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AeroGold or RBC Avion (converting to BA miles) ?

AeroGold or RBC Avion (converting to BA miles) ?
Published by: admin 2009-01-07

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Hi All,

1. With Aerogold I get X1.5 miles for some purchases (gas, grocery and drugstores).

2. With RBC Platinum Avion I get X1 miles only but can then convert to British Airways witha 2 for 1 promotion.
On top of that, You spend less BA miles long hauls flights, so you actually get somoething like X2.5 miles.

Can anyone recomend a better card deal than this?

Thanks alot,

Jerry

Aeroplan vs Avion ? - FlyerTalk Forums::
Don't forget tho' that Avion can be converted to BA Miles and every year there We use both cards, an RBC Avion Platinum and CIBC Aerogold plus an Amex
http://web2.flyertalk.com/forum/air-canada-aeroplan/787107-aeroplan-vs-avion.htmlHOME

On top of that, You spend less BA miles long hauls flights, so you actually get somoething like X2.5 miles.

Can anyone recomend a better card deal than this?

Thanks alot,

Jerry

I would rather stick with the CIBC card because you can fly whenever you want when you book your miles without waiting for conversion promotions and you don't have to worry about how much or how little you spend, ie: the reward rate will always be the SAME.

4) Any warnings or disadvantages I should be aware of?

Thanks,

freeflyer

- with the royalbank travel card, you are required to book 14 or more days in advance
- with the bmo airmiles card, you are required to book 7 or more days in advance
- with the cibc aerogold card, you are not required to book in advance.

- with the royalbank travel card, you aren't able to book business class tickets unless you do a points conversion with a foreign airline.

I have had several run ins with RBC Avion, including when they dinged me for C$120 in differences in exchange rates and the 2.5% forex fees when a conference made a mistake and double charged me $2kUS for the conference and refunded me one of the $2KUS. RBC was telling me that they cannot refund me the difference since it was over $100 and I had to write a long letter so they can try to get the money back from the vendor. The vendor refunded me the money but due to timing, they cannot void it but did a refund. If I had used my US$ card as I originally wanted to do, there would have been no problem but by using the Avoin, I got a lot of inflexibilty from RBC. I no longer have the Avion ahd have moved it into an Esso card which I really don't use. During the year where I was using it heavily, I did about 30K with them and some with others.

Now I have been spending the money with MBNA SPG and CIBC Aerogold... RBC tried to get me as a customer for other services but due to their inflexibility, I am using CIBC as my secondary bank in addition to TD CT as my primary.

This is common. The bank doesn't want to take a loss when the transaction is reversed, so they charge you the markup again. BMO does this as well. If there's any chance you might have to have something credited, use a USD card...if you travel to the States alot it's smart to have one anyways.

Nope, redeeming a BA award with CX Asiamiles... I think that 60K miles gets you a business award on any one of CX's partners that is distance based (and maxed at 5K miles one-way, I think). Go over that and you're charged 100K miles. You can't add any connecting space on another airline (such as AA to JFK and then BA from there).

The RBC Avion is my card of choice for exactly the reason of the BA transfer.

I would like to know if there is anywhere on the web where I can check how many points it is to redeem for a flight all over, besides the UK when from Canada. When I've tried to check on the BA website, it says that it is not possible from Canada to the US for example, because they don't include partner flights. Those charts they have are useless!

I don't know when you last checked the BA EC web site, but they now will show you availability on their partners. For example, I just checked YYZ-MIA and initially you get a screen saying there is no availability on BA, but this is a link to "check partner availability". When you click that you will see availability on AA.

One interesting thing I noted: the fee for a "free" AA ticket through BAEC is about C$43; the same routing (YYZ-MIA) on AC/Aeroplan is $83. For a family of four, that is an extra $200 in fees....

This usually takes place every fall, but it was also offered this spring... perhaps we'll see the 1.5 offer more regularly (and I wouldn't complain about that!).

