enRoute Rae, you’re close to having visited 40 countries, and Ricardo, you’re not far behind. How does Aeroplan help you reach your travel goals?

Rae Kung I’ve been an Aeroplan member for well over 15 years. I travel frequently to Hong Kong, where I was born and raised, since I have family and friends there. I always choose Aeroplan for trips to China, Japan and Europe because there are so many routes to choose from with Star Alliance airlines. I often get business-class upgrades during my journeys.

Ricardo Hamdan Most of my travels are work-related, and they take me all around the world. One day I can be in Berlin and Zurich, and the next day I’m in Fargo or Omaha. These work trips help me earn points to use on vacations. I have a trip to Australia and New Zealand on my bucket list, and it will definitely be an Aeroplan journey.

enRoute Do you tend to visit multiple countries per trip?

RK I’m going to Barcelona with my mom and then Italy within the same trip, and then I’m heading to Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea later in the year.

RH Yes, definitely. I’ve already visited Germany, Switzerland, Italy, France and Spain this year. I have another Europe trip planned with my dad and a possible South America trip.

ER What have been your most memorable Aeroplan redemptions?

RK For me, it was almost 10 years ago when I booked a last-minute first-class flight reward from Milan to Vancouver. It was my first time in first class, and it was amazing.

RH This isn’t as glamorous, but one of my most memorable redemptions was flying my dad from Mexico to Montreal and then visiting New York for Christmas. It was his first vacation in 15 years, and using points to make him happy was really special.

ER How do you earn most of your Aeroplan points?

RH I have multiple Aeroplan credit cards, both in Canada and the United states, from when I lived there. They help me earn points on every purchase, wherever I am.

RK I used to earn points just from frequent flights, but now I get most of my points through regular purchases with my Aeroplan credit card. It’s really helpful.

ER Which Aeroplan perks come in most handy when you’re travelling abroad?

RK I like the car rental deals you get with the program. You get better rates as an Aeroplan member, and that has come in handy, especially at times when I’ve needed a car at the last minute.

RH The Super Elite concierge service is great. They help with all kinds of things — they once helped me track down AirPods I had forgotten on a plane. They will also find you the best alternative flight if ever there’s a cancellation.

ER What are your go-to Aeroplan tips?

RK Shop at the Aeroplan eStore. They occasionally offer promotions where you can earn 10 times the points on your purchase. I once bought a MacBook from the Apple store and it earned me 20,000 points.

RH My favourite is the Latitude fare tip. If you book an Air Canada Latitude fare with points, you can often apply an eUpgrade and instantly get an upgrade to business class if it’s available.

ER Rae, you were named 2019 Foodie of the Year, and Ricardo, you love travelling for food, too. Have you ever used Aeroplan to travel for food?

RH I always incorporate food into my travel plans and love finding local gems rather than just ticking off Michelin Star restaurants. The Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants list is particularly helpful when travelling in Canada. In terms of travelling for food, I once went to Paris specifically for an amazing soufflé at Le Récamier. I remember sitting there with my soufflé, a glass of champagne and my journal, writing in the middle of Paris, thinking, “If this isn’t happiness, I don’t know what is.”

RK There’s a place by the water in Hong Kong called Lei Yue Mun where you can order fresh fish, and the on-site restaurant will cook it for you on the spot. I also travel to Taiwan, Shanghai, and even London and Paris for Chinese food. There’s an amazing Chinese food scene right here in Vancouver with lots of young new-generation chefs, though.

RH Vancouver’s Chinese food is the best. Some will say San Francisco, but it’s Vancouver, hands down. Rae, if you’re ever in Montreal, you have to check out Oncle Lee. It’s a new Chinese fusion restaurant and it’s incredible.

RK Montreal was actually the first city I backpacked through when I moved to Canada at 19. I’ll have to go back and try Oncle Lee!

ER What’s been your favourite destination so far?

RH No matter where I go, I still feel like the South of France is my happy place. It’s gorgeous.

RK Mine is Sardinia. I could go there every year!

Explore all the benefits of the Aeroplan program and join now at: aircanada.com/aeroplan.