|
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 :) |
Originally Posted by st_claire
(Post 8876486)
What about eventually earning lifetime status with AA?
AA is a more generous program overall, imho, but it's tougher to earn to it while in Canada. |
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. :(
|
Originally Posted by st_claire
(Post 8879901)
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. :(
|
Originally Posted by st_claire
(Post 8876486)
What about eventually earning lifetime status with AA?
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 |
Originally Posted by st_claire
(Post 8879901)
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. :(
|
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 :) |
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! |
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. |
Originally Posted by cstead
(Post 8878082)
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. |
Originally Posted by canadianpilgrim
(Post 8956631)
Unfortunately, the credit card is not available to Canadian residents. I just tried to apply. AS does seem like a great way to go. Maybe using a SPG MC is the way to accumulate AS miles.
http://www.myalaskacard.com/canada |
| All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:57 am. |
This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.