Suggestions for Earning 20k AQMs
Nov 3, 2017, 2:11 pm
#16
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, NH, DL, AA, BA, Global Entry/Nexus, APEC..
Posts: 18,877
This TPE in PY route sounds interesting- with my 100% altitude bonus and the 3X aeroplan miles... However, I am having a hard time making the AC website price this for me- is see the each-way pricing of ~$850-$900 in N class, and after I select these, I get an error...
"There appears to be an issue with the flights you've selected. This prevents us from completing your transaction online. Please call us:
In Canada or the U.S.: 1-855-831-1437
Other countries Opens in a new window
Please take note of and provide the Call Center agent with the following information:
Flight(s): undefined
Booking class(es): undefined"
There seems top be an issue with the PE Domestic portion booking into N- ie YYZ-YVR and YVR-YYZ....
It did work one time, but put me in B on all the Domestic flights, even though they have a PE cabin.
"There appears to be an issue with the flights you've selected. This prevents us from completing your transaction online. Please call us:
In Canada or the U.S.: 1-855-831-1437
Other countries Opens in a new window
Please take note of and provide the Call Center agent with the following information:
Flight(s): undefined
Booking class(es): undefined"
There seems top be an issue with the PE Domestic portion booking into N- ie YYZ-YVR and YVR-YYZ....
It did work one time, but put me in B on all the Domestic flights, even though they have a PE cabin.
Just threw out some random dates
.
Nov 3, 2017, 3:04 pm
#17
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YVR - MILLS Waypoint (It's the third house on the left)
Programs: AC*SE100K, wood level status in various other programs
Posts: 6,232
Nov 3, 2017, 3:10 pm
#18
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 6,222
The C/B analysis may have changed since I stopped flying, but I once did a 45,000+ mileage run (over 3 consecutive weekends) to keep SE status. I paid almost exactly CAD $800 for each of the 3 tickets, all travel was in F (including some in sleepers), and generally had a pleasant time. I'd estimate I spent another CAD $600 in hotels and pre-positioning costs (i.e. driving to SEA, parking, etc) for a total of about CAD $3000. And of course I spent 3 weekends / 6 days.
But financially speaking, the first time I upgraded YVR-SYD from a CAD $1400 return fare to a J sleeper I was "money" ahead.
And that doesn't begin to consider the benefits of the SE phone line (no waits, ever), concierge service, IKK (even as it was at the time), and all the other subtle intangibles (like my 11A seat on SYD-YVR always being available, even if someone was already sitting in it.)
I suppose the SE benefits might have been so watered down over the past 5 years that the decision is more complicated. But the benefits of being SE100K (primarily not being E75K) are so valuable to a non-J truly frequent, long-haul flyer, that it seems to me to still be an easy decision.
tl;dr The "stupid" thing would be not going.
Nov 3, 2017, 4:30 pm
#19
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,353
Nov 3, 2017, 5:03 pm
#21
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: YQB
Programs: AC SE
Posts: 2,139
I know this is a common attitude, but I think often the "stupid" thing is not to do the mileage run.
The C/B analysis may have changed since I stopped flying, but I once did a 45,000+ mileage run (over 3 consecutive weekends) to keep SE status. I paid almost exactly CAD $800 for each of the 3 tickets, all travel was in F (including some in sleepers), and generally had a pleasant time. I'd estimate I spent another CAD $600 in hotels and pre-positioning costs (i.e. driving to SEA, parking, etc) for a total of about CAD $3000. And of course I spent 3 weekends / 6 days.
But financially speaking, the first time I upgraded YVR-SYD from a CAD $1400 return fare to a J sleeper I was "money" ahead.
And that doesn't begin to consider the benefits of the SE phone line (no waits, ever), concierge service, IKK (even as it was at the time), and all the other subtle intangibles (like my 11A seat on SYD-YVR always being available, even if someone was already sitting in it.)
I suppose the SE benefits might have been so watered down over the past 5 years that the decision is more complicated. But the benefits of being SE100K (primarily not being E75K) are so valuable to a non-J truly frequent, long-haul flyer, that it seems to me to still be an easy decision.
tl;dr The "stupid" thing would be not going.
The C/B analysis may have changed since I stopped flying, but I once did a 45,000+ mileage run (over 3 consecutive weekends) to keep SE status. I paid almost exactly CAD $800 for each of the 3 tickets, all travel was in F (including some in sleepers), and generally had a pleasant time. I'd estimate I spent another CAD $600 in hotels and pre-positioning costs (i.e. driving to SEA, parking, etc) for a total of about CAD $3000. And of course I spent 3 weekends / 6 days.
But financially speaking, the first time I upgraded YVR-SYD from a CAD $1400 return fare to a J sleeper I was "money" ahead.
And that doesn't begin to consider the benefits of the SE phone line (no waits, ever), concierge service, IKK (even as it was at the time), and all the other subtle intangibles (like my 11A seat on SYD-YVR always being available, even if someone was already sitting in it.)
I suppose the SE benefits might have been so watered down over the past 5 years that the decision is more complicated. But the benefits of being SE100K (primarily not being E75K) are so valuable to a non-J truly frequent, long-haul flyer, that it seems to me to still be an easy decision.
tl;dr The "stupid" thing would be not going.
So I feel the value is partially lost here. As an E75K, I will be able to eUp on those TB flights, something which was not accessible on TATL/TPAC flights. Yeah, I won't have access to the concierge or to the SE line but I've never had access to those so I don't know what I'm missing, if that makes sense. IKK seems nice but I already booked my RTW for next Spring and, since I won't be accumulating as many miles as before, the value of that benefit decreases.
