Question: Disappointed with Aeroplan
Nov 2, 16, 2:52 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2016
Programs: AC, Delta, Alitalia, Marriott, Airmiles
Posts: 1
Disappointed with Aeroplan
A flight to London England from Toronto costs 60,000 Aeroplan points plus $591 in taxes and fees. The AirCanada site has a flight on for those days at $708. That tells me my 60,000 points are worth about $120. Strange. If I book on Delta points, the taxes and fees are $300 USD for a similar flight.
For Toronto to Honolulu via Aeroplan, the taxes and fees are $179. For Delta, it's $91. Why the big discrepancy between AC and Delta, and why are our Aeroplan points worth such a small portion of the total cost?
Currently I have over 100,000 points and find it hard to redeem when I run into things like the above.
Any comments?
For Toronto to Honolulu via Aeroplan, the taxes and fees are $179. For Delta, it's $91. Why the big discrepancy between AC and Delta, and why are our Aeroplan points worth such a small portion of the total cost?
Currently I have over 100,000 points and find it hard to redeem when I run into things like the above.
Any comments?
Nov 2, 16, 3:00 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: AC SE100K, Emerald Exec, HHG
Posts: 631
I laughed when i saw the title. Half the threads in this forum could be called that.
A few things, several airlines do not change surcharges for redemptions. For example you can fly YYZ-EWR/ORD/IAD - LHR for 60000 points and a fraction of the taxes and fees on UA. I think a stop in EWR is worth saving $500, I aIso actually prefer UA Y over Rouge Y.
Consider flying out of BUF as well.
A few things, several airlines do not change surcharges for redemptions. For example you can fly YYZ-EWR/ORD/IAD - LHR for 60000 points and a fraction of the taxes and fees on UA. I think a stop in EWR is worth saving $500, I aIso actually prefer UA Y over Rouge Y.
Consider flying out of BUF as well.
Nov 2, 16, 3:04 pm
#3
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: YUL
Programs: Skymiles Silver Medallion
Posts: 942
You might find this thread useful, too:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-c...rd-travel.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-c...rd-travel.html
Nov 2, 16, 3:06 pm
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend and Moderator: Air Canada Aeroplan, Canada & Manufactured Spending
Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Posts: 52,456
Originally Posted by dlk43
Any comments?
Regardless welcome to FT!
Nov 2, 16, 3:12 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Canada
Programs: Marriott Platinum, IHG Club, Hertz Gold, Aeroplan, Avios, SkyMiles, Thrifty, AMEX
Posts: 956
IMHO, a Y redemption from Canada to the UK on AC is probably the worst use of Aeroplan points possible, for the reasons you've noted.
You've got 2 things working against you: the high fees AE charges on AC flights, and the high departure taxes out of any UK airport. You're better off looking at a redemption on a non-surcharge airline (United, Swiss, SAS), and looking at at least returning from a non-UK airport (I've done both BRU and DUB, CDG is also very easy). For your departure flight, I'd be trying to piece together an itinerary via ZRH to LCY on Swiss.
You've got 2 things working against you: the high fees AE charges on AC flights, and the high departure taxes out of any UK airport. You're better off looking at a redemption on a non-surcharge airline (United, Swiss, SAS), and looking at at least returning from a non-UK airport (I've done both BRU and DUB, CDG is also very easy). For your departure flight, I'd be trying to piece together an itinerary via ZRH to LCY on Swiss.
Nov 2, 16, 3:12 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, Bonvoy Tit, HH Diamond, Hyatt Disc, Accor Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 34,523
Originally Posted by dlk43
A flight to London England from Toronto costs 60,000 Aeroplan points plus $591 in taxes and fees. The AirCanada site has a flight on for those days at $708. That tells me my 60,000 points are worth about $120. Strange. If I book on Delta points, the taxes and fees are $300 USD for a similar flight.
For Toronto to Honolulu via Aeroplan, the taxes and fees are $179. For Delta, it's $91. Why the big discrepancy between AC and Delta, and why are our Aeroplan points worth such a small portion of the total cost?
Currently I have over 100,000 points and find it hard to redeem when I run into things like the above.
Any comments?
For Toronto to Honolulu via Aeroplan, the taxes and fees are $179. For Delta, it's $91. Why the big discrepancy between AC and Delta, and why are our Aeroplan points worth such a small portion of the total cost?
Currently I have over 100,000 points and find it hard to redeem when I run into things like the above.
Any comments?
1. If you're comparing Aeroplan to Delta, you're not comparing the same flights, so I'm not really sure the cost difference is relevant. At best, with DL, you're doing one stop for LHR-YYZ.
2. Economy class tickets are never going to be a lucrative redemption option unless you're Super Elite. Try business or first if you want to save money. I believe 100k is enough for a round-trip TATL in J.
3. Departing LHR is notoriously expensive.
4. As others have mentioned, try looking at other airline options if your goal is to minimize taxes/fees/surcharges. LHR-ZRH-YUL-YYZ, LHR-IAD/EWR/ORD/BOS-YYZ, etc. Basically avoid LH and AC.
Nov 2, 16, 3:30 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Spatially speaking or metaphysically speaking?
Programs: Aeropain: Zirconia Status; Altitude: Marianas Trench Status; UA MP: 1 Kick to the curb status
Posts: 623
Originally Posted by canadiancow
A couple comments.
