Airmiles - devaluing "points" at the end of the year?

[albertanewbie]

Has anyone heard if this is true or not. We have been hearing rumors that the Airmiles program will be revamping their points atthe end of this year, and the current point values on items to be all re-done??

Can anyone shed any light?

[Rocketo]

Has anyone heard if this is true or not. We have been hearing rumors that the Airmiles program will be revamping their points atthe end of this year, and the current point values on items to be all re-done??

Can anyone shed any light?

if this is true that's really sad it's hard enough for me to even collect 5000 worth of airmiles...and to think that's 4 trips to vegas for myself...

[Derek]

Curious enough to ask, where did you hear these rumours?

[DaVibe]

Considering I get crap all from AirMiles in how many years, that would be nice ... but if they're "Revamping it" and making it HARDER to earn, well then ... that's a whole other ball game.

"Rumours" haha this guy probably works for the AirMiles company :lol:
HE'S WARNING US!!! :)

[HighFlyer]

well, I wouldn't be surprised given that aeroplan just gutted the @#!$ out of their program.

[albertanewbie]

Curious enough to ask, where did you hear these rumours?

A coworker was telling us.....they said they heard it on the news. I never heard that, but I do not listen to the news all the time either!

[chococrazy]

A coworker was telling us.....they said they heard it on the news. I never heard that, but I do not listen to the news all the time either!

Nothing on the Loyalty Group site, or any of the news websites that I've searched. I emailed them to ask, let's see what they say.

[Nyte]

Check out his post count.

[ji2o0k]

a little off-topic...........but what in your opinion is worth redeeming points for?

Giftcards? Gas cards?

I want to find out what is the best bang for my buck. I have Aeroplan miles, Air miles and Sony points and I haven't redeemed any of them.

Just curious, or if there is already a thread on this....could you point me in the right direction?

[zoro69]

Its been 2+ years since they devalued points balance by upping the number required for many of the rewards, eg A&P certs went from 125 to 140 with many others rising a simlar amount. I wouldn't be surprised if they do it again...while I'm holding 7,300 points. What to do, hold on in case I take a flight someday that will be worth more or redeem for gift cards now, the better deals being places I rarely shop at. I'd probably get the newish HBC ones they have now at $25 for 200.

[zoro69]

Its easy enough to calculate the cents per mile in vlaue you get for the gift cards. In most cases this is towards triple what the merchandise is worth...however many of the stores are high priced ones, eg $20 at A&P isn't much of a deal if you can buy the same stuff for $15 at basics.

The best deal is if you want to take a flight that is particularly expensive within their zones. One's to northern Canada stand out there.

[konfusion666]

well, I wouldn't be surprised given that aeroplan just gutted the @#!$ out of their program.

how'd they gut their program? i thought we still had 7 years grace period

[gman]

That is why I dislike all points reward although I also have over 3000 air miles. I prefer reward that attaches to a dollar value instead. It does not have to be cash reward. e.g. Citibank Driver's edge, GM Visa, etc.

[Beradon]

Compared to other points programs I've always felt Airmiles was the worst when it comes to the redemption value you get for your points.

[HighFlyer]

how'd they gut their program? i thought we still had 7 years grace period
Over the past couple of years, we've seen:
-increase in cancellation/change fees
-fuel surcharges ranging into the $200's on 'free' tickets
-call center fees increase to $30+tax per ticket
-since AC and AP are now separate companies, the US transportation tax of $28.20US and the $4.50US PFC now applies to transborder tickets
-removal of same day standby on reward flights
-half a million points required on some rewards under their new classic-minus category. it costs much less for 'rule-buster' rewards on other frequent flyer programs like UA's mileage plus.

and of course, the 'enhancements' announced recently.

[Praetorian]

airmiles is a depreciating asset. cash it in before they further lose their value...

[chococrazy]

Here is their response. It looks like someone actually typed it out considering the spelling/typing errors. Note that I didn't mention anything about Aeroplan in my original email, which I've also pasted below.

Hello XXXXXX,

Thank you for your e-mail regarding the recent announcement regarding AERO PLAN or any other rumor.

We would like to bring to your attention that the AIR MILES® Reward Program is in no way affiliated with AERO PLAN.

We wish to assure you that AIR MILES® reward miles never expire! As long as you continue to visit our Sponsors and present your Collector Card when making your purchases, your Collector Account balance will continue to increase.

We are not aware of any other change coming a the end of the year. If there is some thing you would like to confirm regarding any rum our you are hearing, please let us know and we would be pleased to assist you.

Thank you for your e-mail. We appreciated
being able to provide you with this information.

Regards,

Royal
AIR MILES® Customer Care Specialist



My original email:

There is a rumour going on around the internet that there is going to be a change in the Air Miles program at the end of the year. Can you shed any light on this???

[konfusion666]

My original email:

There is a rumour going on around the internet that there is going to be a change in the Air Miles program at the end of the year. Can you shed any light on this???

You should respond back with something like:

AERO PLAN? Who is AERO PLAN??!!! What are you hiding from me? I want the TRUTH! GIVE ME THE TRUTH!!!!(&*^*^&&%^!

[stevethewheel]

chococrazy, since you didn't mention AEROPLAN but they did, it could mean that you have a broken telephone. The original rumour could have been about aeroplan but when you heard it the name had changed to air miles which is on it's way to becoming a generic term. So maybe you should be searching sites for an aeroplan announcement instead.

I don't have either one. I can't be bothered with more cards in my wallet and they don't pay out enough to have my shopping habits info.

[gman]

You should respond back with something like:

AERO PLAN? Who is AERO PLAN??!!! What are you hiding from me? I want the TRUTH! GIVE ME THE TRUTH!!!!(&*^*^&&%^!

