<center><h1>I'm thinking of attending SteemFest</h1></center>
<center>https://img1.steemit.com/0x0/http://steemfest.com/steemfest.jpg<br><a href="https://steemit.com/steemfest/@steemfest/steemfest-1-11-12-13-november-amsterdam">Image Source</a></center>

I've been toying with the idea of attending steemfest.  But since I will be coming from Canada, the prices are a little beyond what I am willing to pay.

I've been watching http://www.google.ca/flights every couple of days, and the prices have been fluctuating for various cities.  I enjoy the train, so if any city has a good deal, I will fly there and then take a train or a domestic flight to my destination.
<center>https://i.imgsafe.org/2658a02ffb.jpg</center>
<center><h1>Flying on Points</h1></center>
I was thinking this morning ... I have enough frequent flyer points with Aeroplan to fly there for "free".   
<center>https://www4.aeroplan.com/static/gfx/foundation/4G/wrapper/header/AE_LOGO_EN.jpg </center>
I've flown with Aeroplan points many times, and up until now, I have found their fees to be reasonable.  Most of my flights with them have fees in the $100-$250 range.  That's reasonable.  

<center><h1>OMG!   The fees are almost as much as the flights!</h1></center>
I looked at:
 <center><b>London</b></center>
<center>https://i.imgsafe.org/265b181a73.jpg</center>
 <center><b>Paris</b></center>
<center>https://i.imgsafe.org/265ad66d8d.jpg</center>
 <center><b>Amsterdam</b></center>
<center>https://i.imgsafe.org/265b671c26.jpg</center>

I then decided to look around North American destinations.  The fees for North American destinations are "normal" being around $150.   I don't know when Aeroplan increased their fees and taxes so much for European destinations, but I really hope people realize that it more cost effective to purchase your ticket direct from the airline and save your points for another trip.

Do other people, using other frequent flyer point systems see similar prices?