Want to use aeroplan or air miles

[papaoma]

I live in Canada and want to do a full transit Panama Canal cruise. Problem is, of course, that may start in say Fort Lauderdale, Fl. and end in Seattle or Vancouver.
If I want to use points with either my aeroplan or air miles, how does that work? Can you use these points and not go round trip?? :confused::confused:

[basiaZ03]

I live in Canada and want to do a full transit Panama Canal cruise. Problem is, of course, that may start in say Fort Lauderdale, Fl. and end in Seattle or Vancouver.
If I want to use points with either my aeroplan or air miles, how does that work? Can you use these points and not go round trip?? :confused::confused:
Just phone the aeroplan # on the back of your card, and they will help you out. I find that they are very helpful. If and when you get the answer please let me know, as we are thinking about a Panama cruise from San Diego to Ft. Lauderdale.

[taxmantoo]

You just book them both as individual one-way only flights. Not a problem.

[CruiserBruce]

You just book them both as individual one-way only flights. Not a problem.

That is exactly what worked just fine for us in 2008.

[ger_77]

If and when you get the answer please let me know

Isn't that the truth?!? Seriously I tried to just get a quote for a cruise using our air miles and it took over an hour beore I finally had a living, breathing entity on the line. It turned out that it was going to cost way more air miles than I was willing to surrender, and there wasn't space available on the itinerary/ship we wanted, so I gave up. We just booked with our PCC and paid a fair price.

Smooth Sailing! :):):)

[YXU AC*SE]

I live in Canada and want to do a full transit Panama Canal cruise. Problem is, of course, that may start in say Fort Lauderdale, Fl. and end in Seattle or Vancouver.
If I want to use points with either my aeroplan or air miles, how does that work? Can you use these points and not go round trip?? :confused::confused:

We are looking at doing something similar on the Amsterdam at Christmas. I can't speak for Air Miles, but on Aeroplan's website booking engine you can book an open jaw ticket online. The only condition for Aeroplan is that both destinations have to be in the same zone (which yours would be). Log in to AP's website, go to 'Use your miles', select 'Travel', and use the 'Multiple destinations' tab to generate your itinerary.

Good luck. Also take a look at the Cruise Air forum where you might get some more detailed assistance. Lots of frequent flyers (myself included) surf there and are more than willing to provide advice / assistance. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=128

Scott.

[Jewel99]

We looked into using Air Miles for a cruise or flight and found it simply wasn't worth it. With the price/fees you have to pay on top of the number of Air Miles that's used, it's better to shop around for cheap flights. We fly out of Buffalo to Ft Lauderdale for about $630 CDN round trip for 3 people for our upcoming cruise.

As for Aeroplan - some travel agents take those points. We're using some points to get about $200 off our upcoming cruise.

[ldog]

We use our aeroplan miles for flights to Europe or South America then it's worth it. It has always worked better for me when I phone and talk to a real person. The last one gave me tips on what to do in Chile after our cruise and before our flight. I haven't tried using the points for a cruise but my sister is in the process of doing that.

[cruisequeen10]

The last time I went to Winnipeg I looked into both plans. Aeroplan only charged $85 and Airmiles charged over $300.

[the4ofusandallourfriends]

like eng58 stated....I found the best use of airmiles is to simply redeem them for $50 certificates to Marlin Travel or Travelplus. Using airmiles for airfare is usually a waste of money when you count in fees, taxes, availability at their mercy, companion airfare....

We are using TravelPlus as they don't charge a fee per booking as Marlin does now.

In fact travel agents can use the airmiles certificates booking directly with Holland America, (unlike the other cruiselines) without having to use a 'middle man' booking company like Transat holidays. But either way you can use them with almost any cruiseline.

Find the best deal on a cruise and pay with certificates.

[akaCruiser]

I live in Canada and want to do a full transit Panama Canal cruise. Problem is, of course, that may start in say Fort Lauderdale, Fl. and end in Seattle or Vancouver.
If I want to use points with either my aeroplan or air miles, how does that work? Can you use these points and not go round trip?? :confused::confused:

Airmiles only provides flights based on return flights, i.e., to and from the same airport.

Air Canada is much more flexable and you can book a open legged flights. Depending on availability you might be able to get the flight at the normal 25,000 aeroplan miles amount.

Previously I took Air Canada using my Aeroplan miles from Toronto to Vancouver, boarded my cruise (NCL Star) and returned back to Toronto from L.A. (were we docked at the end of the cruise).

[papaoma]

To akacruiser (Toronto)...would you mind telling me how many aeroplan miles were required for your trip ?? :confused:

[YXU AC*SE]

Assuming that you are flying from Winnipeg (I am pretty certain that Bearskin will only allow you to collect Aeroplan miles, but are not eligible for redemption), for an open jawed-itinerary (YFO) - YWG - FLL | YVR - YWG - (YFO) at Classic redemption levels, it will cost you 25k miles per ticket in the Hospitality cabin and 40k for the same itin in executive class cabin, plus the usual fees, surcharges and taxes. https://www.aeroplan.com/use_your_miles/travel/flights/air_reward_chart.do

"Classic" redemption levels is the reserved Aeroplan reward inventory for your flight. If that inventory is showing zero availability, Aeroplan also 'generously' offers "Classic Plus" redemption, which, in effect, will allow you to buy (with points) any remaining available seat on the plane at a market price premium. For your itin, that premium would start at a 50 percent mark-up to the Classic level redemption rate (eg 37.5k points and 60k points respectively for Y + J cabins) and run to the stratosphere depending on how many seats are left on the flight you are looking to book, and when exactly you are looking to travel.

Scott.

[akaCruiser]

To akacruiser (Toronto)...would you mind telling me how many aeroplan miles were required for your trip ?? :confused:

The amount charged is for long haul filght, i.e., 25,000 aeroplan miles -- assuming that they have "classic" seats available. If not I've seen the amounts go from 35,000 to 60,000 (I believe for business class). We were lucky to get enough seats for our travelling party of four adults and an infant.