Airmiles Armchair Chatter

[AngelDisney]

We already used our mile for two children's 2-day tickets to USO. We would really like to get one more ticket, but it would have to the considerably pricier Adult ticket (when they only cost $10 more but take more than 300 more miles). So we need 904 more miles in the next 10 weeks (to give a couple of week for the ticket to arrive. It would save us ~CDN$310. My DH is willing to pay a bit more for some things, as at least we'd get goods along with the ticket with that $310 instead of the ticket alone.
Is it possible? Any tips? We're more Zehrs, Costco, and Shoppers than Metro and Rexall. I don't even know which gas station might earn AirMiles.

Shell earns airmiles. Pixie dust!

 

[bababear_50]

We already used our mile for two children's 2-day tickets to USO. We would really like to get one more ticket, but it would have to the considerably pricier Adult ticket (when they only cost $10 more but take more than 300 more miles). So we need 904 more miles in the next 10 weeks (to give a couple of week for the ticket to arrive. It would save us ~CDN$310. My DH is willing to pay a bit more for some things, as at least we'd get goods along with the ticket with that $310 instead of the ticket alone.
Is it possible? Any tips? We're more Zehrs, Costco, and Shoppers than Metro and Rexall. I don't even know which gas station might earn AirMiles.

Hi Hon
I think it's doable
Out of your list I see Rexall and Metro as places you can earn airmiles.
Shell gas stations provide airmiles.
Sobeys is a great place to stock pile on things when they are on sale and are part of an airmiles promotion.
If you buy gift cards for friends or family watch for airmiles promotions,right now there is buy a 50.00 Marks work wearhouse gift card and get 70 bonus airmiles. A few weeks ago it was I-tunes gift cards. Last week my sister and I shared 18 bottles of garden select pasta sauce----nine each---total cost $35.82 = 300 airmiles.
I have seen many baby products at Rexall and Sobeys in the past offering airmiles,,,I just noticed you have a baby.
The Childrens Place is another one you might use.
I'm sure others will chime in with suggestions.
P.S maybe tell us where you live in Canada?
Hugs
Mel

 

[bababear_50]

I've been collecting for awhile but I still am learning where I can get airmiles

New one for me is Global pets food--I only have gold fish but hey atleast it a few airmiles
I don't really drink much but it's nice that my sons provide me with LCBO airmiles.
Does anyone know if Lowes offer airmiles in store or only through online?
I am going to find time to really look at the many places that are available.
Hugs Mel

*****Under O on the list of places to collect airmiles is
Ontario Health Study ---Online questionnaire - 35 airmiles****

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

I live in the K-W area, Ontario. I'd have to look where the nearest Sobeys might be. That's cool on the gift cards. Too bad I missed the iTunes one, but I'm definitely interested in what they might offer a kid birthdays approach.
Hmm, trying to build a plan here....
TY!

 

[ottawamom]

bababear, Lowes takes your AM card in store as well. Have used it many times. I don't get a lot of AM there but if you luck into needing a large purchase and a bonus promotion you can do alright.

 

[Donald - my hero]

I live in the K-W area, Ontario. I'd have to look where the nearest Sobeys might be. That's cool on the gift cards. Too bad I missed the iTunes one, but I'm definitely interested in what they might offer a kid birthdays approach.
Hmm, trying to build a plan here....
TY!

Hi!!! I just climbed into bed and the kindle isn't too quick with links so I'll add some in the morning. We live in Guelph and once a week make the 30 minute commute to the Sobeys on Bridgeport. It's open 24 hours, big and clean and always well stocked. They store the items needed to make the meal deals all together which is uber handy. The self check tills are like a video game, as you scan each item it "says" the price and the Airmiles earned pop up as you scan the required items. The cashiers are always more than willing to help us if something doesnt work out. If you take a look at my post from earlier today and then last weekend you can see how we made out. We only use shoppers for our scripts right now and get EVERYTHING else at Rexall, I should be able to provide a link for a coupon tomorrow that will be good for spend $30.00 get 50 Airmiles. We've earned over 3000 in just the last 30 days, with a little effort you'll get that ticket in no time! WELCOME

 

[bababear_50]

bababear, Lowes takes your AM card in store as well. Have used it many times. I don't get a lot of AM there but if you luck into needing a large purchase and a bonus promotion you can do alright.

