Best Airline Program?
 

Currently based in southeast China, I will be flying back to Canada (probably through Hong Kong) at least 5 times in 2010, flying to Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal. As I will be flying business each time on company expense, I am pretty sure this will get me Air Canada Super Elite.

Going through Hong Kong, am I better off doing everything on Air Canada or am I better doing transpacific on Cathay Pacific and the rest on Air Canada (which will get me Cathay Gold/oneWorld Sapphire and probably Air Canada Elite/Star Alliance Gold)? Or is there another airline that would be better?

My major qualm with doing everything on Air Canada is availability of reward flights (there is never any availability in Executive First out of Hong Kong) and the stiff fuel tariffs. However, the tradeoff I guess is the SWU and SSWU certificates, although I am not sure about the availability of those out of Hong Kong either.

It depends what you plan to achieve: If you want to have status in both alliances to keep your options open go for AC & CX. If you want to make the most use of the miles for reward travels, focus on one program only. By the way, as soon as you achieve Super Elite the limited availability of reward seats on AC is gone thanks to the Instant KK feature.

one other option to consider is joining AAdvantage and flying CX Transpac. Four yyz-hkg flights gets you over 100,000 points giving you AA Executive Platinum and oneworld emerald. This gives you almost all the benefits of MPC diamond, except you are lower on the upgrade totem pole and cannot upgrade using miles.

Also do not forget about the fact that awards don't have to be redeemed on Air Canada Flights, therefore depending on your destination, your availability and tax / fuel surcharge issues may disappear!

While AA is a good program, would CX's not be better if OP could earn same top tier status in that program? Remember, no lounge access with AA program on domestic US flights (but that may not be a factor)/ If company pays, then upgrades are not really an issue on AC. I'd split the difference and put transPac into AA or CX program, domestic Canadian flights into AE and go for Elite. Then after a year determine which of the two options provides the better options on your non-company travel. As noted, you don't have to book AC award flights and can opt for several STAR partners which will be cheaper and also offer possible F class.

Thanks Everyone!
 

Thanks very much for the suggestions. If I don't have to worry about availability as Super Elite, then I suppose the easiest thing for me is just to fly Air Canada.

Sorry, one more question. Which is the best Aeroplan credit card, CIBC Infinite or Amex Platinum?

the NBC Platinum MasterCard........
With the NBC Platinum MasterCard allowing you to collect 1.5 reward points all the time compared to select locations and amount with the CIBC Aerogold Visa Infinite; it is easily decided that the NBC Platinum MasterCard is the winner in this category

Read more: http://banknerd.ca/2009/07/11/match-...#ixzz0bzrE7HOq...
The NBC Platinum MasterCard makes it move first giving us 1.5 reward points for every $1 you spend. For the first 11,000 points it is $100 off any flight; 50,000 points = $500 and after 50,000 points, every 10,000 = $100. While the CIBC Aerogold Visa Infinite fights back by offering 1.5 aeroplan miles for every $1 spent at gas stations, grocery stores or drug stores at a maximum of $80,000 annually. After that you earn 1 aeroplan mile for every $1 and at other locations. You can also earn 3 times the rewards at 40 of Canada’s high end restaurants.

Read more: http://banknerd.ca/2009/07/11/match-...#ixzz0bzrTUBLT

Would someone kindly explain exactly what that means.

Thanks very much.

And thanks EveryPointCounts for the heads up on the NBC Mastercard. It is a product that I was not familiar with.