how to use miles
Oct 16, 2003, 8:38 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2003
Programs: AA Plat, Marriot Silver, Lifetime United Club
Posts: 40
how to use miles
Hi all,
I have 80,000 miles on AC (have had them for quite a while now) and I'm afraid they might go bankrupt and I'll lose them.
Any suggestions on what I should do to use them?
thanks
I have 80,000 miles on AC (have had them for quite a while now) and I'm afraid they might go bankrupt and I'll lose them.
Any suggestions on what I should do to use them?
thanks
Oct 16, 2003, 8:42 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Southern Alberta
Posts: 20,550
Welcome confusedflyer.
There are probably as many theories about using miles as there are contributors to this forum.
I try to maximize value. I use miles for international trips in J class. I realize that getting seats is a challenge but with patience and planning, I usually find what I need.
There are probably as many theories about using miles as there are contributors to this forum.
I try to maximize value. I use miles for international trips in J class. I realize that getting seats is a challenge but with patience and planning, I usually find what I need.
Oct 16, 2003, 8:44 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2003
Programs: AA Plat, Marriot Silver, Lifetime United Club
Posts: 40
thanks,
Do you know if I can transfer the points to another FF program? Or use them to purchase merchandise?
I'm currently living overseas (in Belize) and AC does not fly here.
Do you know if I can transfer the points to another FF program? Or use them to purchase merchandise?
I'm currently living overseas (in Belize) and AC does not fly here.
Oct 16, 2003, 8:45 am
#4
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: YYZ at this time
Programs: ACMM / Altitude S100K / HH Diamond
Posts: 6,285
Also welcome!
I have used 80K for both international J-class (as already mentioned) but also for 2 North-American J-class for myself and Mrs. PB. That is what we normally do with them.
Good luck!
PB
I have used 80K for both international J-class (as already mentioned) but also for 2 North-American J-class for myself and Mrs. PB. That is what we normally do with them.
Good luck!
PB
Oct 16, 2003, 9:06 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 5,284
Welcome to FT confusedflyer 
Would you travel with someone or by yourself?
Did you know you can use them on other Star Alliance Partners. You are not restricted to flying just Air Canada with them.
You can get a full list of partners at www.staralliance.com . You can book travel with them using your Aeroplan points.
Maybe it's time to consider a trip
Would you travel with someone or by yourself?
Did you know you can use them on other Star Alliance Partners. You are not restricted to flying just Air Canada with them.
You can get a full list of partners at www.staralliance.com . You can book travel with them using your Aeroplan points.
Maybe it's time to consider a trip
Oct 16, 2003, 10:23 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: AC SE, SPG Lifetime Plat, ACMM
Posts: 3,535
Confusedflyer, welcome to FT.I am sure somairline flies to Belize--and it would likely be a Star Alliance Airline. In flights less than 3 hrs, IMHO, using J award is not much use. I use mine mostly in International J (orF). Consider that you have to pay 4c/mile to buy points so if your ticket is less than $1000(CDN) 40000 points for a North America J ticket is no good. Also, Aeroplan is a separate entity to AC and if AC goes belly up, I think Aeroplan is still, if I recall correctly, responsible for honoring your points
Oct 16, 2003, 10:37 am
#7
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: LHR, GLA and YVR
Posts: 1,684
confused flyer... I am not sure if you have any status on aeroplan or not...
If you do, there are a couple of options on reward sales to Europe at this time of year... What usually is required is 60,000 miles for economy seat...during reward sale can be had for 40, 000 miles...
So, your 80,000 miles would buy two return tickets to Europe in economy ... or one J class ticket for 80,000 miles...
If you do, there are a couple of options on reward sales to Europe at this time of year... What usually is required is 60,000 miles for economy seat...during reward sale can be had for 40, 000 miles...
So, your 80,000 miles would buy two return tickets to Europe in economy ... or one J class ticket for 80,000 miles...
Oct 16, 2003, 10:53 am
#9
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: YVR
Posts: 9,999
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">if your ticket is less than $1000(CDN) 40000 points for a North America J ticket</font>
Oct 16, 2003, 11:46 am
#11
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 331
Part of Maximizing use of miles is sticking in a stop over!!
You are only allowed one stop over. But if you're interested in spending a day in yet an extra place you could ask that the connection be as late as possible within 24 hours and then according to my understanding of the rules it's still called a connection.
You are only allowed one stop over. But if you're interested in spending a day in yet an extra place you could ask that the connection be as late as possible within 24 hours and then according to my understanding of the rules it's still called a connection.
Oct 16, 2003, 11:50 am
#12
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Ontario, Canada
Programs: AC*SE MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Dia Amb
Posts: 3,444
You can use your miles for merchandise - Others know more about that than me, do a search here for "Toasters"
When I looked, redeeming for merchandise, hotels, and vacation packages realized about $0.01 of 'value' per mile. Ie, a $50 toaster would be 5,000 points (just an example).
I find I can get $0.07 to $0.10 of 'value' by redeeming for business and first class tickets or short-notice economy tickets. As was suggested above, check out the other Star Alliance carriers for reward possibilities. Go to www.staralliance.com as a start. You might have to take a short flight to a destination served by a *A carrier if there aren't any that go to Belize.
When I looked, redeeming for merchandise, hotels, and vacation packages realized about $0.01 of 'value' per mile. Ie, a $50 toaster would be 5,000 points (just an example).
I find I can get $0.07 to $0.10 of 'value' by redeeming for business and first class tickets or short-notice economy tickets. As was suggested above, check out the other Star Alliance carriers for reward possibilities. Go to www.staralliance.com as a start. You might have to take a short flight to a destination served by a *A carrier if there aren't any that go to Belize.
Oct 16, 2003, 6:25 pm
#13
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: YYZ/YKZ
Posts: 3,668
Hi ConfusedFlyer, Welcome to FT.
To give you a good idea of all the airlines you can fly with AP miles, here they are:
Air Canada
Air New Zealand
ANA All Nippon
Asiana
Austrian
BMI British
Lauda Air
LOT-Polish
Lufthansa
Mexicana
SAS Scandanavian
Sinapore Airlines
Spanair
Thai Airways
Tyrolean
United
Varig
wow, lots of options!
I am sure BZE(Belize) is served by some airline in the *A.
To give you a good idea of all the airlines you can fly with AP miles, here they are:
Air Canada
Air New Zealand
ANA All Nippon
Asiana
Austrian
BMI British
Lauda Air
LOT-Polish
Lufthansa
Mexicana
SAS Scandanavian
Sinapore Airlines
Spanair
Thai Airways
Tyrolean
United
Varig
wow, lots of options!
I am sure BZE(Belize) is served by some airline in the *A.