tbuff

Hi,

I'm new to booking TATL/TPAC reward flights on Aeroplan, having come from the BA Avios program.

What I am trying to do is get from YWG to Europe in and around the first two weeks of October in J, one way.

At first, I thought I'd be picky and try airlines without SQ, but then we had to change our availability due to other flights we're taking.

When I go to search aeroplan.com for "business" from YWG to FRA, ZRH, DUS, MUC, etc what will happen is it will pull up flights whereby I will fly from YWG-YYZ in J, and then YYZ-TATL in Y. Not what I'm looking for.

What am I doing wrong? I've tried this for numerous days, and routes, and there appears to be very little J availability. Should I just try expanding my search? Even when I do YYZ-FRA, it will route me through YUL in J then Y for the next leg. I have read that LX is now only doing J availability two weeks out, but I figured other airlines would be more accommodating.

Sorry if this is a newbie question.

Shareholder

I suggest you consider flying transAt out of ORD or another US city you can easily fly to from YWG. There are likely to be more award J/C seats available on UA, US, LH, OS, LX, SQ, etc. This does have the hassle of US customs/immigration but you're more likely to find seats and save on the cash component. You can use the AE search engine using ORD or whatever US city as your starting point, then check for YWG connector flights. (You can also use the UA.com award search to identify possible flights. It is the normal flight booking engine, but you will see a box for awards. No need to identify the class since Y, J/C and F will be displayed.)

Academic

Welcome to the world of Aeroplan. You don't mention your status, but unless you're SE (and sometimes not even then), J availability is limited. TATL, especially to LHR, is better than most, but you'll need to search around. You may also have to call in because the website does not always show available flights (check YYZ-Europe separately). Your best bet is to use the ANA tool, or equivalent, for Award availability and then call in to request the specific flights. Finally, as a last resort, if you do have a segment in Y, you are eligible to stand by for J at the airport although with a low priority. If you're going to LHR, you have a pretty good chance of getting a J seat, for FRA, not so much.

If you have some spare points, then an F award on a different carrier is an option.

tbuff

Hi,

Thank you for your help already.

Sorry for not clarifying. I don't have any status.

I'm open to any airline. Doesn't matter which. In fact, I'd rather NOT fly AC.

Just doing some searches ex-ORD. Availability looks alot more reasonable through there. I'd take the hassle of US customs versus availability.

What's the flexibility like with booking? Can I pick and choose my connector flights? IS there a limit (eq has to be within 24 hours or same day?)

tbuff

Allright, here's what I've found:

For example, on Saturday October 13th, UA shows availability ORD-FRA for UA944 and FRA-ZHR on LH(orX)1184 in business class. This is their "standard" award. No such availability through the aeroplan engine.

Is that inventory only released to UA then from LH/LX?

Ben Lipsey

No, that's available to AP as well, it just doesn't appear online so you'll have to call in and request it (it's best to note time and flight number to direct the agent to book the exactly flights you want). Your YWG-ORD connection will have to be within 24 hours of your ORD-FRA flight.

tbuff

Really?

I found a YWG-ORD for 6 AM that saturday. then the rest of the itinerary would work.

wow, ok. There's tons of availability on UA.com for getting TATL in J...

Why is AP's search engine not showing it?

mountainboy

Because they enhanced it to get $30 out of you.

yycworldtraveler

You need to find 'saver' award inventory, not 'standard'. UA 'saver' inventory should be available for redemption through any *A partner program. UA 'standard' award inventory is for UA MP members willing to pay a premium, like AE Classic Plus awards.

jjclancy

The difference being
(1) the magnitude of the premium (2x on UA, >5x on AC)
(2) the presence of scamcharges (none on UA)

Anyway for transatlantic travel on that day, consider:
SK946 ORD-ARN Oct 13
or
AC882 YYZ-CPH Oct 13

rankourabu

oh boy.. wait till you find out that that ticket to Europe on AC/LH/OS/LO will come with a $1000 scamcharge on top of points.

tbuff

I knew it was too good to be true. Thanks. Not much shows up on saver inventory.

tbuff

Just saw that.

I think I'm narrowing down the search - wife wants to fly into Zurich, or thereabouts. Germany might also be an option, so I could do the LH flight to DUS, which is slightly less of a charge than the other one.

rankourabu

The scamcharge on AC vs LH is almost identical.

tbuff

Found availability from YYZ:

LO46

then

LX1349

If I feed an agent over the phone a flight YWG-YYZ on the same day, it will work correct? Because there is availability on the day YWG-YYZ, and YYZ-WAW-ZRH, but when I try going YWG-ZRH, it breaks down.

Charges aren't bad YYZ-WAW-ZRH, will it skyrocket by adding YWG-YYZ?