Keep in mind that 60K Asiamiles will also get you a roundtrip BA business ticket from most parts of North America to most parts of Europe... its all distance based, so the further east you start in North America, the further east you can travel within Europe...

This can be better value if you're headed for a 130K BA business destination (ie, YUL-LHR-ATH would qualify for 60K Cathay miles, I believe)

You mean redeeming a oneWorld award?

I was not planning to get a refund. I registered for a conference last minute. When I arrived it had not been process yet so they asked me to fill out another form and assured me that they would not process this one if the other one has been processed. Imagine my surprise 4 days later seeing 2 charges for about $2K US each RBC Avion and I got double charged in error.

I was going to use my Citibank US card or CIBC US card but neither gave me FF points so ended up using RBC Avion instead since I wanted some miles. Got dinged for C$120 when the conference organizers did the refund and RBC Visa was very inflexible. The previous year I did about $30K charges on the RBC Avion during the double points promotion which I had shifted to MBNA. It is not only being dinged but the very inflexible attitude RBC Visa exhibited. I made a couple of complains but basically my business was not large enough (I shifted to other CC after the end of the double promo) to warrant them doing anything.

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Does anyone know any US$ cards for Canadians that gives me miles?
The BMO Mosaik is available in a configurable USD variant that will give either Cashback or Airmiles, free at the base earning rate, and for an annual fee you can accelerate points earnings, but the fact that it's a FREE USD card is a savings right there.

This is common. The bank doesn't want to take a loss when the transaction is reversed, so they charge you the markup again. BMO does this as well. If there's any chance you might have to have something credited, use a USD card...if you travel to the States alot it's smart to have one anyways.

I was not planning to get a refund. I registered for a conference last minute. When I arrived it had not been process yet so they asked me to fill out another form and assured me that they would not process this one if the other one has been processed. Imagine my surprise 4 days later seeing 2 charges for about $2K US each RBC Avion and I got double charged in error.

I was going to use my Citibank US card or CIBC US card but neither gave me FF points so ended up using RBC Avion instead since I wanted some miles. Got dinged for C$120 when the conference organizers did the refund and RBC Visa was very inflexible. The previous year I did about $30K charges on the RBC Avion during the double points promotion which I had shifted to MBNA. It is not only being dinged but the very inflexible attitude RBC Visa exhibited. I made a couple of complains but basically my business was not large enough (I shifted to other CC after the end of the double promo) to warrant them doing anything.

Does anyone know any US$ cards for Canadians that gives me miles?

I posted on the BA forum but maybe this is the better place to find an answer.

I transferred over my avion points in 2005 and this past December. I've already redeemed points for a flight from Vancouver to NY last year which was easy to do but by phone only.

I would like to know if there is anywhere on the web where I can check how many points it is to redeem for a flight all over, besides the UK when from Canada. When I've tried to check on the BA website, it says that it is not possible from Canada to the US for example, because they don't include partner flights. Those charts they have are useless!

I hate having to call in everytime I want to check just the availability. Anybody have any suggestions?

And why doesn't BA send any marketing information about point sales like other loyalty programs do?

Sometimes I regret transferring over my points...

1) How much choice do you have in selecting the routes/airlines you want to take? I would want to be able to choose the most direct flights... what if they were not the cheapest available (but still under $750)?

Yep - you tell them the flights / dates and as long as the fare (before taxes) is below C$750, you are fine. If you go over, you can pay in cash or with points (I forget the rate.)

I believe it works with YUP fares, but I am not 100% sure of this.

2) I'm guessing the cap would be for just one ticket i.e. you couldn't choose tickets for 2 people and then use Avion points to cover the first $750 of the cost?

Sadly not :(

4) Any warnings or disadvantages I should be aware of?

Tickets can only originate in Canada, which irks me quite a bit.

