Question

For Air Canada's Aeroplan program, I am looking for tips on which credit cards give the best return, how to maximize use of air miles when redeeming them, easiest ways to obtain and keep Elite status, etc.

Answer 1

• there are free credit cards that give Aeroplan points, but at a lower rate
• the best cards have annual fees. Consider getting one, then cancelling after 11 months. You still get the bonus, but you can then sign up for another card (and another bonus) later.
• the best advice, just like for any points program, is to find the one program that's important to you and run everything you can through it. Get a credit card, buy everything (groceries, restaurant bills, phone bill, work expenses, ...) on it. Points from actual flying will always pale in comparison to a busy credit card.

To gain status, you must fly - no credit cards can help here. Best to figure out if you're a segment person (lots of small flights) or a miles person (fewer but longer flights). Then go! Watch places like flyertalk.com and aircanada.com for sales, very short notice seat sales, and consider going places just for fun if you can afford it.

Redeeming miles will always make more sense on business class and first class - it's generally considered a rip-off for economy seats. Seats are only availalbe 355 days into the future on Air Canada (different for other airlines) so plan ahead! Trying to use points for next month is almost always foolish.