7 common travel myths, debunked
It’s always exciting to fantasize about your next travel escape, whether it's a weekend getaway or a globetrotting bucket list adventure. But if any of these pesky myths and misconceptions are giving you pause about turning your travel dreams into a reality, it’s time to set the record straight.
With help from Aeroplan™, we’re debunking a few all-too-common travel myths, so you can feel more confident about booking your next big trip. Bon voyage!
1. Travel is too expensive
Think flying is prohibitively expensive? Think again! There are a number of ways would-be vacationers can help keep airfare costs down, including travelling during less-popular “shoulder seasons” when flights are typically cheaper. Don’t want to wait? Aeroplan members can find incredible value year-round by redeeming points for flight rewards. With Aeroplan, travellers can fly for as low as 6,000 points on short-haul one-way flights.
Plus, when you use your Aeroplan points for business class redemptions, the base value of each point rises to more cents per point—meaning you’ll get even more value out of your points if you redeem them for a premium ticket. Don’t have enough points? Aeroplan also allows you to book using a combination of points and cash to help you take the trip you want, sooner.
2. You have to travel to accumulate travel loyalty points
Did you know you can earn points towards your next trip on your morning coffee? You do now. Aeroplan offers members opportunities to earn points through everyday spending, helping you get closer to your next reward in less time. Whether you’re buying groceries or gas, shopping via the Aeroplan eStore or linking your account at partners like Starbucks and the LCBO, Aeroplan makes it easy to earn points on routine purchases, getting you one step closer to exciting travel rewards.
3. Booking last-minute travel saves money
You might think you can snag a better travel deal by waiting until the last minute, but there’s a lot to gain by booking early. Experts say the best time to book is typically one to three months before you plan to fly, and even earlier for international flights (up to 12 months in advance!).
With Aeroplan, planning ahead can help maximize the value of your points by giving you access to a wider range of flight options and better redemption rates. There’s also no need to wait for a last-minute hotel deal either, since Aeroplan members get exclusive redemption rates – up to 30% savings in points! – when booking stays at partner hotels.
That said, while planning ahead will typically save you more money compared to waiting until the last minute, that doesn’t mean you can’t still score a deal on an impromptu getaway if you’re feeling spontaneous. With Air Canada Vacations, you can find a host of great last minute deals on select vacation packages.
4. Travel insurance isn’t worth it
Travel insurance is like most types of insurance: you may not think you need it… until you do. But trust us, the added coverage will be money well-spent if you have to adjust (or cancel) your trip due to a family emergency, health issue or other unforeseen events. That peace of mind is worth the added expense alone, but if you’re still on the fence, you can also get travel insurance included with select Aeroplan credit cards—in addition to all those extra points you can earn by booking your trip using your card.
5. You can only redeem travel points on flights
A common misconception about travel loyalty programs is that you can only use your accumulated points to redeem for airfare. With Aeroplan’s comprehensive travel ecosystem, members can also redeem points for hotel stays, car rentals, vacation packages and much more, including gift cards.
What’s more, you can even use your points to purchase in-flight Wi-Fi packages, giving you the ability to stay connected and stream your favourite content from takeoff to landing.
6. Travel upgrades are only for the rich or famous
Do you envy passengers who emerge from the private airport lounge and head straight to the front of the line for priority boarding? With Aeroplan Elite Status, that could be you. Signing up for an Aeroplan credit card can help would-be travellers reach and maintain Elite Status in a fraction of the time, helping you enjoy Elite benefits like priority seat selection, Maple Leaf Lounge™ access and a complimentary checked bag.
Or maybe you’re dreaming of a more exclusive experience in the skies. Members can also earn eUpgrade credits and use them to upgrade a ticket to Business or Premium Economy.
7. Travel rewards are too complicated to redeem
Planning a trip is already complicated enough without having to navigate a complex rewards system, right? Wrong. Aeroplan simplifies the redemption process for stress-free travel planning.
Easy-to-use tools like the Points Predictor can help you estimate how many points you need in order to fly to your dream destination. Short on points? Not to worry. With Aeroplan, you can book using a combination of points and cash, giving you even more flexibility when booking. You can even use your points to cover the taxes on your trip. With every fare class included and no blackout periods, the sky is truly the limit.
