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Open Jaw | Tagged Posts

2015
15
January
What's the Best Way to Maximize Aeroplan Points for a Flight?

Question:

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Maria

does anyone know the most value you can get out of using your aeroplan points for a flight? I have over 100,000 (under 150k) and not sure if I should use all 100k or save up... I heard the most value you get is from using your points to go to Japan/Asia. Flexible on location and time of travel but looking to get most value out of points!

Humans say...

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Nicole

Following

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Cindy

First class to Asia is best value. Flying out of American hubs to US cities saves taxes and fees. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-canada-aeroplan-375/ is a good resource but you have to sift through lots of noise to get information.

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Terry

The most "value" (if you are talking $$ per mile) will always be business class fares. That's because generally business class on aeroplan is priced at 2X the miles of economy, whereas when paying cash business class fares are more like 4X the $$$. The question of where to go to get the most value is far more complicated. As an example, I have seen tickets to Newfoundland priced at $800 (over the Christmas season) but still going on aeroplan for 25,000 miles, which makes the aeroplan option an extraordinary deal. BUT, only if you are looking to fly to Newfoundland over the holidays.

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Melissa

.1

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Amanda

@Terry Hi Terry, do u know how does the business class work? R u saying that we could earn 2x the mile or we are using the points to get a business class ticket. Thank you.

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Danielle

Following

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Glen

Multi city trips. Flew business from Toronto- Myanmar- Bangkok- Tokyo- Toronto for the cost of a normal business fare round trip.

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Rohan

Ni Ra

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Terry

Amanda - I'm talking about getting best value when using your points.

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Peter

Long haul flight in business is the best value and desirable option, but you have to watch all the fees and compare the fare to your preferred destination.

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Mike

https://www4.aeroplan.com/FlightRewardChart.do .. You need to look over the award chart and find what's in line with your preferred destination and points available. Finding biz class for LESS than double economy is good bang for buck. Once upon a time Australia was 80k econ, 100k biz but they moved the goalposts big time! Also try to find a routing that minimizes taxes and fees (AC and lufthansa probably worst, United better, Turkish very good, anything to Asia that is not AC pretty good)

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Andrea

Include some stopovers if you can and it's 2-3 trips in 1. Mike is correct, flying turkish airlines & united airlines brings the fees down. Flew to Delhi in biz class through Istanbul earlier in the year and fees were low. Play with mufti cities for stopovers and to find alternative routes especially if direct isn't showing. Also look on Flyertalk for mini RTW ideas (round the world), another great way to maximize points.

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Shanna

Following. I have around the same number of points, over 100,000.

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Jessica

William Ju thanks!

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Grim

I've heard one way tickets are a good deal with aeroplan points

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Marcus

I used my to get business seats on a 14 hour flight Hel-Ams-LA and back. klm had a special offer and the tickets normally cost around 10k CAD. It was a lot better than getting 2 flights in coach (that would cost 3k CAD).

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Lorene

I agree with the above ... Multi-city for sure! Flew Toronto-hong kong-bangkok-toyko-toronto. Stayed in hong kong and toyko for 4 day stopovers and bangkok for 3 weeks, all for the same 75,000 points. To do this you need a middle point, mine was bangkok, flanked by a stop on either side.

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Katherin

This article was really helpful for me: https://www.creditwalk.ca/aeroplan-hacking-using.../

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Katherin

And don't forget that all international multi-city flights include free stopovers + open jaw options!

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Katherin

Also avoid air canada flights to save the most in taxes.

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Pieter

Business class t first class in Asia is usually the best value, especially on airlines based in Asia. I flew open jaw on singapore airlines from Singapore to Tokyo with a stopover in Beijing on business class for 30k points.

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Lisa

.

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Al-Rok

following

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Anne

'Value' is individually determined... burn points on one long-haul business class redemption or two in economy? Avoid the huge fuel surcharges at all costs by choosing itineraries with carriers without them. Add stopovers (aeroplan allows two on a return redemption and one on an open jaw). Consider adding a low-cost additional ticket (e.g., ryanair, Tigerair) to add destinations or to snag an aeroplan itinerary to a hub with carriers (e.g, Istanbul with Turkish or Taipei with EVA) without fuel surcharges. Here's an article listing aeroplan carriers without fuel surcharges:
http://packinglighttravel.com/.../minimizing-aeroplan.../
PACKINGLIGHTTRAVEL.COM
Minimizing aeroplan taxes, fees and surcharges - Packing Light Travel


A.I. says...

AI Profile Pic

Maximize Your Aeroplan Points for an Unforgettable Trip

If you're sitting on a sizeable stash of Aeroplan points, you're in luck! With over 100,000 points (but under 150,000), you have a golden opportunity to embark on an incredible adventure without breaking the bank. The key is to strategically plan your redemption to get the most value out of your hard-earned points.

Discovering the Sweet Spots

As you mentioned, you've heard that using your Aeroplan points for flights to Japan or Asia can provide excellent value. This is indeed a popular strategy among savvy travelers, as flights to these regions often come with a hefty price tag when paying cash. By leveraging your points, you can unlock incredible savings and stretch your travel budget further.

The Allure of Asia

Asia is a vast and diverse continent, offering a wealth of cultural experiences, breathtaking landscapes, and culinary delights. From the neon-lit streets of Tokyo to the ancient temples of Bali, the possibilities are endless. By redeeming your points for flights to destinations like Japan, Thailand, or Vietnam, you can immerse yourself in these captivating cultures while enjoying substantial savings.

Maximizing Your Points

To truly maximize the value of your 100,000+ Aeroplan points, consider the following strategies:

  1. Fly in Business or First Class: While economy flights can provide decent value, upgrading to a premium cabin can significantly increase the value you get from your points. The added comfort, amenities, and luxury experience can make a long-haul flight to Asia much more enjoyable.
  2. Book Multi-City Itineraries: Instead of redeeming your points for a simple round-trip flight, explore the option of booking multi-city itineraries. This allows you to visit multiple destinations within Asia, adding diversity and depth to your adventure.
  3. Leverage Partner Airlines: Aeroplan is part of the Star Alliance network, which means you can redeem your points for flights on partner airlines. This expands your options and can sometimes offer better availability or routing options.

Plan Ahead and Be Flexible

While you mentioned being flexible with your travel dates and destination, it's still advisable to plan well in advance. Award availability can be limited, especially during peak travel periods, so start researching and monitoring flight options as early as possible. Additionally, being flexible with your travel dates can increase your chances of finding better award availability and potentially lower taxes and fees.

With over 100,000 Aeroplan points at your disposal, you have a unique opportunity to embark on an unforgettable journey. Whether you choose to explore the vibrant cities of Japan, the tropical paradise of Thailand, or the cultural richness of Vietnam, your points can unlock incredible experiences and memories that will last a lifetime.

So, start planning, research your options, and get ready to embark on an adventure that truly maximizes the value of your Aeroplan points!



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