2019 Mileage run for *A gold
Oct 10, 2018, 12:55 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 18
2019 Mileage run for *A gold
Hi,
I am determined to achieve *A gold in 2019! Assuming I start from scratch and mostly flying out of YVR, anyone has any suggestions on best (cheapest?) to achieve *A gold with AC or any other *A airlines?
Thanks!
I am determined to achieve *A gold in 2019! Assuming I start from scratch and mostly flying out of YVR, anyone has any suggestions on best (cheapest?) to achieve *A gold with AC or any other *A airlines?
Thanks!
Oct 10, 2018, 1:20 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
So are you saying that you don't really care which airline program you stick with just as long as its *A, and you don't care who you fly just as long as you get *G?
Last edited by yyznomad; Oct 10, 2018 at 1:39 am
Oct 10, 2018, 1:26 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 18
Thanks! Yes any airlines! What routes do you suggest with A3 from YVR to get the required miles while spending the least? Much appreciated.
Oct 10, 2018, 1:29 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
This is just my experience and what I normally do.
Last edited by yyznomad; Oct 10, 2018 at 1:39 am
Oct 10, 2018, 1:33 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
I'm not sure if this is getting off topic or not (?), but to answer your question regarding *A, I also do LO quite often for my TATLs... and they sometimes have good discounted C fares sub $3K CAD for TATLs via WAW. (but this is out of YYZ so it will probably be more expensive ex-YVR)
I know others here will have a ton of examples and experiences regarding other *A carriers as well, including AC.
I know others here will have a ton of examples and experiences regarding other *A carriers as well, including AC.
Oct 10, 2018, 1:40 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
@goodmali
Sorry, I made a typo - I mean TPAC not TATL for ex-YVR P fares.
Also, anecdotally here on FT (because I've never tried it myself), it is known that flights ex-USA on AC connecting via Canada to international can be cheaper than if originating in Canada.
As such, you might want to take a look at flights ex-SEA or ex-PDX for example via YVR for a TPAC or TATL... and find a way to reposition via reward flights or even driving down... depending on how invested you are on getting your status... just throwing that in there. I know many here have lots of experience doing similar.
Sorry, I made a typo - I mean TPAC not TATL for ex-YVR P fares.
Also, anecdotally here on FT (because I've never tried it myself), it is known that flights ex-USA on AC connecting via Canada to international can be cheaper than if originating in Canada.
As such, you might want to take a look at flights ex-SEA or ex-PDX for example via YVR for a TPAC or TATL... and find a way to reposition via reward flights or even driving down... depending on how invested you are on getting your status... just throwing that in there. I know many here have lots of experience doing similar.
Oct 10, 2018, 2:04 am
#10
Join Date: May 2013
Location: west coast best coast
Programs: TINDER GOLD, STARBUCKS GOLD, COSTCO EXECUTIVE!!
Posts: 3,989
You can buy *G outright from Avianca for $2200. On the internet, you can also buy/trade *G nominations from other elites informally. *G is probably worth $500 or less, and not worth mileage running for, to be honest.
Oct 10, 2018, 5:31 am
#11
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE100K; SQ KF Elite Gold; AS MVP 75k; DL Plat.; Hilton Gold; SPG/Marriott Gold; IHG Gold;
Posts: 54
You can also try TPE from YVR. I've done 4 TPACs to TPE from YYZ/YYC/YUL all routing through YVR of course on AC this year. Some excellent P fares and Taiwan is a great place to visit whether just for a weekend or a bit longer. As suggested upthread you can also try NRT/ICN. One of my trips to TPE was actually YYZ-ICN-TPE-YVR-YYZ 
on a super cheap P fare with the intra Asia connection on BR. I earned ~23K AQM and probably paid about 3100$ for it. Other times I've managed to find YVR-NRT for less than 3K but these deals are harder to come by when chasing status on AC because of AQD...
on a super cheap P fare with the intra Asia connection on BR. I earned ~23K AQM and probably paid about 3100$ for it. Other times I've managed to find YVR-NRT for less than 3K but these deals are harder to come by when chasing status on AC because of AQD...
Oct 10, 2018, 7:37 am
#12
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: I'm From Here
Programs: AC*SE & MM/*Wood Gold/HHonors Diamond/Marriott Silver/AirMiles Gold
Posts: 4,567
The big question is....will you actually use your *G in 2019.
I know it is great to have but thinking about all that money you are spending. Is it just for lounge access (credit card) or priority boarding, or what.
Status is one of those things that naturally becomes nice due to volume of travel. If you are using it so you can use the business class line for a family vacation once or twice, it probably isn't work it (IMHO)
It is your money, of course
I know it is great to have but thinking about all that money you are spending. Is it just for lounge access (credit card) or priority boarding, or what.
Status is one of those things that naturally becomes nice due to volume of travel. If you are using it so you can use the business class line for a family vacation once or twice, it probably isn't work it (IMHO)
It is your money, of course
Oct 10, 2018, 9:24 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 18
You can also try TPE from YVR. I've done 4 TPACs to TPE from YYZ/YYC/YUL all routing through YVR of course on AC this year. Some excellent P fares and Taiwan is a great place to visit whether just for a weekend or a bit longer. As suggested upthread you can also try NRT/ICN. One of my trips to TPE was actually YYZ-ICN-TPE-YVR-YYZ on a super cheap P fare with the intra Asia connection on BR. I earned ~23K AQM and probably paid about 3100$ for it. Other times I've managed to find YVR-NRT for less than 3K but these deals are harder to come by when chasing status on AC because of AQD...
on a super cheap P fare with the intra Asia connection on BR. I earned ~23K AQM and probably paid about 3100$ for it. Other times I've managed to find YVR-NRT for less than 3K but these deals are harder to come by when chasing status on AC because of AQD...
What CPM should I aim for?
Oct 10, 2018, 9:26 am
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 18
The big question is....will you actually use your *G in 2019.
I know it is great to have but thinking about all that money you are spending. Is it just for lounge access (credit card) or priority boarding, or what.
Status is one of those things that naturally becomes nice due to volume of travel. If you are using it so you can use the business class line for a family vacation once or twice, it probably isn't work it (IMHO)
It is your money, of course
I know it is great to have but thinking about all that money you are spending. Is it just for lounge access (credit card) or priority boarding, or what.
Status is one of those things that naturally becomes nice due to volume of travel. If you are using it so you can use the business class line for a family vacation once or twice, it probably isn't work it (IMHO)
It is your money, of course
Oct 10, 2018, 9:26 am
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 18
Can you please link me to Aviana for $2200? That would be awesome! Thank you