Originally Posted by
farooqm
Notes:
- I care more about direct flights or shorter travel times than saving fees
- I will likely book economy as I probably won't be able to collect enough aeroplan miles for business/first class by than.
If you book economy tickets with your miles and pay fuel surcharges, then you get a very poor value for your miles. You would be better off just buying a ticket for cash, and also earn miles, which can be later used for business class awards.
For example, a cash economy ticket from Toronto to Singapore is around $1,200 - $1,300 all included, while a redemption could cost you 75,000 miles plus $1,000 in fees, so your 75,000 miles only get you $200-$300 discount, and you also miss out on earning miles, and you get much less flexibility.
Don't do it. Earn more miles and use them for a business class award.