'm being "cautious" by trying to accumulate the cash equivalent points at this point as a backup in case I cant get the award flights - since I do not know how flexible I will be able to be.... and that i want 4 tickets may make it more difficult.

My husband and I havent used our United accounts in years, so I have to have some activity in them in order to be eligible for the larger sign up bonuses available right now (65k). I could transfer some ultimate rewards activity to them to get them going.