Air Miles changes the rules in midflight
Thinking of cashing in some of those frequent-flier points? You better hurry up.
Citing rising operating costs, Air Miles, Canada's biggest customer loyalty program, is increasing the number of miles required for flights and may cut back on other program benefits.
Starting Feb. 12th, the number of miles required to get onboard will jump by an average of 8 per cent with high-demand regions increasing by as much as 14 per cent. Trips that are already booked, however, remain unscathed.
While reward flights themselves are free, you still get saddled with all the fees, taxes and surcharges that those who buy tickets the old-fashioned way have to shoulder. As a result, many more users seem to be opting for merchandise and gift cards these days.
Of course, you could always grab the bus.
In Toronto, for instance, you can pick up a $100 bus pass for 800 points. Alternatively, Edmonton transit users can grab a $75 pass in exchange for 650 of their hard-earned miles.
If you collect them at all, how do you plan to use your Air Miles?
By Gordon Powers, MSN Money
Posted by: Larry Miller | Feb 1, 2022 2:46:00 PM
We have been collecting and using AirMiles for years. It's been a while since we used them for flights but we have never had problems in the past. This fall we used them to buy a new Sony digital camera and a set of luggage. The camera would have cost us $200 and the luggage all had Sears price tags on them. They would have cost us $900 plus PST and GST. They were delivered to our door by UPS, delivery included. We would have spent the money that we collected the AirMiles on anyway so in my humble opinion we just recieved $1100 worth of goods for free. Even with the increase, we will be using our AirMiles for a flight to to the US later this spring.
Posted by: BobBEE | Feb 1, 2022 2:46:49 PM
I have collected airmiles for over 12 years now and I love the program. I book all my own company expenses on MC using airmiles and stay at Holiday Inns, rent from National Rent car so therefore I collect almost 5000 to 7000 miles per year.
However, I did learn at an early age that booking flights was useless through Airmiles program! Wait for a West jet seat sale if you want to fly.
I can tell you that my family does ski about 6-10 a year completely free and we enjoy movies out about 4-6 times a year for nothing - that is how best to spend the miles. I figured that out after trying to book a flight.
BobBEE
Posted by: lymanryan | Feb 1, 2022 3:34:10 PM
Who benefits from Air Miles? It seems to me that, at least in terms of actual air travel bought and paid, those whose jobs require their travel for business purposes -- paid for by corporate accounts -- stand to earn more benefits much more quickly than 'private individuals'. The corporations write off the expense. The corporate execs and account agents get to take their families on winter vacations. As for those of us living on tight budgets, the prospects of going 'anywhere soon' aren't much enhanced by fishing out an Air Miles card at the grocery store.
I used to have an Aeroplan card and traveled several times to Asia and back to teach English. Since I couldn't use it generally while overseas, the Aeroplan admin twice flushed my account for inactivity. So, I've been skeptical ever since, and my reflections led me to conclude that it is a disproportionate tax-credit for the high-salaried traveling classes.
Posted by: jim | Feb 1, 2022 4:26:20 PM
Air mile colector since 2008.I have accumulated 19,000 so far for purchases that I would have made anyways. 19,000 divided by 395 per $50 gift card $2400.00 for nothing more than playing the game. Not a bad deal if you know the game rules. P.S. all purchases were made with an Avion RBC card which my balance exceeds 225,000 points for flights. The Avion RBC Visa is the most rewarding card on the market requiring purchases of only 35,000 dollars for a long haul flight! Check it out for accuracy.
Posted by: D-Money | Feb 1, 2022 4:33:33 PM
The BEST way to collect airmiles is the Safeway Pharmacy. You get full value covered by insurance, even if you only have to pay a small portion. My husband has expensive medications, and we collect 10,000 a year on prescriptions alone. In the last 3 years, using airmiles we have been to Maui 3 times, paid our Disney and Universal tickets, and been to a Jamaican all inclusive. We usually book 2 airmiles flights and 2 Aeroplan a year, and the fees are huge on Airmiles, when you question it, they reply "no, we do not charge a fee" even if you know what the taxes for that flight are. I also hate the pushy travel insurance sales. Aeroplan is definately better for flights, so I might investigate the option. I have ALL the big travel credit cards, but I might look into focusing on just Aeroplan in the future.
