Deal: Dates spotted for business class to Europe at 60,000 points (Montreal-Zürich)

Flytrippers has spotted available dates for SWISS International Air Lines’ excellent business class for the direct flight between Montreal and Zürich. As always when there are available seats with the Aeroplan program’s partner airlines, the price is only 60,000 points per direction. I’ll also tease the basics of economy class to Europe with Aeroplan.

Following the first post in our new feature with travel rewards redemption testimonials, many have asked for more details on how to travel for less in luxury, thanks to amazing business class redemptions… and we’re certainly going to have some.

But here’s a teaser of another concrete deal, since the Qatar Airways one was popular. 

Available dates for the deal

Since Flytrippers has been spotting low-cost plane ticket deals for 7+ years, it makes sense to help you spot deals with airline points too. 

That’s what we’re testing again today.

For business class, all flights at the fixed prices in the award charts are always a good deal, so the deal is to find flights with available seats. If you didn’t know this, you absolutely must read the basics of airline points.

Here are the details of this travel rewards redemption:

• From: Montreal (YUL)
• To: Zürich (ZRH)
• Type: One-way (both directions available)
• Stops: None
• Airline: SWISS International Air Lines
• Price in cash: $8443
• Price in points: 60,000 pts
• Taxes/fees: $120 (outbound) or $95 (inbound)
• Value achieved: 13.9¢/pt
• Flytrippers Valuation: ≈ 1.5¢/pt

There are even more than 2 seats available on many dates, which isn’t as common! If you want to splurge for business class in both directions, in Aeroplan’s case, it’s best to book as a roundtrip instead of 2 one-ways. If you want just one direction in business, the outbound is overnight (as is almost always the case for Europe).

Here are some dates spotted for the OUTBOUND flight:

• Novembre 2024: 5 to 30 (all dates inclusive)
• January 2025: 7 to 31 (all dates inclusive)
• February 2025: 1 to 20 (all dates inclusive) and 22, 23, 24 et 25 
• March 2025: 9 to 30 (all dates inclusive)
• April 2025:  1 to 6 (all dates inclusive) and 9, 10, 16, 17, 18

Here are some dates spotted for the INBOUND flight:

• Novembre 2024: 5 to 30 (all dates inclusive)
• January 2025: 7 to 31 (all dates inclusive)
• February 2025: 1 to 20 (all dates inclusive) and 22, 23, 24 et 25 
• March 2025: 9 to 30 (all dates inclusive)
• April 2025:  1 to 6 (all dates inclusive) and 9, 10, 16, 17, 18

This flight is worth a crazy amount of $8443, giving you a value of 13.9¢/pt (you save $8323 with 60,000 points; you can read the basics of rewards values).

A little more than the terrible value of ≈ 1.1¢/pt that plenty of people, unfortunately, get by sadly using their precious Aeroplan for any Air Canada flight instead of with the 40+ Aeroplan airline partners.

You can add connecting flights to go to a different European destination (based on Aeroplan availability), but that means the flight falls into the above distance band and costs an extra 10,000 Aeroplan points. It’s probably better to just buy a separate flight in cash and that allows you to visit Switzerland if you want too. Just check cash prices to compare, as always!

Economy to Europe in Aeroplan

As you saw in that screenshot, economy class redemptions are also available for those dates at the fixed price of 35,000 points. Aeroplan points are amazing for plenty of flights, but rarely for flights to Europe (in economy class). That’s the most basic thing about points of the more lucrative type: sometimes they’re great, other times they are NOT! It depends! It varies!

Why is it not always a good deal to Europe in economy? Cash prices to Europe specifically are often so low! You can read the transcript of my recent TV interview about transatlantic flight prices to learn more about that.

If prices are $500 roundtrip as they often are (and even if they’re a few hundred dollars more), you’re better off paying in cash and using points of the simple type (like the $825 you get for free with the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card) to get the flight for free and not waste your valuable Aeroplan points. Keep them for a better redemption!

But if you are amongst those who sadly pay $1500 roundtrip to fly to Europe, then of course Aeroplan can be good. Everything always depends on the cash price!!! That’s how points of the more lucrative type work.

Basics of business class deals

The most important thing to understand with redemptions for business class specifically is that seats are scarce. 

So book right away when you see a seat you want. This program does charge a bit more than Qatar Airways Privilege Club for cancelations if you change your mind, but even paying $150 to cancel and get a refund is not much for the chance to save a lot compared to the cash price of business class or for the chance to increase the enjoyability of your flight compared to economy class. We’ll also soon share a pro tip to sometimes get free refunds.

