Author Topic: TORONTO with MILES (Read 5840 times)

rm · « **on:** October 27, 2010, 10:07:28 AM »

I need to go to toronto Dec 16th to the 20th. United has 15,000 miles + $105 + taxes and fees which comes out to $170. Firstly, is there anyway getting around the taxes and fees? Secondly, Is this a good deal or can I do better?

Dan · « **Reply #1 on:** October 27, 2010, 10:18:30 AM »

AA has it for 17,500 miles+$54 in tax if you are a Citi cardholder.
LAN will book you on AA for 16,000 kilometers+$54, which is 6,400-8,000 Starpoints depending on how many Starpoints you transfer.

steve2 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 27, 2010, 10:20:38 AM »

I know you said Dec, but any time I needed to get to Toronto I always flew into BUF, JetBlue is usually cheap and saved alot as the rental cars are cheaper as well

w/o having checked I would think BUF would be less than $170 and you get to keep your 15k UA miles as well

then of cause a few pics of the Falls with snow all around it are very nice

Dan · « **Reply #3 on:** October 27, 2010, 10:24:40 AM »

Quote from: steve2 on October 27, 2010, 10:20:38 AM

I know you said Dec, but any time I needed to get to Toronto I always flew into BUF, JetBlue is usually cheap and saved alot as the rental cars are cheaper as well

w/o having checked I would think BUF would be less than $170 and you get to keep your 15k UA miles as well

then of cause a few pics of the Falls with snow all around it are very nice

You would rather pay $170 plus gas costs and drive 4 hours RT along with 2 border crossings then use 6,400 Starpoints to fly nonstop to YYZ??

AsherO · « **Reply #4 on:** October 27, 2010, 11:33:00 AM »

Quote from: Dan on October 27, 2010, 10:24:40 AM

You would rather pay $170 plus gas costs and drive 4 hours RT along with 2 border crossings then use 6,400 Starpoints to fly nonstop to YYZ??

You didn't factor in the Niagara pix.

Though to be fair you can drive from Toronto to Niagara if the pix are so important to you.

shmiel · « **Reply #5 on:** October 27, 2010, 01:24:25 PM »

Aeroplan is also 15000 rt taxes are about $130-$150. As you probably aware, amex MR points can be transfered to aeroplan at 1:1 ratio

rm · « **Reply #6 on:** October 27, 2010, 01:41:41 PM »

I rather not drive, it takes too much time out of a short weekend. So it seems united is not the best in this case...Ive never booked with the amex points so which site should i use?

shmiel · « **Reply #7 on:** October 27, 2010, 01:48:11 PM »

You need to go to the amex website and convert MR points to aeroplan (air canada's frequent flier prgram). I would suggest you search aeroplan first to make sure it's available for 15000 (you need to fly on AC metal to get it for 15000)

shmiel · « **Reply #8 on:** October 27, 2010, 01:49:38 PM »

BTW where are you flying from?

shmiel · « **Reply #9 on:** October 27, 2010, 02:02:39 PM »

ANA may be another option. I think it's 17000 just make sure to fly US-based airlines to avoid fuel surcharge. I've never done this, if anyone here has any experience, I would like to know what the taxes/fees are. sample route ewr-yyz flying on co metal

moish · « **Reply #10 on:** October 27, 2010, 02:52:04 PM »

why on earth would he use aeroplan? 15000 mr points could be sold for at least $225, plus the taxes - a regular ticket costs only $280 on those dates (from the ny area)

shmiel · « **Reply #11 on:** October 27, 2010, 03:29:28 PM »

If tickets are that cheap, then you are right. I didn't perform any searches, all I know is that sometimes tickets to Toronto are WAY more than that. ($280 nyc-yyz is a good price these days)

moish · « **Reply #12 on:** October 27, 2010, 03:43:05 PM »

i checked his dates

Dan · « **Reply #13 on:** October 27, 2010, 03:47:54 PM »

Quote from: rm on October 27, 2010, 01:41:41 PM

I rather not drive, it takes too much time out of a short weekend. So it seems united is not the best in this case...Ive never booked with the amex points so which site should i use?

Do you not have any Starpoints?

MisterHock · « **Reply #14 on:** October 27, 2010, 03:55:18 PM »

on the first site i checked, tickets are as low as $216!
http://www.onetravel.com/Default.aspx?tabid=1919&sid=2&oa=NYC&da=YTO&adt=1&chd=0&snr=0&infl=0&infs=0&dd=12-16-2010&rd=12-20-2010&tt=ROUNDTRIP

moish · « **Reply #15 on:** October 27, 2010, 03:56:47 PM »

dan, seriously, would that be a smart usage of starpoints? so little value......

moish · « **Reply #16 on:** October 27, 2010, 03:59:11 PM »

Quote from: MisterHock on October 27, 2010, 03:55:18 PM

on the first site i checked, tickets are as low as $216!
http://www.onetravel.com/Default.aspx?tabid=1919&sid=2&oa=NYC&da=YTO&adt=1&chd=0&snr=0&infl=0&infs=0&dd=12-16-2010&rd=12-20-2010&tt=ROUNDTRIP

before posting something like that it would be prudent to check if ur price is including tax which the 216 isnt

Dan · « **Reply #17 on:** October 27, 2010, 04:16:21 PM »

Quote from: moish on October 27, 2010, 03:56:47 PM

dan, seriously, would that be a smart usage of starpoints? so little value......

6,400 Starpoints for a $300 flight?
Where exactly is the "so little value"

steve2 · « **Reply #18 on:** October 27, 2010, 05:25:39 PM »

Quote from: Dan on October 27, 2010, 10:24:40 AM

You would rather pay $170 plus gas costs and drive 4 hours RT along with 2 border crossings then use 6,400 Starpoints to fly nonstop to YYZ??

every time Ive had to be in Toronto teh only I got there was via BUF and driving from there. Besides a car from YYZ is usually alot more then from BUF plus I like to stop by the Falls

Now if theres an ElCheapo fare into YYZ then Id think about going that way, but it never worked out that way for me when I was heading up there

steve2 · « **Reply #19 on:** October 27, 2010, 05:27:14 PM »

Quote from: Dan on October 27, 2010, 04:16:21 PM

6,400 Starpoints for a $300 flight?
Where exactly is the "so little value"

I agree

I would surely use 7k in pts if the room was going for $300, so why not a flight. and forme its alot easier to earn back teh 6400 pts then 17500 miles