tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42827516488419544282024-02-08T05:12:29.604-08:00Groupe ZeroplanOne person's experience with Aeroplan Mileage Rewards.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282751648841954428.post-24061087378094457122012-02-08T22:36:00.000-08:002012-02-08T22:40:52.950-08:00Word is spreading...A coworker of mine finally broke free of Aeroplan. He had some travels on Aeroplan although mostly in North America. He decided that the $170 annual fee ($120 + $50 for supplemental card) was too much for him.<div><br /></div><div>I have been collecting Airmiles points for the past year or so. This year I have accumulated enough points to send my mother from Vancouver to Hong Kong & Thailand Business Class on Cathay Pacific. She got the dates she wanted which is great. I hope she has a great time.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282751648841954428.post-24968246992948131222011-01-20T15:16:00.000-08:002011-01-20T15:36:08.883-08:00Comparison of my point programsI had been thinking about doing this for a while. For comparison sake I used my travel rewards programs to compare travel from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to three locations. Have you ever wondered how much you would need to spend on your credit card to get a reward?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Vancouver to Los Angeles (LAX) Stay for 1 week, round trip.</span><br /><br />CIBC Aerogold Card gives you 1.5 aeroplan points per $1 spent.<br />60,000 aeroplan points<br />Spend $40,000<br /><br />TD Visa First Class Travel 3 travel points per $1 spent<br /> You can book through TD travel rewards or any travel site & get reimbursed. 10000 points = $50 travel. I found you would need 50,000 points.<br />Spend $16,666<br /><br />TD Elite gives your 1% on all purchases. Take that money and go to Expedia YVR to LAX $346. You need to spend $34,600 to earn a free ticket to Hollywood.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Vancouver to Hong Kong (HKG) stay for 1 week, round trip</span><br /><br />CIBC Aerogold Card gives you 1.5 aeroplan points per $1 spent.<br />Best Value Offer 75,000 aeroplan points <br />Spend $50,000 <span style="font-weight: bold;">BUT</span> when I tried to pick a date there was not availability. I tried shoulder date but nothing was available except in Business Class or a 36 hr return with two stop overs.<br /><br />RBC Cathay Pacific gives you 1 point per $1 spent<br />60,000 points.<br />Spend $60,000<br /><br />Td Elite 1% back & Expedia<br />Ticket costs $1875 flying Cathay Pacific non stop<br />Go spend $187,500.<br /><br />So it would seem to me if you want travel then a travel card is preferred over a rebate card. However, my beef with Aeroplan remains, I am never able to pick the days that I want to travel even if it is the random week of January 22 to January 29.<br /><br />Any one any better programs?<br /><br /><br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="if(typeof(jsCall)=='function'){jsCall();}else{setTimeout('jsCall()',500);}" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282751648841954428.post-7932006497750423232010-11-25T13:47:00.000-08:002010-11-25T13:53:23.799-08:00Capacity controlsQuestion:<br />Aeroplan told me there are no seats available but I can buy a ticket on the flight, why is that?<br /><br />Answer:<br />Well, my dear, it is called capacity controls.<br /><br />Aeroplan Terms & condition state:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">16. </span><b style="font-style: italic;">Capacity controls</b><span style="font-style: italic;"> also apply. This means there are a limited number of ClassicFlight reward seats available on a given flight. There may be instances when flights are not completely booked but all available reward seats have been claimed. Capacity controls do not apply for ClassicPlus flight rewards.</span><br /><br />In other words there are a limited number of reward seats on any flight.<br /><br />I prefer the reward cards that allow me to book anywhere i.e. priceline.com, expedia, travelocity, travel agency etc. and redeem points for travel. Forget about Aeroplan too restrictive.<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="if(typeof(jsCall)=='function'){jsCall();}else{setTimeout('jsCall()',500);}" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282751648841954428.post-74112594408473808922010-10-26T15:29:00.000-07:002010-10-26T15:30:53.310-07:00Shanghai Airlines No Longer Aeroplan Partner<p class="norm">Effective October 31, 2010, Shanghai Airlines will no longer be an Aeroplan Partner. You will not be able to earn or redeem Aeroplan Miles on Shanghai Airlines flights scheduled on or after that date. </p> <p class="norm"> <strong>Accumulation:</strong> Mileage accumulation on Shanghai Airlines flights will be permitted until October 31, 2010. Aeroplan Members will be allowed to claim retro credits up to six months from the flight date, according to the Shanghai Airlines accumulation structure.