Correct. Unfortunately AA cancelled their YOW-ORD several months back.

Which was surprising to me since I've flown that route quite a bit and was usually full; mind you it was an E145.

Don't expect much from IHG Plat, as you'll see here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...worthless.html

The only consistent benefit I get is a choice of 500 IHG points or a treat bag with a cookie, chips and water.
If I ask for a room with a King bed at check-in they sometimes give it to me if there's one available.

Having used Amex business gold for 2 weeks, I received a call from an Amex business gold agent and inquired how I am performing in my "real estate" business and what the revenue is for last two years.

She was shocked when my business has very little (to none) revenue..anyway, my point is that business gold owner will expect to receive a call from Amex for an introductory call:D

I have 130000 avios to burn. Besides NYC I am unable to find anything ex-YUL for 9000 avios on OW. MIA is 24000 avios, 48000 in J.

avios redemption are distance based. You might wanna take a look at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...os-2014-a.html

Thanks. I knew about the distance-based redemption. It is more complicated, but I think I'm catching most of it. There has been this thread too, explaining how to take advantage of that system
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...ing-bands.html .
But I still can't find something interesting ex-YUL in order to benefit from the 9000 avios redemption (availability is another question).

PHL should be the only other non-stop

I never got a call from AMEX on my Biz Gold (twice in 4 years)

Yes, Avios is limited use and best used on short-haul in reality, even for ex-YYZ. It's worse for ex-YOW/YUL as you'll need a connection anywhere

Thanks for the info, I wasn't 100% sure about US Air. I might be able to use a flight to Charlotte sometime. I know I still need to RTFF and I haven't done my homework on it yet, but what about a one way redemption to BKK on Cathay Pacific? Would I transfer to avios for that or AA?

I'm expecting my 2nd round of 25k Alaskan points in that account sometime soon and I think I read 50k will work for a one way to BKK? Even if it's ex YYZ I could make that work and maybe use the aeroplan-esso-avion-AA/Avios process to get enough points there for the other one way? Does that sound like a feasible plan or not?

Thanks to crimsona who is sparing me more searches.

Any idea how soon the points post? I know the terms state within 2 billing cycles but I'd appreciate having some real life experience. Thanks

I got 2 x 25K from 2 Alaska CC over 2~3 years
I used the 50K to call & book one-way ORD-HKG-TPE for 2015 no problem (50K + ~$60 fee).
Options were ORD-HKG-TPE 50K Alaska + $50 or 79000 Avios + $174 USD (worse option)


YYZ-HKG-TPE would've worked if there's YYZ-HKG availability @@
but I'm sure YYZ-HKG-BKK would work for you

Yes it took two billing cycles but my first cycle was short. I applied early Sept and my first statement was dated Sept 26 and next Oct 26. Oct 26 statement indicated points transferred and it was in the IHG account Oct 27th or Oct 28th. Used the points same day to book hotel stay in Japan.

Thanks! That helps a lot. That's about what I thought about the Alaska points, though I have no idea about availability but I don't think I'll use them till about a year from now.

I'm still not sure what I'll do with the avion points, haven't looked into it yet. I don't know if it's worth it to go through all that to use them for a one way to Asia. I might just keep them either in avion or avios to use within N.A.

Thanks. This is very helpful :)