Amex MR > Aeroplan for use on UA flights, TK*G
Nov 27, 2017, 1:33 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: TK *G, Spirit Gold, Marriott Plat, Hilton HHonors Gold, Amex Plat, Chase SR
Posts: 353
Amex MR > Aeroplan for use on UA flights, TK*G
I received an offer for an Amex MR 20% transfer bonus to Aeroplan. I have about 300K MR and I primarily fly UA. I have TK*G. Before I decide whether to proceed with the transfer, I have few questions for the experts:
1) How easy is it to redeem Aeroplan miles for UA flights? Can this be done online? Is availability restricted?
2) Can I use a TK*G frequent flyer number to book a UA flight on the Aeroplan website (to ensure that I receive *G benefits)?
3) How do the Aeroplan award redemption rates compare to UA redemption rates for UA flights specifically? I have no plans to fly AC.
4) What happens when Aeroplan no longer partners with Air Canada once I transfer these miles? Will they convert to whatever Air Canada's program is? I suspect that I would want to spread out using these miles over several years so I can continue to credit revenue flights to TK to maintain *G.
1) How easy is it to redeem Aeroplan miles for UA flights? Can this be done online? Is availability restricted?
2) Can I use a TK*G frequent flyer number to book a UA flight on the Aeroplan website (to ensure that I receive *G benefits)?
3) How do the Aeroplan award redemption rates compare to UA redemption rates for UA flights specifically? I have no plans to fly AC.
4) What happens when Aeroplan no longer partners with Air Canada once I transfer these miles? Will they convert to whatever Air Canada's program is? I suspect that I would want to spread out using these miles over several years so I can continue to credit revenue flights to TK to maintain *G.
Nov 27, 2017, 1:42 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE MM, Bonvoy Plat, Hilton G,Nexus, Amex MR Plat,IHG Plat
Posts: 4,417
I received an offer for an Amex MR 20% transfer bonus to Aeroplan. I have about 300K MR and I primarily fly UA. I have TK*G. Before I decide whether to proceed with the transfer, I have few questions for the experts:
1) How easy is it to redeem Aeroplan miles for UA flights? Can this be done online? Is availability restricted?
Availability is restricted. Even on AC flights there are only a set number of seats for points redemption unless you have AC highest status. AC prefers to show AC flights first and flights from some partners like LH. However all programs have restrictions. You also also not that surcharges are very high on most airline partners and low on very few (UA, LX, etc).
2) Can I use a TK*G frequent flyer number to book a UA flight on the Aeroplan website (to ensure that I receive *G benefits)?
Not 100% sure if you can add it but likely after the booking is made. In any case, you can always show the card at check-in, lounge, etc to receive benefits.
3) How do the Aeroplan award redemption rates compare to UA redemption rates for UA flights specifically? I have no plans to fly AC.
I believe based on what I have read here that UA charges less in surcharges than the AC/AE program.
4) What happens when Aeroplan no longer partners with Air Canada once I transfer these miles? Will they convert to whatever Air Canada's program is? I suspect that I would want to spread out using these miles over several years so I can continue to credit revenue flights to TK to maintain *G.
1) How easy is it to redeem Aeroplan miles for UA flights? Can this be done online? Is availability restricted?
Availability is restricted. Even on AC flights there are only a set number of seats for points redemption unless you have AC highest status. AC prefers to show AC flights first and flights from some partners like LH. However all programs have restrictions. You also also not that surcharges are very high on most airline partners and low on very few (UA, LX, etc).
2) Can I use a TK*G frequent flyer number to book a UA flight on the Aeroplan website (to ensure that I receive *G benefits)?
Not 100% sure if you can add it but likely after the booking is made. In any case, you can always show the card at check-in, lounge, etc to receive benefits.
3) How do the Aeroplan award redemption rates compare to UA redemption rates for UA flights specifically? I have no plans to fly AC.
I believe based on what I have read here that UA charges less in surcharges than the AC/AE program.
4) What happens when Aeroplan no longer partners with Air Canada once I transfer these miles? Will they convert to whatever Air Canada's program is? I suspect that I would want to spread out using these miles over several years so I can continue to credit revenue flights to TK to maintain *G.
EDIT - Other answers and in your original post by points.
Nov 27, 2017, 1:44 pm
#3
Join Date: Nov 2002
Programs: AC; Fairmont Plat; Accor Plat; SPG Plat, BA Gold; A3*G; AB Gold;
Posts: 232
I received an offer for an Amex MR 20% transfer bonus to Aeroplan. I have about 300K MR and I primarily fly UA. I have TK*G. Before I decide whether to proceed with the transfer, I have few questions for the experts:
1) How easy is it to redeem Aeroplan miles for UA flights? Can this be done online? Is availability restricted?
2) Can I use a TK*G frequent flyer number to book a UA flight on the Aeroplan website (to ensure that I receive *G benefits)?
3) How do the Aeroplan award redemption rates compare to UA redemption rates for UA flights specifically? I have no plans to fly AC.
4) What happens when Aeroplan no longer partners with Air Canada once I transfer these miles? Will they convert to whatever Air Canada's program is? I suspect that I would want to spread out using these miles over several years so I can continue to credit revenue flights to TK to maintain *G.
1) How easy is it to redeem Aeroplan miles for UA flights? Can this be done online? Is availability restricted?
2) Can I use a TK*G frequent flyer number to book a UA flight on the Aeroplan website (to ensure that I receive *G benefits)?
3) How do the Aeroplan award redemption rates compare to UA redemption rates for UA flights specifically? I have no plans to fly AC.
4) What happens when Aeroplan no longer partners with Air Canada once I transfer these miles? Will they convert to whatever Air Canada's program is? I suspect that I would want to spread out using these miles over several years so I can continue to credit revenue flights to TK to maintain *G.
1) Availability for Aeroplan booked UA flights is identical to what you'd find on the UA site as "Saver Awards". There are no additional restrictions that I'm aware of. These options may not show online, but if they're available in Saver on the United site, you should be able to book them through the call centre (and pay the $30 fee to do so).
2) You can easily add your TK*G in UA's Manage My Booking. Aeroplan bookings now give OAL PNR's so you'll get a UA PNR for your flights, and in then add your TK*G number there.
3) No idea, as I don't follow UA's redemption schedule. Be aware that if you book airlines other than UA (and select other airlines) - there are hefty YQ fees to pay on your redemptions. Not sure what the exhaustive list is any longer, but for sure on AC/LH you'll have to pay steep YQ.
4) There is no consensus on what will happen in 2020, but I'd be extraordinarily surprised if there was any transfer of miles from Aeroplan to the new program - especially for non-AC elites.
Last edited by jantaoYVR; Nov 27, 2017 at 1:46 pm Reason: Added additional info to point 1