Question: Better Options for YYZ-BER on Points
Jul 12, 2021, 9:41 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: MEX
Programs: AC E75K
Posts: 4,171
Better Options for YYZ-BER on Points
Hey All,
I'm traveling to BER in Business on July 29, currently routed YYZ-LIS-BER. I paid 70k points (at 50% thanks to a Priority Reward).
With the Delta variant spreading and cases rising again throughout Europe, I'm a bit worried about entry rules changing and making things entry into Portugal and Germany challenging. So I'm trying to eliminate Portugal from the itinerary and just go via FRA or MUC.
Looking on AC.com, MUC doesn't show up as an option and FRA is pricing at double the points I paid (140k).
So this isn't so much a specific question but rather a solicitation for input from others who have more experience than me with the new AP program and / or current entry requirements in Europe.
Thank you!
I'm traveling to BER in Business on July 29, currently routed YYZ-LIS-BER. I paid 70k points (at 50% thanks to a Priority Reward).
With the Delta variant spreading and cases rising again throughout Europe, I'm a bit worried about entry rules changing and making things entry into Portugal and Germany challenging. So I'm trying to eliminate Portugal from the itinerary and just go via FRA or MUC.
Looking on AC.com, MUC doesn't show up as an option and FRA is pricing at double the points I paid (140k).
So this isn't so much a specific question but rather a solicitation for input from others who have more experience than me with the new AP program and / or current entry requirements in Europe.
Thank you!
Jul 12, 2021, 10:36 am
#2
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: YYZ
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Posts: 16,625
Europe will either be open or not. Whether you transit through LIS will almost certainly be a moot point. At this time it matters most where you come from. The EU categorizes countries as green, yellow or red. Canada is currently green. As long as Canada's Covid trend remains good (and there is no reason to expect a massive change in 2-3 weeks) we should remain green. Portugal is probably a safer transit point than FRA right now.
I'd stick with your current booking as your biggest risk will be whether you want to travel at the end of the month.
Biggest downside is the relatively long connecting flight you'll be doing to Berlin in a narrow body J.
I'd stick with your current booking as your biggest risk will be whether you want to travel at the end of the month.
Biggest downside is the relatively long connecting flight you'll be doing to Berlin in a narrow body J.
Jul 12, 2021, 10:54 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: MEX
Programs: AC E75K
Posts: 4,171
Europe will either be open or not. Whether you transit through LIS will almost certainly be a moot point. At this time it matters most where you come from. The EU categorizes countries as green, yellow or red. Canada is currently green. As long as Canada's Covid trend remains good (and there is no reason to expect a massive change in 2-3 weeks) we should remain green. Portugal is probably a safer transit point than FRA right now.
I'd stick with your current booking as your biggest risk will be whether you want to travel at the end of the month.
Biggest downside is the relatively long connecting flight you'll be doing to Berlin in a narrow body J.
I'd stick with your current booking as your biggest risk will be whether you want to travel at the end of the month.
Biggest downside is the relatively long connecting flight you'll be doing to Berlin in a narrow body J.
Granted that all this can change, but based on what I've seen, entry rules for Canadians are not uniform across the EU right now.
- For Portugal, a PCR test within 72 hours or antigen test within 48 hours is required. I'm still trying to confirm, but it appears proof of vaccination won't work as a substitute unless it is the EU vaccine certificate.
- For Germany, Canadians can enter with zero restrictions.
Jul 12, 2021, 11:28 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 187
Hey All,
I'm traveling to BER in Business on July 29, currently routed YYZ-LIS-BER. I paid 70k points (at 50% thanks to a Priority Reward).
With the Delta variant spreading and cases rising again throughout Europe, I'm a bit worried about entry rules changing and making things entry into Portugal and Germany challenging. So I'm trying to eliminate Portugal from the itinerary and just go via FRA or MUC.
Looking on AC.com, MUC doesn't show up as an option and FRA is pricing at double the points I paid (140k).
So this isn't so much a specific question but rather a solicitation for input from others who have more experience than me with the new AP program and / or current entry requirements in Europe.
Thank you!
I'm traveling to BER in Business on July 29, currently routed YYZ-LIS-BER. I paid 70k points (at 50% thanks to a Priority Reward).
With the Delta variant spreading and cases rising again throughout Europe, I'm a bit worried about entry rules changing and making things entry into Portugal and Germany challenging. So I'm trying to eliminate Portugal from the itinerary and just go via FRA or MUC.
