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!

Following

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.

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.

.1

@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.

Following

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

Ni Ra

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

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.

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)

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.

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

William Ju thanks!

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

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).

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.

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

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

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

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.

.

following

'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