Originally Posted by
Perd Hapley
Given it some more thought and I've decided that AC has better benefits for my travel pattern (I should break 25 AQSes by the end of the year, 35 not out of reach) and the schedule flexibility helps.
One final thing - maybe a dumb question, I'm new to navigating frequent flyer programs
- given that I'm US-based, is there any advantage to booking via United and accumulating points there instead of AC? I have no status with United so doesn't seem like a big deal to accumulate entirely on AC.
Go for United. AC is ditching Aeroplan and starting its own program in a few years. Aeroplan runs like you owe them something - you have to accumulate miles every year or you lose them all - not so easy if you don't travel in Canada. Aeroplan has very high fees and taxes and their cancellation policies are very complex (cancellation within 22 days of the flight costs big time). I hate the way Aeroplan is run. AC started AP and spun it off but it has been run to the detriment of the public and it looks like AC found a way to avoid the negative impact by getting out.