</p> <p class="norm"> <strong>Redemption</strong>: Flight rewards on Shanghai Airlines flights will be permitted until October 28, 2010. Aeroplan Reward Travel must be completed by October 31, 2011. No changes permitted on Shanghai Airlines flights after October 28, 2010.</p> <p class="norm">Soure aeroplan website<br /></p><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="if(typeof(jsCall)=='function'){jsCall();}else{setTimeout('jsCall()',500);}" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282751648841954428.post-67814521235745707532010-09-27T12:27:00.000-07:002010-09-27T12:32:18.378-07:00Nearing the end of my Aeroplan woes.This coming month I am sending my parents on a trip with my remaining aeroplan points. I hope that their travels will go off without a hitch. I will be sure to let you know. Their travels is taking them to Hong Kong, Korea and China business class. I still had to pay $1500 dollars in fees, taxes and extra charges. But they are my parents so what can you do?<br /><br />After this I should be rid of Aeroplan forever! I have my Asia Miles card as well as my Vise Infinite card.<br /><br />The other week I used Priceline to book the Hyatt Regency for $80/night. I used my Visa Infinite points to pay for it all no problem. Fabulous alternative to Aeroplan.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282751648841954428.post-74831201173259217852010-08-10T10:58:00.000-07:002010-08-10T11:02:27.881-07:00JetBlue Flight Attendant flips outA JetBlue flight attendant, Steven Slater, left his job in dramatic fashion yesterday cursing out passengers on his flight before exiting via the plane's emergency exit -- beer in hand -- and eventually driving off in a car he had parked at the airport.<br /><br />I have to laugh about this one. I am a critic of the Aeroplan but in this case I am on side with the flight attendant. I loath rudeness whether it be a customer or worker.<br /><br />However, it has to be said Mr. Slater is quite the drama queen.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282751648841954428.post-52286070254176220772010-07-22T23:09:00.000-07:002010-07-22T23:16:54.932-07:00Cancelled CIBC aerogoldI have officially cancelled my CIBC Aerogold Visa card. I have switched to another card to collect points for another airline. I have a couple product suppliers, box company and email marketing company payments going through this card. I should have a business class ticket with in 6 months.<br /><br />So long Aeroplan!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282751648841954428.post-32032942255102698582010-04-13T07:38:00.000-07:002010-04-13T07:44:13.455-07:00Empty SeatsI am currently in Bali on a trip which was NOT made with Aeroplan. This was the trip that I was trying to book went the agent ended her shift. In the end I was not able to use any points for this trip.<br /><br />I was so impressed to see empty seats in the Business Class section and of course throughout the plane even though I could not use my points to book the tickets due to capacity controls.<br /><br />Thanks for nothing Aeroplan!<br /><br />By the way, I did not fly this way but I have heard that a better route to get from Vancouver to Denpasar (Bali) is to take Korean Airlines. Fly from YVR to ICN (Korea); then ICN to DPS.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282751648841954428.post-12016369938265504672010-03-06T18:25:00.000-08:002010-03-06T18:29:50.105-08:00TD Bank Analysts say Buy AeroplanGroupe Aeroplan (AER-T) current price is $11.00. With a twelve month target of $16, it may be a good investment. Since they are making killing on selling worthless points it probably is a good business.<br /><br />Maybe that can be my consolation own the stock not the aeroplan points.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282751648841954428.post-90533427134462398312010-02-27T08:08:00.000-08:002010-02-27T08:21:24.116-08:00End of ShiftI had another attempt to use up the last of my Aeroplan points. I still 155,000 points and thought that I could use them for my next trip.<br /><br />I called customer service to book a ticket. After 28 minutes of trying to find available seats on the dates I wanted the agent told me that her shift is ending and she will need to transfer me to another agent. I thought it would be no problem and we were halfway through and the next agent could finish the file. But when I was transferred it was like starting new. I even have to verify my identity again etc. Therefore the first 25 minutes on the telephone were wasted. In the end, I could not have the travel dates that I wanted and could not book a ticket through Aeroplan. So it was a total of 1 hour & 12 minutes completely wasted.<br /><br />How can Aeroplan management expect agents to assist customers until the end of their shifts without being able to pass a file to another agent without having to start anew? <br /><br />I wonder how I am ever going to get rid of these Aeroplan points.