Airmiles ?: Flight or Buy?

[Lando]

What is a better value for using Airmiles -- flying or purchasing items with them?

[iso3200]

i've always bought merchandise since i never get enough points for a trip. plus, merchandise isn't taxed and includes free shipping. the 2for1 movie passes were the best deal before. now, i think it's Shell carwashes.

i was always skeptical about the flights (i.e. availability, restrictions, hidden surcharges, etc).

[zoro69]

the merchandise tens to be quite poor value compare to the gift cards. Do a compaison between the airmiles for the merchadise vs redeeming for gift cards to buy the same merchandise and you'll see. The flight value varies widelyding on where your going, but it can be substantially better then the gift cards in some cases.

Unfortunately the gift cards tend to be at higher priced stores, eg A&P, so while you can caluculate their worth .14/mile, it may be deceiving if you are buying merchandise you could get cheaper at Basics. RONA is a good one if you are buying something there. Staple gift cards unfortuantely take the most miles - though you'd still likely come out ahead redeeming for them vs redeeming for printers/cameras etc. The car washes are good if you'd be paying to get your car washed there anyway.

I've got a ton of airmiles and cant decide what to do with them...while I worry they'll adjust the reward schedule again knocking 10%+ off their value like they did a year or so ago.

[BadDrafter]

Are aeroplan miles better or worse than airmiles?

[Bullseye]

You really have to compare, some flights are good value, some not. I think they've changed it now, but it used to cost as many air miles to go Toronto to Vancouver as it did Toronto to Whitehorse. Whitehorse is often more than double the cost if you are paying with money, so it worked out to be a good deal, something like $.28/mile value. If you need to fly anywhere that isn't a popular route (therefore usually cheaper), then flying would almost for sure be the best value.

Shell car washes are indeed the best value currently for merchasnidse (over $.30/mile), but only if you would be buying the ultimate car wash anyways.

I just cash in for grocery certificates now, not the best use, but the best for me. I also don't go out of my way to collect anymore, they keep devaluing miles, which is frustrating. The longer you hold them, the less they become worth.

[deep]

Agree with Bullseye....the BEST value are certain flights, then car washes, GCs or other flights, then merchandise. Some merch. is an absolute ripoff when you look at actual retail value and the miles conversion.