It’s spring!  Days are longer, tulips are in the shops…and there’s yet another snow forecast ahead.
Seriously.

This has felt like the winter that just won’t take the hint. I can’t help but take it personally.

winter

Baby, it’s STILL cold outside.

The year we took off on our avoid-winter-at-all-costs around the world trip, the North Americans we left behind were in shorts and t-shirts!

And ever since we’ve come back the winters have only become colder and longer.

It’s enough to drive a winter hater to hibernation. Cozy blanket in front of the fireplace with a mug of something warm, anyone?
While I’m not quite ready to peek my head out of the cozy cave just yet, I am more than ready to ditch the gray skies and melting-then-freezing-again snow drifts for somewhere where the weather is shall we say, more hospitable.

Sometimes I’m able to do that on work assignments that take me to great destinations. But if it’s just a jaunt I’m after, I’ve been known to milk the most out of Aeroplan’s 25K-point flights.

Here are a few  of the spots I’ve got my eye on and can get to for as little as 25,000 miles.

1. San Diego, California: Ever since I visited San Diego with my younger brother a few years ago, it has been one of my favourite cities in California. You get it all: sunshine, great restaurants, a happening nightlife and hotels that range from ultra-luxe to comfy and cozy. I love the San Diego vibe and at 25k for a return flight (I found one leaving as early as April 19!) it would be the perfect good times infusion.

2. Key West, Florida: I haven’t been to Key West, but my pal Candace Derickx over at Life in Pleasantville raves about it so much that now it’s in my dreams too. Leisurely days and laid back nights? Yes, please. Plus, key lime pie!  Hop a plane (April 5 is open!) and you could be there laughing at the winter dwellers back home.

Myrtle Beach

Sigh. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

3.  Myrtle Beach, South Carolina:We just got back from a Myrtle Beach roadtrip that was exactly what the doctor ordered. The sun was out, the beaches were beautiful and the people were outstanding. Between having more mini-golf sites than anywhere else in the world and two outlet malls filled with Canadians, it’s hard not to feel at home.  I love a road trip but that’s a lot of time on the road when you could be on that beach! Want to go now? I just saw tickets leaving Friday!

Even better: Short haul Classic Flight Rewards in North America come in at 15,000 miles. That means that from Ontario you could fly to select spots in Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nunavut, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington DC or  Wisconsin! (Check the chart online for short haul offerings from other provinces.)

The trick to getting the flight you want at the time you want for the miles you want? Book early and be flexible.

Or, you can redeem miles for Market Fare Flight Rewards.  Aeroplan just launched this category of rewards starting at up to 20% fewer miles required for redemption, with Distinction members enjoying reductions of up to 50%! Market Fare Flight Rewards’ access to every available seat on flights operated by Air Canada, at variable mileage levels derived from fares at time of booking.

Want to source out a few options of your own? (Yes, even you, snow lover.)  Here’s how to find the guide that makes it easier:

Step One: visit: www.aeroplan.com

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Step Two: click on “Use your Miles” and then “Travel.”

Step Three: Enter your Aeroplan number.

Step Four:  Once you get the flight reward form to fill out you can find the full flight reward list on the right hand side of the screen.  Under the heading ‘Flight Reward Information’ it’s labelled “2014 Updated Rewards Chart.”

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Step Five: Click and start plotting!

This post was sponsored in part by Aeroplan. As usual the opinions and desire to flee Spring-ter are entirely my own.