Airmiles Armchair Chatter

[dancin Disney style]

Guess I better check the mail today. As the day has gone on many things/scenarios are swirling through the melon. One being...is my plan to make all purchases for the next little while on the Aeroplan card a good one? Should I put all my purchases on the Amex before it drops AM? I'm thinking that is what I should do....and if I get to the point where I'm short on spending to get the Aeroplan bonus I could just buy a bunch of gift cards for gas and groceries or whatever I may need. I'm sure I will go back and forth on this many times. What are your thoughts?

I think I would still have 3ish months after the Amex is done to still spend on the Visa. I think that might be ok....I've covered approx 20% of the threshold already. I will still have my BMO card for AM after but it only gives me 1/$15....Amex has been 1/$5 or 1/$10. The earning will slow down.

 

[dancin Disney style]

Side note...
I went out for gas at lunch and spent $70.....32L gas, car wash and 2 diet cokes. Scored me 139 miles. Turns out all three cars need gas today so I will get the full 100 for todays promo plus an additional 100 for 3 fill ups. If my math is correct I think that will make the total 291.

 

[Donald - my hero]

Guess I better check the mail today. As the day has gone on many things/scenarios are swirling through the melon. One being...is my plan to make all purchases for the next little while on the Aeroplan card a good one? Should I put all my purchases on the Amex before it drops AM? I'm thinking that is what I should do....and if I get to the point where I'm short on spending to get the Aeroplan bonus I could just buy a bunch of gift cards for gas and groceries or whatever I may need. I'm sure I will go back and forth on this many times. What are your thoughts?

I think I would still have 3ish months after the Amex is done to still spend on the Visa. I think that might be ok....I've covered approx 20% of the threshold already. I will still have my BMO card for AM after but it only gives me 1/$15....Amex has been 1/$5 or 1/$10. The earning will slow down.

Hard to answer without knowing your full story BUT based on our math this weekend - ditch the AMEX and use the Aeroplan card instead. You shouldn't see that much of a drop in the miles - I'll show you what my math was based on last month's postings
AMEX: 1 mile per $10 we earned 101 miles means we spent about $1000 on these transactions
AMEX: 1 mile per $5 we earned 174 miles means we spent about $870 on these transactions
Total on the AMEX card was around $1800
The Mastercard we have gives us 1 mile per $25 meaning we would earn 72 miles on the same $1800
Those 1 mile per $5 are almost completely from groceries and on the Mastercard we get 2 miles per $25 so using the above math that will be an extra 65 miles ($870 on groceries @2/$25)
Total miles should come in around 137 on the no-fee Mastercard compared to the 275 on the AMEX for a net loss of around 138 miles per month. I can make that up in one good week at Metro if I use my offers carefully.

Don't forget about the annual fee as well! For us it's currently $120 on the AMEX and $0 on the Mastercard and anything we can cut out of the budget is more money to spend on Arthur (OH yeah, and the set of 11 yr old twin girls that came with our daughter's new girlfriend!!)

 

[dancin Disney style]

Hard to answer without knowing your full story BUT based on our math this weekend - ditch the AMEX and use the Aeroplan card instead. You shouldn't see that much of a drop in the miles - I'll show you what my math was based on last month's postings
AMEX: 1 mile per $10 we earned 101 miles means we spent about $1000 on these transactions
AMEX: 1 mile per $5 we earned 174 miles means we spent about $870 on these transactions
Total on the AMEX card was around $1800
The Mastercard we have gives us 1 mile per $25 meaning we would earn 72 miles on the same $1800
Those 1 mile per $5 are almost completely from groceries and on the Mastercard we get 2 miles per $25 so using the above math that will be an extra 65 miles ($870 on groceries @2/$25)
Total miles should come in around 137 on the no-fee Mastercard compared to the 275 on the AMEX for a net loss of around 138 miles per month. I can make that up in one good week at Metro if I use my offers carefully.

Don't forget about the annual fee as well! For us it's currently $120 on the AMEX and $0 on the Mastercard and anything we can cut out of the budget is more money to spend on Arthur (OH yeah, and the set of 11 yr old twin girls that came with our daughter's new girlfriend!!)