Cheers

Thanks all - BA trasnfer is indeed X1.5

Europe is 50k (eg England/France) up to 65k (eg Finland, Greece, Israel) BA miles in regular economy,
Though BA's "regular economy" is tighter than AC's.

=aw

AVION has its merits but MBNA is cheap and you can use it for hotel stays (and you can almost always get rooms). You are under $30K spend.

You can transfer miles to other airline programs at a good rate (not Air Canada though) and get business class seat access.

I cancelled my AVION card after one year but as SE with Air Canada, it just made sense to keep accumulating points in hotel schemes (MBNA for Starwood as the only easy to get credit card for Canadians for hotels/airline flexibility) and in airline (AC) points (AMEX and Aerogold, different cards for different purchases.

With a spend of $100K plus per year, I can divvy up the spend into areas I want to focus on. AMEX for most purchases. Aerogold for gas, food and pharmacy. $30K max for MBNA Starwood MC for times I can't use AMEX Aeroplan card.

I've had the RBC Avion card for a number of years, and I am quite happy with it.

Has anyone booked an award on Alaska Airlines through BA? How is the availability to Mexico? Thanks.

If you use about $30000 a year, I would recommend the MBNA Starwood prefered Guest Mastercard.

Other than the welcome bonus of 5000 when you first sign up, and the other 5000 when you first try a Starwood hotel, you get a ratio of 1:1 Starwood points per dollar spend. Actually, you get 1 point per 2 dollars spent but they give you a bonus of 5000 points when you pass the 10000, 20000 and 30000 threashold.

These points can be transfered to popular Air Canada Aeroplan, BA miles, united..etc and also redeem for hotel stays. The most important is that there are no yearly fees. In fact, transfer 20000 and get 25000 Aeroplan miles so it is pretty decent.

If you are spending over 30000 a year, then maybe Royal Bank Avion. You can redeem economic class fares through Royal Bank Travel Agency using your points OR first class fares through BA transfer of 1: 1.5 ratio during promotion.

The problem with the Starwood is that you have to spend certain amounts to make sure you maximize the tiers and end up with a perfect 1:1 once you hit the $30k ceiling. Spending $28k only gets you 20k points, for example.

Still, not a bad free card at all, but you have to monitor how much you put on very closely to maximize the benefit.

Because of the product mix I have with RBC (business/personal), they waive the annual fee for the Avion for me, but even after the $120/year fee, it's still quite a good card and let's not forget the protections like purchase security insurance that it offers in addition to all the rewards. Plus, a direct Avion redemption gets you a "cash" ticket, so you'll actually earn airline reward points on your reward flight. Nice!

I would rather stick with the CIBC card because you can fly whenever you want when you book your miles without waiting for conversion promotions and you don't have to worry about how much or how little you spend, ie: the reward rate will always be the SAME.

Not exactly correct. You don't have to transfer Royal Banks Avion points to BA points.

If you fly economy, you can just ask Royal Bank's travel agency to use your points for economic plane tickets. If I remember correctly, 30000 Avion Points for anywhere North America with any airlines (for up to $750 ticket price). The best part is this. The tickets they buy can even get you status miles!

I received an offer telling me I was pre-approved for the RBC Avion card, with the fee waived for the first year + 10K points and 5k on renewal. I love to travel, but to be honest I'm sick of collecting flyer miles and trying (harder than ever) to get a good deal with them (i.e. desired flights at the basic reward redemption levels). I like the idea of being able to get a ticket of up to $750 of value for 30,000 miles. For those who have the card, I'm wondering:

1) How much choice do you have in selecting the routes/airlines you want to take? I would want to be able to choose the most direct flights... what if they were not the cheapest available (but still under $750)?

2) I'm guessing the cap would be for just one ticket i.e. you couldn't choose tickets for 2 people and then use Avion points to cover the first $750 of the cost?

3) If I spend less than $30,000 in a year, any reason to choose Avion over the SPG card?

4) Any warnings or disadvantages I should be aware of?

