I realise part of the dilemma is also not wanting to spend $6k just for the SQD rather than that plus a decent chunk of SQM/LQM. That said, unless I'm missing something even a single TATL in J wouldn't come close to the SQM/LQM I'd get with the flight pass, so really that would make more sense.

Re "ex-UK you'll need to cross the pond", I had a vague memory that AC recently started LHR-DEL so I went to AC.com to check. And lo! On the first random date in November I entered, I see PY return on AC metal for $1583 CDN. That's pretty good (although because it's ex-UK a large chunk is taxes/fees, rather than the ex-BCN departures where it's mostly SQD).

It looks like I could do a same day turn in J for $3700. Not sure how easy it is to get a visa when your stated purpose in visiting India is to leave it as soon as possible (in this case, 3 hrs 45 minutes later).

That would not work unless "far in the future" is still in 2024. SQD are only dolled out as you fly and as a percentage of the overall itinerary, so a $6,000 ticket booked as proposed if only the Europe portion is flown in 2024 and that's 25% of the total miles only 1,500 SQD would post.

Not sure where your 25% comes from, I chose YYJ-YVR as an example precisely because it is short and therefore >95% mileage flown is in the Europe portion.
In fact you can take advantage of that proportional logic with a few additional steps to earn quite a bit more SQD than you spend, but personally I consider that crossing an ethical boundary.
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Good point about DEL! One thing for ex-UK though is that I think the departure fees wouldn't be counted as SQD. This thread clearly shows I can be quite wrong, but I would check before counting on it.

Apologies, I misread your post - was assuming that you were including a transatlantic jaunt as part of the ticket. Didn't know you could book something like what you propose... that's quite the open jaw.

yes, that's what I had meant to convey when I said an advantage of flying out of Spain is that, unlike flying out of the UK, almost all your dollar spend is SQD. E.g. flying PY from Madrid to SFO return is 91 euros in 'taxes, fees and other charges', whereas ex FRA it's 193 euro and ex-Heathrow it's 350 euro (exact amount may vary with routing but this pattern holds in my experience).

Why I'm interested to know now though is whether I could get an EDI-MAD positioning flight as SQD, using the mechanism Quail mentioned? And more generally, is this a way of getting intra-Euro flights into SQD, as long as there is some domestic Canada segment you can fly later?

Practical usefulness is limited for those looking for a good price because you need 2 fares that allow the combination with each other. And these may be more expensive than the less flexible ones.

You can explore yourself with a matrix multicity search. Same goes for Google Flights but it's a bit trickier and most importantly requires turning the separate tickets option off. All fares must themselves allow 014 but that's generally not an issue with LHG fares.

Looking for some help as due to a recent booking I�ll be very close to qualifying for 50k.

I am based in Singapore - is there a way to book with *A for a flight within Asia, but book via AC with a 014 ticket number to earn SQD and SQM?

I am currently an Aeroplan 25K Elite member.
Today: 28339 SQM, 1967 SQD
After my trip in December I should have: 46513 SQM, 5796 SQD

Therefore, I am looking to gain an additional 3487 SQM and 204 SQD before Dec 31, 2024 - any advice on how to achieve this outside of North America ? Any suggested itineraries which will help me meet the SQM as cheap as possible, as I am close to the SQD.

Departure Airport: Singapore
Miles Needed (SQM): 3487
Dollars Needed (SQD): 204
Maximum Budget: $1000
Available Travel Dates: November
Required Metal or Codeshares Okay: Yes

Thank you !

Can you upfare the flight you already have to a class that awards more miles and costs a bit more? Or nest in an AC flight within your Dec trip that presumably has an AC flight or perhaps touches North America. I think any ticket that qualifies for SQD would need at least an AC segment for any chance of it being ticketed by AC.

If you are able to afford the time, a same day turn within North America will be much cheaper and simpler than anything you can find in Asia on 014 (if at all) for the SQD, and I'd probably look to get the remaining SQM somewhere else because it'll be a lot of flying to meet that SQM on a same day turn

More information about the December trip could be useful here -- doing some kind of add-on to it will likely be the best method.

Departure Airport: YYC
Miles Needed (SQM): 20,000
Segments Needed (SQS): n/a
Dollars Needed (SQD): none
Maximum Budget: 3-4 kCAD
Available Travel Dates: Nov 11-21
Required Metal or Codeshares Okay:
Route(s) You've Already Searched: YYC-CPT, YYC-AUH

I am going to Frankfurt for a week, and looking to add a segment to boost my SQM. Any hints?
I check flights with Google flights, but multi-segment booking on AC.com is not working for me (second segment is always no flights available).
I considered RTW trip but economy fares were always Q or V, and premium economy out of my budget.
I have a pretty flexible schedule.
Thanks for suggestions!

Looking for assistance in accumulating 18K SQM for SE status in 2025.

Departure Airport: YYZ
Miles Needed (SQM): 18K
Maximum Budget: 4K
Available Travel Dates: NOV/DEC
Required Metal or Codeshares Okay: AC

Thank you.

Delhi just about does it, but you'd have to stay a day or so
On AC In PE with the COS bonus you'd get 18,075 SQM for $4664, and if you are OK with a stopover, $4231.
If you went economy it'd be way less cost (but fewer SQM, although comfort would be close) and business more, of course.
Add the hassle of an Indian visa

A round trip to BNE (Brisbane) via YVR even in Y should give about 18K.