It’s easy to buy positioning flights to Montreal (if you don’t live there), it’s easy to buy cheap short flights from Zürich to the rest of Europe (in points or cash).

How to book (if you already have Aeroplan points)

Aeroplan points are the best airline points for Canadian travelers, by far. They’re so easy to earn in huge quantities.

Here are the steps to follow in order if you’ve never used your Aeroplan points (while you await our detailed guide in September):

• Go to the Air Canada website
• Select the “Book with Aeroplan points” search option
• Search like you would on any website
• Book your flight like you would on any website

How to book (if you have Amex points)

If you’ve read the basics of transferable bank points, you know that ideally, you should transfer your bank points during transfer bonuses that give you 30% more value (like RBC Avion offers every year to British Airways). But Amex Canada never offers transfer bonuses to Aeroplan.

If you have American Express Membership Rewards points, the best redemption is often to transfer them to Aeroplan. But NEVER in advance! Wait until you spot your desired seat, the transfer is almost instant (if you’ve already linked your accounts, as we’ve been telling you for years to always do in advance).

You can read how to transfer Amex points to partners.

Then follow the steps of the previous section once you have Aeroplan points.

How to book (if you don’t have Aeroplan or Amex points)

It’s simple: you need to stop missing out and you need to start earning points of the more lucrative kind as soon as possible so you can book amazing deals like this as soon as possible.

The current deal that gives the highest amount of points in the shortest time is with the American Express Business Gold Rewards Card. It does NOT require you to have an incorporated business at all (like all American Express “business” cards), but it does require you to follow special instructions during the application process.

I would really take advantage of it now if I were you!

Here is Flytrippers’ ranking of the best credit cards for Aeroplan points at the moment.

Best credit cards for Aeroplan points
NEW TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
Min. income (card): $60k or $100kMinimum personal income of $60,000 or minimum household income of $100,000
Min. spend (bonus): $12k in 12 mos. (incl. $7.5k in 180 days)†
WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	SEE MORE ends January 6th
≈ $791Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Welcome bonus (after $7.5k min. spend): 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Earn on $7.5k min. spend: 7,500 pts (≈ $113) Anniversary bonus (after another $4.5k in spend): 25,000 pts (≈ $375) Earn on another $4.5k in spend: 4,500 pts (≈ $67) Card fee (year 1): rebated the 1st year (-$0) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$139)
Rewards: ≈ $791
Annual fee: $0 $139
Aeroplan points: 50k pts with bonus (62,000 pts total) 50k + 12k on min. spend
American Express® Aeroplan®* Card
Min. income (card): $0No minimum income required.
Min. spend (bonus): $3k in 3 mos. + $1k
WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	SEE MORE
≈ $420Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 30,000 pts (≈ $450) Earn on $3k min. spend: 3,000 pts (≈ $45) Card fee (year 1): deducted (-$120) Renewal bonus: 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Earn on $1k min. spend: 1,000 pts (≈ $15) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$120)
Rewards: ≈ $540
Card fee: $120
Aeroplan points: 44,000 pts + a free bag on Air Canada
Show more
American Express® Gold Rewards Card
Min. income (card): $0No minimum income required.
Min. spend (bonus): $1k/month for 12 months
WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	SEE MORE
≈ $930Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 60,000 pts (≈ $900) Earn on min. spend: 12,000 pts (≈ $180) Annual credit: can be cashed out ($100) Card fee: deducted (-$250) Also offered but not included in Valuation: NEXUS credit ($50)
Rewards: ≈ $1180
Card fee: $250
Aeroplan points: 72,000 pts + 4 lounges and $100 travel credit
NEW Platinum Card® from American Express
Min. income (card): $0No minimum income required.
