Reward flight YYC-FRA without fuel surcharges
Jan 7, 2015, 4:27 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC E50K
Posts: 7
Reward flight YYC-FRA without fuel surcharges
Hello everyone, I'm new to flyertalk. I want to book an Aeroplan reward flight from Calgary to Frankfurt and have never done this before. I don't seem to be able to find a flight without fuel surcharges. My general question is if it is possible to fly UA or another airline from Canada? I haven't quite understood if I have to fly to the US first and find a UA flight from there. Has anybody done this or can somebody give me a hint on how to search? Will the required miles go up?
Thank you very much for your help.
Thank you very much for your help.
Jan 7, 2015, 4:36 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 3,393
Hello everyone, I'm new to flyertalk. I want to book an Aeroplan reward flight from Calgary to Frankfurt and have never done this before. I don't seem to be able to find a flight without fuel surcharges. My general question is if it is possible to fly UA or another airline from Canada? I haven't quite understood if I have to fly to the US first and find a UA flight from there. Has anybody done this or can somebody give me a hint on how to search? Will the required miles go up?
Thank you very much for your help.
Thank you very much for your help.
Jan 7, 2015, 4:44 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada
Programs: AC 75K, Hertz President’s Circle, Accor Gold, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 10,068
Check for Singapore Airlines from JFK if for Y seating as they have nice service and you could stop in NYC. Maybe tough to get to JFK though as AC flies 2-3 times a day and UA may have some very limited service there if at all.
Jan 7, 2015, 4:46 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM
Posts: 23,299
You can fly to the USA on either AC or UA. From there if you take UA across the Atlantic, you will see a savings of about $450.
This is all on one ticket.
You can search on aeroplan.com, and look for a UA itinerary - but the website prefers the flights with extortionate fees, so you may not find it.
You can also search award travel on united.com - and look for blue "saver" awards - if you find them, call Aeroplan and tell them the flight numbers and they will book you on them.
This is all on one ticket.
You can search on aeroplan.com, and look for a UA itinerary - but the website prefers the flights with extortionate fees, so you may not find it.
You can also search award travel on united.com - and look for blue "saver" awards - if you find them, call Aeroplan and tell them the flight numbers and they will book you on them.
Jan 7, 2015, 5:14 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 6,385
Hello everyone, I'm new to flyertalk. I want to book an Aeroplan reward flight from Calgary to Frankfurt and have never done this before. I don't seem to be able to find a flight without fuel surcharges. My general question is if it is possible to fly UA or another airline from Canada? I haven't quite understood if I have to fly to the US first and find a UA flight from there. Has anybody done this or can somebody give me a hint on how to search? Will the required miles go up?
Thank you very much for your help.
Thank you very much for your help.
Jan 8, 2015, 6:40 am
#7
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 9
1. This adds at least 3-4 hours or more to your flight and you arrive later in the day which kills much of your first day.
2. You can only go to the cities where UA flies nonstop. Look at their route map and this is very limited.
3. Also, the availability of UA transatlantic flights, especially NA -> Europe at there super saver rate of 30K points is very very low. Ironicaly, UA's Mileage plus program relies on AC flights to cover their European availability. And get this - they don't charge a surcharge on the AC flights. The same flights booked through Aeroplan have the surcharge. Is that maddening or what!
4. The only place UA goes with much availability is Geneva, which few people want to visit. Then you'd have to book another flight to go where you want. It might be cheaper to book a discount airline than to pay the fuel surcharge and go directly where you want, but the savings will be small and the hassle large.
5. Coming back through the US is a major pain. You have to collect you baggage and go through customs/immigration. This means that you have to allow for a long layover. Customs within the same country or Shengen is much easier.
Bottom line is that Aeroplan has you by the short and curlies and there is little you can do about it.
Last edited by carlost; Jan 8, 2015 at 7:38 am
Jan 8, 2015, 7:24 am
#8
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"Least painful" might be a better question. If you don't have Nexus/Global entry they will all likely be painful! JFK likely fairly painful along with IAD (esp on the return). I like SFO but not sure if that will exceed MPM, probably. Swiss fly from there. LAX may require a terminal change, ORD is subject to weather issues. It's no picnic but I would not want to fork over $700+ for a free ticket, esp in Y!! There are fares to Europe from YEG for that right now and you earn points!
