Gozit

We have 1468 air miles. What does this even get us? Mum and dad have been collectors since '93 so not sure if this is a little or a lot.

Thoughts?
Cheers.

Aviator

Won't get you far. If you go on the Air Miles website, that will tell you what you get.

Mikeypm

One way ticket for one on the airport bus

Gozit

I can't even get a $100 camera with it. Oh well

scrubbedexpat091

I know some collect air miles like mad, not sure how they do it, most of the places that participate in the program are either services you would not use on a regular basis, or over prices stores like Safeway.

I do collect Save On points, I hoard them for lean times when money is tight to get free milk, eggs, bread and other staples, only points program I have ever been able to actually get enough points to get free stuff....

Second thought, I used to get free movies 2-3 times a year with scene points card, but now no movie theater so don't go anymore.

ann m

Airmiles seem to be rubbish now. We used to trade them in for gift cards then go Christmas shopping, or get Cineplex vouchers.

In the past 7 years I think we would still have not been able to buy a return to London - and now you can get bugger all for them.

Oink

I use mine for stuff. I bought a big posh" tv, two DSLR cameras and a deep fryer (for chicken wings).

MB-Realtor

I used them for Hotel Rooms.

But you can use them for instant cash discounts while you are buying from say .... Sobeys.

SchnookoLoly

My husband and I are big into points schemes... we've saved a bucket in the year we've been in Canada simply by being strategic with picking and choosing cards. Air Miles are junk, there are better points schemes out there. Happy to post more if anyone is interested.

Souvy

We generally use our Air Miles as part-payment for vacations. Ditto the Bonidollars we get on our Desjardins visa card.

I did have a lot of Aeroplan points. The only useful thing I could find to do with them was buy $750 worth of Esso gift cards and give them to my stepson.

Atlantic Xpat

Quite. Aeropesos suffer from AC's usurious redemption charges or "YQ" which appear in the taxes and charges on aeroplan's website when you make a booking. As an example, myself and my eldest daughter are travelling to UK next month. Using points it was going to cost 120k aeroplan points + $700 a person in charges. Booking an actual ticket cost $800 per person!

Aeroplan points for travel do come into their own in domestic Canadian travel & to a lesser extent transborder, where lower YQ is charged. Particularly in high cost routes. Earlier this year I flew from St John's to Deer Lake for the weekend. That's a 45 min flight that costs $1000+ generally. For 22k Aeroplan points and $100 it was a steal.

Aeroplan points can be used to book travel on other Star Alliance carriers some of which don't charge such a high YQ. (United for example). If you are flexible with routing and dates it is possible to get round the world tickets in business class for 90k points and not a lot of $$. I've also used them for hotel stays & occasionally actual stuff. I earn quite a few through travel although I burned most of them last Christmas taking the family to UK at an expensive time of year when peversely they provided more value than a cheaper time of year!

Jingsamichty

I've been giving away stuff from Aeroplan to friends and colleagues in an attempt to use up the insane amount of points I've accrued over my time in Canada. I've still got 105,000 points left.

So, have a look at the Aeroplan catalogue, and tell me if there's anything you want up to 105,000 miles.

Best requests will get what they ask for. Make me laugh and your chances are better. Serious, genuine offer. Got to post here though, no PMs.

Jings'll Fix It for you...

Atlantic Xpat

Well I'm not sure how I've managed to live without one of these:

https://www4.aeroplan.com/mrch/home-...odCC03892.html

But I know that if Uncle Jings bought me one, my life would be immensely improved.

Jingsamichty

Now then now then, howsaboutthat?

You're a lucky boy today, AX... come and sit on my lap - ooooooh, that's nice - and PM me your address in NL and I'll get it sent over.

Canadian addresses only folks, they won't ship outside of Canada (otherwise I'd be keeping it all to myself!)

98,000 miles left.

SchnookoLoly

Alright, let's see then.

We are moving into a new house in November... so I looked through the home section.

First, what the f*ing hell is this - https://www3.aeroplan.com/mrch/home-...odCC05821.html

But on a more serious note...

Since we have about a zillion and one things to do in terms of renovations, $100 at Home Hardware would be quite the help. https://www3.aeroplan.com/mrch/gift-...prodMZ928.html
We are doing a DIY renovation in our kitchen, so this would go towards materials for that. We also have about a zillion buckets of paint to buy.

Or alternatively, $100 for Winners would also be a help, and is slightly better value - https://www3.aeroplan.com/mrch/gift-...odRC00042.html
This would go towards the general 'stuff' that a house needs that I'm sure I'm overlooking, like handsoap for the bathrooms. Winners also has nice lamps and picture frames and other household decorative stuff like that.

Since you are being so generous with your points, in return and in the spirit of paying it forward, I'll donate $50 to Colon Cancer Canada (Colon Cancer Canada | We're behind your behind) and provide a screenshot so you know I did it. My grandfather passed away in 2007 from colon cancer, and in 2005 my dad had his colon removed as a preventative measure. Colorectal cancer is the 3rd most diagnosed cancer in Canada (behind lung and breast, excluding melanoma).