Mileage Run Deals - AC: LAX-YYZ-PVG $760 ai

Actual routing is LAX-YYZ-YVR-PVG-YYZ-LAX
19,100 AE status miles
+ Promotion for double miles on the YVR-PVR-YYZ segments
+ SE/E bonuses
Upgradeable with SSWU
Fare code: LLXUNT
Mileage based fare - permitted mileage: 7,778 (+25%) each way

Valid from other US cities for slightly higher pricing:

.... also similar fares and possible routings to PEK, NRT

Actual routing is LAX-YYZ-YVR-PVG-YYZ-LAX
19,100 AE status miles
+ Promotion for double miles on the YVR-PVR-YYZ segments
+ SE/E bonuses
Upgradeable with SSWU
Fare code: LLXUNT
Mileage based fare - permitted mileage: 7,778 (+25%) each way

Valid from other US cities for slightly higher pricing:

.... also similar fares and possible routings to PEK, NRT

open jaw allowed?

Not being familiar with AC, the SSWU's that AC offers, are they transfferable?

In december, I can only find the YVR routing on the return. But it's a "direct" flight (AC26), so maybe it gets double miles as PVG-YYZ.

Open jaw is indeed possible.

SSWU are not transferable.

I'm seeing $741 (CAD) as early as next week - but routing through YVR - not YYZ.

And - goes down to $709 (CAD) if you book on Expedia (again, thru YVR).

I guess this routing becomes more of a cheap fare rather than a MR.

Not being familiar with AC, the SSWU's that AC offers, are they transfferable?

...all u/g's are on named certs.

...all u/g's are on named certs.

... and the named cert holder may use the cert to upgrade another individual travlling on the same flight...

YVR would be preferred so I could hop off on the return :p

What dates are the YYZ routings showing up on? I'm not finding any YYZ routings in that price range anytime in the next few months (but perhaps I'm just looking improperly..)

no way to get fare for CANADA dep :(

Best to use ITA 30 day search and then use then use the multicity search on AC.com to book.

Here's one that works for LAX-YYZ-YVR-PVG-YVR-YYZ-LAX 19,692 miles base:

Los Angeles, CA to Shanghai, China: 9846 miles 40 hrs 40 min
Air Canada Air Canada Flight AC788 on an Airbus A320 (jet) in coach class
(food for purchase)
Departs Los Angeles, CA (LAX) Tue, Nov 10 8:00a 4 hrs 42 min
Arrives Toronto, Canada (YYZ) 3:42p
1 adult in booking code S, covered by fare (A1) below
Layover in Toronto 17 hrs 18 min
Air Canada Air Canada Flight AC25 on a Boeing 777 (jet) in coach class
(food for purchase)
Departs Toronto, Canada (YYZ) Wed, Nov 11 9:00a 4 hrs 55 min
Arrives Vancouver, Canada (YVR) 10:55a
1 adult in booking code L, covered by fare (A1) below
Layover in Vancouver 1 hr 50 min
Air Canada Air Canada Flight AC25 on a Boeing 777 (jet) in coach class
(meal, lunch)
Departs Vancouver, Canada (YVR) Wed, Nov 11 12:45p 11 hrs 55 min
Arrives Shanghai, China (PVG) Thur, Nov 12 4:40p
1 adult in booking code L, covered by fare (A1) below
Note: There is an overnight stop in Toronto (YYZ).

Shanghai, China to Los Angeles, CA: 9846 miles 43 hrs 43 min
Air Canada Air Canada Flight AC26 on a Boeing 777 (jet) in coach class
(meal, breakfast)
Departs Shanghai, China (PVG) Tue, Nov 17 6:35p 10 hrs 10 min
Arrives Vancouver, Canada (YVR) 12:45p
1 adult in booking code L, covered by fare (A2) below
Layover in Vancouver 1 hr 45 min
Air Canada Air Canada Flight AC26 on a Boeing 777 (jet) in coach class
(food for purchase)
Departs Vancouver, Canada (YVR) Tue, Nov 17 2:30p 4 hrs 20 min
Arrives Toronto, Canada (YYZ) 9:50p
1 adult in booking code L, covered by fare (A2) below
Layover in Toronto 22 hrs 5 min
Air Canada Air Canada Flight AC795 on an Airbus A320 (jet) in coach class
(food for purchase)
Departs Toronto, Canada (YYZ) Wed, Nov 18 7:55p 5 hrs 23 min
Arrives Los Angeles, CA (LAX) 10:18p
1 adult in booking code S, covered by fare (A2) below
Note: The flight from Shanghai (PVG) to Vancouver (YVR) is overnight.
Note: There is an overnight stop in Toronto (YYZ).