Jan 8, 2015, 7:52 am
#9
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Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM
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1. The poster is looking to save $500 - so we are providing options for that request, nothing else. But lets see
1. Its the same as connecting in YYZ on AC when the OP is coming from YYC.
2. UA has far more European destinations served nonstop from IAD or EWR than AC does. Its not even close. The OP is going to FRA, UA has more daily flights to FRA than AC does
3. I ll give you availability is better on AC than UA in economy. And yes it is maddening that AC gouges their own flyers by charging $500 in YQ on AC flights, and UA doesnt. Also, I can change flights/dates at will for FREE up to 21 daye before flight, even with no status when redeeming a UA award, redeeming AE points, even top tiers pay $102 for the slightest change
4. Terrible advice. Why would you have to book another flight on a low cost from GVA? Its a LX hub - and you can connect from there to anywhere in Europe on the same award. Same would go for BRU, CPH, OSL, LIS, all European star hubs, and UA destinations with good award availability.
5. Goes back to the least painful airport to connect (which I would say is IAD - because connecting flights get separate immigration from arriving ones).
This is a matter of personal preference, but with Global Entry, I dont care if I have to connect in the USA to save $500.
1. Its the same as connecting in YYZ on AC when the OP is coming from YYC.
2. UA has far more European destinations served nonstop from IAD or EWR than AC does. Its not even close. The OP is going to FRA, UA has more daily flights to FRA than AC does
3. I ll give you availability is better on AC than UA in economy. And yes it is maddening that AC gouges their own flyers by charging $500 in YQ on AC flights, and UA doesnt. Also, I can change flights/dates at will for FREE up to 21 daye before flight, even with no status when redeeming a UA award, redeeming AE points, even top tiers pay $102 for the slightest change
4. Terrible advice. Why would you have to book another flight on a low cost from GVA? Its a LX hub - and you can connect from there to anywhere in Europe on the same award. Same would go for BRU, CPH, OSL, LIS, all European star hubs, and UA destinations with good award availability.
5. Goes back to the least painful airport to connect (which I would say is IAD - because connecting flights get separate immigration from arriving ones).
This is a matter of personal preference, but with Global Entry, I dont care if I have to connect in the USA to save $500.
Many problems with this strategy.
1. This adds at least 3-4 hours or more to your flight and you arrive later in the day which kills much of your first day.
2. You can only go to the cities where UA flies nonstop. Look at their route map and this is very limited.
3. Also, the availability of UA transatlantic flights, especially NA -> Europe at there super saver rate of 30K points is very very low. Ironicaly, UA's Mileage plus program relies on AC flights to cover their European availability. And get this - they don't charge a surcharge on the AC flights. The same flights booked through Aeroplan have the surcharge. Is that maddening or what!
4. The only place UA goes with much availability is Geneva, which few people want to visit. Then you'd have to book another flight to go where you want. It might be cheaper to book a discount airline than to pay the fuel surcharge and go directly where you want, but the savings will be small and the hassle large.
5. Coming back through the US is a major pain. You have to collect you baggage and go through customs/immigration. This means that you have to allow for a long layover. Customs within the same country or Shengen is much easier.
Bottom line is that Aeroplan has you by the short and curlies and there is little you can do about it.
1. This adds at least 3-4 hours or more to your flight and you arrive later in the day which kills much of your first day.
2. You can only go to the cities where UA flies nonstop. Look at their route map and this is very limited.
3. Also, the availability of UA transatlantic flights, especially NA -> Europe at there super saver rate of 30K points is very very low. Ironicaly, UA's Mileage plus program relies on AC flights to cover their European availability. And get this - they don't charge a surcharge on the AC flights. The same flights booked through Aeroplan have the surcharge. Is that maddening or what!
4. The only place UA goes with much availability is Geneva, which few people want to visit. Then you'd have to book another flight to go where you want. It might be cheaper to book a discount airline than to pay the fuel surcharge and go directly where you want, but the savings will be small and the hassle large.
5. Coming back through the US is a major pain. You have to collect you baggage and go through customs/immigration. This means that you have to allow for a long layover. Customs within the same country or Shengen is much easier.
Bottom line is that Aeroplan has you by the short and curlies and there is little you can do about it.
