Hello travel people!
Wondering if anyone knows the best way to get the most out of their Avion Travel points?
Seems like trying to book any flight outside of Canada and the USA isn’t worth it because of the tax fees on top of the “free” flight.
Some cost almost as much as the flight itself!
Any tips?… See more

Use Carlson Wagonlit! They can get you the best deal for your points and you earn points while using your points! We got to Arizona for 75,000 points return for 2 people
.

Cool thanks!

could you use them to book using Alaska points ?

Was that including taxes?
Looking on the Avion site it’s only 70,000 for two people return to Arizona but then $135 in taxes each.

Mieke sorry yeah it was 70,000 for 2 people return, but then I used additional points to pay for the taxes
the market value of the flight was about $650 each way with air canada. Not all flights have the same value

Avion is best to book yourself as the flights are based on a point system not the cost. Using Wagonlit does $1 per point the last time I checked. Maybe things have changed. Also Cuba is amazing and you have to use a (any) travel agent because of the travel laws. I’ve traveled over 10 flights on points and always come out ahead. You can find any flight and call and they have to book what you ask. And the taxes are the taxes, you can’t get away from those ..... it’s Canada

*

Following. We have found the same thing. We looked to book to Europe, the fees cost almost the same as flights without using points.

*

I have aeroplan and I have Alaska points. I'm going to Scotland next month on air transat because the fare there (although not back) was just a tad more than what I would pay in taxes and fees. The taxes to land in Britain are huge - not sure if that is only Heathrow, but certainly anywhere on British Airlines points bookings.

The UK and Canada have some of the highest taxes, fees and surcharges in the world.

*

*

If traveling to Europe or beyond try Turkish Airline or SwissAir. I’ve found their taxes and fees to be much lower.

And I can pay with Avion points?

air canada and Lufhtansa flights both will charge you taxes on the flight. Check out alternative routes with other airlines (United/air china).
An example I was just looking at was flying in and out of Africa with Lufhtansa was $630 in fees/taxes but when using United and air china was just $66!