Thanks Hon
I am thinking of replacing a dishwasher.
Hugs Mel

 

[DizzyDis]

And there is Staples too. We were lucky enough to buy our new computer on the 20x the points event, so although they normally take a while to add up there, taking advantage of offers like that can be huge!!

And for some reason my Sobeys AM didn't post last week, so I am seeing some of the same bugs you all are. Now it is still sitting at 40 AM short of Onyx-just enough to tease!! I may have to plan a Rexall trip just to get those last few and push me into Onyx!

 

[Donald - my hero]

Here's this week's Rexall coupon -- spend $30.00 get 50 AM... but there's a new little bit of fine print that i find annoying! "Can not be combined with any other AIR MILES® store wide coupon offer" I always pair these up with my targeted coupons , those are never for more than perhaps 10 at most but hey, every little bit helps right?? For all you relative newbies, you can either print this coupon off or show on a mobile device ... break up your purchases into individual sales totally as close to $30.00 as possible (before tax and after any coupons if your cashier is snarky) and just use the coupon as many times as you want. I've been known to use it up to 4 times a day ... for 2 or 3 days depending on the flyer

http://images.rexall.ca/newsletter/2016/Sept12/SEP12-COUPON-3050-ONMB.pdf

To make sure you get your own targetted coupons from places like Metro and Rexall you need to go into your Airmiles profile and "update profile" Under your email there is a little box to check Yes, I would like to receive email offers and information from the AIR MILES® Reward Program and its Sponsors. You can change your mind at any time. This will make sure you get to load "My Offers" onto your card for using at Sobey's and Foodland. I've needed to go in and check that box a couple of times when those dry up.

 

[Debbie]

I just read something on the Canadian Disney Addicts FB page where two people said that Air Miles will likely be phased out completely next year. I don't know how accurate it is, but something to file in the back of your mind.

 

[Donald - my hero]

I just read something on the Canadian Disney Addicts FB page where two people said that Air Miles will likely be phased out completely next year. I don't know how accurate it is, but something to file in the back of your mind.

This is complete BUNK! Wrong, bad information by those who do not know how to use the programme and are having Airmiles expire at the end of the year ... i just was on online chat to get the straight news and have copied my transcript in the thread above this (or will be below now) titled "Airmiles Warning" .. go read it and take a deep breath! Perhaps i should find the FB group and let them know as well?? On second thought, i'd rather not join another group if i can avoid it -- will you pass it on for me?

 

[mort1331]

You tell them Duck,,,but everything on the net is true...By the way I did pay a co-worker $350 for a 5 day adult pass because he couldn't/wouldn't be able to use his points before he lost them. Due to expire , not phased out. Win win

 

[ottawamom]

No say it isn't so. I just felt like I was getting the hang of the AM collecting thing. I have my weekly routine of shopping/collecting down to a fine science.

 

[Donald - my hero]

No say it isn't so. I just felt like I was getting the hang of the AM collecting thing. I have my weekly routine of shopping/collecting down to a fine science.

nope, it's not true .... at all ... go read my post in the "Airmiles Warning" thread .... and then breath deep and go to Rexall with the coupon i linked!!

 

[ottawamom]

Thanks for the post about the program. I've already been to Rexall and yes I did use the spend 30 get 50AM. I got an extra 20AM for picking up my allergy medications so all in all it was a pretty good morning. (slow and steady wins the race)

 

[brandyleeann]

Hi everyone!

First, I just want to say that I LOVE this board!!! I am so glad I found it.

I am considering switching strategies for redemption and am interested in feedback. Bear with me as I go through this....

