May 13, 2013, 10:15 pm
Last edit by: jerry305
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Mar 25, 2015, 6:47 am
#1576
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Canada
Programs: Aeroplan 50K, Bonvoy Titanium, IHG Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 292
You should start by figuring out where you want to go. This is a very open ended question.
One piece of advice, though, is blow that Avios balance before April 28th. Those points are devaluing, particularly for use on BA's one world partners. For example, going from YVR-HKG in J on CX currently costs 60k points one-way. That's jumping to 90k points after the devaluation.
The points will still be useful for short flights (e.g. YVR - LAX), but since you have so many I'd consider a bigger trip.
How'd you get that balance? If it's from spending on the RBC BA card, you may have earned a companion certificate. Do some googling on how that works.
One piece of advice, though, is blow that Avios balance before April 28th. Those points are devaluing, particularly for use on BA's one world partners. For example, going from YVR-HKG in J on CX currently costs 60k points one-way. That's jumping to 90k points after the devaluation.
The points will still be useful for short flights (e.g. YVR - LAX), but since you have so many I'd consider a bigger trip.
How'd you get that balance? If it's from spending on the RBC BA card, you may have earned a companion certificate. Do some googling on how that works.
Mar 25, 2015, 7:07 am
#1577
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: YVR
Programs: Aeroplan, British Airways, Alaska
Posts: 249
Hello fellow Canucks! I am just looking to get your opinion on how you would spend points based on what I currently have. It would be nice to get your opinion as I know many of your are very creative in maximizing points' redemption by taking interested routes and combining trips. I am based in YVR and I don't mind flying in Y or J.
So, if you had the following, how would you spend it?
Aeroplan Miles: 90,000
SPG Points: 80,000
Avios Points: 205,000
Asia Miles: 48,000
So, if you had the following, how would you spend it?
Aeroplan Miles: 90,000
SPG Points: 80,000
Avios Points: 205,000
Asia Miles: 48,000
Mar 25, 2015, 7:12 am
#1578
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: YOW
Programs: AC Irrelevant, IHG Platinum, Marriot Gold, Hertz Gold, Avis First
Posts: 273
Hello fellow Canucks! I am just looking to get your opinion on how you would spend points based on what I currently have. It would be nice to get your opinion as I know many of your are very creative in maximizing points' redemption by taking interested routes and combining trips. I am based in YVR and I don't mind flying in Y or J.
So, if you had the following, how would you spend it?
Aeroplan Miles: 90,000
SPG Points: 80,000
Avios Points: 205,000
Asia Miles: 48,000
So, if you had the following, how would you spend it?
Aeroplan Miles: 90,000
SPG Points: 80,000
Avios Points: 205,000
Asia Miles: 48,000
And miles are meant to be spent anyways right!
SPG Moments often has cool events that you can use your miles for that you may not always be able to even buy outright.
https://auction.starwoodhotels.com/
Mar 25, 2015, 7:25 am
#1579
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Toronto, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan, Bonvoy, Alaska, Avios
Posts: 1,290
Your Aeroplan balance is a bit low. If you are flying alone you could get a Y redemption to Sydney (80,000) on United if lucky or AC ($880YQ). You could book the AC ticket then keep checking to see if United opens up seats.
Once in SYD, Avios J short haul to Brisbane, Melbourne etc on Qantas. Starwood points for hotels in Australian cities.
Can't help for the Asia Miles but maybe a connection from MEL/SYD to SIN or some other city?
Once in SYD, Avios J short haul to Brisbane, Melbourne etc on Qantas. Starwood points for hotels in Australian cities.
Can't help for the Asia Miles but maybe a connection from MEL/SYD to SIN or some other city?
Mar 25, 2015, 8:18 am
#1580
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: NB, Canada
Programs: Fairmont, Amex MR, Marriott
Posts: 2,531
You should start by figuring out where you want to go. This is a very open ended question.
One piece of advice, though, is blow that Avios balance before April 28th. Those points are devaluing, particularly for use on BA's one world partners. For example, going from YVR-HKG in J on CX currently costs 60k points one-way. That's jumping to 90k points after the devaluation.
The points will still be useful for short flights (e.g. YVR - LAX), but since you have so many I'd consider a bigger trip.
How'd you get that balance? If it's from spending on the RBC BA card, you may have earned a companion certificate. Do some googling on how that works.
