Aeroplan (Air Canada) is now selling points

[ThePointyEnd]

I happen to be flying via the middle east for a stopover, so I searched Europe to the stopover point (heaps of options on Egyptair, LOT, Turkish, TAP, Lufthansa), then from stopover to MEL.. and the flight via AUH came up, albeit with an overnight stopover in AUH. It seems fairly common that EY wants you to break the journey in AUH, but i’ve had connections straight through right out of London (which I did late last year).

Ok, understood. Thanks very much for the info.

 

[ThePointyEnd]

But that's unbelievable! As I said, I got nothing in Business for the whole next 12 months for SYD-BKK. I will try again......

Ok, tried again. Agree that there is availability from MEL, but nothing from SYD on a Monday. But at least via MEL is doable. One last thing if you don't mind, could you tell me how you got your table up? I don't see that on AC's website, and it's a much more comprehensive and useful view. Many thanks.

 

[Hunter4vr]

Ok, tried again. Agree that there is availability from MEL, but nothing from SYD on a Monday. But at least via MEL is doable. One last thing if you don't mind, could you tell me how you got your table up? I don't see that on AC's website, and it's a much more comprehensive and useful view. Many thanks.

The website used by MEL_Traveller looks like seats.aero

 

[ThePointyEnd]

The website used by MEL_Traveller looks like seats.aero

Yes it does indeed. I'll see how that cross-checks with what AC can actually provide. Thanks for the info.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The website used by MEL_Traveller looks like seats.aero

Not me! levelnine!

Ok, tried again. Agree that there is availability from MEL, but nothing from SYD on a Monday. But at least via MEL is doable. One last thing if you don't mind, could you tell me how you got your table up? I don't see that on AC's website, and it's a much more comprehensive and useful view. Many thanks.

With aeroplan the domestic VA sector can just be added on for free. You might need to call up to do it. The agents are really competent so other than hold times (can be an hour), you’ll save $$ on purchasing it.

 

[levelnine]

ith aeroplan the domestic VA sector can just be added on for free. You might need to call up to do it. The agents are really competent so other than hold times (can be an hour), you’ll save $$ on purchasing it.

I didn't realise that. Do you search for availability using VA's website? AP's website doesn't show any domestic VA flights when you search for them.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I didn't realise that. Do you search for availability using VA's website? AP's website doesn't show any domestic VA flights when you search for them.

Oh! It was fairly common for the VA tags to come up…sometimes even multiple tags, for example MEL-BNE-SYD-BKK!

And VA was great to get to Bali to connect onwards to europe from there. Dunno why if VA isn’t coming up anymore. But they are a partner, and all partners can be combined on the one ticket. (even EK, although that attracts a higher cost)

 

[clickfrenzy18]

Not me! levelnine!

With aeroplan the domestic VA sector can just be added on for free. You might need to call up to do it. The agents are really competent so other than hold times (can be an hour), you’ll save $$ on purchasing it.

So I can book a Melbourne - Ho Chi Minh City ticket and ask Aeroplan to add the VA Perth - Melbourne sector for free (if there's any available redemption)? Still prefer to book Perth - Ho Chi Minh but not available. Thanks.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

So I can book a Melbourne - Ho Chi Minh City ticket and ask Aeroplan to add the VA Perth - Melbourne sector for free (if there's any available redemption)? Still prefer to book Perth - Ho Chi Minh but not available. Thanks.

Yes! But *just*. And with a caveat!

For a itinerary not involving air canada flights (tick) your total mileage cannot exceed twice the distance of the origin and destination. Per-sgn is 3000 miles, and Per-mel-sgn is around 5800… so you just scrape in.

However, if the total distance via Mel pushes you into a higher mileage redemption band you’ll pay the price for the higher band. So it could be 60k to redeem instead of 45k.

 

[clickfrenzy18]

Yes! But *just*. And with a caveat!

For a itinerary not involving air canada flights (tick) your total mileage cannot exceed twice the distance of the origin and destination. Per-sgn is 3000 miles, and Per-mel-sgn is around 5800… so you just scrape in.

However, if the total distance via Mel pushes you into a higher mileage redemption band you’ll pay the price for the higher band. So it could be 60k to redeem instead of 45k.

Thanks, I'll call them to check before booking.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks, I'll call them to check before booking.

it’s all in the award chart. use greatcirclemapper for mileage.

