Kris flyer points to book Air Canada flight

[Atleastonce]

I am trying to book an Air Canada BNE-YVR flight and need to know if I have got the process correct.

1. I need one way flight, we cruising back to Australia ( 2 pax)
2. I would prefer non stop flight in J
3. Do I transfer VA points to Kris Flyer
4. Do I then book AC flight (being star alliance) through Kris Flyer

I know I will lose points on transfer but it is proving very difficult to redeem J seats from Australia to Vancouver.

Any assistance appreciated or any tips from previous transfer and booking through Kris Flyer.

Thanks

 

[Scr77]

That’s looks correct, but before worrying about transferring points, I’d be seeing if there are any seats available. How are you checking for availability ? United seems to show air canada flights.

 

[Atleastonce]

Yes I was gong to check on United web site, or call kris Flyer.

 

[Scr77]

Yes I was gong to check on United web site, or call kris Flyer.

Looks like a plan then. Cathay Pacific also fly to YVR if you have Qantas points to burn.

 

[Atleastonce]

Yeah I have quite a few Qantas points too. The only problem I have is Mrs Atleastonce doesn’t understand the “why go direct when you can connect”.

 

[goldenhorn]

Agree with the above - definitely confirm award availability before transferring any points.

A couple of months ago I booked return AC J tickets for 2pax SYD-YVR for June 2020 and found the awards on United, but booked with Lifemiles.

 

[bernardblack]

I have in fact used KrisFlyer miles to book AC J tickets for two people, but I later replaced them with a more direct routing on VA J when that became available.

Definitely ensure there is availability for the dates you want before moving the points, because KrisFlyer miles unavoidably expire. (And in my experience, transfers from credit cards take 24-48hr but from Velocity are instantaneous.)

 

[luxury-lizard]

I recommend using Aeroplan (AC's FF program) to search as their calendar goes out 354 days (unlike UA which is only 335) and KF let's you book out 354 days (as does LM). Note you will need to join Aeroplan to use the search but you do that online - easy and free - searching is a bit more coughbersome than UA but is pretty good - offering some interesting itineraries. As you will have noted AC's award availability is very patchy - at the very edge of the booking window they often only release 1 seat but sometimes up to 4.

Also I've never used KF to book AC because the number of KF miles required to travel Australia - North America is relatively high (compared to LM) but you would be permitted to route via Asia if no non-stop availability on AC (say SYD-ICN-YVR on OZ or SYD-HND-YVR on NH/AC) - however recently I have noticed that both OZ and NH only release 1 J award seat ex-SYD (on any upcoming trip Mr LL and I are travelling separately on the same day using NH and AC/OZ).

 

[goldenhorn]

I recommend using Aeroplan (AC's FF program) to search as their calendar goes out 354 days (unlike UA which is only 335) and KF let's you book out 354 days (as does LM). Note you will need to join Aeroplan to use the search but you do that online - easy and free - searching is a bit more coughbersome than UA but is pretty good - offering some interesting itineraries. As you will have noted AC's award availability is very patchy - at the very edge of the booking window they often only release 1 seat but sometimes up to 4.

Also I've never used KF to book AC because the number of KF miles required to travel Australia - North America is relatively high (compared to LM) but you would be permitted to route via Asia if no non-stop availability on AC (say SYD-ICN-YVR on OZ or SYD-HND-YVR on NH/AC) - however recently I have noticed that both OZ and NH only release 1 J award seat ex-SYD (on any upcoming trip Mr LL and I are travelling separately on the same day using NH and AC/OZ).

Good tip re: Aeroplan. I’ll have to sign up and check out the search tool. TY!

 

[Atleastonce]

Good tip re: Aeroplan. I’ll have to sign up and check out the search tool. TY!

I tried to sign up last night and the site was under maintenance. I will try again tonight.

 

[Atleastonce]

Today I managed to snag VA BNE to YVR on a business saver reward. Sure it is a stop in LAX and SEA but it is J all the way (USA first in USA) but I didn’t need to worry about points transfers etc. I thought this was pretty lucky given it is 10 months out.

The redemption was the same as BNE to LAX which I do regularly so I figure we are getting the LAX to YVR in first for free....kinda free anyway.