Need Advice: Large Volume AP miles... what to do?
Oct 5, 2013, 3:45 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 2
Need Advice: Large Volume AP miles... what to do?
I have accumulated a relatively large volume of miles between travel and credit card use. I'm at roughly 400,000 Aeroplan points at this point. I'm looking for best bang for my buck.
I'm an Elite 50k member, and am based in Toronto. Have family.
I recently took the family on a trip to Japan and ended up buying tickets outright on seat sale as it was only $1000 cheaper to use points after paying the fuel surcharges and taxes on three tickets. This opened my eyes... what should I do with all these miles, and 40+ upgrade ecredits (that will expire early next year).
I'd like to use for travel, but if the costs of taxes are near the cost of the sale ticket purchase price it doesn't make sense to me. I've heard that fuel surcharge can be avoided by booking on US carriers but I'm not too savvy on all the ins and outs of it.
Are there routes / airlines / destinations that make more sense than others? Open to any interesting destinations anywhere I can get to.
Does it make sense to redeem for merchandise or gift cards or something? Convert to other programs?
I'm looking for the best bang for my points buck - doesn't have to be for travel.
Anyone have any suggestions for me?
I'm an Elite 50k member, and am based in Toronto. Have family.
I recently took the family on a trip to Japan and ended up buying tickets outright on seat sale as it was only $1000 cheaper to use points after paying the fuel surcharges and taxes on three tickets. This opened my eyes... what should I do with all these miles, and 40+ upgrade ecredits (that will expire early next year).
I'd like to use for travel, but if the costs of taxes are near the cost of the sale ticket purchase price it doesn't make sense to me. I've heard that fuel surcharge can be avoided by booking on US carriers but I'm not too savvy on all the ins and outs of it.
Are there routes / airlines / destinations that make more sense than others? Open to any interesting destinations anywhere I can get to.
Does it make sense to redeem for merchandise or gift cards or something? Convert to other programs?
I'm looking for the best bang for my points buck - doesn't have to be for travel.
Anyone have any suggestions for me?
Oct 5, 2013, 4:24 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,305
400,000 points will still (if booked before Jan.1) get 3 people to Asia (375k) in biz for about $200 in fees - IF, and its a big if, you book on airlines that do not have scamcharges. This forum has good info on what airlines to avoid, these include AC, NH, LH, OS, TG, OZ, and to some extent LO
You can still get quality product (flat beds) for low fees by flying SQ, BR, CA, TK, LX and even UA and MS.
You can also add 2 stopovers - perhaps in Europe, or another Asian destination.
Gift cards are generally the poorest use of miles
You will need to put a route together, and call Aeroplan to book, or hire a service to do the legwork for you.
Some inspiration here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-c...ineraries.html
I'd start reading at around 2012 - when scamcharges were introduced.
You can still get quality product (flat beds) for low fees by flying SQ, BR, CA, TK, LX and even UA and MS.
You can also add 2 stopovers - perhaps in Europe, or another Asian destination.
Gift cards are generally the poorest use of miles
You will need to put a route together, and call Aeroplan to book, or hire a service to do the legwork for you.
Some inspiration here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-c...ineraries.html
I'd start reading at around 2012 - when scamcharges were introduced.
Oct 6, 2013, 3:36 pm
#3
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 6,385
I wrote a detailed post about YQ on award tickets here: http://boardingarea.com/canadiankilo...award-tickets/
If you have any question just ask or PM.
If you have any question just ask or PM.
Oct 6, 2013, 9:38 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Anywhere I need to be.
Programs: OW Emerald, *A Gold, NEXUS, GE, ABTC/APEC, South Korea SES, eIACS, PP, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 16,046
400,000 points will still (if booked before Jan.1) get 3 people to Asia (375k) in biz for about $200 in fees - IF, and its a big if, you book on airlines that do not have scamcharges. This forum has good info on what airlines to avoid, these include AC, NH, LH, OS, TG, OZ, and to some extent LO
You can still get quality product (flat beds) for low fees by flying SQ, BR, CA, TK, LX and even UA and MS.
You can also add 2 stopovers - perhaps in Europe, or another Asian destination.
Gift cards are generally the poorest use of miles
You will need to put a route together, and call Aeroplan to book, or hire a service to do the legwork for you.
Some inspiration here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-c...ineraries.html
I'd start reading at around 2012 - when scamcharges were introduced.
You can still get quality product (flat beds) for low fees by flying SQ, BR, CA, TK, LX and even UA and MS.
You can also add 2 stopovers - perhaps in Europe, or another Asian destination.
Gift cards are generally the poorest use of miles
You will need to put a route together, and call Aeroplan to book, or hire a service to do the legwork for you.
Some inspiration here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-c...ineraries.html
I'd start reading at around 2012 - when scamcharges were introduced.
(and they aren't a dry airline unlike MS.)