 

[Ecco]

Has anyone tried to get through to the Aeroplan call centre lately? I tried to get through as a booking I have wouldn't allow me to cancel it online. I have tried multiple times in the last week and either go through a whole load of questions and then get put on hold or just get a message that they are overloaded and to ring back.

This is of serious concern to me having bought a boatload of these Aeroplan points, and if there IT isn't working and they don't pick up the phone then that's a non workable program and a time waster. Any advice or other people finding the same with aeroplan?
I'd be interested to hear.

Edit: just following up on this. I was using Safari several times and the cancellation wouldn't go through on aeroplan, so I tried doing it on chrome browser and it went through. Thank goodness. But just be warned - not easy to get through to aeroplan call centre at the moment if you have an issue.

 

[Ecco]

Hi sorry if that has been asked before.
I've booked Bamboo Airways J via aeroplan, LGW-HAN.
I am able to locate my booking on the Bamboo site but there's no option to allocate a seat. Does anyone know how to get a seat allocated on Bamboo Airways? thanks

 

[jgm]

Has anyone tried to get through to the Aeroplan call centre lately? I tried to get through as a booking I have wouldn't allow me to cancel it online. I have tried multiple times in the last week and either go through a whole load of questions and then get put on hold or just get a message that they are overloaded and to ring back.

The call centre opens at 0600 Toronto time every day and closes at 2200 weekdays and 2000 on weekends. I've found that if you call as soon as they're open or just before closing time, you can usually get through with minimum waiting.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The call centre opens at 0600 Toronto time every day and closes at 2200 weekdays and 2000 on weekends. I've found that if you call as soon as they're open or just before closing time, you can usually get through with minimum waiting.

The last few days seem to be an exception. I called on the dot of opening and was over 90 mins in the queue. Had to hang up. Subsequent calls couldn’t even join the queue

 

[blacksultan]

Does anyone know much about the ecredits and other benefits available through aeroplan account as a 50 k member ?

 

[Ecco]

The last few days seem to be an exception. I called on the dot of opening and was over 90 mins in the queue. Had to hang up. Subsequent calls couldn’t even join the queue

I spoke too soon. I've just noticed that Air Canada has charged me twice for the same cancellation on my visa card. I only have one cancellation confirmation but they've put the charge through twice.

Now I have to try and get one of those charges reversed. Horrible system and hopefully they are contactable on a timely basis. I don't have hours to wait on the phone for them to answer.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I spoke too soon. I've just noticed that Air Canada has charged me twice for the same cancellation on my visa card. I only have one cancellation confirmation but they've put the charge through twice.

Now I have to try and get one of those charges reversed. Horrible system and hopefully they are contactable on a timely basis. I don't have hours to wait on the phone for them to answer.

I think the easiest way here is to dispute as a duplicate with your bank. That way the charge is voided and you don’t lose with exchange rates. My bank advised them to take up duplicates this way instead of the merchant.

 

[Ecco]

I have discovered that even though you get an error message when trying to cancel aeroplan booking (eventually worked on Chrome) that AP have charged me 3x cancellation fee on my credit card for the same cancellation ie $150CAD 3x. Cannot get through to the call centre and no other way to contact them. Their systems are clearly out of control. Would not touch them again until this is sorted. I bought $4k worth of points off them. Regret doing that.

Having to dispute these charges with my credit card company. Time I cannot get back...

Seemed too good to be true and is. Worse than Avianca whom you can at least get through to on the phone.

I suggest only making bookings with AP that you are 100% sure you won't need to change.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I have discovered that even though you get an error message when trying to cancel aeroplan booking (eventually worked on Chrome) that AP have charged me 3x cancellation fee for the same cancellation ie $150CAD 3x. Cannot get through to the call centre and no other way to contact them. Their systems are clearly out of control. Would not touch them again until this is sorted. I bought $4k worth of points off them. Regret doing that.

Having to dispute these charges with my credit card company. Time I cannot get back...

Seemed too good to be true and is. Worse than Avianca whom you can at least get through to on the phone.

I suggest only making bookings with AP that you are 100% sure you won't need to change.

Sorry to hear that

I was using chrome a couple days ago when i called them. I needed the points from two current bookings to make my new ones. The agent said cancelling via her would cost $175 or $150 on line. I cancelled on line while she waited. Went through instantly, saved $50!

Getting through is a real issue. But at least AP has availability… LM has almost none