Doing something with AP points...
 

I've been travelling on AC on and off for the last 10 years. I also haven't done anything with those points so I have over half a million sitting there thanks to flights, Esso, etc.

Now, I know they can be used for booking flights (yeah right, good luck with that mess) and cars/hotels; but I don't see that as the best use of the miles. I'm thinking of cashing them in for gift certicates like the Future Shop ones and let AC buy me a new big screen LCD television. (and I don't mean use the points to buy FS items either). I figure I can get roughly 8 or 9 $500 CDN Future Shop GC totalling up to $4000 give or take.

I'll probably keep adding to my balance over the years, but I refuse to fly AC AC internationally nowadays though.

Any thoughts or ideas on better use of the points? I suppose I could transfer them to another program but I'd only be interested in SPG, Continental or AMEX MR points. And as usual, transferring usually dilutes the value...

TIA

If you don't want to fly AC internationally, you could try SQ, NH, LH, UA, OZ... you get the idea. Personally I use my points for premium cabin flights.

Just booked YYZ-SFO-HKG (SQ) - PEK-NRT-LAX (NH) - YYZ, all in premium cabins. Much better value than a TV.

Hell, if you want a flat screen TV, I may buy it for you and you give me the 400K points.

Generally when I fly its on business and in business class as it is so using points for upgrades or the like doesn't mean much to me. The rest of Star Alliance doesn't interest me much unless I happen to be in their home country. Realistically, if AP made it easier to book reward flights like CO or others, I'd blow the points that way in a future flight (IE: honeymoon or something) but considering the pain in the rear method... I'd rather not.

So you're valuing 500K worth of AP miles around the $4000 mark hm? I guess everyone has their own idea of what this stuff is worth.

If you are using 400K worth of points to book International premium seats, you could value those points at $15,000 or more.

That represents fair market value for Business Class or better International flights.

I am sure Aeroplan and Air Canada would be content if you purchased a television instead.

EliteTrotter

I have only cashed in miles for transatlanctic or long haul D class reward tickets.

For me it is the only way to benefit from my miles.

I am retired and have the flexibility to adjust my travel.

500k miles could get you 4 premium seats between YYZ and SYD. $45000 value.

But not on the same plane with AC...

Front cabin seats are undoubtedly the best theretical value for AE points - however I understand the OP's position that they are so difficult to obtain for many non-SEs (especially those who travel with their families) that it sometimes feels like you are almost being forced into other options. Hopefully this may change in Q2 with the new redemption program.

I have found it very easy to get award availability on other Star partners, versus AC. Just this week I found raffles class availability on SQ for a flight in only 3 months... This is on the exact day I wanted. Same with coming back, exactly what I wanted on NH. AC had nothing for those dates. Use the network to your advantage. FYI the AP website doesn't always show these routes, but a quick check through ANA's skyweb does show what is available and 1 quick call and you have it.

No you are based on your flat screen TV price. I would value 500K more than $4000.

Value is a relative matter and obviously our Calgary friend places none on the ability to fly premium class in some of the world's top airlines. I am not sure one can convert AE miles to SPG points, just nights at SPG properties at very poor rates. And as noted by others, FUTURE SHOP redemptions for goods or "cash cards" are pretty miserable too.

Like ML, I always find one can get premium seats on STAR carriers a lot easier than on AC...which is fine by me because for the most part these carriers offer a far better product in their First Class and sometimes even their Business Class cabins. I was able to get Business Class space to Europe on SAS for late March/return early April two week's ago, no problem -- and no fuel surcharges! Same return on OS, albeit via IAD. And again, no outrageous fuel surcharge to pay as would have been the case with AC flights to/from Europe.

But these are his AE miles and if he wants to get 10-cents on the dollar...

And using 500K for a big screen TV is a better use of the miles? :confused: Gotta go with the crowd on this one and recommend using points towards *A J or F tickets

The OP could donate them:

https://www.aeroplan.com/en/collect/..._donations.jsp

"Through Aeroplan's first partnership with Engineers Without Borders, support projects that improve lives through technology, bringing clean water, sustainable energy and food conservation techniques to communities in need overseas—and educational hands-on seminars to Canadian high schools.

OR

Donate your Aeroplan Miles to Air Canada's Kids' Horizons

Via Kids' Horizons, Air Canada's charitable support program, improve the quality of life of the youth and their families. "

My kids had about 10K miles in their accounts from some paid travel a few years ago. Since they travel on reward tickets now, I donated their miles, rather than have them sit collecting dust.

Nope. I earmark between $1000-$1200 a year for charities that I believe in and donate accordingly. There is also the side benefit of being recognized and also tax receipts.

While I applaud AC's charitable work, I find that there are more serious charities that need the money for research such as cancer societies and the like.

It isn't THAT hard to redeem for flights. You can even do it online, and see exactly what is available when. If you book in advance, only want two tickets, and are a bit flexible, you can easily get way more value than a TV out of that many points.

Future shop gift certificates has to be the worst value use of points.

Donating the points sounds like a good idea. Many charities are more than happy to do the "dirty work" of redeeming points. Can't you even get a tax deduction for donating points?

Excuse my cross posting re donating points.

You can easily use your points to stay at Starwood properties (but can't transfer to SPG points), it is a pretty pricy point per night cost, but still may be fair value for expensive properties.

Considering I generally fly on someone's nickel in J class, I don't see the point in buying tickets to places that I already go to on short/long term business assignments. I *could* see myself using the points for upgrades when I'm not specifically in J, but AC doesn't quite do that nicely.

I suppose since I generally put something into AP, the miles will never expire. I see all your views in regards to using them to buy tickets like YYZ-SYD and such. Value of points/miles are soley in the eye of the beholder. Same as the old phrase of "One man's junk is another man's treasure".

Too bad I can't just dump it at a reasonable rate to AMEX MR or SPG. Oh well, looks like I either buy my TV with the usual methods or let this pot sit and grow.