Oh yeah, I also have a wife and daughter that think I'm already travelling too much so spending a weekend away from home, for no obvious benefit to them, might be frowned upon!
But again, each flyer is unique and has a different set of motivations and constraints... But damn I wouldn't mind hoping on a plane for a same day turn in TPE, if only to get that black luggage tag next year LOL!
Nov 3, 2017, 7:40 pm
#23
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: YOW
Programs: AC-SE100K, AC-3MM, Marriott- LT Titanium, SPG RIP
Posts: 2,959
Nov 3, 2017, 7:49 pm
#25
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, NH, DL, AA, BA, Global Entry/Nexus, APEC..
Posts: 18,877
I've tested with YOW and that seems to be the trigger for higher fares. I tested YOW-TPE on different dates in PE. The TPE flight leaves at 11:50, early in the Asian flight departures. AC has at least 2 flights from YOW that would get you to YVR in time for the TPE but the price is higher than a YYZ departure.
Nov 3, 2017, 8:35 pm
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: MEX
Programs: AC E75K
Posts: 4,171
Argh. Angry that I missed that.
Nov 3, 2017, 8:41 pm
#27
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 496
This TPE in PY route sounds interesting- with my 100% altitude bonus and the 3X aeroplan miles... However, I am having a hard time making the AC website price this for me- is see the each-way pricing of ~$850-$900 in N class, and after I select these, I get an error...
"There appears to be an issue with the flights you've selected. This prevents us from completing your transaction online. Please call us:
In Canada or the U.S.: 1-855-831-1437
Other countries Opens in a new window
Please take note of and provide the Call Center agent with the following information:
Flight(s): undefined
Booking class(es): undefined"
There seems top be an issue with the PE Domestic portion booking into N- ie YYZ-YVR and YVR-YYZ....
It did work one time, but put me in B on all the Domestic flights, even though they have a PE cabin.
"There appears to be an issue with the flights you've selected. This prevents us from completing your transaction online. Please call us:
In Canada or the U.S.: 1-855-831-1437
Other countries Opens in a new window
Please take note of and provide the Call Center agent with the following information:
Flight(s): undefined
Booking class(es): undefined"
There seems top be an issue with the PE Domestic portion booking into N- ie YYZ-YVR and YVR-YYZ....
It did work one time, but put me in B on all the Domestic flights, even though they have a PE cabin.
Anyway, play with multicity. PM if it doesnt work and I will share what I booked and how I did it. I got the same error as you initially.
Nov 3, 2017, 8:43 pm
#28
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: YQB
Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, Bonvoy Gold, HHonors Diamond, VIA Premier, NEXUS/GE
Posts: 816
This TPE in PY route sounds interesting- with my 100% altitude bonus and the 3X aeroplan miles... However, I am having a hard time making the AC website price this for me- is see the each-way pricing of ~$850-$900 in N class, and after I select these, I get an error...
"There appears to be an issue with the flights you've selected. This prevents us from completing your transaction online. Please call us:
In Canada or the U.S.: 1-855-831-1437
Other countries Opens in a new window
Please take note of and provide the Call Center agent with the following information:
Flight(s): undefined
Booking class(es): undefined"
There seems top be an issue with the PE Domestic portion booking into N- ie YYZ-YVR and YVR-YYZ....
It did work one time, but put me in B on all the Domestic flights, even though they have a PE cabin.
"There appears to be an issue with the flights you've selected. This prevents us from completing your transaction online. Please call us:
In Canada or the U.S.: 1-855-831-1437
Other countries Opens in a new window
Please take note of and provide the Call Center agent with the following information:
Flight(s): undefined
Booking class(es): undefined"
There seems top be an issue with the PE Domestic portion booking into N- ie YYZ-YVR and YVR-YYZ....
It did work one time, but put me in B on all the Domestic flights, even though they have a PE cabin.
No problem booking it on the phone, although you may have to insist that is it offered online for several dates and the agent usually reaches out to the Help desk and voilą. You can also apply your discount code with the agent on the phone. Have done that as well.
Nov 3, 2017, 8:46 pm
#29
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: YQB
Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, Bonvoy Gold, HHonors Diamond, VIA Premier, NEXUS/GE
Posts: 816
So, I have one of these booked for March. B can be good as you can UG for 2 credits each way into J, but this will on a narrow body with no PE. But you may prefer this. If you want to get PY and its giving this error then use multi-city. On my trip I have a stopover in Vancouver, so booked B to YVR and will UG. On the return I booked PY from YVR-YYZ as I figure that PY is pretty much the same as narrow body J, or I can UG on the 787 if I wish to J for 8 credits and get a flat bed to sleep on the final segment.
Anyway, play with multicity. PM if it doesnt work and I will share what I booked and how I did it. I got the same error as you initially.
Anyway, play with multicity. PM if it doesnt work and I will share what I booked and how I did it. I got the same error as you initially.
Nov 3, 2017, 11:19 pm
#30
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: MEX
Programs: AC E75K
Posts: 4,171
Came across YYZ-IST/ATH on MS in Z for ~US$1.8k (and made my first MR forum contribution).
MS Z earns 125% so should yield 16.3k miles, but the product doesn't look appealing at all. Coupled with the need for repositioning and no one to go with, I've decided to pass.
MS Z earns 125% so should yield 16.3k miles, but the product doesn't look appealing at all. Coupled with the need for repositioning and no one to go with, I've decided to pass.