I'm typically earning around 350ish on the Amex and 140ish on the BMO. I get garbage offers from Metro and only go there when there is an offer....maybe at best once a month but it's probably not that often.

I'm hoping to get the remaining miles up to the limit for the Amex travel thing. I think I got around 550 earlier this year...the limit is 750.

 

[hdrolfe]

I dont have an Amex card so not an issue for me. I tend to use my bank account, probably leaving .Iles in the table since I do have the BMO AM MC but I hate over spending on my CC.

I do most of my groceries at Metro, I signed up for unlimited deliveries in January and my 6 months is now extended until Sept 5th so that's a good deal for me. Once a week I get delivery, and since I am not in store being tempted by extras it works for me. I have been getting Hello Fresh as well, not the best price wise but forces me to cook and I get to try new things. Metro ends up being mostly snacks and lunches, mostly for the boy. I do also stock up on things when they have the bigger spend deals.

Any way. I hate credit cards that charge a fee, I avoid those ones.

 

[bababear_50]

I actually use my credit card as a debit card,,, I fully pay it off every other day.
Yep 39.00 dollars a year is all I am will to pay for a credit card.

Hugs Mel

 

[Debbie]

I'm going to spend some time looking at Visa to see what they offer for no-fee cards so we don't get caught with only one form of payment. That combined with the BMO no-fee card is how we're moving forward. I've looked at the other travel cards & programs and Airmiles is still the best fit for US. We use the miles for renting cars & hotel stays with the odd merchandise redemption thrown in for good measure.

I have a Home Trust Visa. It is no fee and is cash back. Best is that there is no added foreign exchange fee, so is often the one I use when I travel.

I actually use my credit card as a debit card,,, I fully pay it off every other day.
Yep 39.00 dollars a year is all I am will to pay for a credit card.
View attachment 776640
Hugs Mel

I use my credit card the same way that you do. I pay off either the same day or within a day or two. I have my Quicken app open every day. LOL

I do have cards that I pay for for some of the extras, but as more time goes along, and those extras are getting fewer and fewer, I will be cancelling them.

 

[bababear_50]

 

[tinkerone]

Got up at 6 AM because today is my Disney Dining booking window. Only able to get one of the 3 reservations I wanted. I now leave it up to Dining Fairy to do the rest. I'm sure she will pull through.

 

[bababear_50]

Got everything I wanted for a small Prime Day shop.
4 stocking stuffers ( 2 chilly Tog sports towels,,, Eye glass cleaner, Tablet cleaner and cloths and a new heating pad for myself.

spent $109.23
Hugs Mel

Edited to add
I did a second Amazon Shop as Iams wet cat Food was on sale just for Prime Day.
Regular $42.00
Prime Day deal $29.74
good savings

 

[Donald - my hero]

Placed 2 orders today - first one was ready to go as soon as I was up, just waiting to see if there was a discount. Arthur's step stool for his birthday $190 but I cashed in all kinds of surveys for Amazon gift cards so out of pocket cost was $85
Just finished up my 2nd one.
Got a frame with a spot to hold Mocha's collar, on sale and included category

tossed in some socks for our daughter's trip to Disney

 

[bababear_50]

Just got this email
Get 5x the AIR MILES® Reward MilesTM on eligible Amazon purchases through airmilesshops.ca in addition to Prime Day deals.1 Ends July 12 – don’t miss out!

Plus, as a top collector, see how much more you earn with this offer: AIR MILES Gold® Collectors get 5x Miles + 3 Miles for every $20 spent2​ ​ Onyx® Collectors get 5x Miles + 5 Miles for every $20 spent2​

 

[mort1331]

Not that I collect AM anymore,,,but saw an announcement today. Starting Aug 7,you can start collecting AM at Dollarama....good luck to all

 

[bababear_50]

Not that I collect AM anymore,,,but saw an announcement today. Starting Aug 7,you can start collecting AM at Dollarama....good luck to all

Ha I was like thinking this is an April Fools Day joke.....
Thanks for sharing.
Hugs Mel


https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/air-miles-announces-new-nationwide-partnership-with-dollarama-863657292.html#:~:text=With Dollarama boasting over 1,500 stores across the,new ways for collectors to earn and redeem.