Posted by: Jonathan | Feb 1, 2022 4:53:11 PM
I very seldom use Airmiles for flights. I earn about 5000 miles a year. And majority of the time I use my miles for hotel bookings when we go on short family trips. I use it for merchandise i.e Nintendo Wii, DS and just last week I ordered the Nescafe Dolce Gusto. Merchandise is the way to and get the most bang for your miles. And it does not cost anything to join so why complain when they change rules. I like it and will keep on using them.
Posted by: Cheryl | Feb 1, 2022 4:58:00 PM
Now airmiles makes you book your flights as a "bundle" which is very annoying. I booked flights this week after not having done so in a few years. I used to enjoy my experience talking to the airmiles booking agents, now I shake my head. I have actually stopped caring if I collect airmiles at all. I was a Gold Collector for YEARS until the end of 2009. There were actually airmiles seats outbound on the day I wanted Wednesday and on our return the day I wanted Sunday however because I had to book as a "bundle" I could go out Wed and return Sat or go out Thurs and return Sunday?? If there was airmiles seats on the days I wanted why do they insist on only booking in this ridiculous way? I am short a day on my trip because of it. After comparing, I'm also thinking maybe their insurance is higher priced than buying the same insurance thru Westjet. I also noticed in "fine print" they can charge a "Professional" fee for"counselling". I used to be that I could check the flights on the days I was going to travel and know pretty accurately what I would be paying for taxes and fees when I booked thru Airmiles. Not so now. Even taking into consideration the $25/person administration fee. Yes, I guess it's time to use up my airmiles for gift cards and be done with it. Now I have a Visa card and I'm going to try RBC's travel point program. I also used to have a Mastercard and shop at Safeway and I agree with Shirley and James.
Posted by: Don | Feb 1, 2022 5:06:29 PM
I was a great fan of airmiles but not anymore. I find I can drive a few hours across the border and almost always pay less for a flight than the taxes and fees on airmiles. My family of four flew to Orlando for a holiday this past christmas, I flew Jet Blue for $160US tax in RETURN, so our bill was around $700CDN. The taxes on the airmiles flight were $720 and there were three transfers to make, jet blue was direct. Then I thought that maybe I could rent a pool house for our stay. They came back with 21,000 air miles for 12 days stay, plus taxes. Forget that! Then I thought I would look on the internet for someone willing to buy my points for cash. There were a few but the websites looked shady. Then I checked some blogs and stumbled on my solution. One blogger said he exchanged air miles for the cupons of stores he used on a regular basis and took the cash he would have spent for those services and saved it for his travel costs. That's what I did. I had around 27,000 points that took around five years of diligently collecting. I redeemed 23,000 points and basically paid for my flight, rental and pool home costs for a 14 day trip. I think aeroplan is where I'll be collecting points from here on in!
Posted by: marcel | Feb 1, 2022 5:12:05 PM
flights are cheaper to buy i use my airmiles for other things like renting a car or buying a smokehouse stuff that i normaly would not buy it has worked great for me so far
but i hope that it does not end up like in europe there the airmiles are worthless guys
check it out airmiles.nl have a look at flights and how much you have to pay extra 8000 airmiles worth about 75 euro no kidding
Posted by: H | Feb 1, 2022 5:41:45 PM
I used our airmiles this past christmas to buy gifts, and using them to get any gadgets I want.
Posted by: NorthernFlyer | Feb 1, 2022 5:45:11 PM
I have been collecting airmiles for 20 yrs now.i only have used them for flights.I live in northern B.C.,and to get a flight just to get outta here,is alot of money.To book a cheap flight to anywhere,you have to travel to a bigger city to get the deal.To go down south from where i live,it cost double,so using airmiles for me is worth just paying the taxes.What would cost me 1,600.00 for 2 people,costs me a little over 100.00.
Posted by: dee | Feb 1, 2022 6:08:21 PM
i didnot know i could get an edmonotn bus pass with points.... but i usually cash mine in for gift cards.. most recently i got 125$ in earls gift cards
Posted by: L Wolfer | Feb 1, 2022 6:27:47 PM
Hi I don't know what all the complaining is about. If you find it doesn't work to save airmiles for flights , then pay for them and use your airmiles for gift certificates or items you need. I traded in mine last year for $1,000.00 in certificates for Rona and then did household renovations to go towards my tax credit for this year. Over the years from the conception of airmiles I've used them for gift certificates for Christmas gifts, bought items for the home and movie certificates for our own use. I've never had any problem with receiving anything I have ordered and on top of that they are free.