Jan 8, 2015, 7:58 am
#10
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,083
2. You can only go to the cities where UA flies nonstop. Look at their route map and this is very limited.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/23094149-post111.html
There are enough routes on that list (not United only). Sure, perhaps availability isn't going to be great on all of them, but there are enough routes so that you can try different ones and figure out a way to get to your destination. Nobody said it's going to necessarily be easy to do that, but it doesn't have to involve arrival late in the afternoon either.
3. Also, the availability of UA transatlantic flights, especially NA -> Europe at there super saver rate of 30K points is very very low. Ironicaly, UA's Mileage plus program relies on AC flights to cover their European availability. And get this - they don't charge a surcharge on the AC flights. The same flights booked through Aeroplan have the surcharge. Is that maddening or what!
Jan 8, 2015, 8:02 am
#11
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,083
1
4. Terrible advice. Why would you have to book another flight on a low cost from GVA? Its a LX hub - and you can connect from there to anywhere in Europe on the same award. Same would go for BRU, CPH, OSL, LIS, all European star hubs, and UA destinations with good award availability.
4. Terrible advice. Why would you have to book another flight on a low cost from GVA? Its a LX hub - and you can connect from there to anywhere in Europe on the same award. Same would go for BRU, CPH, OSL, LIS, all European star hubs, and UA destinations with good award availability.
I was looking at June for example, and, granted, it's peak season, but there is no Economy availability at all for a lot of United routes from the US to these hubs... Like I said, though, will have to look harder...
Jan 8, 2015, 8:08 am
#12
Formerly known as newbie elite
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: YUL
Programs: IHG Diamond Ambassador, Accor Platinum, AC50K
Posts: 2,925
Many problems with this strategy.
1. This adds at least 3-4 hours or more to your flight and you arrive later in the day which kills much of your first day.
2. You can only go to the cities where UA flies nonstop. Look at their route map and this is very limited.
3. Also, the availability of UA transatlantic flights, especially NA -> Europe at there super saver rate of 30K points is very very low. Ironicaly, UA's Mileage plus program relies on AC flights to cover their European availability. And get this - they don't charge a surcharge on the AC flights. The same flights booked through Aeroplan have the surcharge. Is that maddening or what!
4. The only place UA goes with much availability is Geneva, which few people want to visit. Then you'd have to book another flight to go where you want. It might be cheaper to book a discount airline than to pay the fuel surcharge and go directly where you want, but the savings will be small and the hassle large.
5. Coming back through the US is a major pain. You have to collect you baggage and go through customs/immigration. This means that you have to allow for a long layover. Customs within the same country or Shengen is much easier.
Bottom line is that Aeroplan has you by the short and curlies and there is little you can do about it.
1. This adds at least 3-4 hours or more to your flight and you arrive later in the day which kills much of your first day.
2. You can only go to the cities where UA flies nonstop. Look at their route map and this is very limited.
3. Also, the availability of UA transatlantic flights, especially NA -> Europe at there super saver rate of 30K points is very very low. Ironicaly, UA's Mileage plus program relies on AC flights to cover their European availability. And get this - they don't charge a surcharge on the AC flights. The same flights booked through Aeroplan have the surcharge. Is that maddening or what!
4. The only place UA goes with much availability is Geneva, which few people want to visit. Then you'd have to book another flight to go where you want. It might be cheaper to book a discount airline than to pay the fuel surcharge and go directly where you want, but the savings will be small and the hassle large.
5. Coming back through the US is a major pain. You have to collect you baggage and go through customs/immigration. This means that you have to allow for a long layover. Customs within the same country or Shengen is much easier.
Bottom line is that Aeroplan has you by the short and curlies and there is little you can do about it.
If you want to avoid scamcharges find flights on UA, SN, LX or TK. LO has very low scamcharges. Avoid LHR.
Jan 8, 2015, 8:40 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM
Posts: 23,299
The LHR boogey man makes an awful lot of appearances on FT.
The fact is, connecting in LHR only costs a few $ more than connecting in FRA, CDG, ZRH. Its departing LHR that kills
Jan 8, 2015, 8:51 am
#14
Formerly known as newbie elite
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: YUL
Programs: IHG Diamond Ambassador, Accor Platinum, AC50K
Posts: 2,925
