About

Who writes this folio.

Born in Hong Kong, raised in Toronto. Since then I've lived and worked in Hong Kong, Japan, New York, and Bermuda — where I currently lead international reinsurance solutions for a global reinsurer. Asia has never been a destination. It's a place I keep returning to.

Three-plus business trips to Asia a year, usually two or three cities at a time, multiple more within North America. I fly economy, business, or first depending on what the math says — premium for what's worth it, economy for what isn't. The East Letter is for readers who think the same way.

Why I started this.

My parents used points to put me in business class to Asia when I was younger. Two decades later I'm doing the reverse — finding premium seats so they can enjoy them before I do. They've earned it. The East Letter is what I've learned along the way, written down for the readers I wish I'd had access to.

I also plan trips for a family of four. Travel is a hobby, but it's operationally personal — every routing has to work for kids, parents, and budget at the same time. That's the lens you'll see in the alerts.

On the points game.

Both a blessing and a curse. It's not a place to pour disposable income just to earn rewards — earning points should be a function of necessity, paying for things you'd buy anyway. Don't go into debt for points. The cards I hold work because they provide me with more value than the cost: Chase Ritz-Carlton, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum, Capital One Venture X. Again, doesn't work for everyone. Make sure it does for you.

Loyalty:

• American AAdvantage — Executive Platinum
• Marriott Bonvoy — Titanium
• World of Hyatt — Explorist

Those are home. I'll stray for a deal worth straying for.

Day job.

Reinsurance Executive. The analytical voice you'll see in The East Letter — scoring redemptions, comparing cents-per-mile, weighing routing tradeoffs — is the same brain that executes multi-billion-dollar transactions. Same thinking, different domain.