You want the truth!? "YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH."
:)

[Bullseye]

Air Miles get devalued every year or so, when they raise the number of miles needed for things, but keep the earning levels the same.

[konfusion666]

Air Miles get devalued every year or so, when they raise the number of miles needed for things, but keep the earning levels the same.

It's such a rip-off, eh?

But unfortunately it's my only "rewards" non-DeptStore CC.

I have a "CIBC Classic VISA" which has absolutely no benefits, a Citi MC which I got just for the 0% balance xfer, and an AMEX AirMiles. So I end up using the AMEX as much as possible.

[Bullseye]

It's such a rip-off, eh?

But unfortunately it's my only "rewards" non-DeptStore CC.

I have a "CIBC Classic VISA" which has absolutely no benefits, a Citi MC which I got just for the 0% balance xfer, and an AMEX AirMiles. So I end up using the AMEX as much as possible.

Why not get a cashback card? 1-1.25% depending on card.

[konfusion666]

Why not get a cashback card? 1-1.25% depending on card.

Even 1% would be better than the $20/1 airmile ratio my AMEX gets.

I've been analyzing my AMEX activity in Excel and it turns out I spend about $4000 per yr just on that card. That's only 200 air miles, but 1% = $40.
175 am = $20 Gift Cert. :mad:

But my credit report has been too busy... so will have to wait for next year, then find a good "deal".

[Bullseye]

Only $4k per year? Unless you're a student or something, you probably have a lot of things you could pay by cc if you wanted to. I'm on track to get close to $1000 cash back this year, but I put everything on the card.

[konfusion666]

Only $4k per year? Unless you're a student or something, you probably have a lot of things you could pay by cc if you wanted to. I'm on track to get close to $1000 cash back this year, but I put everything on the card.

well I have 2 CC's, so i spread them out between the cards.

Plus I have Sears/HBC cards so a big chunk of shopping will get put onto those ones.

i've only recently started putting monthly bills on the CC's, i used to just pay them all using cash.

[chococrazy]

chococrazy, since you didn't mention AEROPLAN but they did, it could mean that you have a broken telephone. The original rumour could have been about aeroplan but when you heard it the name had changed to air miles which is on it's way to becoming a generic term. So maybe you should be searching sites for an aeroplan announcement instead.

I don't have either one. I can't be bothered with more cards in my wallet and they don't pay out enough to have my shopping habits info.

It wasn't me that heard the rumour, it was the OP. I just emailed them to ask them. But what you said makes sense, the person probably got confused with Aeroplan.

I have 1400 odd points from years and years of collecting. I don't really try to collect them, because I'd rather use my cashback card instead of an AM cc.

Maybe I'll redeem them soon for groceries, although it would be nice to have something physical like a kitchen appliance. If only I had the counter space...

[Bullseye]

I have 1400 odd points from years and years of collecting. I don't really try to collect them, because I'd rather use my cashback card instead of an AM cc.

Maybe I'll redeem them soon for groceries, although it would be nice to have something physical like a kitchen appliance. If only I had the counter space...


That's how I collect, I carry the card, but only use it if I just happen to be shopping somewhere that takes it. Or sometimes I take advantage of special bonus miles where it's worthwhile to do so.

I always redeem for gift cards or car washes as soon as I have enough, though. Just letting them sit for years lets them devalue.

[Choco]

I've been with AirMiles for 6+ years and my points (although small) has not depreciate at all.

[Bullseye]

I've been with AirMiles for 6+ years and my points (although small) has not depreciate at all.

Really? So while everyone else's redemption levels rose, you are still able to redeem for the same amount of miles you were 6 years ago? That's amazing! :cheesygri

[Praetorian]

I've been with AirMiles for 6+ years and my points (although small) has not depreciate at all.

good for u. then keep saving ur airmiles while the redemption values keep increasing.

...can someone please explain to this person what's going on here? :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[divx]

Only $4k per year? Unless you're a student or something, you probably have a lot of things you could pay by cc if you wanted to. I'm on track to get close to $1000 cash back this year, but I put everything on the card.

Oh, where do I get one of those cash back CC you guys are talking about?

[Bullseye]

Oh, where do I get one of those cash back CC you guys are talking about?

3%/5% cashback cards are now dead, but there are plenty of 1% cards around, and quite a few threads discussing them.

[gman]

I've been with AirMiles for 6+ years and my points (although small) has not depreciate at all.

So, you dig out this thread to post a joke?? It depreciated 2 or 3 times (or more) in the past 6 years. If you say it does not depreciate, it is like saying money does not depreciate.

[Mulder and Scully]

I can believe the original post. Air Miles has always been the weakest of the reward programs and rumours have been circulating for a few years now that they've been losing money for a while.

[imoo2u]

Talking about loyalty points/rewards, most are going down the tube .. not worth holding/getting them as they are just worthless, these days. I am getting over these loyalties ... I get s**t all over when comes to redemption. So f**k loyalties and am going to use cc with cashback on best/reasonable goods and services.

[purple_rabbit]

I can believe the original post. Air Miles has always been the weakest of the reward programs and rumours have been circulating for a few years now that they've been losing money for a while.


Well you can fly anywhere in N.A with 1600 airmiles. That's a pretty darn good deal if you ask me.

[sledbc]

The best deal is if you want to take a flight that is particularly expensive within their zones. One's to northern Canada stand out there.

Exactly, flights from here to Vancouver, which is the only way outa here via plane.....are in the 5-700 range return, considering that flight will cost me 850 airmiles its almost a buck a mile value.....We will buy sale flights from vancouver, then use our miles to fly there. Or use miles for flights to vancouver/edmonton/calgary for concerts/hockey games etc...