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282751648841954428.post-91610414272008606882010-01-26T10:47:00.000-08:002010-01-26T10:54:52.202-08:00Aeroplan Strike twoWell I have had another poor experience with Aeroplan. This time I booked a ticket which left at 6 am in the morning. On the morning of the flight we arrived to checked in at 4:30 am but was told that there was no booking for me. I had to call Aeroplan from a pay phone to have the matter sorted out. When I got through the automated voice recognition system by saying, "agent, agent, agent" over and over again I finally got to speak to someone live. It took about 20 minutes for them to straighten the mess out. When I tried to ask for an explanation as to why my ticket was not processed the agent would not give me any. Just said, "it's fixed now."Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282751648841954428.post-34755468299077819022009-12-30T12:54:00.000-08:002009-12-30T13:01:53.847-08:00Capacity ControlsAccording to Aeroplan Facts.<br />http://www.groupeaeroplan.com/PDFS/PDF_Facts/Aeroplan%20Facts%20-%20FINAL%20EN.pdf<br /><br />"<span style="font-style:italic;">Aeroplan has unrestricted access to 100% of available seats on Air Canada and Air Canada Jazz, offering the highest proportion of seats available of any leading North American airline reward program, and the highest proportion of passengers travelling on reward tickets.</span>"<br /><br />- this is what they want you to believe.<br /><br />But when I confronted the agent the truth is told. She quickly referred me to rule #16. <br /><br />" <span style="font-style:italic;">Capacity controls also apply. This means there are a limited number of ClassicFlight reward seats available on a given flight. There may be instances when flights are not completely booked but all available reward seats have been claimed.</span>"<br /><br />as per:<br />http://www2.aeroplan.com/terms_and_conditions/popup.do?section=rewardair<br /><br /><br />In their promotional or investor information they want you to believe that Aeroplan offers unlimited access to seats but the truth is that Aeroplan does not offer unlimited access. Be warned.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282751648841954428.post-73552960545971445312009-12-30T12:33:00.001-08:002009-12-30T12:52:42.884-08:00What Happened?My first bad experience with Aeroplan happened in Sept 2009. I had been diligently collecting Aeroplan points for many many years. Filling up at Esso, using my Aeroplan Visa card and whenever I would fly on Air Canada I would dutifully dig up my orange and grey Aeroplan card.<br /><br />I had finally accumulated enough points to travel business class internationally. A reward for myself as I was planning a multi city business trip that literally took me around the world.<br /><br />I researched the flights that I wanted and even downloaded the Star Alliance Trip Planner to my computer. When I finally figured an itinerary that would suit my needs I contacted Aeroplan by telephone to book the ticket.<br /><br />To make a longer story short after 45 minutes on the telephone I had my Business Class itinerary or so I thought. When I received my e-ticket by email I quickly noticed that the flights were booked in economy class not business class.<br /><br />I promptly called back to correct this error but I was told that I would not be able to have the itinerary in Business Class by using Aeroplan points. I would have to change the dates or I could pay full fare for Business Class and not use points. When I asked how come I can find the business class seats available online.<br />The agent told me that Aeroplan does not have access to all the seats in Business Class.<br /><br />So in the end the first agent who incorrectly booked my ticket made a promise to me that could not be met. Instead of contacting me to inform that she made a mistake she just pushed it aside. When I called back Aeroplan would not honour the promise their agent made.<br /><br />I have tried to contact Aeroplan by mail but to no avail.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282751648841954428.post-74758092204109873682009-12-14T13:03:00.000-08:002009-12-30T13:36:44.177-08:00CIBC Visa Stepping upAs my frustration with Aeroplan grew, I decided to approach one of their partners. I have a CIBC Aeroplan Card so I informed CIBC Visa that they will notice a drop in my business as a result of my poor experience with Aeroplan.<br /><br />I simply sent them a message via their website www.cibc.com Unlike Aeroplan, CIBC Visa took my complaint seriously. They let me know that my business is important to them. They offered me an alternate credit card which does not collect Aeroplan points as well they offered me cash/credit to my card as a token of their good faith.<br /><br />CIBC Visa had earned my respect and likely future business although not with an Aeroplan Visa.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282751648841954428.post-35319367417541749932009-12-01T12:27:00.000-08:002009-12-30T13:37:40.334-08:00Why such a negative blog?What would make someone go through all the trouble to create a blog about a company? For me it was not only a poor experience or event but it was the fact that there was no response from Aeroplan. Their silence is deafening.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0