Originally Posted by DaveObee

I use Air Miles for flights all the time; one the weekend I did YYJ-YYC for the umpteenth time using points. I also use them for YYJ-SFO, YYJ-YVR, and YYJ to cities in the B.C. Interior that cost a small fortune to get to otherwise. I used them for nine flights in 2011 alone.

I keep track of the cost of booking the flight regularly vs. the cost of using Air Miles, then I work out how much one Air Mile was worth on each flight. My low is about 22 cents; any lower, I would not book it. My high is 48 cents, but that was unusual; I have hit 40 cents three times. I am doing YYJ-YYC again in February, and on that one each Air Mile was worth 33 cents, based on the dollars I spent vs. the cost of a regular ticket.

I find Air Miles to be quite valuable on the expensive, short flights. I would never use them YYJ-YYZ, because the value just isn't there. Years ago I did two trips YYJ-FRA using them, but probably would not do it again because I can get a better bang for the buck (or point) on local flights. (And I can have more say re routing if I just pay AC for the ticket, and I can get Aeroplan points if I just buy a ticket outright as well.)

My advice is to compare the fares, with and without Air Miles, to see if there is any point to using them for flights. Don't use them unless you get at least 20 cents in value for each one.