Looking on AC.com, MUC doesn't show up as an option and FRA is pricing at double the points I paid (140k).
So this isn't so much a specific question but rather a solicitation for input from others who have more experience than me with the new AP program and / or current entry requirements in Europe.
Thank you!
you cannot control supply, but by flying to frankfurt instead you might have more choice without paying double points and from fra you can take the train to berlin
Jul 12, 2021, 12:32 pm
#5
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You definitely need to be careful where you transit, and that's actually a case where going through LIS would be better than trying to go straight to your destination country.
Jul 12, 2021, 12:53 pm
#6
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Location: MEX
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Posts: 4,171
That's partly what's worrying me as cases seem to be rising faster there vs. Germany.
Jul 12, 2021, 1:14 pm
#7
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Jul 12, 2021, 1:19 pm
#8
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Europe will either be open or not. Whether you transit through LIS will almost certainly be a moot point. At this time it matters most where you come from. The EU categorizes countries as green, yellow or red. Canada is currently green. As long as Canada's Covid trend remains good (and there is no reason to expect a massive change in 2-3 weeks) we should remain green. Portugal is probably a safer transit point than FRA right now.
I'd stick with your current booking as your biggest risk will be whether you want to travel at the end of the month.
Biggest downside is the relatively long connecting flight you'll be doing to Berlin in a narrow body J.
I'd stick with your current booking as your biggest risk will be whether you want to travel at the end of the month.
Biggest downside is the relatively long connecting flight you'll be doing to Berlin in a narrow body J.
Jul 12, 2021, 1:28 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: MEX
Programs: AC E75K
Posts: 4,171
But what makes you think the probability of this scenario is greater than the joint probability of Portugal closing borders to Canada or Germany closing borders to Portugal?
Or did I misunderstand your post?
Jul 12, 2021, 1:33 pm
#10
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Ok but since Portugal and Germany are both Schengen countries, I'm not sure how transiting in LIS vs. flying directly to FRA would be advantageous? I suppose there is a scenario where Germany stops accepting travellers directly from Canada but still accepts Canada-originated travellers transiting through a Schengen country like Portugal, and Portugal continues to accept direct arrivals from Canada.
I have no idea what the probabilities are for any of those scenarios.
Jul 12, 2021, 1:46 pm
#11
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Jul 12, 2021, 1:57 pm
#12
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Schengen or not, all EU countries are fully sovereign in matters of border control, so there is no point in speculating what one has done or may do, because it is irrelevant for all other cases.
Jul 13, 2021, 5:06 pm
#14
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Nearly two weeks ago, the EU Council added Canada to the approved travel list:
https://twitter.com/EUCouncil/status...26491705135104
But Germany only added Canadians to their approved list last weekend, and the Netherlands, Belgium and Czech Republic (Czechia) this past weekend, so as others have said above, the EU Council makes recommendations but each member country makes its own rules on its own timeline (ie) Poland never took Canada off its list.
I transited via LIS last Monday en route to WAW and although I required a cheaper antigen test to transit, it was a breeze (as long as your flight arrives before the Brazilian and African flights).
The following two tools have been helpful, and avoid calling the airlines:
https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/int...1580226297.htm
https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-...ffiliateid=lot
Edited to add: I was denied entry to the MUC LH Senator Lounge because I was not wearing an N95 mask and admitted to the FRA Senator Lounge only after providing proof of vaccination, so...travelling internationally these days is not for those who can not changes their plans or adapt to the changing rules.
https://twitter.com/EUCouncil/status...26491705135104
But Germany only added Canadians to their approved list last weekend, and the Netherlands, Belgium and Czech Republic (Czechia) this past weekend, so as others have said above, the EU Council makes recommendations but each member country makes its own rules on its own timeline (ie) Poland never took Canada off its list.
I transited via LIS last Monday en route to WAW and although I required a cheaper antigen test to transit, it was a breeze (as long as your flight arrives before the Brazilian and African flights).
The following two tools have been helpful, and avoid calling the airlines:
https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/int...1580226297.htm
https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-...ffiliateid=lot
Edited to add: I was denied entry to the MUC LH Senator Lounge because I was not wearing an N95 mask and admitted to the FRA Senator Lounge only after providing proof of vaccination, so...travelling internationally these days is not for those who can not changes their plans or adapt to the changing rules.
