Really aeroplan? Stunned by taxes.

[princessap]

So I have been anxiously waiting to book our flights for next September and some were there today so I planned to book them but the taxes were $883.00 plus 125,000 points!! That just seems crazy to me.

Anyone else experience this?

 

[momof2gr8kids]

Not with Aeroplan, but with airmiles.

Our first trip I think it was $650 in taxes plus a kazillion airmiles. That didn't include baggage fees. We opted to get flights out of the US for 880 total for 4 of us (including baggage fees) and converted our points to Marlin Travel gift cards instead to pay off our package.

It just didn't make sense financially for us to use the AM.

BTW, I think you can use your aeroplan points to fly out of the US. At least when you plug it in it brings up options. And the taxes are very very low. So if you are close to a US airport, maybe that might be an option.

 

[damo]

Princessap, our taxes and fees were just slightly higher than what the normal flight taxes and fees were if we booked directly with Air Canada. They were a lot higher if we used Air Miles.

Here's another Aeroplan stunner. My sister and her family booked flights in August for our November trip to Disneyland. They got a good flight connecting in Denver and arriving in LA that evening. This week they decided to check and see if their seats had been picked for them and lo and behold, their flight from Denver to LA now leaves before they even arrive in Denver (before they even leave home!!!) and the same thing on their way home through Vancouver.

They hadn't heard a word from Aeroplan about it. They quickly call and explain the situation and Aeroplan tells them they will look into it and someone will get back to them in the next 10 days. We leave in 14 days!!! We've got non-refundable accommodations that first night and have transportation booked as well.

That was three days ago and still nothing has been done. They continue to call and continue to be told to wait. Unfortunately there's only one flight from home that will get them to Denver to make that connection and there are only a few seats left on it. We are kinda going nuts with worry.

So next time you book aeroplan, keep a good eye on your flights and don't assume that they will call you if there are problems or that they will fix them quickly if the problems arise!!!

 

[aristocat65]

So I have been anxiously waiting to book our flights for next September and some were there today so I planned to book them but the taxes were $883.00 plus 125,000 points!! That just seems crazy to me.

Anyone else experience this?

Sorry to hear that. As I mentioned in your last thread I don't collect Aeroplan miles anymore. This is one of the reasons why.
Are there any US airlines you can book on with your Aeroplan miles like United? The taxes and fees are usually much lower that way.

 

[minnie56]

You can use aeroplan departing on the US and it would be with a Star Alliance partner such as United. Taxes are much less...

 

[tigercat]

I tried to use air miles for a flight to Orlando from Toronto. The amount of miles needed seemed high but the flight itself was stupid. It had us flying for over 16 hrs. There were connections all over the place. I was taking my sister who hates to fly and going up and down is just horrible for her. I ended up just paying for our flights. Still not sure what to do with the airmiles. And my aeroplan miles disappeared. I was adding to them but for some reason my balance was zeroed out.
I am finding that all these reward points really don't do a lot.
tigercat

 

[momof2gr8kids]

Another option is to redeem your aeroplan points for a prepaid American Express card, then use that American Express Card for your trip.

When they had gas gift cards with airmiles, I cashed in some am for gas gift cards. Put $100 in the tank, paid with the gift card, then took $100 out of my bank into my Disney fund.

There are ways to be creative with the points to use them to your advantage, and turn them into cash to use how you please.

 

[planningjollyholiday]

So I have been anxiously waiting to book our flights for next September and some were there today so I planned to book them but the taxes were $883.00 plus 125,000 points!! That just seems crazy to me.

Anyone else experience this?

It seems like using your points for flights is a ripoff. We use our points for the gifts instead. I think the pp who mentioned getting the prepaid visa had a great idea. We live close to the boarder so it is actually cheaper for us to just fly out of the states then it is to use points and just pay the taxes.

 

[dis_guy]

The airports you travel through have a big effect on taxes/fees too. Pearson seems to be one of the most expensive.

 

[tgropp]

I have found that using airmiles for flights are the best during holiday seasons. I just used 15,750 airmiles ( BMO M/C with 25% discount) and paid $1326.71 in taxes for seven people, while flying out of Toronto Dec 18-29. Paying cash for same A/C tix would have been $4500-$4600. I could have purchased tix out of Detroit for approx. $3,000, but am happy with my airmiles usage.

 

[alohamom]

That is outrageous and one of the reasons I dont collect Aeroplan or fly out of Canada if I can help it.

Damo, that is a crazy situation your family has happening, I would be on the phone 24/7 untill it is sorted out. I hope it all works out and let us know what happens!

 

[damo]

That is outrageous and one of the reasons I dont collect Aeroplan or fly out of Canada if I can help it.

Damo, that is a crazy situation your family has happening, I would be on the phone 24/7 untill it is sorted out. I hope it all works out and let us know what happens!

It's been six days and still no word from them. Ridiculous. We phone every day. Our anxiety level is getting pretty high when all we should be is darn excited.