As I’ve posted before, you can convert your Aeroplan points into US Airways points at a 1:0.84 ratio through Points.com. When converting points, you’re allowed to transfer a maximum of 100,000 points in a year. Today’s Sunday Reader Question (asked by a reader who recognized me on a flight!) is: Should I convert my Aeroplan points to USDM/AA?
There are a bunch of great Canadian fares roaming around, but the following catch my attention:
– Vancouver YVR – Shanghai PVG $488 on Delta
Award tickets have value – there’s the cost of the taxes and fees and the value of the points redeemed. Wouldn’t it be great if you could apply the value of your Aeroplan ticket as a tax deduction? Canadian law, nor the CRA, provides much guidance on this matter. However, a 2010 case at the Tax Court of Canada, Johnson v Canada, provides some guidance on how award redemptions may be used as a deduction on taxes.
For the past couple days, and until Sunday, I’m in New York City for the New York Times Travel Show. Hundreds of travel companies, tourism boards, airlines, and other travel-related folk come to NYC to pitch their offerings. Further, there are excellent training resources for bloggers. I’m here to network and learn, but most importantly, Etihad had a showing of ‘The Residence,’ which I have to say, is absolutely stunning.
Prior to joining the Boaringarea/Prior2Boarding team, I had over 100 posts, many of which became quite popular. Throwback Thursday will bring back some of those old gems, with some updated information.
Many hotel programs offer a Best Rate Guarantee (BRG) program, where the chain will beat any price listed by another online travel agent (subject to a laundry-list of terms and conditions). SPG has recently upped their BRG offer: you can select either a 20% discount on the matched rate, or 2,000 SPG points. Previously, the offer was a 10% discount on the matched rate. Moreover, unlike a number of other BRG programs, with SPG you don’t need to book before you submit a BRG claim. I recently did this, and will explain my experience and provide some tips for when you do it.
