Buying Air Canada Aeroplan points

[MEL_Traveller]

Up to a 90% bonus for me too, if buying 50k+ points.

I don't really work on c/pt but moreso how much the equivalent cash fare is.

For me, if the overall cost (of buying points whilst on special then immediately redeeming seats) is ~50% of what the cash fare would be, that's enough for me.

A few months ago I spent $1.2k (buying points and getting bonus) for a $3.5k seat - that's enough value in it for me instead of counting cents per point.

Agree… I don’t use any ‘valuations’ by blogs in making my decision… only the cents per point to work out the value of the award

Both asia and europe are still worthwhile… while you can get it for around the same price to europe using the ME3 from asia, it’s often either economy to asia or having to overnight. For a through-fare Aeroplan is still almost unbeatable.

 

[RooFlyer]

For me, if the overall cost (of buying points whilst on special then immediately redeeming seats) is ~50% of what the cash fare would be, that's enough for me.

Agree. I've used Aeroplan points to get a J flight for 1/3 of the cash cost.

But these days, can't find flights I want!!

 

[MelbFlyer]

Agree. I've used Aeroplan points to get a J flight for 1/3 of the cash cost.

But these days, can't find flights I want!!

It was good whilst it lasted.

While there are still some business reward seats out there, there's definitely less now due to higher demand on Asian carriers as people avoid the Middle East.

 

[Matty F]

I don't really work on c/pt but moreso comparing to how much the equivalent cash fare is.

typically I don't factor in the equivalent cash fare - why let the airline's pricing impact your valuation of what a seat is worth?

I'll roughly go off how much I'm happy to pay, which is ~100-150 AUD per flying hour

the cash fare is still good to know, especially when you manage to grab a business seat for less than the price of economy on the same flight

 

[mel-world]

110% today for me but having just got Business fares to Asia for about 50% of the cash fare, I'm not needing more points at the moment. Availablity is there, you just have to be patient and a bit flexible.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

It was good whilst it lasted.

While there are still some business reward seats out there, there's definitely less now due to higher demand on Asian carriers as people avoid the Middle East.

That’s the thing… if you’re willing to fly via the ME availability is pretty much wide open for Oman Air, Virgin Australia (to DOH), Oman Air and Egyptair (for connections to/from DOH), ITA airways for connections to/from DXB (with flat beds), SQ for travel all the way to/from Australia (if you can book once the window opens), and other airlines too.

Certainly a lot more options than OW, or for QF, flying EK.

 

[goldenhorn]

Is the AC buy points page timing out for anyone else? I tried several times to see what my bonus is, but the page won't load. Maybe they're getting slammed. ..

 

[Bofter]

Is the AC buy points page timing out for anyone else? I tried several times to see what my bonus is, but the page won't load. Maybe they're getting slammed. ..

Worked for me, for my first ever AC points purchase (using the 110% offer).

 

[goldenhorn]

Worked for me, for my first ever AC points purchase (using the 110% offer).

was that in the last 15 min?

 

[Bofter]

was that in the last 15 min?

Maybe 1 - 1.5 hours ago. Haven't received the promised confirmation email, but can see the miles in my account and took a screenshot to make sure I would have a record.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Maybe 1 - 1.5 hours ago. Haven't received the promised confirmation email, but can see the miles in my account and took a screenshot to make sure I would have a record.

If you got the miles in your count nothing to worry about!

The confirmation email usually comes pretty quick. But superfluous if the mikes have hit.

 

[goldenhorn]

OK, finally go on the site. I have the 110% bonus. Looking at options to Europe next year. Will have to decide soon.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

OK, finally go on the site. I have the 110% bonus. Looking at options to Europe next year. Will have to decide soon.

You should have plenty options. The only minor snag with Singapore Airlines is that it often wants to route you via Brisbane or Adelaide rather than non-stop to Singapore… although from Syndey WSI has opened up.

But aeroplan gives you the connecting VA flight anyway, so it’s just a case of an extra fright.

 

[goldenhorn]

Just grabbed this - SYD-SIN-LHR in SQ (J) for mid-June 2027.

