Low value redemptions
 

I just booked flights for my son to go to French camp in Quebec City this summer, and was quite surprised by how much it cost in Aeroplan Points. The timing wasn't very flexible, since they wanted him to arrive on a Sunday morning, but I was flexible about airports (YHZ/YQM). I ended up spending 20,000 points on a one way (YQM-YUL-YQB). I could have gotten down to 17,000, but that would have meant later arrival and a long layover. Last summer I spent 17,000 for YHZ-YUL round trip.

So that is 20,000 points for a 521 km one way trip (direct, as the crow flies), or 38 points/km, which is a pretty low value redemption. What low value redemptions have people here done?

(P.S. At least the flight has some interesting details. The YQM-YUL leg is on Rouge, and Premium was fewer points than Economy, so I snagged some legroom for my little guy (who is 6'2" at the moment, and will likely be taller by summer). The 2 free checked bags will be nice as well, since he'll be gone for nearly 5 weeks. The YUL-YQB leg is on PAL, which will be tight but kinda cool.)

the values aren't against distance, its cost!
YYZ-CLE (190 miles) is way more expensive generally, in cash or points, than YYZ-LAX, for example.

Without knowing how much a paid ticket would be we have no idea if it is a low value redemption or not. 😀

$930 return on the random Sunday I checked.

F8 is $100 return, before tons of fees, from YHZ n/s to YQB. But they fly Sunday evening

I will also add that since points are easier to get, many people may not find the higher points requirement lowing the value of points. Points easing and points inflation I guess.

As a point of comparison, in Feb I flew SIN-BKK ( 876 miles) on Gulf Air in J class on an Aeroplan reward.
Cost was 20,000 miles plus CAD 101.00 ( which included that dreaded $39 partner charge)