Min. spend (bonus): $10k in 3 mos.
WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	SEE MORE ends January 28th
≈ $1252Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 100,000 pts (≈ $1500) Earn on min. spend: 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Annual travel credit (year 1): can be cashed out ($200) Dining credit (year 1): $200 credit at conservative valuation (≈ $100) Card fee (year 1): deducted (-$799) Renewal bonus: 40,000 pts (≈ $600) Annual travel credit (year 2): can be cashed out ($200) Dining credit (year 2): $200 credit at conservative valuation (≈ $100) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$799)
Rewards: ≈ $2051
Card fee: $799
Aeroplan points: 150,000 pts + unlimited PP lounges and $200 travel credit
American Express Cobalt® Card
Min. income (card): $0No minimum income required.
Min. spend (bonus): $750/month for 12 months
WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	SEE MORE
≈ $744Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Earn on min. spend: 45,000 pts (≈ $675) Card fee: deducted (-$156)
Rewards: ≈ $900
Card fee: $156
Aeroplan points: 60,000 pts + 5X the points best card in Canada
American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card
Min. income (card): $0No minimum income required.
Min. spend (bonus): $7.5k in 3 mos.
WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	SEE MORE
≈ $442Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 60,000 pts (≈ $900) Earn on min. spend: 9,375 pts (≈ $141) Card fee: deducted (-$599) Also offered but not included in Valuation: renewal bonus of 25,000 pts (≈ $375) with extra $2500 spend
Rewards: ≈ $1041
Card fee: $599
Aeroplan points: 69,375 pts + unlimited AC lounges & other AC benefits
TD® Aeroplan® Visa* Infinite Privilege* Card
Min. income (card): $150k or $200kMinimum personal income of $150,000 or minimum household income of $200,000
Min. spend (bonus): $24k in 12 mos. (or $12k for lower bonus)
WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	SEE MORE ends January 6th
≈ $452Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 20,000 pts (≈ $300) Welcome bonus (after $12k min. spend): 30,000 pts (≈ $450) Earn on 12k min. spend: 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Anniversary bonus (after another $12k in spend): 30,000 pts (≈ $450) Earn on another 12k in spend: 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Card fee (year 1): deducted (-$599) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$599)
Rewards: ≈ $1051
Annual fee: $599
Aeroplan points: 80k pts with bonus (110,000 pts total) 80k + 30k on min. spend
TD® Aeroplan® Visa* Platinum Card
Min. income (card): $0No minimum income required.
Min. spend (bonus): $1k in 3 months
WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	SEE MORE ends January 6th
≈ $315Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Welcome bonus (after min. spend): 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Earn on min. spend: 1,000 pts (≈ $15) Card fee: rebated the 1st year (-$0)
Rewards: ≈ $315
Annual fee: $0 $89
Aeroplan points: 20k pts with bonus (21,000 pts total) 20k + 1k on min. spend
American Express® Business Gold Rewards Card
Card: no business required
Min. spend (bonus): $7.5k in 3 mos.
WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	SEE MORE
≈ $514Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 40,000 pts (≈ $600) Earn on min. spend: 7,500 pts (≈ $113) Card fee: deducted (-$199) Also offered but not included in Valuation: quarterly spending bonus
Rewards: ≈ $713
Card fee: $199
Aeroplan points: 47,500 pts + simpler min. spend structure
American Express® Green Card
Min. income (card): $0No minimum income required.
Min. spend (bonus): $1k in 3 mos.
WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	SEE MORE
≈ $165Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Earn on min. spend: 1,000 pts (≈ $15) Card fee: no annual fee (-$0)
Rewards: ≈ $165
Card fee: $0
Aeroplan points: 11,000 pts + no fees but way less value
Terms and conditions apply. Flytrippers editorial opinion only. Financial institutions are not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click "See More" to see most up-to-date information.

