Michael fell in love with points and miles back in 2014 and since then has built up a vast knowledge of award programs and has striven to show readers how to receive the maximum value when using their...
Edited by: Stella Shon
With a degree in media and journalism, Stella has been in the points and miles game for more than 6 years. She most recently worked as a Corporate Communications Analyst for JetBlue. Find her work in ...
& Kellie Jez
Kellie’s professional experience has led her to a deep passion for compliance, data reporting, and process improvement. Kellie’s learned the ins and outs of the points and miles world and leads UP’s c...
28 comments
HoKo
June 29, 2018
“Taxes and fees for round-trip business class will be between $76-$104 while first class will be around $1,184.”
Is this a typo? How is first class so much more than business? Also I thought AC charged significant YQ on some *A partners for TATL (And other redemptions as well)?
Michael McHugh
July 03, 2018
Hi HoKo
Lufthansa and Swiss are the only two Star Alliance partners that offer transatlantic first class. First class is that much more expensive than business because of the fuel surcharges passed on by both airlines to Air Canada.
When flying business class, you can get around fuel surcharges by flying a partner like United.
If you’re looking to fly transatlantic first class and avoid the fuel surcharges, consider using Avianca.
Kamal
April 23, 2019
I have almost 600k Aeroplan points I’ve been saving for years. I plan to use them to fly from YYZ to DXB this summer but can’t find anything on Turkish Airlines or anyone else. AC is charging almost $700 each for taxes and surcharges! Any tips? I have to book 6 tickets
Stephen Au
April 26, 2019
Kamal,
Booking 6 tickets in business class is going to be incredibly difficult, especially for a niche route like yours. The best way to increase your chances is to separate the travelers to a day or two apart.
Thanks for reading.
Gantt Cookson
June 10, 2019
Looks like Turkish Biz Class awards from USA have all but disappeared. Hate that because I love flying on TK!
Jean-Marc Pelletier
July 14, 2019
Hi,
Using Aeroplan with departure from Canada is nonsense… For instance a flight from Montreal to London (regular cost of $867 CDN), using 60,000 miles, costs $701 CDN. Why? Because a “special carrier’s fee” is charged on top of other fees and brings total to $701. Nonsense.
Now, this article [sorry French] points to such a case and this gentleman was able to book same flight specifying United (shared flight Air Canada + United) at booking time without incurring special carrier’s fee.
Now, as far as I’m concerned, I’ve traveled from Montreal to Geneva (Air Canada + 60,000 miles) and incurred hefty fees.
So, my comment: how about an article detailing ways, for Canadians departing from a Canadian airport, not to incur those “special carrier’s fees” while using their Aeroplan miles?
Stephen Au
July 17, 2019
Hey Jean-Marc,
Thanks for reading. We are not Air Canada, so we have no control of the fuel surcharges that they levy. Arguably, the best way to avoid fuel surcharges on Aeroplan is to fly on carriers that don’t levy them. Check out our guide on fuel surcharges for more information:
/airline-fuel-surcharges/
Robin Finley
July 22, 2019
I am trying to use some Aeroplan miles for a family trip from Calgary to anywhere somewhat tropical mid August. i.e Mexico, Hawaii etc. The Aeroplan site has terrible availability. Am I able to use these miles and search United for a better selection?
Thank you!
Robin
Stephen Au
July 23, 2019
Robin,
If you’re intending on flying on Air Canada, the best availability is going to be on Aeroplan’s search engine. United will not provide the best availability. Keep searching for flexible dates!
Sam K
October 05, 2019
Does Aeroplan allow manual booking over the phone? I was able to piece together some flights with availability, however, they don’t show up as a whole itinerary. Thanks.
Jarrod West
October 05, 2019
Hi Sam,
Yes, you can contact an agent at 1-800-361-5373.
Thanks for reading!
Umesh
December 13, 2019
I’m traveling AC to Japan. Should I get Aeroplan miles or ask for United miles? Is one more advantageous than the other?
Jarrod West
December 14, 2019
Hi Umesh,
Generally speaking, I’d say that Aeroplan miles are more useful than United miles, but it is entirely subjective! It really depends on which currency you would get more use out of.
Peter
January 02, 2020
Hello. Can you book an economy United flight with Aeroplan, and then upgrade to business through United? Aeroplan does not have any direct flights with United available in business for my available travel dates.
Stephen Au
January 04, 2020
Peter, it depends. If you intend on booking an economy award flight, you can’t upgrade it to business. You must book an eligible revenue flight paid for with cash in order to even think about upgrading a flight.
JJ
January 09, 2020
I transferred 25k miles from my AMEX rewards to Aeroplan and tried to book a domestic flight on United. Aeroplan’s website gets me all the way through the booking process, I put in my credit card info for the $10.14 charge and get an error “Flight Redemption Failure”. I’ve attempted with multiple browsers, computers, and the Aeroplan App. I cannot get through to their customer service. Have I just wasted 25k miles?
Jarrod West
January 10, 2020
Hi JJ,
Not necessarily, it might be the case that the availability was no longer there. Were you able to get ahold of their customer service team? Did you try any other bookings with different dates or flight times?
David
January 12, 2020
If you search that specific error message, it’s plaguing Aeroplan. I have been on hold with them for 2 hours today. I was able to book one seat for me via my aeroplan account, but get the same message as you for the same flight that still has a number of seats available at the ward class I’m looking at.
From what I’ve read, you’ll need to call in.
Barbara O'Connell
February 20, 2020
I live in New Zealand and am very disgusted with Aeroplan as I have been a member for a long time and been ‘ topping up ‘ with partner Air New Zealand flights to refresh. When I try to use the same, Air N Z and flight advisors will have nothing to do with Aeroplan. Any help in redeeming my 55,000 odd miles would be appreciated.
Liz
December 14, 2020
Would you please guide me through donating reward miles to MFS charity?
Christine Krzyszton
December 14, 2020
Hello Liz. Here is a link to the list of charities on the Aeroplan website. Log in to your Aeroplan Miles account then select the charity to which you’d like to contribute and the number of miles you’d like to donate. https://donatepoints.aircanada.com/
Jenny
August 01, 2021
Do I need to call Aeroplan to book a free stopover? I’ve tried to search online from Rome to SFO and stopover Paris for 1 week, the stopover is not free as I see. By the way, do you know if Aeroplan allows reserving a trip without miles for 24hrs as United? I don’t want to transfer the points over without certainty. Thanks.
Jarrod West
August 10, 2021
Hi Jenny,
As of now, yes you do need to call Air Canada to book, and the stopover should cost 5,000 miles. As far as I know, Air Canada does not usually offer award holds, but there is certainly no harm in asking!
Gabbie
April 29, 2022
We booked a code share flight with Air Canada but operated by ANA, can we use Aeropoints to upgrade to premium or business class? How can we upgrade ?
Jarrod West
May 02, 2022
Hi Gabbie,
Unfortunately, you cannot use Air Canada points to upgrade on another airline, even if it was booked through Air Canada.
JoAnne
June 03, 2022
So how do I find partner flights that may be cheaper? Areoplan is my “home” program. Should I join other FF programs to find better deals? If so do I then have to book by phoning?
Rob Moriello
September 05, 2022
Can I book a flight on United for a flight within the USA? It doesn’t give me that option on the Aeroplan site.
Jarrod West
September 06, 2022
Hi Rob,
Yes, you should be able to book this on Air Canada’s site. If it is not working I suggest you contact Air Canada directly.
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