kenwood

I m planning a trip for 3 adults on the following itinerary.

YYZ->SYD, SYD->MEL, MEL->HKG, HKG->YYZ
Nov 1, Nov 11, Nov 15, Nov 29

I m trying to figure out if there is a way to utilize my 100k UA miles and 100k aeroplan points. So far I have had no success. The above itinerary costs around 1800 on cathay pacific, except for the SYD->MEL segment, which can be bought separately for 120.

I tried replacing some of the segments with UA/aeroplan fights, but the total cost end up being higher. Any tips on how to bring the total cost down (1800x3 + 120x3) will be appreciated. I am even open to signing up for a cc.

dukerau

You could do YYZ-LAX-SYD on 11/1 returning HKG-DFW-YYZ on 11/29 on AA for 1,375. Then use 17.5k United + USD60 pp for MEL-BKK-HKG. So that's using 17.5k United to save ~350 per person. But then you have 2 extra stops (BKK and DFW).

Otherwise, you'd need another 100k or so to get traction.

Mwenenzi

What class of travel? Economy by your prices
3 on the same aircraft USA-Australia, Aust HKG and HKG - USA may be a tough ask. One way awards and mix & match carriers/ffps'.
You may be better looking for
- YYR/LAX/SFO as well as YYZ:
- BNE/MEL as well as SYD

More SYD HKG flights than from MEL. Also consider from ADL

You have no hope of getting SYD MEL with UA miles or Aeroplan points as there are no Star alliance Aussie domestic airlines.
Air NZ would fly via NZ (AKL WLG CHC), but not what you want to do
Is cheap to buy SYD - MEL anyway.
http://newsroom.virginaustralia.com/...share-services

Airlines that fly USA/Canada to/from Australia (not from all airports to all airports)
- American Airlines AA (LAX - SYD) [OneWorld Alliance] (AS partner)
- Air Canada AC (YYR – SYD, BNE, MEL 1 Dec 2017 to 1 Feb 2018 ) [Star Alliance]
- Air New Zealand NZ (LAX SFO IAH YVR via AKL) [Star Alliance]
- Air Tahiti Nui TN (LAX via Tahiti. Last segments on codeshares) (AA & DL partner)
- Delta DL (LAX – SYD) (VA & AS partner) [Skyteam Alliance]
- Fiji Airways FJ (LAX SFO HNL – BNE SYD MEL ADL via Fiji) (QF, AA & AS partner)
- Hawaiian HA (HNL – BNE SYD) (AA & VA partner)
- Jetstar JQ JQ (HNL – SYD BNE)
- Qantas QF (LAX SFO JFK DFW HNL YVR*– BNE SYD MEL) [OneWorld Alliance] (AS partner) {* seasonal}
- United UA (LAX SFO – SYD MEL) [Star Alliance]
- Virgin Australia VA (LAX – BNE SYD MEL) (DL partner)
And others via Asia & Middle East

kenwood

Look like there isn't a good way to utilize my points. I guess I will save them for other trips. Thanks.

LondonElite

Think about burning your Aeroplan points sooner rather than later given the fact that AC is not renewing its agreement in 2020.

Mwenenzi

It is getting harder to use frequent flyer miles. Just the way it is, and unlikely to get better.
Keep looking.
Consider these http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...e-reviews.html

beckoa

As the OP is looking at using *A miles, we'll move this to the *A forum.

~beckoa, co-moderator Information Desk