Are Air Canada Points still useful ex Australia?

[somebol]

Over the past couple of months there’s been a clear contraction in partner business-class awards ex-Australia:

• Singapore Airlines J (SYD/MEL): effectively gone. Some space still noted ex-BNE/ADL, but uncertain how long that will last.
• Virgin Australia → Doha (J): previously reliable blocks of 4; now disappeared (roughly a month and counting).
• United trans-Pacific J: widely known reduction.
• Turkish Airlines J (SYD/MEL → IST): showing zero availability.

Net effect: meaningfully fewer ways out of Australia in J, especially for parties of 3–4.
That raises the question of whether buying Air Canada points remains viable in the current climate.

Once I burn through my current stash of air canada points, I doubt if I would buy again.

PS - I am not complaining, just lamenting and thinking out load.

 

[levelnine]

They can still be used on Virgin Australia domestically, but yes buying miles primarily with the intention of using them on partner flights is a risky maneuver that should only be done in full awareness that it could backfire. That's especially the case in the current environment where more and more airlines are restricting award availability to their own members. The awards space moves rapidly and miles only ever get less valuable over time, so it is always wise to only buy them with a concrete use plan.

 

[mel-world]

Cannot comment on J seats, but no issue finding various options in Y for my son travelling to Japan during school holidays next year using AC points. Going out on SQ, back on NH.

 

[somebol]

They can still be used on Virgin Australia domestically, but yes buying miles primarily with the intention of using them on partner flights is a risky maneuver that should only be done in full awareness that it could backfire. That's especially the case in the current environment where more and more airlines are restricting award availability to their own members. The awards space moves rapidly and miles only ever get less valuable over time, so it is always wise to only buy them with a concrete use plan.

Completely agree. I purchased my stash of air canada points knowing this might happen. But those are the risks we knowingly take.
I've been in the points game for 20 odd years and have seen many changes. It is a matter of learning to adapt and change strategy to what works best for your circumstances.

 

[RooFlyer]

There's always Air Mauritius out of Perth.

To Mauritius then onto JNB and even points to the north. Its actually what I bought my last stash of Aeroplan miles for.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I’m still finding SQ out of MEL in business, albeit not ‘close in’.

TK can apparently be booked by calling.

 

[Human]

TK can apparently be booked by calling.

Are you saying that even if there's no online TK availability, there's availability over the phone? Using Aeroplan points?

 

[somebol]

I’m still finding SQ out of MEL in business, albeit not ‘close in’.

Interesting, how far out are you finding them? I couldn't see anything 355 days out

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Interesting, how far out are you finding them? I couldn't see anything 355 days out

Sorry, my bad! Amended my earlier post accordingly. I swear I saw a MEL-SIN-DEL on SQ connecting to AI DEL-CDG FOR early June. But it seems it must have just been ex SIN.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Are you saying that even if there's no online TK availability, there's availability over the phone? Using Aeroplan points?

Correct. From what I’ve been reading it can be a cause of HUACA, but some agents are booking TK award space via the phone (others say they can’t, so you have to find the right agent). Apparently you’ll be charged the bookings fee too.

You gotta find award space though! So you’ll need a suitable tool for that (i don’t know which one)

 

[I love to travel]

Correct. From what I’ve been reading it can be a cause of HUACA, but some agents are booking TK award space via the phone (others say they can’t, so you have to find the right agent). Apparently you’ll be charged the bookings fee too.

You gotta find award space though! So you’ll need a suitable tool for that (i don’t know which one)

If it is showing on United more than 50% chance agent can see it

 

[kamchatsky]

Over the past couple of months there’s been a clear contraction in partner business-class awards ex-Australia:

• Singapore Airlines J (SYD/MEL): effectively gone. Some space still noted ex-BNE/ADL, but uncertain how long that will last.
• Virgin Australia → Doha (J): previously reliable blocks of 4; now disappeared (roughly a month and counting).
• United trans-Pacific J: widely known reduction.
• Turkish Airlines J (SYD/MEL → IST): showing zero availability.

Net effect: meaningfully fewer ways out of Australia in J, especially for parties of 3–4.
That raises the question of whether buying Air Canada points remains viable in the current climate.

Once I burn through my current stash of air canada points, I doubt if I would buy again.

PS - I am not complaining, just lamenting and thinking out load.

I've just checked for SQ J for later next year ..... Yes J from SYD and MEL is pretty much gone. This has devalued AC points quite a bit as I am based in SYD. I can fly via ADL but then I need to pay separate flight to ADL instead, and waste more time than necessary.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I've just checked for SQ J for later next year ..... Yes J from SYD and MEL is pretty much gone. This has devalued AC points quite a bit as I am based in SYD. I can fly via ADL but then I need to pay separate flight to ADL instead, and waste more time than necessary.

VA can be included in the through fare, depending on the distance. Singapore and SE Asia might be a pinch, but once you’re I. The next band(s) it can be FOC

 

[kamchatsky]

VA can be included in the through fare, depending on the distance. Singapore and SE Asia might be a pinch, but once you’re I. The next band(s) it can be FOC

These days my regular destination is HKG so ADL-SIN-HKG would be 45K, ex-BNE/MEL/SYD would be 60K. Right now ex-SYD/MEL are non-existent so it is moot. But for me I can really use it for ex-ADL.

Another issue of relying on VA for through fare, VA does not release their seats until 330 days, and by that time, SQ J awards that I want are all gone.