Avoiding surcharges
 

I'm accumulating aeroplan points with the goal of a business class flight (or preferably two so I can go with someone) to China/HK. I'm slowly but surely getting there (900 aeroplan points from AC this year so far!)

But I hear about these crazy surcharges... so is a flight redemption really worth it? If I have enough AP points to redeem 2 business class flights, how much $ do I still need to pay? What're the strategies to lower that, and is it hard?

Thanks!

Do your own calculations

For NA to Asia 1/2, you have less choices now to avoid YQ
UA, BR (EVA Air, which used to be Goldmine and release 300+ days out, now it only releases next 2 weeks), CA (Air China)

All other ones have YQ (tax/fees/carrier surcharge) - AC, TG, OZ
You'll probably pay from $300 to $1000?
Try to go to HKG for less YQ due to the cap on surcharge
See my Europe thread in signature for similar idea or how to search

You'll need to accumulate 150K x 2 seats, and hope AP doesn't devalue before you get there

Good luck

Jerry gave you a good summary of what it is... but to fully answer your questions, you might need a few seminars, or someone explaining for hours. Whether something will worth it totally depends on how you value the opportunity cost for getting the points and the actual trip. It may differ for other people

Try google and do some research on your own, there are also tons of helpful threads on this board as well. One of the search term I'm gonna recommend is "Reduce fuel surcharge on Aeroplan", you'll get lots of hits ;)

Good luck

Also, not to poo poo, but if you've got 900 miles in 4 months...it'll take 55 years to accumulate enough points for 1 business class ticket. Assuming my math is right.

900*3 (trimesters) = 2700
150,000 (J class Canada-Asia 1) / 2700 = 55.55

That's forgetting any devaluation and only 1 ticket.

If you REALLY decide this is for you, then you need to get the credit card for some quick big bonuses that'll shave 40 years if you can grab 60,000-75,000 signup miles. Then use those cards to buy everything to ramp up your earning. I put everything on my credit card and only earn around 2,000 miles a month. The real miles (outside of bonuses) still come from flying, and flying lots.

In terms of flying I think it's because I mostly do short-haul. I have 6 AQS so far this year but only 930 AQM. I'm a student, and go to NYC for networking/interviews from Toronto.

I also have AP points from Esso but that's unreliable.

I hope you understand that you can't spend AQM. As a matter of fact, your AQM will be reset to 0 on Jan 1. It's the miles that are in your AE account that you can spend, and that's where your Esso miles and credit card miles are posted.

Good luck

Sadly, you most likely won't accumulate fast enough before next devaluation :(

And being students, you may not get all the credit cards for Aeroplan miles, but that's a FASTER way to accumulate than actually flying

Good luck

I don't think most students have the income or credit history to get most of these cards...:p

I remember being declined a student line of credit when I was a student because I didn't have stable income.

Buy the TPAC tickets with cash and use your points to go to Europe. You will get better value for your dollars (and points) that way. Assuming of course that you would like to go to Europe in the foreseeable future.

I don't think I qualify for those credit cards... I spend quite a lot on credit cards ($1000-$2000 a month) but as a student I don't have stable income (I get paid from internships and scholarships)

The fuel surcharge flying into HKG is very low, even if flying AC.

You're much better off with a card such as the BMO World Elite Mastercard. You earn points that you can spend on travel, includes taxes and fees. It doesn't sound like you fly enough to get anywhere with Aeroplan

Some banks will count internships/scholarships are income FYI, doesn't hurt to ask. Especially if you spend that much and pay your bills on time chances are your credit will be good (enough).

Uhh, where do you put that it's an internship? If it's paid, it's income, period. If you get taxed on it, it's income.