SYD-SIN-LHR, SQ, J class. 3:00pm departure ex SYD, 3h45m connection in SIN.

260,000 Aeroplan points for 2 pax (130k each).

Bought 130,000 points, got 120,000 bonus points (110% bonus). Had 14,500 points already sitting in the account, so only had to top up the shortfall.

C$4,500 for the points, plus C$345.20 in taxes/carrier fees.

C$4,845.20 for both tickets, which works out to AUD$2,472 per person for one-way J class SYD-LHR via SIN.

Pretty happy with how this one came together

 

[I love to travel]

Just grabbed this - SYD-SIN-LHR in SQ (J) for mid-June 2027.

SYD-SIN-LHR, SQ, J class. 3:00pm departure ex SYD, 3h45m connection in SIN.

260,000 Aeroplan points for 2 pax (130k each).

Bought 130,000 points, got 120,000 bonus points (110% bonus). Had 14,500 points already sitting in the account, so only had to top up the shortfall.

C$4,500 for the points, plus C$345.20 in taxes/carrier fees.

C$4,845.20 for both tickets, which works out to AUD$2,472 per person for one-way J class SYD-LHR via SIN.

Pretty happy with how this one came together

So how are you getting home

 

[burmans]

typically I don't factor in the equivalent cash fare - why let the airline's pricing impact your valuation of what a seat is worth?

I'll roughly go off how much I'm happy to pay, which is ~100-150 AUD per flying hour

the cash fare is still good to know, especially when you manage to grab a business seat for less than the price of economy on the same flight

Totally, I’ve never understood this idea that something is worth $x just because the seller says it is. Apart from the fact this goes against basic economic theory, who hasn’t in their lift gone “I’m not prepared to pay that, I just don’t think it’s worth that much!”.

For me the only way to value something is what you’d be prepared to pay for it. And fortunately economic theory agrees with me.

 

[RooFlyer]

Totally, I’ve never understood this idea that something is worth $x just because the seller says it is. Apart from the fact this goes against basic economic theory, who hasn’t in their lift gone “I’m not prepared to pay that, I just don’t think it’s worth that much!”.

For me the only way to value something is what you’d be prepared to pay for it. And fortunately economic theory agrees with me.

With respect, I don't see how that comes into how one might 'value' an Aeroplan redemption.

I want to go A to B. The airline(s) prices it as $X. Whether of not you think its worth it, that's the cost. If I had no points, I'd have to pay that. As an alternative, I can earn or buy points and redeem for the same flight. So I've saved $X-(cost of points). The actual 'worth' of the flight doesn't matter to me - I had to do it and I got it much cheaper by buying and using the points.

As I noted upthread, in one case I got an Aeroplan redemption for points costing about 1/3 the asking cash price. Excellent value.

 

[Matty F]

Whether of not you think its worth it, that's the cost

With respect, it's the airline's chosen cost for that specific option

You're not locked into a go or no-go on a single airline/route

You have options

How much you value a particular product, independent of the airlines pricing model, should play a role when weighing your options

 

[RooFlyer]

With respect, it's the airline's chosen cost for that specific option

You're not locked into a go or no-go on a single airline/route

You have options

How much you value a particular product, independent of the airlines pricing model, should play a role when weighing your options

Remember we are talking about the value of Aeroplan redemptions (see my post). Task: get from A to B by flying (so, in your terms, its an an unavoidable 'go' via some airline).

Its not how much I value a product, it how much it costs me to use it that's relevant to assessing the value of an Aeroplan redemption. I might value it at $400. Who cares - I need to fly that route, direct or indirect, and its going to cost whatever the airlines charge.

A LCC might charge $500; full service $1000; indirect routings will cost more. If I can fly on the full service carrier at a points cost of <$1000 I'm ahead. If its <$500 its great value. That's especially great value since I'm not going to fly LCC.

I do weigh my options - pay more in cash, or less by paying for points. Paying for points wins nearly all the time. But if it doesn't - I'll pay the cash.