https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/a...AIfYI_rnRlrm6Hobt1A92TyuYLdlXbGddELgMvrJRt09f

 

[tinkerone]

Ha I was like thinking this is an April Fools Day joke.....
Thanks for sharing.
Hugs Mel


https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/air-miles-announces-new-nationwide-partnership-with-dollarama-863657292.html#:~:text=With Dollarama boasting over 1,500 stores across the,new ways for collectors to earn and redeem.

https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/a...AIfYI_rnRlrm6Hobt1A92TyuYLdlXbGddELgMvrJRt09f

Ummm, WOW! Did you see the part about BMO doing 5 times till Nov?

The Dollarama partnership allows collectors with a linked Canadian issued Mastercard to earn 10 Bonus Miles when they spend $30 or more in a single transaction in-store at Dollarama until November 6, 2023. This includes all items available for purchase across Dollarama's broad assortment of general merchandise (such as party and office supplies, kitchenware, hardware, toys and apparel), consumables (such as cleaning, health and beauty, pet, snacks and other food products) as well as seasonal items. In addition, BMO will offer BMO AIR MILES credit card holders the opportunity to earn 5x the Miles on purchases at Dollarama, providing enhanced value to its cardmembers until November 6, 2023. More to come on this exciting partnership. Terms apply.

So, how do you think that looks? 10 miles for spending $30 and BMO CC holders (probably Elite for this one) 5 times the miles. So, does that mean 50 AMs on a $30 spend? That's a good return. I don't often shop Dollarama but.....

 

[tinkerone]

Placed 2 orders today - first one was ready to go as soon as I was up, just waiting to see if there was a discount. Arthur's step stool for his birthday $190 but I cashed in all kinds of surveys for Amazon gift cards so out of pocket cost was $85
Just finished up my 2nd one.
Got a frame with a spot to hold Mocha's collar, on sale and included category
View attachment 777065
tossed in some socks for our daughter's trip to Disney
View attachment 777066

Do you do the Ipsos surveys? I found that one about 2 months ago and am getting great returns. Just did one that is supposed to pay a return equivalent to $20. They have Amazon GCs on offer.

 

[bababear_50]

I pick up tons of stuff for both work and home at Dollarama.
cards ,,wrapping paper, gift bags
note pads
baggies ,garbage bags
Pencils ,,,, because every High school kid I work with doesn't have one. (oh and sticky notes)
Purex laundry detergent
cat toys
reader glasses
dish/pot scrubbers
kitchen gadgets
hair clips
garden stuff
Tostitos
etc
I am very happy that Dollarama is a new Airmiles sponsor.

 

[juniorbugman]

I wonder if you could buy a $30 gift card with your linked mastercard to earn the miles as I don't spend that much normally? Only time will tell.

 

[hdrolfe]

I don't shop at Dollarama often (partly because they have no rewards program) but I do like their seasonal stuff, they always have the aisle that is summer or christmas or halloween or whatever and often have some neat stuff there. And of course I have to get some chocolate or candy when I go cheap chocolate bars! And the candy that kiddo likes. I look forward to the change. I will probably end up shopping there more often because of it honestly.

 

[cari12]

Ummm, WOW! Did you see the part about BMO doing 5 times till Nov?

The Dollarama partnership allows collectors with a linked Canadian issued Mastercard to earn 10 Bonus Miles when they spend $30 or more in a single transaction in-store at Dollarama until November 6, 2023. This includes all items available for purchase across Dollarama's broad assortment of general merchandise (such as party and office supplies, kitchenware, hardware, toys and apparel), consumables (such as cleaning, health and beauty, pet, snacks and other food products) as well as seasonal items. In addition, BMO will offer BMO AIR MILES credit card holders the opportunity to earn 5x the Miles on purchases at Dollarama, providing enhanced value to its cardmembers until November 6, 2023. More to come on this exciting partnership. Terms apply.

So, how do you think that looks? 10 miles for spending $30 and BMO CC holders (probably Elite for this one) 5 times the miles. So, does that mean 50 AMs on a $30 spend? That's a good return. I don't often shop Dollarama but.....

I don’t either but might have to check it out if that’s the return!