1. If you're comparing Aeroplan to Delta, you're not comparing the same flights, so I'm not really sure the cost difference is relevant. At best, with DL, you're doing one stop for LHR-YYZ.
2. Economy class tickets are never going to be a lucrative redemption option unless you're Super Elite. Try business or first if you want to save money. I believe 100k is enough for a round-trip TATL in J.
3. Departing LHR is notoriously expensive.
4. As others have mentioned, try looking at other airline options if your goal is to minimize taxes/fees/surcharges. LHR-ZRH-YUL-YYZ, LHR-IAD/EWR/ORD/BOS-YYZ, etc. Basically avoid LH and AC.
1. If you're comparing Aeroplan to Delta, you're not comparing the same flights, so I'm not really sure the cost difference is relevant. At best, with DL, you're doing one stop for LHR-YYZ.
2. Economy class tickets are never going to be a lucrative redemption option unless you're Super Elite. Try business or first if you want to save money. I believe 100k is enough for a round-trip TATL in J.
3. Departing LHR is notoriously expensive.
4. As others have mentioned, try looking at other airline options if your goal is to minimize taxes/fees/surcharges. LHR-ZRH-YUL-YYZ, LHR-IAD/EWR/ORD/BOS-YYZ, etc. Basically avoid LH and AC.
https://www4.aeroplan.com/use-your-m...-rewards-chart
Nov 2, 16, 4:57 pm
#10
formerly yvrgary
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: YOW
Programs: AC 75K, FOTSG Platinum
Posts: 3,479
Originally Posted by KenHamer
Half?
To be fair, we're not here to discuss the history of tank warfare.
Nov 2, 16, 5:34 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 22,470
Originally Posted by dlk43
A flight to London England from Toronto costs 60,000 Aeroplan points plus $591 in taxes and fees. The AirCanada site has a flight on for those days at $708. That tells me my 60,000 points are worth about $120. Strange.
Get a toaster.
Nov 2, 16, 7:28 pm
#12
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AC Altitude E75K (*G), NEXUS
Posts: 4,354
I came to say the same thing. "Disappointed in Aeroplan" is not a "question". (But welcome to FT.)
It's like "people love your sunny nature" is not a fortune. (Seriously, cookie-fillers - where are the tall, dark strangers of yesteryear?)
"Disappointed in Aeroplan" should be the forum name, short form. The long form would be "Disappointed in Aeroplan, and AC IT sucks. And pickles."
It's like "people love your sunny nature" is not a fortune. (Seriously, cookie-fillers - where are the tall, dark strangers of yesteryear?)
"Disappointed in Aeroplan" should be the forum name, short form. The long form would be "Disappointed in Aeroplan, and AC IT sucks. And pickles."
Nov 3, 16, 7:12 am
#14
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 81
Originally Posted by canadiancow
A couple comments.
1. If you're comparing Aeroplan to Delta, you're not comparing the same flights, so I'm not really sure the cost difference is relevant. At best, with DL, you're doing one stop for LHR-YYZ.
2. Economy class tickets are never going to be a lucrative redemption option unless you're Super Elite. Try business or first if you want to feel like you're saving money in comparison to overpriced fares. I believe 100k is enough for a round-trip TATL in J.
3. Departing LHR is notoriously expensive.
4. As others have mentioned, try looking at other airline options if your goal is to minimize taxes/fees/surcharges. LHR-ZRH-YUL-YYZ, LHR-IAD/EWR/ORD/BOS-YYZ, etc. Basically avoid LH and AC.
1. If you're comparing Aeroplan to Delta, you're not comparing the same flights, so I'm not really sure the cost difference is relevant. At best, with DL, you're doing one stop for LHR-YYZ.
2. Economy class tickets are never going to be a lucrative redemption option unless you're Super Elite. Try business or first if you want to feel like you're saving money in comparison to overpriced fares. I believe 100k is enough for a round-trip TATL in J.
3. Departing LHR is notoriously expensive.
4. As others have mentioned, try looking at other airline options if your goal is to minimize taxes/fees/surcharges. LHR-ZRH-YUL-YYZ, LHR-IAD/EWR/ORD/BOS-YYZ, etc. Basically avoid LH and AC.
Nov 3, 16, 10:54 am
#15
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,660
Originally Posted by dlk43
A flight to London England from Toronto costs 60,000 Aeroplan points plus $591 in taxes and fees. The AirCanada site has a flight on for those days at $708. That tells me my 60,000 points are worth about $120. Strange. If I book on Delta points, the taxes and fees are $300 USD for a similar flight.
For Toronto to Honolulu via Aeroplan, the taxes and fees are $179. For Delta, it's $91. Why the big discrepancy between AC and Delta, and why are our Aeroplan points worth such a small portion of the total cost?
Currently I have over 100,000 points and find it hard to redeem when I run into things like the above.
Any comments?
For Toronto to Honolulu via Aeroplan, the taxes and fees are $179. For Delta, it's $91. Why the big discrepancy between AC and Delta, and why are our Aeroplan points worth such a small portion of the total cost?
Currently I have over 100,000 points and find it hard to redeem when I run into things like the above.
Any comments?
You joined FT to complain about Aeroplan? must be really disappointed, sorry to hear that, but play the game!
