WestJet Rewards - What to do with 12,000 Airmiles?

I know this is off topic, but I didn't see a Airmiles section, and since I live in Toronto, and Air Canada is my prefered airline, it seems like the closest fit.

Anyone can give some advice on what to do with 12,000 airmiles? Is there anyway to transfer them to aeroplan? Or what the best value for airmiles are?

I know with Aeroplan, the usual answer is to use the miles for long haul J tickets, but how would airmiles compare?

Hope this thread helps you.


http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-canada-aeroplan/996759-collecting-aeroplan-vs-air-miles.html

12,000. I would suggest two, economy international flights. You cant do any other class with Airmiles.

You'll find some discussion of Air Miles on the WestJet forum, since Air Miles has been the defacto FF program for that airline.

There is currently a 25% discount on flights to Europe with AC and LH. Only economy though. UA is now a partner and generally AM flights on US carriers can earn AE miles. (Probably the same on LH but not AC.) Otherwise there is no certain way of converting AMs into AE miles. (Not sure if AMs are converted into SPG points before being redeemed for Sheraton hotel nights, but if that's what happens, then you may be able to redeem your AMs for SPG points, then convert these into AE miles. Though I have heard that SPG points earned in such a way other than hotel stays, cannot be converted into airline miles. You'd have to check T&Cs or check the SPG forum.

Anyone can give some advice on what to do with 12,000 airmiles?
I find the best use is transfer AM to Priority Club and use for hotel nights- since you have to stay somewhere when you travel... I like PC because you get the points to 'spend' as you wish rather than a 'voucher' worth one night.

I would cash them in for gift certificates. I've never tried to redeem a flight with Airmiles. Airmiles are worth about $.14 each when redeeming for most gift cards so thats $1680. That should be enough spending to offset the purchase of a revenue ticket on AC somewhere that earns miles. You could probably do a double return from the west coast to SYD for that kinda money, that be 30,000+ miles :P

That is a great idea, do they transfer 1 to 1?

I have 170K PC points already.



I find the best use is transfer AM to Priority Club and use for hotel nights- since you have to stay somewhere when you travel... I like PC because you get the points to 'spend' as you wish rather than a 'voucher' worth one night.

On Priority club site.. you can transfer 10,000PC points for 250 airmiles but I don't see anything about transferring the other way.

I think 'best value' really depends what it is you enjoy! I see airmiles / aeroplan as 'me' money- and don't like converting to boring every day things like gas and groceries! I am well aware my logic is a touch flawed, after all, I could use the money saved to treat myself, but I wouldn't - just me I guess! Whereas a 'reward', be it a flight, a hotel night, an activity or a 'thing' is 'free money' and therefore guilt free!

If I had 12,000 airmiles to spend, I'd probably take a short trip south of the border, pay for the hotels and flights with points, and before I go, treat myself to a little shopping (gift cards) and a spa treatment or two :D

I've used airmiles for flights in the past with no issues - the trouble is, their systems don't seem to be the world's clearest to their agents, and for some odd reason, sometimes don't show all the available flights. So when I call, I already know which flights with which airlines I want (usually have 2-3 options that suit me, ideally with their 'partner' airlines for less points) and tell the agent what I am looking for exactly, rather than 'Toronto to New York', I will tell them I want ACxyz from YYZ to LGA. I seem to have far more sucess than others I know when I employ that stratgey. I think it is very bizarre, but there you go.

That is a great idea, do they transfer 1 to 1?

I have 170K PC points already.
The convert ratio is on the AM web page under hotel awards; you have to phone AM customer service and tell them to redeem XX AM to PC. They will try to book a hotel for you, but just ask to have the points posted to your PC account as your plans aren't definite... In my experience, the points post to your PC account in a couple of days and you can do what you want with them after that.

Why was my thread moved to Westjet forum?

This thread has nothing to do with Westjet, it was about airmiles, and since I didn't see any airmile section (correct me if I am wrong) I posted it in Air Canada as I fly Air Canada.

I don't fly westjet and this has nothing to do with westjet

Why was my thread moved to Westjet forum?

This thread has nothing to do with Westjet, it was about airmiles, and since I didn't see any airmile section (correct me if I am wrong) I posted it in Air Canada as I fly Air Canada.

I don't fly westjet and this has nothing to do with westjet

It was moved because it didn't belong in the AC/Aeroplan forum, and as Sharehalder mentioned up thread: "You'll find discussion of Air Miles on the WestJet forum, since Air Miles has been the defacto FF program for that airline."


skofarrell - Moderator
AC-Aeroplan/Westjet/Canada Forums

Westjet has their own reward program, Airmiles is not their program, Airmiles you can use for pretty much any airline you want.

If you don't think it belongs in AC that is fine, but it doesn't belong here either, there should be a Airmiles forum, or just delete the thread then.

Duane


It was moved because it didn't belong in the AC/Aeroplan forum, and as Sharehalder mentioned up thread: "You'll find discussion of Air Miles on the WestJet forum, since Air Miles has been the defacto FF program for that airline."


skofarrell - Moderator
AC-Aeroplan/Westjet/Canada Forums

Hi

I recently cashed in about the same amount of points in for hotel nights. I used Starwood at my transfer, and for a Level 4 hotel free night is 1,850 Air Miles. This gave me a nice 6 nights in the Le Meridian Vienna and Munich, which were going for about 250-300€ a night this summer. You can request the coupons on the Air Miles site, but have to phone to book the free nights.

You can see the options on the Air Miles site at http://bit.ly/csa1mN

Much better deal (generally) than Intercontinental. A night at a IC will cost you 2,275 to 3,050 Air Miles—over twice!

Here is the chart for Holiday Inn / Intercontinental: http://bit.ly/bZNWGg

Of course, YMMV, depending on which hotel you are staying at.

Hope this is of help.

Brian

Westjet has their own reward program, Airmiles is not their program, Airmiles you can use for pretty much any airline you want.

If you don't think it belongs in AC that is fine, but it doesn't belong here either, there should be a Airmiles forum, or just delete the thread then.

Duane

Lacking a better place, Westjet has been the unofficial Airmiles forum, and has been for quite some time. I think there room here for both.

Rather than rehashing Airmiles moderation for the one or two posts a quarter, can you help the OP with his dilemma?

The convert ratio is on the AM web page under hotel awards; you have to phone AM customer service and tell them to redeem XX AM to PC. They will try to book a hotel for you, but just ask to have the points posted to your PC account as your plans aren't definite... In my experience, the points post to your PC account in a couple of days and you can do what you want with them after that.

Wow, I didn't know that and will seriously consider this for my small pile of Air Miles. PC has a good points + cash promo I've learned a little more about how that can work wonders in what can be high cost cities like NYC or HKG.

Thanks! ^