pkeung is right on!

Creative routes are often available on the AC website. Here's a sample:

YYZ-IAH-YYZ
March 30-31

You can take the direct flights for $219 each way and 2560 status miles and 2 segments round trip. Or you can fly YYZ-YYC-IAH-YYC-YYZ for $219 each way and earn 6832 status miles and 4 segments!

When I go to YVR, I usually fly YYZ-YYC-YEG-YVR. 3 segments instead of 1.

LAS is another great destination for creative routes from YYZ. You can often route through YVR, LAX, SFO or DEN for the same price as the direct flight. Depending on schedules, you can even book YYZ-YVR-LAX-LAS using the multicity tool (YYZ-YVR and YVR-LAS and route through LAX). Just be prepared to spend more time on planes and MLLs!

Last year, AC had YVR-DFW for $79 each way that could be routed through YYZ. That was a lot of miles.

The trick is to never take the direct route, if you can find a more convoluted way to get there, at the same price of course.