First Class Aeroplan Redemption
 

After spending a day searching for reward flights on Aeroplan.com I have booked the following itinerary in First Class for 2(120,000 points each)

1. AC568 YYC-LAX (business)
2. OZ203 LAX-ICN (first)
3. OZ721 ICN-HKG (first) Stop

4. TG607 HKG-BKK (first)

5. TG630 HKT-BKK (business)
6. TG606 BKK-HKG (first) overnight layover
7. UA852 HKG-NRT (first)
8. NH008 NRT-SFO (first)
9. UA6392 SFO-YYC (business)

I booked this routing for maximum 'luxury factor'. Any comments about any of these flights (seats, food, amenities) and lounge info would be appreciated.

By the way, although somewhat slow and cumbersome the Aeroplan site allows you to see available seat inventory for almost all Star Alliance partners...I have not found this available anywhere else and I don't think I could have found all these flights without this ability.

I suggest you post your request on the NH, TG, UA and OZ fora where those who regularly fly these airlines in the front cabin can comment. You can also check out Trip Report. Unfortunately, with Search not functioning, you cannot easily find threads about first class inflight services on these fora. However, you might scan these fora by setting the parameters in the refresh to 3 months back, and then scan the threads from the oldest to newest. Going too far back will get you reviews of service that might not now be provided, so stick to the last 90-days or so.

yycworldtraveller sorry to be so dumb but how do you find *A flights on Aeroplan? I thought you'd to phone them if a *A flight was involved.
When I enter details of destination etc it only gives me convluted routes involving AC!

You have to log-in with your aeroplan number and start searching using various city pairs...for example I found the first class seats on UA (hkg-nrt) and NH (nrt-sfo) by using the city pair of yyc-icn. I know that doesnt make any sense...but the flights did not appear when i used yyc-hkg as a routing. I would also try just searching for flights between individual city pairs. I found the first class TG flights (hkg-bkk) by using hkg & bkk as the city pairs.

Hope this helps!

Thanks for the quick reply. I'd been looking for LHR/SIN or LHR/SFO but it only came up with roundabout routes on AC or no flights available. I've put in some different codes as you've done and likewise pick up some *A flights. It's no use on lots of the routes I'd want.

When the first search is completed, before looking at the actual flights there will be a grid of reward types (classic etc), with the number of miles required and across the top is class of service. The bottom right hand box will say 'First Class' If this is highlited, then click it to search again.

I have made an inquiry to Aeroplan about the web site's ability to find award seats between any city pairs. They indicated (which was already my personal experience) that the web site does not necessarily give all Star Alliance carrier awards, for all city pairs; this display of the other Star Alliance carriers is especially limited on those 2 city pairs which AC flies. For example, I have yet to find award availabily on UA or US between a Canadian and American city pair.

I was able to book three people YYZ-PIT-LAX on the Aeroplan site via US for Victoria Day long weekend ^ .

Were you able to book on Aeroplan.com or just able to see the availability???
and then have to call them to book the seats?

After booking, I had to call them (to confirm my reservations and pay border charges, taxes, etc.) but they did not ding me for the phone in booking fee since the booking itself was made on line.

I notice that on Aeroplan.com, it doesn't give you a whole picture of all the taxes for a Star Reward. Is it normally procedures to call in and get a quote in taxes? If true, for open jaw Star Rewards, I can just make a reservation for a roundtrip. When I call in the get a quote in taxes, I can actually ask them to change one segment and therefore bypass the phone booking fee?

I can verify it works. Booked:
BKK-SYD in business (I) on Thai
SYD-SIN in business (I) on Singapore
SIN-BKK in business (I) on Singapore
When you click to confirm it gives you a 888# to call- different than other numbers- that can ONLY be used to confirm the booking- no queue time (at least when I called) and you don't pay the ap reward centre fees. My total cost for the above:
80000 AP miles and ZERO dollars (taxes include on * rewards in Asia apparently)
It took about 12 minutes for the call centre to confirm the request. The call centre mentioned that this was very new- the agent had not done this before- but they were super friendly about it and mentioned I didn't have to pay any fees as I booked online. Ticket was issued by mail- to Italy- took one week to arrive- was issued at YVR.

Very cool IMHO- I don't know of anyother carrier/program that offers this.

I was only able to see the available inventory. You still need to talk to an agent to book a Star Alliance reward with open jaws and stopovers.