MilesBuzz! - Air Travel once per month for the next 3 years

I recently took a job in Edmonton, but live in Kingston, Ontario. I will be required to travel to and fro 2 times per month. Is there a program which is offered to frequent travelers ohter then miles? I don't mind using the same airline, just looking for a deal! The company I am contracted with requires me to make all airline reservations.

I can fly out of Toronto or Ottawa.

Your help is appreciated!
TIA

Welcome to Flyertalk, DrivingMissDaisy!

As far as frequent traveler programs are concerned, I think you may be referring to Hotel and Car Rental programs. Besides frequent flyer programs(FFP), these travel programs help you earn rewards and upgrades that make traveling much easier.

Now as far as deciding which FFP to join, it will depend mostly on what type of benefits you want. Each program has its benefits and drawbacks, so it may be a good idea to read the forums on the airlines/hotels that you will be frequenting often.

By the way, it appears that you have cross-posted on both the Milesbuzz and Mileage Run Deals forum. Next time, post only on one forum, please.

Bigbird090

I think on flyertalk - and you can try Canflyer too - alot of the messages are geared towards what you wish to achieve. Flights? Hotels? Stuff?

I'm not an expert at this by far but if you are interested in Air Canada lounge access, upgrade certificates and your company is paying for your flights (i.e you don't want the cheapest flights possible) you might want to try either a pass or tango plus. (check the Aeroplan forum)

If you're flying twice a month to Ottawa I think that its 1772 points each way so about 85K a year in status miles - not sure about the passes. A few other hops on vacation somewhere and you'd be super elite. Tack a credit card on to that - great if you order your own flights and expense them - and you'll accumulate a huge number of miles and be able to get flights for free - if you aren't sick of flying by then.

One last thing, if you're flying alot it's amazing how useful the little things are. My sig other travels alot for work and he got a lounge pass for air canada (you get an aerogold and it's discounted somewhat). It's been worth every penny! You can eat there (soup, salad, munchies and drinks), you can check the flights on the internet - sometimes the boards aren't the best source of info especially flying out of YOW - and it's alot better than waiting at the gate if your flight is delayed.

Best of luck with your research.

TY ALL for your help!

Also look into WestJet. Do they fly your routes? They and Southwest have announced that they're going to partner, starting next year. They may not get you to as many places as AC, but chances are that earning freebies will take a lot less (distance especially) flying them than AC. And they do go to HI and Mexico. And Southwest, at least, says it's negotiating partner deals with airlines that fly to Europe and Asia. It will probably turn out to be a network.

Two drawbacks: First, it won't start until late next year. Second, we don't know what their new FF program will look like, yet, but the two airlines say they're working to make them jibe.


And it looks like you haven't been properly mustered in, yet, getting shifted around and all...

Welcome to FlyerTalk, DrivingMissDaisy!

Will you be using a corporate credit card to pay for flights, car rental and hotels, or will you be using your personal card and getting reimbursed? My experience with the former in Canada is that my company card was a run-of-the-mill card that didn't earn me any points. (In my job in the US, however, I have a corporate Amex and can keep the points.)

If you are allowed to use your personal card, then you can rack up a significant pile of points with a credit card that delivers airline miles, hotel points or something else. I haven't kept up with which Canadian credit cards offer the best deals, but cards like CIBC's Aerogold Visa are worth considering. As someone else mentioned, it's also worth paying extra in the first year to get a credit card that also provides you with access to Air Canada's lounges - an upgraded Aerogold Visa (for maybe about $300 in total) will get you lounge access and the right to check in at the airport at the Executive First/business class desk. Anything you can do to make frequent travel smoother is worth it. After the first year, you probably will have travelled enough to get Elite status on your own and won't have to pay for it.