Answering some common Q’s

Summary

Traveling internationally with points can seem daunting, but transfer partners make it surprisingly accessible. Whether you're flying to Australia or anywhere else, understanding transfer points and their benefits can elevate your trip.

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Booking Business Class to Australia for Fewer Points

Flying business class from the U.S. to Australia typically requires a large stash of points, but partnerships offer a solution. For instance, using Air Canada's Aeroplan points, you can secure a United Polaris seat from San Francisco to Sydney for just 75,000 points and around $100 CAD. That same seat booked through United directly would cost a staggering 250,000 miles. Alliances unlock access to premium flights for far fewer points, proving the value of flexibility and strategic bookings.

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Positioning Flights: The Key to More Options

What if the dream flight departs from a distant airport? This is where positioning flights come into play. A positioning flight gets you to an airport with better award options. For example, flying from Orlando to San Francisco to catch a long-haul flight to Sydney is a savvy move. However, because these are separate bookings, buffer time is critical. A missed connection on a separate itinerary won't be protected, so aim for longer layovers or even plan a short stay at the departure city to minimize risk.

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Why One-Way Award Searches Are Smarter

Searching for one-way award flights instead of round trips has distinct advantages:

• Flexibility: Combine points from different programs, like American Express for one leg and Chase for the other.
• Broader Availability: Finding award space on two separate dates is easier than aligning both legs of a round trip.
• Mix-and-Match Airports: Fly into one city and return from another, ideal for multi-destination trips.
• Reduced Risk: A cancellation on one leg won't disrupt your entire itinerary.

By adopting one-way searches, travelers gain the freedom to piece together their perfect trip.

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Final Tips for Maximizing Points

When using transfer points:

1. Research transfer partners and award availability using tools like Aeroplan’s search engine.
2. Evaluate the cost in points across various programs to find the best deal.
3. Leverage positioning flights for greater flexibility but plan carefully to avoid missed connections.

With a bit of creativity and planning, transfer points can unlock premium travel experiences for a fraction of the cost.