Airmiles Armchair Chatter

[CanadianKrista]

My question earlier about booking flights via redtag to earn (not redeem) miles was answered - you go to flights-airmiles.redtag.ca

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

Hmm, I like these package deals! Although, we would like to do a combo trip of WDW and USO. Not sure that would work on this website though. Looks like you have to pick one or the other if you are staying at onsite hotels. Booo.

 

[marchingstar]

Can someone tell me how to find the WDW and USO hotel/flight packages?

for anyone else searching: I set the destination as either "Universal Orlando" or "Disney World Orlando" (or whatever comes up when you type these destinations into the search bar)

 

[Pumpkin1172]

I think with the new site...flexibility of being able to book what you needed - split stays or extending a day or two beyond the package they are providing or using a travel agent is not there. Many of us use different cards rewards and bulk them into one trip, at this time really can't be done through the Redtag Am portal.

We also have the west jet card...and really wanted to be able to take advantage of the rewards and companion fare. I will still work all the reward programs I have and see how I can best use them. But I can see us using the portal to plan a trip. And being able to use my AM ( if I didn't have them earmarked for something else like Universal Or Disney tickets) would make me book a holiday and offset the cost by using my AM if I didn't have enough before. I guess it will all come down to how each person wants to utilize all their rewards.

 

[Donald - my hero]

I'm sitting here mildly chuckling (just a bit, honest!) because last year we went thru the same kind of discussions when they launched the travel voucher system -- we were all confused, speculating, frustrated, excited ... it boils down to the same answer, AM really needs to step up it's game when it comes to explaining how new options actually work and compare to the old! I would imagine that the customer care centres for both AM & Redtag are run ragged today!!!

I'm going to try and answer some of the questions that have popped up today ---Just remember these are the musings of a Duck who has yet to have a full night's sleep this year ---

• You can ONLY book packages thru the new Redtag site. This is no different from the travel voucher system
• You are limited to what is offered thru the online site, it won't matter if you call in, it's a case of "what you see is what you get"
• If you want to book flights only and EARN Airmiles you have a few options still open to you if you go thru the Airmilesshop portal: Expedia, Flighthub
• THANKS to @CanadianKrista you can also EARN miles for flights thru redtag via this link Redtag Airmiles Flights
• to book hotels at Disney or Universal and EARN Airmiles you will need to go thru the Airmiles Travel Hub -- expensive-ish for certain hotels and you need to pay up front BUT you're paying in CDN funds. I was able to find All of the AllStar resorts for $144/night mid-Feb. You don't earn many miles but at least its some
• Another way to EARN miles for Disney & Universal hotels is thru the Airmilesshop portal and use Expedia
• If you are wanting to piece together a package that includes both Disney and Universal you can do that thru Expedia as well if you select the Flight + Hotel option and click that you only need hotel for part of your stay. Again this is only to EARN miles
• If you were hoping to use Airmiles to book flights separately, this is still available the same as before directly thru the Airmiles site
• The biggest bonus i can see compared to the voucher system is that you are able to get insurance on at least some portion of the miles used (it's confusing as to how much but it is better than what i have right now because i have a feeling if i use these darned things and then end up needing to cancel/change the vouchers will NOT be refunded!!)

I'm sure there will be more questions pop up and I hope we continue to help each other out with our thoughts, suggestions and once it gets to the point where one of us has actually USED the system how it ends up working.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

It looks like the easiest to book is the all inclusive deals. It's very clear on the price, how many miles you can choose to use, how many you will earn, etc. I like it for that type of trip.

 

[Donald - my hero]

I'm sorry you have had so much bad luck with the vouchers, travel agent, trip plans...ugh. It makes me upset just reading it. I can't even imagine your anger and disappointment over how things have worked for you over all of this

I agree with Pumpkin--it sucks how many roadblocks you've hit with your trip planning. I'm a silver-lining searcher, so I'd say that without this roadblock you might still be looking at Sandals, but because of the problems you've now found a resort you're even more excited about? I'm not sure that's worth all your frustrations, but I hope that once you're on a beach and Mr. Duck is sipping a drink in a hammock, the sting of things will disappear?

Yeah, it's been a royal PIA to be sure, I'm crossing my fingers that we've cleared all the hurdles we need to but I tend to be a worrier and until the trip is actually booked I'll be cursing myself for having cashed in!

NOW, as far as looking at things from the other side and searching for the good out of a lousy situation there are sooo many!

1. I have been suffering thru some pretty nasty gastritis attacks and would have been miserable if the Sandals trip had actually worked out this year (we would have been getting back today, sigh) Turns out the last time i saw the specialist for a scope he removed several polyps (not usual for me, non-cancerous, just annoying!) and cleaned out the gut pretty well and had recommended a repeat scope within a year BUT no one communicated that to us and that was in Jan 2016!!!
2. I stumbled across the fact that Hotel Xcaret actually will handle my dietary issues just as well as both Disney and Sandals!!!
3. If we pay for the highest level we'll still have butler service & separate check-in, something the Sandals resort had to ensure the best care with my food.
4. They use bracelets that look an awful lot like Magic Bands that do all of the same things, open doors, charge things to the room that aren't covered (tips, massages, gift shop) so no need to carry cash/credit card
5. The entire resort looks like the Mexico pavilion at Epcot BUT BETTER!
6. We both knew that after the 2nd day i would be bored out of my tree at a Sandals resort since i HATE sitting in the sun and this resort has so much to do in a safe environment while hubby sips his fancy-pants umbrella drinks in his hammock.
7. We don't need to spend a fortune on clothing that would be "acceptable" for a Sandals resort since most restaurants require dressing up. There are a few at Xcaret that do, but we both have enough clothing that will be FINE. We'll be able to wear what we already own

I am soo excited for this trip that it takes (most) of the sting out of the stupid voucher situation. I'll be watching what happens with the new system with the expectation that we'll be heading back to Mexico again, it looks like a decent option to Disney until things settle down and everything opens up!