Posted by: Brian | Feb 1, 2022 6:32:26 PM
I have found that Air Miles are no longer worth much except for some Gift Certificates like Metro Grocery Stores. The value of goods redemption has gotten so outrages in 2010, your just wasting your Miles, even on Specials and Gold Specials.
I use the value of $20 for a Metro Gift Certificate for 160 Air Miles (Just jumped from 140 miles this year by the way) to calculate the cost of an item and find that I'm WAY better off just buying the item myself with cash and redeeming my Air Miles for Gift Certificates.
Try it your self, do the math and you will be shocked!
Posted by: grannyone | Feb 1, 2022 6:55:23 PM
I have been a collector since the beginning and have only used them for the gift certificates. I believe years ago it took about 75 air miles for a 25 dollar gift certificate for lots of locations. Now however it is about 150 airmiles for a 20 dollar certificate or free movie ticket. I used to get about 6 movie passes for two a year just by flashing my airmiles card at the drug store or lcbo in Ontario for wine. Last year I got 2 passes after two years of collecting. the passes come free in the mail and are the only thing I redeem for anymore but if I ever had to pay a fee or shipping and handling then I would cut up my card. I do remember the news stories that came out about 6 years ago when Bank of Montreal was signed up to be a sponsor, the first bank and only bank in Canada that gave airmiles. When the first bill from Airmiles to BMO was sent it was apparently extremely high and the BMO budget was originally only 100,000, a small percent. Somebody somewhere miscalculated. The news stories were that BMO balked and refused to pay the total amount and Airmiles almost went under. Much negotiating later and a new deal was struck and Airmiles came out stronger, so the story went. It seemed like just a short while later the deals from airmiles were tightened, more airmiles were needed to get gift certificates or to fly. So I have been wondering ever since then if the program would eventually be discontinued. I am always wondering if BMO will pull out at contract time. They have reduced the amount of airmiles they give drastically.
Posted by: joann | Feb 1, 2022 6:57:31 PM
Air Miles is the best program ever. They use 14 or more different airlines, there's always a choice, the customer care agents are knowledgeable about travel, as they are all trained travel agents. I have flown many times, Europe, US, Intrnationally-have never had a problem. I have been collecting since 1993 when it began, and have never regretted using the program. The taxes/fees that you have to cover, are the same as if you paid for the ticket as well. All the folks who bad-mouth Air Miles are not being fair-check out the cost of a ticket plus tax-you are way better off using Air Miles to fly than anything else.
Posted by: Al | Feb 1, 2022 7:02:04 PM
The formula for AirMiles at Shell gas stations is a little strange and doesn't encourage you to collect them when the other schemes are more equitable. One AirMile for $20 of gas and then you have to spend a further $30 to get another. If you have the time and there are no line ups, I suggest that you use a payment card at the pump, pay for the first $20 and then start filling again.
Posted by: terryking | Feb 1, 2022 7:14:10 PM
Love the Air Miles Program! Used the accumulated points for flights (with car rentals) to Europe. Our last trip was in the fall of 2008, we were gone gor three weeks, and required a full-sized (by Nth American standards) sedan to accomodate disabled spouse. Had no trouble getting flights on the dates requested. No trouble arranging for special meals and wheelchair assistance at all airports. Total costs: 29,500 Air Miles for travelling during shoulder season. Yes, we had to pay the fees and taxes - but this cost was insignificant compared to total cost of this trip, if paid for in cash. Taking advantage of points specials at various retailers and "double dipping" (using our no-fee Air Miles MasterCard plus our Air Miles points card together) allows us to collect Air Miles very quickly. It should be noted that we took an identical trip to Europe in the spring of 2006 - also paid for on Air Miles. To date we have collected approx 1/3 of the points necessary (at the new rate schedule) for our next trip. We will cotinue to use the Air Miles Program.
Posted by: A Salaiza Cassidy | Feb 1, 2022 7:18:21 PM
Hello
Posted by: JoAnn | Feb 1, 2022 7:20:37 PM
Air Miles for flights to Portland, OR (where my family lives) has worked out well for me.
Because it only took 1150 with Gold. You do have to plan ahead and booking with an
travel specialist on the phone is a pain sometimes, but other times it was a short wait.
Recently booked my brother and sister to come up to visit me in Edmonton. We use
aeroplan during peak periods or when we can't get a flight, but will continue to use
Air Miles.