Aeroplan points actually have negative value..
Nov 21, 2012, 1:05 am
#46
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 121
Nov 21, 2012, 1:06 am
#47
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 121
Nov 21, 2012, 6:14 am
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM
Posts: 23,297
Until we have a UA card in Canada, AE is the easiest, and if used right, still can offer some value.
The 2nd line is exactly my point - the opportunity cost of not earning points is greater than the value you get by redeeming AE points + scamcharges, reaching the absurdity of the net equation actually being negative!!!
Nov 21, 2012, 7:01 am
#49
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: PHX
Programs: AAexp, AC75k, HertzPC, NationalEE, Accor/MariottP, Hilton/HyattG
Posts: 3,614
That is excatly my strategy.
Until we have a UA card in Canada, AE is the easiest, and if used right, still can offer some value.
The 2nd line is exactly my point - the opportunity cost of not earning points is greater than the value you get by redeeming AE points + scamcharges, reaching the absurdity of the net equation actually being negative!!!
Until we have a UA card in Canada, AE is the easiest, and if used right, still can offer some value.
The 2nd line is exactly my point - the opportunity cost of not earning points is greater than the value you get by redeeming AE points + scamcharges, reaching the absurdity of the net equation actually being negative!!!
Switched over to earning miles on UA, waiting for UA/US credit card to dump Aeroplan CC's(Don't use aerogold or aeroamex anyways. SPG/MR only).
Nov 21, 2012, 7:45 am
#50
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Toronto AC SE MM
Posts: 129
Not sure I believe 90K for F, more like 125K...what are your dates?
Nov 21, 2012, 12:50 pm
#51
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: YLW
Posts: 285
I know you're just saying that as a general statement, but in case anyone was hoping/wishing/praying they could get Chase Sapphire or other US-based credit card, unless you have a US SSN, Canadians cannot get one as most, if not all, credit card applications require you to give your SSN or similar. If it was as easy as simply having US address to get a cc, we'd all dump the Canadian cards in a heartbeat 
Nov 21, 2012, 5:46 pm
#52
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: New York City
Posts: 4,002
I know you're just saying that as a general statement, but in case anyone was hoping/wishing/praying they could get Chase Sapphire or other US-based credit card, unless you have a US SSN, Canadians cannot get one as most, if not all, credit card applications require you to give your SSN or similar. If it was as easy as simply having US address to get a cc, we'd all dump the Canadian cards in a heartbeat
Nov 21, 2012, 6:38 pm
#54
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM
Posts: 23,297
Anyway, I hope that this thread has demonstrated that Aeroplan has ceased to be a frequent flyer program - but a rewards program - and a lousy one at that - and if you are not careful - you are getting 1⁄4 cent value for a point - downright to negative value!
Nov 21, 2012, 6:54 pm
#55
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Alberta, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 1,013
Our strategy is to work all the accumulation angles and only redeem for long F trips. So Aeroplan miles still work for us. Haven't had to pay big yet, although this was the most expensive so far as it's usually been ~$130 each for our previous F trips. I imagine it'll only get worse in 2014. A good sign is how the bastages excluded MR points from their annual December transfer bonus deal. 
Caveat is that we find the best deal in the general Jan.-Mar. timeframe and then book our holiday, not the other way around. Well at least Mrs. Ronintech does, as I'm self employed so my boss always says yes.
Caveat is that we find the best deal in the general Jan.-Mar. timeframe and then book our holiday, not the other way around. Well at least Mrs. Ronintech does, as I'm self employed so my boss always says yes.
Nov 21, 2012, 7:00 pm
#56
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM
Posts: 23,297
Our strategy is to work all the accumulation angles and only redeem for long F trips. So Aeroplan miles still work for us.
US/UA rates are much lower.
And US miles sell for peanuts.
Nov 21, 2012, 8:34 pm
#57
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: West
Posts: 3,357
Our strategy is to work all the accumulation angles and only redeem for long F trips. So Aeroplan miles still work for us. Haven't had to pay big yet, although this was the most expensive so far as it's usually been ~$130 each for our previous F trips. I imagine it'll only get worse in 2014. A good sign is how the bastages excluded MR points from their annual December transfer bonus deal.
Caveat is that we find the best deal in the general Jan.-Mar. timeframe and then book our holiday, not the other way around. Well at least Mrs. Ronintech does, as I'm self employed so my boss always says yes.
Caveat is that we find the best deal in the general Jan.-Mar. timeframe and then book our holiday, not the other way around. Well at least Mrs. Ronintech does, as I'm self employed so my boss always says yes.
Nov 21, 2012, 10:46 pm
#58
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Alberta, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 1,013
I showed how in the link to our upcoming trip in my post. If i could get free UA or other US miles for free, I'd certainly consider other options. However since we can't and we've still been able to avoid the $camcharges through patience and flexibility, AE still works for us.
Nov 21, 2012, 10:52 pm
#59
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: West
Posts: 3,357
I showed how in the link to our upcoming trip in my post. If i could get free UA or other US miles for free, I'd certainly consider other options. However since we can't and we've still been able to avoid the $camcharges through patience and flexibility, AE still works for us.
Nov 21, 2012, 11:03 pm
#60
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Alberta, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 1,013
They call the short border hop F but its not really. Its the longhaul flights that showcase an airlines true F. It ranks the lowest of those weve flown and im sure SQ wont dislodge it. That being said they are cheap if you cant find one of the better ones without the bogus gouging.