One piece of advice, though, is blow that Avios balance before April 28th. Those points are devaluing, particularly for use on BA's one world partners. For example, going from YVR-HKG in J on CX currently costs 60k points one-way. That's jumping to 90k points after the devaluation.
The points will still be useful for short flights (e.g. YVR - LAX), but since you have so many I'd consider a bigger trip.
How'd you get that balance? If it's from spending on the RBC BA card, you may have earned a companion certificate. Do some googling on how that works.
Aeroplan does one way trips for half the Aeroplan points now, so you could string some of these together.
If you do not have the RBC Avios (not Avion) card, and can spend 30k over a reasonable amount of time, get it. It will effectively double your Avios points if you fly return on BA metal. Fuel surcharges are high, but in J or F it is worth it, IMO.
And those BA points are good value on CX once in Asia, if you go there, ie: HKG to SIN, BKK, etc
edited to add CX flights are not covered on the BA 2-4-1 earned through RBC Avios card
Last edited by drwilliams; Mar 25, 2015 at 8:42 am Reason: Clarity
Mar 25, 2015, 9:15 am
#1581
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Canada
Programs: Aeroplan 50K, Bonvoy Titanium, IHG Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 292
Awesome info guys! I think I'll get to Asia and fly around in J with Aeroplan! The SPG moments' events are pretty cool too!
Last edited by loun80; Mar 25, 2015 at 9:23 am Reason: Typo
Mar 25, 2015, 1:07 pm
#1585
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 143
I currently have the capital one world MC; my annual fee has just come up, and I am trying to determine whether it is worth keeping the grandfathered card for the $20 a year (after the 10,000 points). Obviously cash is better than the points.
Any reason--for leverage down the line, other benefits, etc.--why it might make sense to keep?
Any reason--for leverage down the line, other benefits, etc.--why it might make sense to keep?
Mar 25, 2015, 4:01 pm
#1587
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 143
definitely. but is it $20 that's worth spending, seeing as how i barely use the card. i suppose with the changes in merchant fees, maybe it's a good option for a few years down the line? though if they revoke the benefits/force the new card on us, then it's just a waste of money.
Mar 25, 2015, 6:38 pm
#1588
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 114
definitely. but is it $20 that's worth spending, seeing as how i barely use the card. i suppose with the changes in merchant fees, maybe it's a good option for a few years down the line? though if they revoke the benefits/force the new card on us, then it's just a waste of money.
2) How many points are you sitting on? I assume you'd be downgrading to the no-fee card to keep the points anyway.
Mar 25, 2015, 7:22 pm
#1589
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: YVR to SEA
Posts: 2,535
Capital One doesn't do product transfers, as far as I know.
I don't use mine much, but I do use it for things I want extended warranty on (other cards would likely be cancelled by the time I need it).
It is possible they downgrade the card in the future. However, you are guaranteed to lose it for good once you cancel, given that there's a defined replacement card already
I don't use mine much, but I do use it for things I want extended warranty on (other cards would likely be cancelled by the time I need it).
It is possible they downgrade the card in the future. However, you are guaranteed to lose it for good once you cancel, given that there's a defined replacement card already
Mar 26, 2015, 11:15 am
#1590
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Toronto, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan, Bonvoy, Alaska, Avios
Posts: 1,290
For $20 I'm keeping mine. There are creative ways to get 1.90-1.95% on the lower tiered point levels.
The trip insurance from CapOne is something I've used twice. 2nd time took 6 months but I still got my $75 claim!
I was a heavy duty CapOne user, it was a huge pain in the ... having to pay the card down several times a month. Now I'm keeping it mainly for a backup, NoFrills and maybe for the trip insurance in future(but I've 3 big trips coming up with a policy for each). Using AeroPlat and TD Inf. Priv. to keep the Aeroplan balance up. My wife's big spending days are over as she's selling her biz.
The trip insurance from CapOne is something I've used twice. 2nd time took 6 months but I still got my $75 claim!
I was a heavy duty CapOne user, it was a huge pain in the ... having to pay the card down several times a month. Now I'm keeping it mainly for a backup, NoFrills and maybe for the trip insurance in future(but I've 3 big trips coming up with a policy for each). Using AeroPlat and TD Inf. Priv. to keep the Aeroplan balance up. My wife's big spending days are over as she's selling her biz.