It’s much easier to accumulate points and miles in the states, than in Canada, unfortunately, and while we used to have the best Star Alliance FF program, it’s undeniable that Aeroplan are absolutely or even relatively worth less than they were before to other currencies.
While there are still decent redemptions to be had, the constraints are so limiting that I’ve been looking for other mile earning options in Canada other than Aeroplan, and unfortunately in Star Alliance, our earning capabilities with United MileagePlus is severely limited, which is arguably the best miles to redeem on Star Alliance metal. It remains simple to collect Aeroplan, but you should consider other currencies whenever you can. This is because diversifying against further devaluations to any program is very important. Furthermore, the values of miles have shifted so that in most cases, you receive a better value earning other stuff than earning Aeroplan.
And unfortunately (or fortunately), Aeroplan has also been one of the most accessible programs –  until recently the leading credit card product in Canada from CIBC partnered exclusively with them; as well, American Express (both Canada and US) partners with Aeroplan. Here are a brief overview of several types of frequent flyer miles that you should consider in place of Aeroplan. These following posts are split into chunks (I considered doing it in one post but then my post was over 3,000 words!!) so I’ve considered their ease of earning, ease of redemption, amount of fuel surcharges, redemption levels, potential for aspirational redemptions, and deals and tricks possible for each program through a completely arbitrary 7-point scale where 1 is the worst and 7 is the best.
For example I would rate a program an arbitrary 7 for earning if there were consistent 100,000 signup bonus credit card offers and the grand slam. So generally no program I think will get a seven. On the redemptions side the program will get a 1 if they have award levels like this (from China Southern Skyteam Award Chart). Look at that chart – only 121,000 km’s for a business class award between Hong Kong and Singapore!
Obviously the programs that I will be reviewing are not going to be as extreme so most programs I think will fall somewhere between 2-5. Note that this is an arbitrary scale and your opinions may differ as we all use miles differently. These ranking are also only relevant to Canadians. The information will (on redemptions) but collecting Aeroplan in US versus in Canada two completely different situations.
Here is the baseline for all the programs:
Aeroplan (Air Canada)
Ease of earning:Â 5 (out of 7)
- Feasibility of purchasing miles outright:Â Low
- Credit and Hotel partners:Â High
- Other Partners:Â High
<sEase of redemption: 4 (out of 7)
- Fuel surcharges:Â Moderate
- Partner Award Space:Â Moderate
- Deals/Tricks:Â Low
- Redemption Levels:Â Moderate-High
- Flexibility in itineraries:Â Low
- Usability:Â High
- Cost of redeeming: Moderate
A bit of the mark here from the story, but I’d like to see more AMEX Reward transfer partners for Canadian Programs in line with the USA AMEX Reward Transfer list.
We have the option of Aeroplan, BA Avios at 1:1, and Delta Sky Miles, CX Asia Miles and Etihad at 1:0.75.
It would be nice to see some other opportunities present themselves (aside from SPG).
We can always hope. It’s highly unlikely though. 🙁
You should always check even North American redemptions. You never know. I had a pile from my ancient Bank of America card that generates WorldPoints, and using them the last couple of years for my annual trip to Canada turned out to be better than other options.
Last year the annual convention was in Saint John, which is only serviced by Air Canada, and awards through *A partners were either not available or took more miles than I had. And because it was Saint John the fuel surcharges were significantly less than a paid ticket.
Then I relocated to Atlanta, and this year’s convention was in Toronto. Turns our there’s nonstop Air Canada service between Atlanta & Pearson, at 15k miles RT (though that might have been a special circumstance or promotion). Again, the surcharges were cheaper than a paid ticket, and I saved my other miles for other trips.
Yes, Aeroplan are very useful for those little cities that nobody else serves and airfares are sky high. I think your ticket was 15k because it’s for short-haul redemptions http://www3.aeroplan.com/FlightRewardChart.do#shorthaul. Thanks for your comment!