Air Canada & Aeroplan - Saga
"We are always here to help you" but how?
Air Canada no longer a bargain from Phoenix
Aeroplan far worse than American AAdvantage
First the story of frustration
I log into my Aeroplan account and tells me no longer valid (last trip on Air Canada was June 2018 to Toronto). and links to contact customer support.
Call customer support which prompts say:
1) Enter Aeroplan number (does - says invalid)
2) Visit Aeroplan.com - which tells me my acct number is no longer valid and to contact support - with the numbers that don't let me contact support .
Finally called the Air Canada reservation line - which is not related to Aeroplan, Air Canada will take over directly Aeroplan in 2020.
Get nice lady who realizes my endless loop and is able to connect me with Aeroplan customer service. Turns out they changed my number. I use lastpass that remembers it - probably signed up for it 10-15 years ago when first started traveling to Canada (Montreal, Vancouver, Victoria and then Toronto).
OK get into account - now have to decide if worthwhile transferring some award points from a credit card to Air Canada.
First I compared roundtrip airfares to Toronto
Wow prices have increased. For lower fare days for six days in early April, Air Canada was $US553-$660! American was $324 on decent timed flights with 1 stop (Charlotte or Dallas). Arrive in Toronto about 8PM not the overnight flights.
Delta fares were similar to American, but I use American- for business travel within the U.S. so easier to accumulate miles. I used to use American West based in Phoenix before was first bought out by U.S. Airlines, which was then bought by American. So American has large presence in Phoenix.
Air Canada has a non-stop at good times Phoenix to Toronto that I have used for many years. But not worth that much extra at current rates.
On a long flight might be an advantage to have a stop to get out and stretch especially since fairly tall 6-1 and cramped up in economy seating. Sometimes I pay more to select a seat with more legroom but that is far more expensive on Air Canada than on American.
Next I compare frequent flier programs
Air Canada points expire in 1 year from last event vs. 18 months for American. I only have 5622 mile points with Air Canada so may be not worth trying to save them. Even transferring to a friend costs 2 cents a mile! Maybe donate to charity. I probably had lots of earlier ones expire from long ago.
To fly Phx-Toronto with least seat options takes 25K points vs 12.500 or American on any flight within U.S./Canada. The upgraded more available etc is 43,500 on Air Canada and 25,000 on American.
I booked my upcoming trip to Frankfurt Germany on American/British Air for 50,000 points which I had accumulated.
I have concluded forget Air Canada. It once was very competitive when it first had its non-stop Phoenix to Toronto, but seems clear now that I should stick with American - which I also use for business travel in the U.S. so easier to accumulate points.
For those flying within Canada or other cities they may have better fares.
I am on Air Canada's mailing list and see specials for US $332 roundtrip. But they are for overnight flights when they need to fill seats for plane to return to Toronto. It arrives in Toronto at 6:37AM. What am I doing to do since will be tired, unable to check into a hotel till noon or so. Have a special now that says $110 base fare one-way but that is before taxes and fees. Its $332 roundtrip with fees on the overnight direct flight. I can get much better flight time choices for the same price on American with one stop.
"We are always here to help you" but how?
Air Canada no longer a bargain from Phoenix
Aeroplan far worse than American AAdvantage
First the story of frustration
I log into my Aeroplan account and tells me no longer valid (last trip on Air Canada was June 2018 to Toronto). and links to contact customer support.
Call customer support which prompts say:
1) Enter Aeroplan number (does - says invalid)
2) Visit Aeroplan.com - which tells me my acct number is no longer valid and to contact support - with the numbers that don't let me contact support .
Finally called the Air Canada reservation line - which is not related to Aeroplan, Air Canada will take over directly Aeroplan in 2020.
Get nice lady who realizes my endless loop and is able to connect me with Aeroplan customer service. Turns out they changed my number. I use lastpass that remembers it - probably signed up for it 10-15 years ago when first started traveling to Canada (Montreal, Vancouver, Victoria and then Toronto).
OK get into account - now have to decide if worthwhile transferring some award points from a credit card to Air Canada.
First I compared roundtrip airfares to Toronto
Wow prices have increased. For lower fare days for six days in early April, Air Canada was $US553-$660! American was $324 on decent timed flights with 1 stop (Charlotte or Dallas). Arrive in Toronto about 8PM not the overnight flights.
Delta fares were similar to American, but I use American- for business travel within the U.S. so easier to accumulate miles. I used to use American West based in Phoenix before was first bought out by U.S. Airlines, which was then bought by American. So American has large presence in Phoenix.
Air Canada has a non-stop at good times Phoenix to Toronto that I have used for many years. But not worth that much extra at current rates.
On a long flight might be an advantage to have a stop to get out and stretch especially since fairly tall 6-1 and cramped up in economy seating. Sometimes I pay more to select a seat with more legroom but that is far more expensive on Air Canada than on American.
Next I compare frequent flier programs
Air Canada points expire in 1 year from last event vs. 18 months for American. I only have 5622 mile points with Air Canada so may be not worth trying to save them. Even transferring to a friend costs 2 cents a mile! Maybe donate to charity. I probably had lots of earlier ones expire from long ago.
To fly Phx-Toronto with least seat options takes 25K points vs 12.500 or American on any flight within U.S./Canada. The upgraded more available etc is 43,500 on Air Canada and 25,000 on American.
I booked my upcoming trip to Frankfurt Germany on American/British Air for 50,000 points which I had accumulated.
I have concluded forget Air Canada. It once was very competitive when it first had its non-stop Phoenix to Toronto, but seems clear now that I should stick with American - which I also use for business travel in the U.S. so easier to accumulate points.
For those flying within Canada or other cities they may have better fares.
I am on Air Canada's mailing list and see specials for US $332 roundtrip. But they are for overnight flights when they need to fill seats for plane to return to Toronto. It arrives in Toronto at 6:37AM. What am I doing to do since will be tired, unable to check into a hotel till noon or so. Have a special now that says $110 base fare one-way but that is before taxes and fees. Its $332 roundtrip with fees on the overnight direct flight. I can get much better flight time choices for the same price on American with one stop.