Using Aeroplan points towards Disney costs?

[DocWes]

I'm looking for some advice regarding Aeroplan point redemptions. I have booked our Disney package and flight already. I want to redeem my Aeroplan points to help cover some costs. From looking at the Aeroplan site it looks like redeeming for Amex gift cards, might be my only choice. I figure I can use them to pay off some of my trip balance. Does anyone have a better strategy for redeeming? Any advice would be great!

 

[ixmnrs]

Car Rental if needed. You can redeem points for car rentals.

 

[Lizziejane]

There is an option to redeem points for hopper passes, but if you've booked a package, they won't be of any use to you.

I plan on doing the same thing - Amex cards. I've given up on ever trying to get a flight that works for me, so may as well cash out.

 

[ixmnrs]

I've given up on ever trying to get a flight that works for me, so may as well cash out.

I had to use miles to book one way fare this trip and purchased tickets for the return.

 

[stefanospops]

I only use my aeroplan miles for car rentals. We aren't the type to spend all day long at the parks so a car is essential. Since we require a minivan I save my points for that. I find I use 48,000 miles for a minivan rental for a week through Hertz and the cost if I book direct is $600. There may be less expensive rentals out there, but that works to almost a 2% return since I get 1.5 aeroplan miles for every dollar I spend on my card.

 

[CanadianPaco]

We always rent cars with points! I can't remember a trip when we didn't!

 

[Lizziejane]

I have not used for car rental, because I have always managed to nab a great rate at the last moment. For example, last time we rented an SUV, and 2 days before our trip, a code came out and the total cost was less than $200 for the week. Would have been a waste to have used 50,000 aeroplan miles on that.

 

[Gigi22]

Aeroplan is tricky to use to get the biggest bang for your points. Be very careful. For example, 60,000 points cover a one way Montreal-MCO business class level flight for two. The same number of points, plus $2300 in cash covers two one way transatlantic flights for two. The cash value of the Montreal-MCO flight is about $750 each, the cash value of the transatlantic flights is $5700 each.

 

[Lizziejane]

I have not used for car rental, because I have always managed to nab a great rate at the last moment. For example, last time we rented an SUV, and 2 days before our trip, a code came out and the total cost was less than $200 for the week. Would have been a waste to have used 50,000 aeroplan miles on that.

 

[hcortesis]

Aeroplan is tricky to use to get the biggest bang for your points. Be very careful. For example, 60,000 points cover a one way Montreal-MCO business class level flight for two. The same number of points, plus $2300 in cash covers two one way transatlantic flights for two. The cash value of the Montreal-MCO flight is about $750 each, the cash value of the transatlantic flights is $5700 each.

We specifically fly to MCO business class with our points and I agree that Aeroplan flights sometimes can be a bad use of points but I'm not sure if your numbers above are correct. Currently, it's 40,000 points to go transatlantic AFAIK. And I believe I can buy a cheaper transatlantic flight than $5,700.

I agree that the AMEX cards might be your best bet. You are getting way less than a penny's value per point however.

 

[Gigi22]

We specifically fly to MCO business class with our points and I agree that Aeroplan flights sometimes can be a bad use of points but I'm not sure if your numbers above are correct. Currently, it's 40,000 points to go transatlantic AFAIK. And I believe I can buy a cheaper transatlantic flight than $5,700.

I agree that the AMEX cards might be your best bet. You are getting way less than a penny's value per point however.

-------------

Business class was over 60,000 points for two people, one way. As to cost, I found similar prices for one way business flights on all major airlines ...

 

[amw]

Whether its a good use or not for airline tickets, I hate paying almost double the taxes/fees for "free" tickets than I would if I was purchasing them!

I have also used aeroplan points for car rentals, universal tickets, or seaworld tickets. I even got my ipad on points.

I did try to use the Amex gift cards in Disney one trip. The thing is they are in Cdn funds so they have to call the number on the back for conversion rates. You have to be patient. It's easier to just use the cards in Canada instead.

 

[DocWes]

.........The thing is they are in Cdn funds so they have to call the number on the back for conversion rates. You have to be patient. It's easier to just use the cards in Canada instead.

Good point...I never even thought about the conversion. A few years ago they had US$ target gift cards, which I thought I could have used to buy Disney gift cards..but I have never seen the target cards since.