Why some destinations are hard to book on points
Not all award redemptions are created equal. Even with a strong points balance, you may struggle to find saver-level award availability to certain destinations. The reasons include:
- Limited partner award space — airlines release a fraction of seats to partners
- Dynamic pricing — programs like Aeroplan now adjust pricing based on demand
- Peak travel seasons — December, March break, and summer see severely constrained inventory
- Monopoly routes — destinations served by a single carrier give that airline little incentive to release award space
The hardest destinations from Canada
1. Hawaii (peak season)
Hawaii is notoriously difficult to book on points from Canada, especially during winter, spring break, and Christmas. Aeroplan dynamic pricing means you can easily pay 100,000+ points for a round-trip economy seat to Honolulu or Maui when you'd expect 40,000–50,000.
Strategy: Book 355 days out when Aeroplan releases maximum partner space on Air Canada. Consider a positioning flight to a US West Coast hub (LAX, SFO, SEA) for more availability.
2. Tokyo (business class)
Toronto to Tokyo (Narita/Haneda) is one of the most sought-after business-class redemptions from Canada. Air Canada's own flights rarely release more than 2 business-class award seats, and partner space on ANA is competitive.
Strategy: ANA releases award space 355 days out and it vanishes within hours. Book as early as possible. Consider itineraries via Vancouver (YVR) or connecting through the US for more options.
3. Europe in summer (July–August)
Any European destination in peak summer — London, Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Athens — sees intense competition for award seats. Aeroplan's zones mean you pay more for European flights originating from western Canada.
Strategy: Book off-peak dates (mid-week, shoulder season). Consider open-jaw itineraries (fly into one city, return from another) to capture space on different carriers.
4. South America during winter (December–February)
Lima, Buenos Aires, Santiago, and Rio de Janeiro draw crowds escaping Canadian winter. Award availability is tight on both Air Canada and partner airlines (Avianca, LATAM).
Strategy: Use Avianca LifeMiles for LATAM award space — they occasionally have better availability than Aeroplan. Be flexible on departure airports (YUL often has better South America connections than YYZ).
5. Regional destinations in Canada
Ironically, the hardest domestic destinations can be the smallest ones — places like Goose Bay, Churchill, or Gaspé. Limited flights mean limited award space.
Strategy: Aeroplan now allows one-way bookings. Book individual segments rather than round-trips to maximize availability options.
Points programs and their hard-to-book patterns
| Program | Hardest pattern |
|---|---|
| Aeroplan | Long-haul business, peak season, dynamic-priced routes |
| Avios (British Airways) | US domestic connections, short-haul within Canada |
| Alaska Mileage Plan | Cathay Pacific first class, long-haul premium cabins |
| Marriott Bonvoy | Transfer bonuses aside, hotel award nights at top-tier properties (e.g., St. Regis, Ritz-Carlton) |
| Membership Rewards (Amex) | Transfer partner availability — limited by the partner's own constraints |
Tips for booking hard destinations
- Book at schedule open — 355 days out for Aeroplan, 330 for most other programs
- Be flexible on airport — consider departing from YUL or YVR instead of YYZ
- Be flexible on date — mid-week departures have significantly more space
- Consider positioning — a separate cash flight to a hub can unlock better award options
- Set alerts — use tools like ExpertFlyer or SeatSpy to monitor award availability changes
Bottom line
Hard-to-book destinations are a reality of the points world, but they can be cracked with advance planning, flexibility, and a willingness to position. The key is knowing which routes are difficult and adjusting your strategy accordingly.
This guide is based on reported patterns from the Canadian points and travel community. Availability changes constantly — always check the program directly for current award space.
Sources
Every figure in this guide traces to a primary source. Confirm details on the official page before you apply. Nothing here is financial advice.