I am an Airline Captain with Air Canada and have an Aeroplan card. I generally use the internal standby ticketing program, when traveling. I also have Aeroplan. Is there any real point in accumulating miles, and if so; how can I redeem them? I get a new lawn mower every year with my other credit card points.

Thank yuo.

You can't be serious. Don't you fly free or next to free all the time?

1. Maybe one day you won't work for an airline and the miles will be useful?

2. Maybe you could use the miles for friends/relatives who might not qualify for flying benefits from you now?

3. Maybe you could tranfer them to me?

How easy is it for you to get jumpseats or ride on pass travel? I guess what I'm asking is do you purchase tickets for travel when you must be some place?

My husband had jumpseat access on US-based carriers until 9/11. We still purchased a good portion of his tickets though because it was just too unreliable and often times we had too mush invested in the other end to risk him showing up a day or two late. If that's the case for you and you do find yourself buying tickets once in a while then it seems like it could be wise to collect miles. If you're only points earning would be through credit card purchases you might want to consider something that offers hotel rewards.

you could use the points for relatives or friends that or out of your pass privalege envelope.

Hi sunblock, welcome to FT!

I know a lot of AC employees with Aeroplan accounts. If you could get yourself an AeroGold card, that would be a good start (1 Aeroplan mile per $1 CAD spent). Many employees prefer to travel confirmed and Aeroplan points will help them accomplish that. (Confirm family vacation in advance)

Standby travel is good if you're travelling solo and not in a rush. Not fun if you actually need to be somewhere or travelling with family. Many employees use their passes only once or twice per year at max.

I would say go ahead and open an Aeroplan account and start accumulating. It doesn't cost you anything to open an Aeroplan account. You never know when those points could come in handy.

As you know, AC's pass policy is very strict. So you could use your points as gifts for family members. (AC points can't be redeemed for non-family members unless you have status)

hmm? My lawnmowers have usually lasted more than 5 years

Welcome to FlyerTalk!

I don't have an airline credit card, and I'm not an airline employee. I prefer the cash back version. Considering how easily miles can be devalued based on program rule or availability changes, saving airline miles for a long-term future use is probably not a great idea.

Add the total costs of the mileage card: annual fee + opportunity cost of money not earned had it been a cash rewards type card, and you can calcualte how much that free ticket will actually cost you.

If your goal is to fly confirmed first class to Australia, it might make sense to get the card. If you want to give a family member a coach ticket to Chicago, get a cash rewards card, pocket the rewards and saved annual fee, and just buy them the ticket.

I have a friend who is a pilot for a major U.S. airline, and he collects miles as a backup for pass travel. For instance, we wanted to go ATL-SAN, and the flights were looking pretty full. We had tickets to a concert out there and he was flying a trip until late the night before, so he had a small window of time to try to non-rev on the day of the concert. Rather than risk it, he confirmed a seat using miles a couple of weeks in advance, giving us both peace of mind.

Lawnmowers....

You have got to be kidding.

Isn't this a place for new people to ask questions without having people jump on them???

Airline Pilot, it would be helpful if you give us the cost of you flying using the internal program.

[This message has been edited by bagold (edited 02-03-2003).]

An Air Canada pilot from Miami. Interesting geography.

I'm a flight attendant, I've donated my miles earned with Delta Amex to Make-a-Wish. And felt very good about it.

Me thinks me smell a TROLL