Best credit cards for Aeroplan points		WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	Aeroplan points
NEW	TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card Min. income (card): $60k or $100kMinimum personal income of $60,000 or minimum household income of $100,000 Min. spend (bonus): $12k in 12 mos. (incl. $7.5k in 180 days)†	≈ $791Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Welcome bonus (after $7.5k min. spend): 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Earn on $7.5k min. spend: 7,500 pts (≈ $113) Anniversary bonus (after another $4.5k in spend): 25,000 pts (≈ $375) Earn on another $4.5k in spend: 4,500 pts (≈ $67) Card fee (year 1): rebated the 1st year (-$0) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$139) Rewards: ≈ $791 Annual fee: $0 $139	50k pts with bonus (62,000 pts total) 50k + 12k on min. spend	SEE MORE ends January 6th
	American Express® Aeroplan®* Card Min. income (card): $0No minimum income required. Min. spend (bonus): $3k in 3 mos. + $1k	≈ $420Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 30,000 pts (≈ $450) Earn on $3k min. spend: 3,000 pts (≈ $45) Card fee (year 1): deducted (-$120) Renewal bonus: 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Earn on $1k min. spend: 1,000 pts (≈ $15) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$120) Rewards: ≈ $540 Card fee: $120	44,000 pts + a free bag on Air Canada	SEE MORE
	American Express® Gold Rewards Card Min. income (card): $0No minimum income required. Min. spend (bonus): $1k/month for 12 months	≈ $930Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 60,000 pts (≈ $900) Earn on min. spend: 12,000 pts (≈ $180) Annual credit: can be cashed out ($100) Card fee: deducted (-$250) Also offered but not included in Valuation: NEXUS credit ($50) Rewards: ≈ $1180 Card fee: $250	72,000 pts + 4 lounges and $100 travel credit	SEE MORE
NEW	Platinum Card® from American Express Min. income (card): $0No minimum income required. Min. spend (bonus): $10k in 3 mos.	≈ $1252Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 100,000 pts (≈ $1500) Earn on min. spend: 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Annual travel credit (year 1): can be cashed out ($200) Dining credit (year 1): $200 credit at conservative valuation (≈ $100) Card fee (year 1): deducted (-$799) Renewal bonus: 40,000 pts (≈ $600) Annual travel credit (year 2): can be cashed out ($200) Dining credit (year 2): $200 credit at conservative valuation (≈ $100) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$799) Rewards: ≈ $2051 Card fee: $799	150,000 pts + unlimited PP lounges and $200 travel credit	SEE MORE ends January 28th
	American Express Cobalt® Card Min. income (card): $0No minimum income required. Min. spend (bonus): $750/month for 12 months	≈ $744Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Earn on min. spend: 45,000 pts (≈ $675) Card fee: deducted (-$156) Rewards: ≈ $900 Card fee: $156	60,000 pts + 5X the points best card in Canada	SEE MORE
	American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card Min. income (card): $0No minimum income required. Min. spend (bonus): $7.5k in 3 mos.	≈ $442Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 60,000 pts (≈ $900) Earn on min. spend: 9,375 pts (≈ $141) Card fee: deducted (-$599) Also offered but not included in Valuation: renewal bonus of 25,000 pts (≈ $375) with extra $2500 spend Rewards: ≈ $1041 Card fee: $599	69,375 pts + unlimited AC lounges & other AC benefits	SEE MORE
	TD® Aeroplan® Visa* Infinite Privilege* Card Min. income (card): $150k or $200kMinimum personal income of $150,000 or minimum household income of $200,000 Min. spend (bonus): $24k in 12 mos. (or $12k for lower bonus)	≈ $452Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 20,000 pts (≈ $300) Welcome bonus (after $12k min. spend): 30,000 pts (≈ $450) Earn on 12k min. spend: 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Anniversary bonus (after another $12k in spend): 30,000 pts (≈ $450) Earn on another 12k in spend: 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Card fee (year 1): deducted (-$599) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$599) Rewards: ≈ $1051 Annual fee: $599	80k pts with bonus (110,000 pts total) 80k + 30k on min. spend	SEE MORE ends January 6th
	TD® Aeroplan® Visa* Platinum Card Min. income (card): $0No minimum income required. Min. spend (bonus): $1k in 3 months	≈ $315Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Welcome bonus (after min. spend): 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Earn on min. spend: 1,000 pts (≈ $15) Card fee: rebated the 1st year (-$0) Rewards: ≈ $315 Annual fee: $0 $89	20k pts with bonus (21,000 pts total) 20k + 1k on min. spend	SEE MORE ends January 6th
	American Express® Business Gold Rewards Card Card: no business required Min. spend (bonus): $7.5k in 3 mos.	≈ $514Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 40,000 pts (≈ $600) Earn on min. spend: 7,500 pts (≈ $113) Card fee: deducted (-$199) Also offered but not included in Valuation: quarterly spending bonus Rewards: ≈ $713 Card fee: $199	47,500 pts + simpler min. spend structure	SEE MORE
	American Express® Green Card Min. income (card): $0No minimum income required. Min. spend (bonus): $1k in 3 mos.	≈ $165Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Earn on min. spend: 1,000 pts (≈ $15) Card fee: no annual fee (-$0) Rewards: ≈ $165 Card fee: $0	11,000 pts + no fees but way less value	SEE MORE
Terms and conditions apply. Flytrippers editorial opinion only. Financial institutions are not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click "See More" to see most up-to-date information.

Don’t miss our detailed guide on Aeroplan, business class redemptions, and so much more soon! In the meantime, you can read an introduction on how airline point redemptions work.

Learn more

Travel rewards redemption options: How the 7 main sub-types work

Learning how to travel for less

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Summary

We’ve spotted available dates for SWISS business class from Montreal to Zürich. As always, when seats are available with the Aeroplan program partner airlines, the price is just 60,000 points. You can also add a connection elsewhere in Europe for 10,000 more points, but compare with the cash price of just buying a separate ticket.

What would you like to know about the points deal for the SWISS business class? Tell us in the comments below.

See the flight deals we spot: Cheap flights

Discover free travel with rewards: Travel rewards

Explore awesome destinations: Travel inspiration

Learn pro tricks: Travel tips

Featured image: Swiss Alps (photo credit: Canvas)

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