Thanks,

freeflyer

As pointed out in the other thread on RFD, the "regular" rate is the exact same $100k for business to Asia. The BA promo just makes it "cheaper".

so if you don't want to wait till the promotion comes, then it doesnt save you a dime compared with the aerogold

what about canada/us flights? royalbank.com says you need to book 14 days in advance, with aeroplan you do not *if* the seat is available. even with airmiles.ca you only need 7 days advance notice

I posted on the BA forum but maybe this is the better place to find an answer.

I would like to know if there is anywhere on the web where I can check how many points it is to redeem for a flight all over, besides the UK when from Canada. When I've tried to check on the BA website, it says that it is not possible from Canada to the US for example, because they don't include partner flights. Those charts they have are useless!

Here is a discussion from the other forum that you can find the answer:

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showpost.php?p=4308475&postcount=125

Hope it helps!

I'm surprised nobody in this thread has mentioned using an Aventura Gold to double dip for the points you can convert to miles, when buying a plane ticket through Aventura's travel service. ;)

Sanosuke!

I would rather stick with the CIBC card because you can fly whenever you want when you book your miles without waiting for conversion promotions and you don't have to worry about how much or how little you spend, ie: the reward rate will always be the SAME.

As pointed out in the other thread on RFD, the "regular" rate is the exact same $100k for business to Asia. The BA promo just makes it "cheaper".

Tcook52 is correct in pointing out the bonus miles for BA transfer is only 50%.

It also depends on what you need for awards. BA charges high amounts for J and F awards but it does have MFU (upgrade awards) for 25k per RT Canada to UK but some Y award are lower in miles than AC.

I also like MBNA SPG card since I can also redeem it for hotels nights or flight and miles. But only good till 30K spending.

$66.7k spending for round trip Business class to Europe isn't bad, and certainly much better than AE. Halve that for regular economy.

BA flight classes, illustrated:

http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?id=255513,255514,0823579,164308

World Traveller Plus (Premier Economy) x1.5
Club World/Club Europe (Business Class) x2
FIRST x3

Europe is 50k (eg England/France) up to 65k (eg Finland, Greece, Israel) BA miles in regular economy,

2. With RBC Platinum Avion I get X1 miles only but can then convert to British Airways witha 2 for 1 promotion.

2 for 1? :confused: RBC often, well at least twice a year let's say, has a 50% bonus transfer but AFAIK that's as good as it gets, definately not a double bonus.

BTW, Blonde Bomber's CC comparison is here:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=361242

:)

The problem with the Starwood is that you have to spend certain amounts to make sure you maximize the tiers and end up with a perfect 1:1 once you hit the $30k ceiling. Spending $28k only gets you 20k points, for example.

True, you do lose out if you don't hit the $10,000 thresholds exactly, but you do get .5 points for the rest, so $28,000 will actually get you 24,000 Starpoints.

- with the royalbank travel card, you are required to book 14 or more days in advance
- with the bmo airmiles card, you are required to book 7 or more days in advance
- with the cibc aerogold card, you are not required to book in advance.

- with the royalbank travel card, you aren't able to book business class tickets unless you do a points conversion with a foreign airline.

You don't have to book 14 days in advance if you're transferring your RBC points to BA or Asia Miles.

Plus, you want to do a points conversion anyways on this card, esp to take the 50% BA bonus. With that, this card far eclipses the BMO and CIBC cards.

The problem I have with the Avion card is that even if I were to transfer to BA, for flights from Alberta within North America, I could only use those miles on AA (which flies YYC-DFW) and Alaska Air flights YEG-SEA. To go to Korea or Japan I would be stuck with JAL, which only flies to Vancouver.

Blonde Bomber, I will take a closer look at the SPG card and it's potential for free hotel stays. As there are lots of cheap flights these days, especially as I would be booking well in advance, that would seem to offer better value for me. Plus it still offers transfers to almost every frequent flyer program, including US Airways Dividend Club for tickets on United and AC.