1) I was initially keen to try and save 14,000 miles to purchase 5-day WDW passes for my family of four (2 adults, 2 kids).

2) Our trip to WDW is planned ahead of a cruise we would like to do in 2018 (with OBB).

3) I am now feeling mom guilt on being out of school for two weeks and decided that going January 2018 during Christmas closure would be better and then the kids only need to miss one week of school, so the trip would be:

Jan 1 - travel day from YEG to MCO, stay at WDW
Jan 2 - 5 - 3 parks days + 1 at the WDW resort (thinking Poly)
Jan 6 - 13 - cruise

4) When I look at miles required for 4 3-Day passes, it is about 13,000 miles, not a huge difference at all.

5) I think it would be more cost effective to use miles for flights, although we would need 5,100ish because it is high season.

So, now my questions...

- In your experience, what is the best window for booking flights using miles (how many months ahead in order to secure availability)? In other words, when do you think my goal of getting 20,400 miles would have to be in order to use them on flights?

- I should hit Onyx this year (first time!) - does this mean I am Onyx in 2017 and my redemption for flights is less because supposedly Onyx members require 40% fewer miles for flights? Is that for flights redeemed that year or for travel within that year?

- Or should I just stick with my plan and get my WDW passes?

Thanks for getting through this post and sorry to be obsessive!

Brandy

 

[Donald - my hero]

@brandyleeann Welcome to the hunt, super glad you've decided to join in the fun

I'll do my best to answer your questions and i'm sure others will chime in over the next few days. Congrats on hitting ONYX -- one of the benefits from this level is no need to worry about your miles expiring, forcing you to cash them in on silly "stuff". As far as the getting flights for less miles, don't count on it! If you try to do a dummy booking you'll see that not every flight even requires the same # of miles and the ones that you can get a discount on might be "sold out" It's been awhile since i used them to fly and i waited only until I had enough to get the flights i wanted, there really is no benefit to waiting that I'm aware of (but i've been wrong before on many occasions ) Someone mentioned on another thread that they find it makes good sense to cash in for flights during high travel seasons like you're looking at because the taxes don't even come close to the cash fare for flights.

Your #3 point ... i get the mom-guilt thing, but we always figured the out of class experiences were just as important for our kids. MIND you, it's been over a decade since we had anyone in the school system and things have probably changed regarding allowable absences. Your trip sounds like a lot of fun! Happy planning and let us know what you decide

 

[Marbel]

Question about buying miles (through the AM site), for anyone who has done it. How long does it take for the miles to show up in your account? Is it immediate or does it take some time?

 

[ottawamom]

Brandyleann, First of all when you reach ONYX it is not an automatic 40% off flights. That is on the occasional sale and I haven't noticed one that I could use. Your best bet to save on flights is to get a World Elite or World M/C (BMO has one) that offer you 25% off your flights within North America. There is a fee with each of these cards but you wouldn't have to keep it for more than a year if you didn't want to. You will still be paying the taxes on your flights so they aren't free.
You may find that you can get a great seat sale instead.

You're going to need to do a few calculations and see which is the best alternative for your family. Getting park tickets is definitely an expensive AM option as most of the cost is loaded into the first 3 or 4 days.

If you do decide to book flights with AM you want to start watching the AM site now for 1 person flying from YEG to MCO. Availability and flight times have a pattern all their own on this site. You'll probably want to book as soon as flights are available. I wouldn't wait much past the 6 month out mark at the latest. Be aware that Air Canada and WestJet move schedules and the flight you book may not be the one you end up with. (They do get you there just maybe not on your original routing. That's a whole other thread, you can search for it.)

Bottom line is it probably will come down to how many AM you have and how many you think you can collect between now and say June/July of next year (for flights). You can wait until September/October 2017 to order park tickets.

Good luck, and welcome to the thread

Edit to add: your ONYX status reached this year is good through March 2018.

 

[buyerbrad]

Still no Foodland gift card Airmiles. I don't have the receipt, so I'm starting to lose hope about my 800AM.