Hey all -
I apologize if this is redundant, but I have one specific question and then am curious about some general strategy people use on AA/OW in general.

We are a family of three. Me, wife, and soon to be 4 year old daughter. I have ExPlat and can probably keep that indefinitely under current program rules. Recent convert from UA/*A.

Specific situation: I had a trip for all of us booked to Chicago from LAX. I'm going to a conference and wanted them to come, but they decided to stay at home. Need to use their flight credit, so booked tickets to Kawaii for April. When I called ExPlat booking they said I couldn't do it on one reservation because the flight credit was only in their names not mine. They were helpful, I had put the reserve on hold for all three of us with chosen seats, they split it into two, booked them, and then booked me separately with cash. Is there some way for me to link those reservations now? Do I need to, or it doesn't really matter? (Its all F, so baggage not a concern).

General strategy: For travel with wife and I, my plan is to mostly book either both in PE and use SWU/Upgrades for international, or to outright book her tickets in Biz with miles and buy mine with cash. Wondering what people with one child do. Obviously makes lounge access hard on non business class tickets (thought I do have AC).
- Do people put spouse in business and self/child in Econ/PE and play upgrade game?
- Do people book spouse and child w/ miles directly and then pay for their own for LP/miles?

Thanks all!