What's better? Aeroplan or AA?
Dec 11, 2007 | 7:39 pm
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan,SPG,HHonors Gold,Costco Exec,CAA,National EC,Esso,HBC,Shoppers,AirMiles,Rainforest Cafe
Posts: 30
This year I've flown a bunch for work, but I don't think that will continue (Montreal, China, Orlando, Cancun). Normally I would be flying to the states, or Mexico and the Caribbean. Occasionally (every 5 years or so I expect), I would fly to some place exotic, like Asia or Europe. I would be flying with my spouse most times.
I have a MBNA *wood card. The TD one mentioned has an annual fee, so it probably isn't worth signing up for in my case (at this point I don't yet clear $30,000 on the *wood card, when I do I will need to pick up a secondary card, but I will see then).
Hope that helps give direction. Thanks for all the advice so far
I have a MBNA *wood card. The TD one mentioned has an annual fee, so it probably isn't worth signing up for in my case (at this point I don't yet clear $30,000 on the *wood card, when I do I will need to pick up a secondary card, but I will see then).
Hope that helps give direction. Thanks for all the advice so far
Dec 11, 2007 | 7:45 pm
#17
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: YYZ
Programs: Haven't been flying for a while... :(
Posts: 478
Let's make the assumption you can earn 25,000 AA miles on your *wood Mastercard annually, and another 15,000 AA miles through flying. That's 40,000 AA miles. It'll take you 25 years to achieve Lifetime Gold. That's not exactly something I would plan on, with how these programs change, devalue, or whatever else. Nobody said that the Million Mile privilege will continue to be all miles earned, and even if they did, I wouldn't believe them for the 25 year duration it'll take.
AA is a more generous program overall, imho, but it's tougher to earn to it while in Canada.
AA is a more generous program overall, imho, but it's tougher to earn to it while in Canada.
Dec 11, 2007 | 8:04 pm
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan,SPG,HHonors Gold,Costco Exec,CAA,National EC,Esso,HBC,Shoppers,AirMiles,Rainforest Cafe
Posts: 30
I was thinking that if next year I can hit the 30k with *wood (my income will be going up significantly next year, so I expect to be able to do this then), that would give me 75k AA miles. Add 15k for flying as you said, that's 90k per year. So 11 years. Do you think it will be around that long? It would be a huge shame to work hard for the million mile mark and have them cancel it. 
Dec 11, 2007 | 10:19 pm
#19
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: YYZ
Programs: Haven't been flying for a while... :(
Posts: 478
I was thinking that if next year I can hit the 30k with *wood (my income will be going up significantly next year, so I expect to be able to do this then), that would give me 75k AA miles. Add 15k for flying as you said, that's 90k per year. So 11 years. Do you think it will be around that long? It would be a huge shame to work hard for the million mile mark and have them cancel it.
Dec 11, 2007 | 11:52 pm
#20
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
If you're an infrequent flyer, and don't rack up miles with credit cards (AAs lifetime status counts all miles), it might be one long road to get there, and there's no guarantee the unwritten rules might change along the way.
After jumping from UA to AA, I made 1MM in 3 years (lifetime Gold) and 2MM in 6 years (lifetime Platinum), but for someone just starting out there is some serious risk that those programs may not be around 3-6 years down the line. I flew 100-150K a year and was able to use those miles to accelerate lifetime status, but if you're doing very little flying it might not be a factor you should look at in selecting a carrier.
Tom in Honolulu
After jumping from UA to AA, I made 1MM in 3 years (lifetime Gold) and 2MM in 6 years (lifetime Platinum), but for someone just starting out there is some serious risk that those programs may not be around 3-6 years down the line. I flew 100-150K a year and was able to use those miles to accelerate lifetime status, but if you're doing very little flying it might not be a factor you should look at in selecting a carrier.
Tom in Honolulu
Dec 11, 2007 | 11:57 pm
#21
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
I'd be more worried that they change the numbers around, much like airlines have done in the past with award redemptions. The 1MM mark you strive for may be something higher in years to come. I wouldn't pick my airline based on the potential for lifetime status 11 years down the road.
Dec 12, 2007 | 6:17 am
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan,SPG,HHonors Gold,Costco Exec,CAA,National EC,Esso,HBC,Shoppers,AirMiles,Rainforest Cafe
Posts: 30
You're right, I messed up my calc. It is 37.5k/year.
Ok, it sounds like the advice overall says to go with AA over Aeroplan, but to not expect to hit that million mile mark.
Thanks for the advice. It really helped
Ok, it sounds like the advice overall says to go with AA over Aeroplan, but to not expect to hit that million mile mark.
Thanks for the advice. It really helped
Dec 23, 2007 | 1:09 pm
#23
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Maryland
Programs: AAdvantage, Starwood
Posts: 51
If I could just piggyback on this thread, I have some related questions.
I'm moving to Canada next year, Halifax-YHZ. I accumulate credit card miles and points to use for award leisure travel with Citi AA and starwood.
So what program should I concentrate on if I plan to do most of my flying either flying to Maryland/DC to visit family or to Europe, Caribbean, or Latin America but not transiting through the US?
Thank you all so much for your expertise!
I'm moving to Canada next year, Halifax-YHZ. I accumulate credit card miles and points to use for award leisure travel with Citi AA and starwood.
So what program should I concentrate on if I plan to do most of my flying either flying to Maryland/DC to visit family or to Europe, Caribbean, or Latin America but not transiting through the US?
Thank you all so much for your expertise!
Dec 24, 2007 | 8:30 pm
#24
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: YYZ
Programs: Haven't been flying for a while... :(
Posts: 478
If you do not do much intra-Canada travel, staying with AA is fine. Halifax is reasonably served by Westjet for intra-Canada (discount carrier, AIR MILES shopping program). You'll also gain the ability to earn miles on BA for transatlantic travel.
If you were qualifying via EQP for AA status, you'll find flying Premium Economy T-fares on BA to be a huge boon (1.5 EQP, but for less than the cost of H in most cases).
It'll be difficult to not transit the US for Latin American travel if you don't fly Air Canada.
If you were qualifying via EQP for AA status, you'll find flying Premium Economy T-fares on BA to be a huge boon (1.5 EQP, but for less than the cost of H in most cases).
It'll be difficult to not transit the US for Latin American travel if you don't fly Air Canada.
Dec 26, 2007 | 2:15 pm
#25
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC, UA
Posts: 221
I know this thread is for a comparison between AA and AC, but I'm beginning to feel more and more that AS is probably the most versatile program in North America and possibly the strongest for the infrequent traveler. AS allows miles to be credited from NW, DL, AA and CO (but not CO for EQM) as well as KL, AF, BA, CX and QF. Thats pretty darn strong. I believe the credit card is also available to Canadian residents.
The benefit of AC over AA is the flexibility to fly US and UA and still accumulate mileage. This is what makes the AS program so strong: when you're a price-sensitive customer, having a ton of options via AS is really going to go a long way towards shopping for price and still getting miles.
The benefit of AC over AA is the flexibility to fly US and UA and still accumulate mileage. This is what makes the AS program so strong: when you're a price-sensitive customer, having a ton of options via AS is really going to go a long way towards shopping for price and still getting miles.
Dec 26, 2007 | 11:35 pm
#26
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
Programs: Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, IHG Silver, Aeroplan 25K, DVC
Posts: 314
http://www.myalaskacard.com/canada