Originally Posted by FlyerGoldII

Earlier this June, we had business class awards from YOW to BCN via YYZ and MUC. We could have gone via FRA, if we wanted. I suspect we could have gone via ZUR; I am not sure if we could have gone via VIE?

Last night, I tried to book a business class award for my wife to go to LIS; I am going on a sponsored trip to LIS (in business class). The MPM rule prevented me from using many options, as I could not use instant KK for my wife (as a SE's companion) as the ultimate destination is not served by AC.

Then I tried other Star Alliance carriers. One could go via PHI on US Air - no availability. One could go via BOS to LHR on UA - no availability. One could not go via Newark to LIS on TAP - no availability.

Unfortunately, I could not try routings via Paris, FRA, MUC, ZUR, VIE (from Canada or via USA) on various Star Alliance carriers. I could not go to LHR via USA, except from BOS (JFK, Dulles, ORD, Newark etc) were not allowed. All because of the MPM rule (I would have thought that if BCN was allowed via a German transit city, that LIS (which is not that much further from the German cities than BCN) would be allowed, as well).

Of course, I did find out that one can book these routes with a revenue ticket (I have tentatively booked one, and I have until this Tues at 10 PM, if I want to buy it - it is about $1400 - L class to LHR from Canada on AC (upgradeable via my SSWU), and H class back to Canada via FRA (upgradeable via SWU).

I guess, I could book 2 separate award tickets, as an option.

However, ideally one should have the same MPM requirements for routing between point A and point B, with both revenue and award tickets, notwithstanding the reasons to the contrary (as stated by yyz princess). Alternatively, Aeroplan should offer an award between point A and point B at an increased mileage reguirements, if one goes beyond the MPM by 5%.

I guess that one option would be to get 2 Aeroplan