Semi OT: Airmiles Flight Redemption

[jenkh]

Hey All,

I figured my fellow DISney travellers would know the answer I'm looking for.

My very good friend has lived in Vancouver the last few years and the few times he's flown back home (T.O) I've always been gone.

So my airmiles statement came in and I have enough Airmiles to fly to Vancouver (w/ Westjet though Mastercards Gold card option. only 1600 airmiles at peak time)

We're both failry flexible when it comes to when I can go but would both love for it to be sometime this summer. (June-August)

Now I've read tales of people fighting to get flights from airmiles so just wondering what to expect. Are my chances good of getting something this summer (just for one person) with my flexibility? I'm hoping I'll be okay as most stories I've heard here are for orlando which i'm sure has more traffic for free flights and from families who are trying to get more then just 1 seat.

I've never redemed a flight from airmiles before so it's a total new experience. So any info/insight is much appreciated.

I'll be calling airmiles tomorrow afternoon after work, so any info before then is great.

Thanks everyone! I'm just really uninformed in this area and I'm a type "A" planner that just can't wait lol

 

[drag n' fly]

Hey All,

I figured my fellow DISney travellers would know the answer I'm looking for.

My very good friend has lived in Vancouver the last few years and the few times he's flown back home (T.O) I've always been gone.

So my airmiles statement came in and I have enough Airmiles to fly to Vancouver (w/ Westjet though Mastercards Gold card option. only 1600 airmiles at peak time)

We're both failry flexible when it comes to when I can go but would both love for it to be sometime this summer. (June-August)

Now I've read tales of people fighting to get flights from airmiles so just wondering what to expect. Are my chances good of getting something this summer (just for one person) with my flexibility? I'm hoping I'll be okay as most stories I've heard here are for orlando which i'm sure has more traffic for free flights and from families who are trying to get more then just 1 seat.

I've never redemed a flight from airmiles before so it's a total new experience. So any info/insight is much appreciated.

I'll be calling airmiles tomorrow afternoon after work, so any info before then is great.

Thanks everyone! I'm just really uninformed in this area and I'm a type "A" planner that just can't wait lol

Is it "Airmiles" you are redeeming or is it "Mastercard" points converted into a cash credit you are redeeming. I was confused about your post. If it is airmiles you should not have much problem booking a seat since you only need one but try and do it as soon as you can. Your airmiles do not cover flight taxes and you will have to pay that seperately. If you are using your Mastercard points the actual booking agent for the points is Carlson Wagonlit. They will book everything for you and their really is not a big rush as it is a cash credit and it will buy you a seat. We have a points program with Mastercard platinum and I am unsure if we also have to pay the taxes seperately for flights or not as we are accumulating for our 2008 holiday and have not redeemed yet. It would be good to know that as I may apply the credit differently if we have to pay flight taxes on the Mastercard program also. hth

 

[jenkh]

Nope, just plain old Airmiles. But because I have a westjet gold mastercard I need less airmiles to redem a flight. Sorry for the confusion.

Do you have an idea (ballpark) how much the tax etc is? And i'm assuming they'll ask for that money when I book?

Thanks!

 

[bbangel]

You taxes and surcharges will probably be just under $200. You should have no problem redeeming your miles. Tell the booking agent that you are flexible in your dates and have her look at a range of options. It is when people need specific dates or many seats on the same plane that they can have problems.

Side note: August tends to be better weather wise around here. If you come towards the end of August you can go to the PNE!

 

[AprilFool]

I booked our flights to Orlando last week with our Bmo gold westjet card. We are going in October. Taxes were about $200 each ticket and due when you book. I was told there is usually only 4 seats available on each flight and to book as soon as you can cause they go fast. If you know when you want to go to Vancouver book as soon as you can.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

I've redeemed Air Miles for WestJet flights twice in the past two years. Flight availability might be limited (you might not get the flight you want) but I've had no problem either time. Both of my flights were long haul (once within Canada, once to Orlando). You have to pay all the taxes, a $20 booking fee (although I think I was charged $40 last time) and a fuel surcharge. The fuel surcharge is included in airfare prices, so Air Miles will split the fuel surcharge out of the airfare price and charge you for it.

Here are the invoice fees from my last booking to Orlando showing the massive fuel surcharge. The base fare was $900 for two tickets, which were redeemed for 2800 Air Miles (a fairly decent return of $0.32/mile). The taxes and fees were payable upon booking. Despite what I think is a cash grab for the fuel surcharge, it's still much better value to redeem Air Miles for flights than for Disney park passes that was discussed in another thread.

CHARGE DETAILS
AIR MILES WITHDRAWN 2800
US TAXES AND FEES 103.78
LOYALTY ADMINISTRATION FEE 40.00
NAVIGATION INSURANCE FUEL 150.00
CANADA AIR SECURITY CHARGE 15.88
AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT FEE - AIF 30.00
TAXES/SERVICE CHARGES AND ADMIN FEE SUBTOTAL 339.66
INSURANCE SUBTOTAL 0.00
TOTAL CASH SALE 339.66

 

[jenkh]

Thanks everyone for the help! Called airmiles and all the dates/flights I were interesred in are totally open. So i'll be booking in a few days once I confirm with my friend some exact dates.

Thanks again!

Although it still sucks I'm going to be paying more in taxes for my "free" flight then what I paid for my whole flight to Orlando leaving out of buffalo lol

 

[Scratch42]

Just a side note, I booked my Orlando to Toronto flight yesterday, thru Aeroplan, for 2, and the extra charges only came out to $48.00! So you know we are being gouged here in Canada!



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