Avoiding surcharges
Apr 24, 2015 | 11:19 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 277
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!
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!
Apr 24, 2015 | 11:24 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,795
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
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
Apr 25, 2015 | 7:04 am
#3
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: YYZ
Programs: SPG/Marriott Plat, Fairmont Plat
Posts: 159
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!
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!
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
Apr 25, 2015 | 8:25 am
#4
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: OZ Diamond, Jiffypark Manhattan Gold
Posts: 4,784
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.
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.
Apr 25, 2015 | 9:22 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 277
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.
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.
I also have AP points from Esso but that's unreliable.
Apr 25, 2015 | 10:29 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E50, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb
Posts: 16,456
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
Good luck
Apr 25, 2015 | 7:57 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,795
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
AMEX Gold 25K after $500 spending, FYF
AMEX Biz Gold 40K after $5000, FYF
AMEX Platinum 60K after $1000, $699/year fee - $200 credit (or 2 $200 credit)
above get you 125K for $499 or $299
TD Aeroplan Infinite, 25K after $1000, FYF
AMEX Biz Gold 40K after $5000, FYF
AMEX Platinum 60K after $1000, $699/year fee - $200 credit (or 2 $200 credit)
above get you 125K for $499 or $299
TD Aeroplan Infinite, 25K after $1000, FYF
Good luck
Apr 25, 2015 | 8:10 pm
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E50K (*G) WS Gold | SPG/Fairmont Plat Hilton/Hyatt Diamond Marriott Silver | National Exec Elite
Posts: 19,284
Apr 25, 2015 | 8:24 pm
#9
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, SK Gold, Bonvoy Plat LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 47,358
Apr 25, 2015 | 8:56 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: YVR
Programs: UA Premier Platinum
Posts: 3,796
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.
Apr 30, 2015 | 6:49 am
#14
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 174
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).
Apr 30, 2015 | 11:02 am
#15
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E50K (*G) WS Gold | SPG/Fairmont Plat Hilton/Hyatt Diamond Marriott Silver | National Exec Elite
Posts: 19,284
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.