Fare (A1): AC LAXSHA LLXUNT fare (rules) , psgr type ADT $244.80
Fare (A2): AC SHALAX LLXUNT fare (rules) , psgr type ADT $244.80
Tax: US International Departure Tax $16.10
Tax: US September 11th Security Fee $2.50
Tax: US Passenger Facility Charge $4.50
Tax: USDA APHIS Fee $5.00
Tax: US Immigration Fee $7.00
Tax: US Customs Fee $5.50
Tax: Toronto Airport Improvement Fee C$16.00
Tax: Canadian Goods and Services Tax C$0.80
Tax: US International Arrival Tax $16.10
Tax: AC YQ surcharge $180.00
Tax: People's Republic of China Airport Fee CNY 90
Total for 1 adult passenger: $755.50
(as of Wednesday, November 4, 2009 11:19pm)
Fare construction (sometimes useful to travel agents):
LAX AC X/YTO AC SHA 20M 244.80LLXUNT AC X/YTO AC LAX 20M 244.80LLXUNT NUC 489.60 END ROE 1.00 FARE USD 490.00 XT 5.50YC 7.00XY 5.00XA 32.20US 2.50AY 14.80SQ 0.80XG 13.20CN 180.00YQ 4.50XF LAX4.50

no way to get fare for CANADA dep :(

Similar pricing from Canada but half the miles!

What makes the US fare a good fare is that you can route indirectly to maximize your miles . That along with the promotions that are currently available.

Similar pricing from Canada but half the miles!

What makes the US fare a good fare is that you can route indirectly to maximize your miles . That along with the promotions that are currently available.

Quite true... I found a couple of YVR/YYZ both way routings, but I'm trying to schedule them nicely to border a weekend which is proving to be tough.. and now wondering how fast I can get myself a visa for China... Pretty decent set of prices though...

Quite true... I found a couple of YVR/YYZ both way routings, but I'm trying to schedule them nicely to border a weekend which is proving to be tough.. and now wondering how fast I can get myself a visa for China... Pretty decent set of prices though...

Not sure about YYZ, but Visas can be obtained the same day if pay a rush fee and get in line early enough.

Best to get a multiple entry if you can.

how long are you going to be there? I think no visa is necessary if you're staying less than 48 hours (in PVG).

Not sure about YYZ, but Visas can be obtained the same day if pay a rush fee and get in line early enough.

Best to get a multiple entry if you can.

Interesting, I'll take a look into same day..

Be careful with the LAX-YYZ-YVR-PVG you posted..I only just noticed that the YYZ-YVR-PVG all had the same flight number.. this means that the points would post as if it were a straight through flight. I haven't been able to get it to give a decent fare with another YVR-YYZ flight. Still a good deal mind you..

how long are you going to be there? I think no visa is necessary if you're staying less than 48 hours (in PVG).

Oh really? I thought it was 24 hours.. If it's 48 it should work because I was looking at staying.. 36 hours or so, hell I'd stay 2 hours if I could get it to price out on a same day turn around but that seems to freak the system out.

If I had more time I'd go do some shopping, pity!

I wasn't sure if turning aroudn back to Canada counted as a "connecting" flight.

Oh really? I thought it was 24 hours.. If it's 48 it should work because I was looking at staying.. 36 hours or so, hell I'd stay 2 hours if I could get it to price out on a same day turn around but that seems to freak the system out.

If I had more time I'd go do some shopping, pity!

I wasn't sure if turning aroudn back to Canada counted as a "connecting" flight.

Indeed, I'm not sure if they will count it as transit. Maybe if you come in from YYZ and go to YVR, or vice versa, you can convince them of your "transit" :D.

From http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz/zgqz/t84242.htm

★Visa-free transit
1. Visas are not required of aliens who hold air tickets to the final destination and have booked seats on international airliners flying directly through China, and will stay in a transit city for less than 24 hours without leaving the airport.

2. Visas are not required of passport holders of the following countries, who transit through Pudong Airport or Hongqiao Airport of Shanghai, provided they hold valid passports, visas for the onward countries, final destination tickets and have booked seats, and stay in Shanghai for less than 48 hours : Republic of Korea, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Austria, Greece, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland.

Nothing says you have to be going to a different country than the one you came in from...

Indeed, I'm not sure if they will count it as transit. Maybe if you come in from YYZ and go to YVR, or vice versa, you can convince them of your "transit" :D.

From http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz/zgqz/t84242.htm



Nothing says you have to be going to a different country than the one you came in from...

Very true, seems my biggest worry would be AC letting me on the plane (without a ticket to a 3rd country) sometimes they are sticklers.. might just be worth buying an extra refundable ticket..

I'd really prefer this on a same day turn around but AC has the return flight set at 115 minutes later when their minimum connect time is 120 minutes...

how long are you going to be there? I think no visa is necessary if you're staying less than 48 hours (in PVG).

Be very careful on visa requirement to China. I would not risk that although PEK Capital airport website does provide details on if you arrive with no visa, however most airlines will not let you on board without proper documentation.

Further with the H1N1 issue, I hear that all Chinese airports are pre screening all arrivals for any signs of infection. God only knows what happens to those with a temperature! Never seen again!!

Do yourself a favor and get a visa ! ;)

Be very careful on visa requirement to China. I would not risk that although PEK Capital airport website does provide details on if you arrive with no visa, however most airlines will not let you on board without proper documentation.

Further with the H1N1 issue, I hear that all Chinese airports are pre screening all arrivals for any signs of infection. God only knows what happens to those with a temperature! Never seen again!!

Yeah...that swayed me to finding a visa-less destination in China!