The points are the easy part. Finding the seat is the skill. Most people who say "there is never any availability" are searching the wrong way: rigid dates, one airport, full party, cash mindset. Search like a regular and the seats appear. Here is the whole method, start to finish.
On aircanada.com, switch the search to use points before you enter anything else. Now the results show the points price for each flight, including partner airlines, instead of cash. This one toggle is what most beginners miss.
Look for the lowest points price on the route. A modest, steady number usually means real saver or fixed partner space is open. A very high number that climbs as the trip fills is dynamic pricing telling you award space is thin that day. Low and steady is the seat you want.
Award space moves every day. Open the window a day or two each side of your ideal date and scan the calendar for the cheapest days. The difference between a Tuesday and a Saturday can be enormous in points.
A second airport within driving distance doubles your odds. So does searching for fewer seats: two award seats together are much harder to find than one, so price out one passenger first to see whether the space even exists.
Before you commit, compare the points price plus taxes against the cash fare to be sure the redemption is worth it. If a routing or partner will not price online, call the Aeroplan Contact Centre to build it. Otherwise, book it on the site.
Once you can find space, the partner booking guide covers comparing and confirming the seat, and best Star Alliance partners covers which carriers to target.
On aircanada.com with the option to use points turned on before you search. Results then show points prices, including partner airlines. Most award seats book this way with no phone call.
Award space is limited and moves daily. If your dates show nothing or only very high prices, open the window a day or two each way, check nearby airports, and search for fewer seats at a time.
Calendars typically open around eleven to twelve months out. The best partner space often shows either early when the schedule loads or close to departure when unsold seats release. Check regularly and stay flexible.
Yes. United is an Aeroplan partner, so its award search shows much of the same Star Alliance saver space. Confirm the seat there, then book through Aeroplan.
Come in for a free conversation. We can sit down with your dates and destinations and find the award space together.