I know right. I am sad too. I've been trying to convert them to a chartered helicopter, but so far, I have failed. On a more serious note: did you know that in the late 1990s/early 2000s the Membership Rewards catalogue, for 15,000,000 MR points, had... a trip to space? I remember looking at it thinking "Man... I could never make that many points, but I wish I could". Of course, just like the Concorde, it got discontinued right around when I became sentient and awoke and realised it's not THAT impossible given enough dedication. Sigh.
Ok here we go, let's see if I can hit all the points.
- the Amex Gold offer is still there, but you cannot cross-refer from one to another. If you have the Aeroplan line, stick to it; if you want the Gold card, ask someone for a referral.
The Aeroplan Gold isn't necessarily a terrible deal. Yes, $120 annual fee, but you get 40K miles after self-referral. That's a third of a cent per mile; hardly anything to snort at. I still consider it a great deal. Self-referral works just fine btw, so don't listen to naysayers.
- Do not cancel the oldest card. It supposedly keeps the average age of your account older, which helps with your credit rating. Especially if it's free. Cancel any cards that you don't REALLY need that are recent, but keep the oldest ones. There is the argument that if you have access to a lot of credit BUT are not using it, your credit utilisation is low, which boosts your credit rating. I'd still cancel some unnecessary cards, but don't go on an ax murder spree.
- You cannot use Airmils and IHG to pay for nights. However!!!! Please check their current 'into the nights' promotion. You may be easily able to pick up a few points (and if you are one of the lucky ones who just needs 2 Holiday Inn + 2 Saturday stays, you can get 2 free InterContinental nights for an outlay of less than $200 in total - so check into it). Also: IHG often has "Points Breaks" nights, which allow you to book rooms for 5,000 points. This tends to be in random locations, so of marginal use, but still - you can get rooms for 5K points, and sometimes even the less popular InterContinental hotels fall into the list.
- It looks like you *cannot* access Plaza Premium lounges with the Aeroplan Platinum Priority Pass membership (but you *can* with the regular Platinum card). It's very confusing. I would try it if I were you. Unfortunately, the Plaza Premium lounges tend to be marginally better (in YUL), somewhat better (in YYZ), and *significantly* better (in YVR), so it's a pretty decent benefit that you should certainly check if you have. You can access MLL lounges, though (but no guests). United lounges also work in the USA because your card would be issued by a non-US financial institution and is therefore eligible. UA Clubs are pathetic, of course. Overall, though, the regular Platinum card is far better for lounge access.
- Give your lounge passes to friends. I also have like 5 that I don't know what to do with.
(and wow, you get business class YVR-YYZ!? I want to work for your company - I've never seen any firm, including the government and the construction sector, that allows such short flights to be booked in business!)
- Once again; guests not free with Priority Pass, so be careful.
- For priority checkin and/or boarding, just flash your card (in the one case out of 100 where someone actually asks). Typically, checkin agents will request it, security line people don't give half a crap, and priority boarding also nobody cares (mostly because by the time she's done reading out the list of everyone who IS entitled to priority boarding, like SE, E75/50/35K, Visa cardholders, Amex cardholders, people with dogs, babies, wheelchairs, old people, people in hats, men with parrots, women with brown bags, also individuals of questionable social preferences, and so on) there is no one left to "priority" board. So just hop in the elite line and go for it. If they ask, you show your card.
- Security is faster in Canadian airports only. Internationally, depends on place; you can always try hopping into the priority lines and see if the blue-gloved TSA agents care (mostly they don't, unless you look suspicious, in which case they'll be happy to explore you :P)
A few points that were posted before my post that are incorrect:
- I don't think it matters which card you pay with at Fairmont. Also, your status WILL carry. We had this discussion either in this thread or elsewhere, and although I suppose in THEORY you must pay with Amex and so on, in reality, it makes no difference. I think I paid with Visa before on my 'plat5' promo code, and it didn't matter, I still got Platinum. Hell, even complimentary nights counted. So although I would
make the effort to pay with Amex, I wouldn't go out of my way to do so. You need to get the 'PLAT5' code added to your account if you do not already have it, however. So just call in and get the 'PLAT5' code added, then call Fairmont President's Club and get them to make you Platinum if your stays this year permit it.
- Nothing prevents you from booking using your Visa promo codes but paying with your Amex, btw.
- You do NOT need to book through Aeroplan.com for Fairmont Diamond benefits. Just put the PDDD code into the 'rate code' box when you book directly on fairmont.com. You get breakfast and other stuff (but if it's a FHR/Virtuoso property, book those rates instead as the benefits are better).
- Sorry @alexisonsmith but is completely wrong to say that Amex Platinum lounges are "on the same level" as MLL. While unfortunately one doesn't receive access to those using the Aeroplan Platinum card, the Amex Centurion lounges that are in LAS/DFW/LGA/and a few other places are COMPLETELY out of this world. I actually routed a YUL-SEA flight through DFW to check out the Centurion lounge, and it was one of the most worthwhile detours I've ever made. The free massage/manicure alone is worth the visit, not to mention actually GREAT food and drinks (though Johnnie Walker Blue is for Centurion cardholders only
).
Phew.