Best program to redeem AF/KLM flights

[Ktan89]

Need to fly from Canada to AMS or CDG. Flights available are Air France or KLM but using QF points to book this cost me an arm, leg and a few fingers on tax charged.

What other reward program can I use with a lower tax?

Example - booking through QF
YYZ to CDG cost around $1110AUD on Air france
YYZ to NRT on JL is only $481

Am I stuck paying $1,100?

 

[Human]

I'm pretty sure that Air Canada Aeroplan doesn't charge carrier charges (though they still charge taxes). You also have a couple of one-stop options using Qantas points such as British Airways via the UK or American Airlines via the USA.

But your only other non-stop option from Toronto to Amsterdam or Paris is Air Canada.

 

[Ktan89]

I would prefer a non-stop.
When does AirCanada release seats?
I can never find any in advance..
But I do see their tax is only $63 CAD

 

[Human]

I'm no Aeroplan expert. I have an account with them, but that's about it. However, I have heard that Air Canada is somewhat stingy when it comes to releasing awards for trans-Atlantic flights. The guides below might help.

If you really want a non-stop flight and the Air France option is available now, I'd take it. If an Air Canada flight becomes available, you could book it then (through Aeroplan or any other Star Alliance programme AC has released the reward flights to), knowing that even paying the cancellation fee for the AF flight will leave you considerably ahead.

How to Buy & Redeem Air Canada Aeroplan Points

Since May 2020, Air Canada now sells its Aeroplan points directly to the public.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

The Ultimate Guide to Air Canada Aeroplan

Air Canada's Aeroplan loyalty program boasts some fantastic ways to spend points on flights. Here's what you need to know.

www.pointhacks.com.au

 

[jase05]

Virgin Atlantic are pretty good for SkyTeam rewards IMO
YYZ-AMS or YYZ-CDG are both around $400 CAD

 

[Ktan89]

Yeah, I think you're right. Book the flight that is available now and switch if air Canada comes up.
Ecconomy one way is the same price as the taxes, so it's like using points to upgrade.

If anyone knows which other program will be good to book AF/KLM do let me know. Virgin Atlantic through MR transfer?

Post automatically merged: Jan 19, 2024

Virgin Atlantic are pretty good for SkyTeam rewards IMO
YYZ-AMS or YYZ-CDG are both around $400 CAD

Legend! I just went to the Virgin Atlantic site.
Your quoted tax is already half QFs $990CAD~
However they only release seats 331 days out

It could be another option when the time comes

 

[Ktan89]

I booked it in with QF and will see how it goes later with Virgin Atlantic.
Here is the break down :O

I saw VS was offering 20% off on rewards booking... i got a little excited.. but it was only for VS metal

 

[ThePointyEnd]

I became an Aeroplan member last year after reading several positive reports of their FF system. My understanding was that one could find a seat on virtually any flight, but that the price in points would reflect the scarcity of available seats. That sounded excellent to me. A year later I have been unable to find any seat on any non-AC flight at any time. So last week I booked a seat, SYD - YOW return, fully flex. The cost of the points that I'd bought at a significant discount last year was A$13,000, plus the extra as I didn't have quite enough points (20,000 short) of CAD$6,000+. I also purchased a ticket for my wife, also fully flex so quite comparable. It came to A$13,300. They certainly saw me coming.

 

[jase05]

I became an Aeroplan member last year after reading several positive reports of their FF system. My understanding was that one could find a seat on virtually any flight, but that the price in points would reflect the scarcity of available seats. That sounded excellent to me. A year later I have been unable to find any seat on any non-AC flight at any time. So last week I booked a seat, SYD - YOW return, fully flex. The cost of the points that I'd bought at a significant discount last year was A$13,000, plus the extra as I didn't have quite enough points (20,000 short) of CAD$6,000+. I also purchased a ticket for my wife, also fully flex so quite comparable. It came to A$13,300. They certainly saw me coming.

I only joined last year and have had zero trouble getting ADL-SIN J on SQ and many more combinations were available when I was booking my trip in March. I swapped and changed flights several times before finally locking in 2 J seats from Adelaide to Paris with the following sectors
ADL-MEL VA
MEL- BKK TG
BKK-DEL TG
DEL-CDG UK
Have been seeing plenty of availability to Bangkok on Thai and plenty on various carriers ex Asia

 

[ThePointyEnd]

I only joined last year and have had zero trouble getting ADL-SIN J on SQ and many more combinations were available when I was booking my trip in March. I swapped and changed flights several times before finally locking in 2 J seats from Adelaide to Paris with the following sectors
ADL-MEL VA
MEL- BKK TG
BKK-DEL TG
DEL-CDG UK
Have been seeing plenty of availability to Bangkok on Thai and plenty on various carriers ex Asia

I just have to be doing something wrong then. SYD - BKK shows me no flights available even 300 days out. I'll try again!

 

[jase05]

First date I looked at. No direct SYD-BKK but 2 J seats SYD-MEL-BKK for same points

 

[ThePointyEnd]

First date I looked at. No direct SYD-BKK but 2 J seats SYD-MEL-BKK for same pointsView attachment 367784View attachment 367785

I just tried to replicate this, and IT WORKED! I have no idea why it didn't work yesterday but now it does. Clearly Jase05, you have worked magic.

 

[Ktan89]

Can someone help search if there's: YYC / YVZ to CDG/AMS/BRU for January 2025 please?

 

[jase05]

Can someone help search if there's: YYC / YVZ to CDG/AMS/BRU for January 2025 please?

That’s too far out
Only showing to mid December currently

 

[Ktan89]

That’s too far out
Only showing to mid December currently

Am I doing something wrong?

 

[jase05]

No. I think this thread was originally to discuss KLM and Air France redemptions but I think a few of us have ran it of course and now Aeroplan has been mentioned.
I was searching on the VS website for AF/KLM redemptions