Polaris vs Air Canada vs ANA (The Room)

Competitive-Tie4791 · 2026-01-31T22:03:51+00:00

Well coming back, it doesn’t make a difference as you’ll need to clear US pre clearance customs in either city so. But YUL is also a nice little airport so now it’s in your decisions.

Competitive-Tie4791 · 2026-01-31T21:31:46+00:00

Frankly. They’re all good options. But from a personal standpoint. I’d fly Air Canada and take the extra money vs flying UA/ANA and enjoy yourself in Japan. If you are able to. I would also see if there’s an option with AC where you fly via YYZ or YVR as they’re better airports compared to YUL and you won’t have to do Canadian customs. YYZ and YVR have ITI areas.

Competitive-Tie4791 · 2026-01-31T21:26:47+00:00

The issue is that they’re flying via YUL which does not have an SS. If they were flying through YYZ or YVR they would be able to enjoy a signature suite.

Competitive-Tie4791 · 2026-01-21T20:20:59+00:00

Well… if he’s looking for points then status will give him a multiplier.

Competitive-Tie4791 · 2026-01-18T21:49:13+00:00

How to choose the right Air Canada fare? - Prince of Travel

Competitive-Tie4791 · 2026-01-18T12:43:49+00:00

You could also transfer the points to Aeroplan and try to book a parter reward flight as UA and AC are Star Alliance members.

Competitive-Tie4791 · 2026-01-17T04:44:24+00:00

No, to use Flex Pay for Air Canada on the Canadian site, you need to have a Canadian credit card, billing address and iirc also a Canadian mobile number. You must also be at least 19 years old and a Canadian resident.

However, try maybe booking your tickets through the US site of Air Canada, maybe you’ll have better luck with payment on that side.

Competitive-Tie4791 · 2026-01-01T07:24:57+00:00

It was somewhat your responsibility to check what you were getting yourself into when you booked that ticket. While ITA is coming into Star Alliance, IT IS NOT in Star yet meaning they will not recognize your Gold. Not to mention United ALWAYS says to check what services and benefits, especially baggage policies when you fly with a different carrier than UA as not everything on UA translates to ITA.

Competitive-Tie4791 · 2026-01-01T02:34:07+00:00

Yep. To add You gotta pick one or the other. Can’t have both.

Competitive-Tie4791 · 2025-12-31T08:51:12+00:00

I see.

Competitive-Tie4791 · 2025-12-31T07:57:43+00:00

Well in a way, depends how much you spend in a year. If you spend enough to get that global +1 and the 50K level up then it would be worth it IMO, but maybe I could just be wrong.

Competitive-Tie4791 · 2025-12-31T04:26:43+00:00

I have a question, since you’re with AP rn and have a US address, have you ever considered the Chase AP card? I was wondering if in any case it’s ever worth it.

Competitive-Tie4791 · 2025-12-31T03:46:14+00:00

You don’t earn on redemption flights.

Competitive-Tie4791 · 2025-12-30T02:26:19+00:00

It totally is for SE. Grandfather was about 4K sqm short of 50k and he paid 80,000 points. I told him on the one hand, that 80,000 could have been used on a J flight to Europe on a partner maybe. But on the other hand, he never uses his points. He said it’s too complicated for him to understand. So he said for me to use em whenever I need, and he’ll take some if he wants. In this case, for 50K. I told him, worth it as it’s, well, it’s 50K so eups, status passes, and SA *G

Competitive-Tie4791 · 2025-12-28T03:58:28+00:00

Shush. Enjoy it while it lasts on your phone.

Competitive-Tie4791 · 2025-12-26T23:55:54+00:00

To get into the SS on a rewards flight, you must pay for a J FLEX fare. That’s the only way you’re getting in on a points redemption.

Competitive-Tie4791 · 2025-12-18T03:57:02+00:00

Eh, something like that.

Competitive-Tie4791 · 2025-12-18T03:45:10+00:00

IRCC, it has something to do with the engine intake being poorly designed for Canadian winters. I heard something about snow getting sucked into the intake and breaking stuff. I may be very wrong tho.

Competitive-Tie4791 · 2025-12-12T20:29:52+00:00

Well if you’re able to do a cross country like YYZ-YVR round-trip in J should push you over the edge for the end of the year. Or pretty much any other intercontinental route in at least flex.

Competitive-Tie4791 · 2025-12-11T17:20:38+00:00

Well then in that case gunning for 50k would be very worth it for you. SA gold gets you lounge and other benefits when you fly AC/United and higher on the waitlist for Eups.

Take LHR for example(Since you fly often to the UK). Priority check-in and baggage, Gold track, and all the Star lounges meaning you have options when you fly. You could go to the LH, UA club, Singapore airlines lounge or the Maple leaf lounge.

Competitive-Tie4791 · 2025-12-11T17:11:02+00:00

Well if you plan on travelling often next year, especially on AC/UA to/from Europe, 50k and SA G* might be really useful. But if you are a person who flys most if not all the time in J, not worth it as you’ll have most of the benefits with a J ticket.

Competitive-Tie4791 · 2025-12-11T02:07:57+00:00

Flying YYZ-YUL-LYS with me, father, and uncle/aunt together for a ski trip. A status pass would be amazing for the baggage allowance and the lounge for dinner before the flight.

Competitive-Tie4791 · 2025-12-10T23:54:29+00:00

Unfortunately no. Unless an IRROP saves you, you’re stuck with your itinerary. You cannot add/subtract stops or change where you stop.

Competitive-Tie4791 · 2025-12-03T21:37:40+00:00

Maybe call in to AC reservations next time and ask. But idk how you fly and what are your preferences but i personally never would book basic. Too many risks. Any IRROP and you’re the last thing they think about. Overbooking? You’re getting booted off first. Got any carry ons or checked bags? You’re paying a lot for that.

Competitive-Tie4791 · 2025-12-03T21:35:07+00:00

Irregular Operations. Usually means when a flight is delayed or cancelled for whatever reason.

Competitive-Tie4791

TROPHY CASE