Originally Posted by
Tax Dude
The non-SE charges are the same as the amount shown as "Carrier Surcharge" when making a revenue booking, in this case $183 each way for either Y or J.
Just for interest, I looked at what a non-SE, non-Distinction member would pay for a YYZ-LHR return reward booking in economy:
Classic reward: 60k points, $366 Carrier Surcharge, $652 total taxes/fees
Market reward: 50,350 points, $336 CS, $622 total.
And, since for random September dates the best Tango fare seemed to be $855 all-in, I don't see why any non-SE would bother redeeming points for such a small savings.
That said, as a SE I've make a number of LHR bookings this year for the first time in many years.
The other fact is that there are now over three times as many AE members as there were say 15 years ago. This forces the carrier(s) to be more selective in how they distribute their reward products. its not just AC either. I have relatives who are top tier in BA and they say the same thing about reward ticket access especially in J and the cost of those flights.