Originally Posted by
InsaneTravel
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- Are there other options to fly out of Canada in First Class with Aeroplan?
- Should we perhaps forget about First and try for South America in Business? Perhaps something like
YVR-YYZ then PERU-CHILE-BRAZIL-ARGENTINA or similar?
- I read that we can transfer from Aeroplan to Avios (Via points.com and Petro-Canada) at almost 1 to 1. Would this be a better option for us ? If yes, what cities should we look at?
YUL - ZRH on LX is the only other F option via Europe (which I see you've correctly identified) if not going via the USA. By waiting till November, you will loose out on all the possibility for LH seasonal F to Canada since there are extremely limited F routes as it is.
There is usually lots of availability on UA for F for Europe via ORD and IAD. I would suggest as many as 15 times the seats than Canada direct.
For South America, If you are desperate to avoid the USA, then your only options are the milk run on AC YYZ-SCL-EZE or AC YYZ-LIM. You'd have to find space on all segments. Unless you can find space on TAM, you will have to take a US carrier to get to Brazil destinations via IAH or EWR. It would be much easier in time and planning for you to consider the USA transit if possible.
The main carriers that fly LIM-SCL are Taca and LAN. There are no Star Partners on this route unless you spring for a TAM ticket via Sao Paolo which is very expensive and long (12 hrs vs 4 hrs)
I would not recommend transferring points through points.com due to bad exchange rates.
Good luck