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

I'm dreaming of our Mexico trip in 121 days!!!!

112 days for me to Mexico! Where are you going / staying?

 

[kerreyn]

I'm sure there will be more questions pop up and I hope we continue to help each other out with our thoughts, suggestions and once it gets to the point where one of us has actually USED the system how it ends up working.

Here's another question - from what I've read, you can only redeem your air miles for a trip at the time of booking. Is this your understanding as well? So, if I wanted to book Mexico today and only have enough air miles to save $200, that's all we'd be able to use.

With the vouchers, we were able to book our trip (using our credit card) and pay the deposit, then take in the vouchers to Marlin to pay down the trip (only able to do at one time, couldn't go back again and again with the vouchers).

Clear as mud?

 

[Donald - my hero]

Here's another question - from what I've read, you can only redeem your air miles for a trip at the time of booking. Is this your understanding as well? So, if I wanted to book Mexico today and only have enough air miles to save $200, that's all we'd be able to use.

With the vouchers, we were able to book our trip (using our credit card) and pay the deposit, then take in the vouchers to Marlin to pay down the trip (only able to do at one time, couldn't go back again and again with the vouchers).

Clear as mud?

Perfectly clear and that was AWESOME but sorry, it's a one-shot deal ..here's from the FAQs

Can I use Miles to pay for my deposit?
No, you are unable to apply Miles to pay for your deposit or for your administration fee. You can, however, pay for your deposit using your credit card and apply Dream Miles in increments of 909 Miles at the time of booking. Please note that you are not able to use Miles to pay for any outstanding balance later on.

 

[kerreyn]

Perfectly clear and that was AWESOME but sorry, it's a one-shot deal ..here's from the FAQs

Can I use Miles to pay for my deposit?
No, you are unable to apply Miles to pay for your deposit or for your administration fee. You can, however, pay for your deposit using your credit card and apply Dream Miles in increments of 909 Miles at the time of booking. Please note that you are not able to use Miles to pay for any outstanding balance later on.

That's what I thought. If we switch to our 'main' purchases going on our Westjet MC, we should have a decent amount of Westjet dollars acrued by July/August to pay down Mexico in Dec.

On an unrelated topic - I'm pretty sure this is going to be in the US only, but a girl can hope!!!

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2019/...CQZhD8hw5bHNM4IzZNTVV91Nx2h7N3TME5aYV7RSdizzc

 

[CanadianKrista]

The link for the way to book flights on redtag to earn AM:

http://flights-airmiles.redtag.ca/

 

[Donald - my hero]

The link for the way to book flights on redtag to earn AM:

http://flights-airmiles.redtag.ca/

AWESOME, thanks for sharing, I'll add it to my monster post

 

[BLAZEY]

I know the Starbucks gift cards can be used at Starbucks in Disney, but can they be used at any Starbucks in the US? Anyone try them anywhere else?

Yes I have used them in a variety of places in the US, airports, and in England and Scotland.

 

[tinkerone]

That's what I thought. If we switch to our 'main' purchases going on our Westjet MC, we should have a decent amount of Westjet dollars acrued by July/August to pay down Mexico in Dec.

On an unrelated topic - I'm pretty sure this is going to be in the US only, but a girl can hope!!!

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2019/...CQZhD8hw5bHNM4IzZNTVV91Nx2h7N3TME5aYV7RSdizzc

We booked a DCL cruise over the weekend because DH wanted to compare them to the RCCL cruises we switched to, said he wanted to see if he remembered right, but I'm 99% sure he wanted to go again to get his hands on the room service mickey bars. He can't fool me.....

 

[Pumpkin1172]

112 days for me to Mexico! Where are you going / staying?

We are going to the Mayan Riveria - we are staying at the Luxury Bahia Principe in Akumal. Our daughter is having her destination wedding there. So there will around 50 of us so far is the head count. Mexico better prepare it's self for our family...we are very much like the Grizwalds go to Mexico!!!

 

[pigletto]

I'm sorry you have had so much bad luck with the vouchers, travel agent, trip plans...ugh. It makes me upset just reading it. I can't even imagine your anger and disappointment over how things have worked for you over all of this

Totally agree, and I’m sorry I haven’t said this exact thing sooner. You go above and beyond to help the rest of us @Donald - my hero , and it’s terrible that you’ve had so much hassle. We appreciate all you do for us immensely.

 

[momof2gr8kids]

I received 500 am and it says missing miles offer code. I'm assuming it's from the MC promo I asked about last week. Anyone else see anything?

 

[CanadianKrista]

Looks like blue Friday is coming - someone in the Facebook group posted a foodland flyer!

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

I received 500 am and it says missing miles offer code. I'm assuming it's from the MC promo I asked about last week. Anyone else see anything?

Arg! I still don't have mine yet!