What's An Airmile Worth?

[paleo]

Airmiles! The blue card....

How much is an Airmile "worth"? My guess is about $.05 to $.14 depending on the item. Some are a rip off whereas others are decent.

[sexpuppet6000]

100 airmiles = music cd
music cd = roughly 20 bucks
100/20=0.2

[ilfsoy]

I'd price a CD at under $15 in most cases, most new single discs are what $13 or $14. Of course that is just one reward option.

[alexkidd]

i'd go by the Shell gas certificates. Will put a pretty much exact dollar figure on an airmile.

[Bullseye]

Totally depends on what you redeem for. The best gift certificates (like Dominion/A&P/Ultra) work out to $.14/mile.

Shell car washes work out to just over $.30, but only if you would be buying Ultimate car washes normally, or feel there is a benefit to them, it's worth less than that otherwise.

[paleo]

Yeah Shell works out not bad for gas...and the car washes seem to have the best value. You really have to be smart about what you redeem for. I made a decent decision by going with the George Foreman Grilleration for 1300 airmiles which costs $150+tax at Canadian Tire.

But other stuff is a complete rip...and works out to about 5cents/mile or maybe even less.

So my original estimate is pretty accurate (except for the Car Wash exception)

[a_1_a]

Yeah Shell works out not bad for gas...and the car washes seem to have the best value. You really have to be smart about what you redeem for. I made a decent decision by going with the George Foreman Grilleration for 1300 airmiles which costs $150+tax at Canadian Tire.

But other stuff is a complete rip...and works out to about 5cents/mile or maybe even less.

So my original estimate is pretty accurate (except for the Car Wash exception)
You live in Regina, then the best deal is to redeem 170 miles for a $25 coupon which can be used to buy anything in the casino, including gamble tokens. If you don't want to gamble, then just cash your tokens back to cash. You will also get a $10 coupon for the show theatre. I find this to be the best deal for Airmiles.

[don242]

The best for Ontario is using your airmiles for the zoo. 80 airmiles = 1 admission (around $20). Of course, only useful if you like going to the zoo!

[Jon Lai]

I suggest A&P/Dominion coupons, they're great value. You can spend $10 and use a $20 coupon and they'll give you change back.

[Thanh]

I use Rona GC so 125 AM = a 20$ GC = 0.16$/AM

[don242]

I use Rona GC so 125 AM = a 20$ GC = 0.16$/AM
RONA GC is now 150 airmiles. Just went up.

[Audiogenic]

RONA GC is now 150 airmiles. Just went up.


This is the problem with airmiles. No matter how many points you accumulate and no matter how much research you do to try to determine the best value, they will keep changing the value in favour of them over time.

[HighFlyer]

This is the problem with airmiles. No matter how many points you accumulate and no matter how much research you do to try to determine the best value, they will keep changing the value in favour of them over time.
That's why I don't bother going out of my way to collect them anymore. If I happen to be shopping at one of their sponsors and remember to grab the AM card out of my car, fine. Otherwise, it's not a card that I carry in my wallet.

[maniacshopper]

From my experience, 1000 points gets you about $100 worth of stuff.

[deals4j]

From my experience, 1000 points gets you about $100 worth of stuff.

For a better deal, 1600 miles will get you a return ticket to anywhere WestJet flies with the BMO Mosaik Mastercard (Westjet Option).

[iso3200]

From my experience, 1000 points gets you about $100 worth of stuff.
and at 1pt for every $20 spent (for example), you'd have to spend $20,000 to accumulate 1000 points (without bonus points, promos, etc). On the other hand, you could get a Citi Enrich card that's 1% cashback. Twenty-thousand dollars spent on the Enrich card will get you $200.

[paleo]

and at 1pt for every $20 spent (for example), you'd have to spend $20,000 to accumulate 1000 points (without bonus points, promos, etc). On the other hand, you could get a Citi Enrich card that's 1% cashback. Twenty-thousand dollars spent on the Enrich card will get you $200.

Same with my PC Mastercard (although it's not cash, it's just as good for me by buying food). Regardless, you can use either at Costco where I spend alot, so I need an AMEX that gives me at least something.

[canrocks]

The best option is definetly the 2 for 1 movie tickets for 25 air miles. Works out to 40 cents per mile, although, you can't use it on the weekend.

[paleo]

Suuweet. I'm glad I created this thread....getting some really good ideas for making the mile go further.

[sparkplug]

I just booked airline tickets using Air Miles. They rip you off on the taxes. I checked the airline's web site and taxes came out to under $200, but Air Miles charged about $300. There's also a $20 booking fee, which I thought applied to each booking but it's actually each ticket. I was dinged a $40 booking fee for two tickets.

It reminds me of charter flights to Las Vegas such as Air Transat, Conquest and Sunquest. You can book an Air Canada or WestJet flight to Vegas and taxes come out to $100ish, but charter flights charge over $250 in taxes for flight only.

[pandaharo]

I was checking price and airmiles i needed for some stuff I might get, it worked out to be about $0.10/airmile.

[aimie]

The best option is definetly the 2 for 1 movie tickets for 25 air miles. Works out to 40 cents per mile, although, you can't use it on the weekend.


I agree! 25 miles for a movie ticket is pretty sweet.

[duck_oil]

I keep wondering if I should change plans from 1 mile/$20 to the free 0.5% cashback or the paid 1% cashback.

[daveinmtl]

I keep wondering if I should change plans from 1 mile/$20 to the free 0.5% cashback or the paid 1% cashback.

I think the airmiles choice really comes down to what you will use the airmiles for- take a look on the website and figure out what it is that you want eventually for your miles.

If it is a choice between the 2 cash back cards, you will be better off with the 1% if you spend more than $9,800 per year on the card. You will be better off with the 0.5% card if you spend less then $9,800.

but if you are looking for cash back cards you should really look at the National Bank ultramar card which is no fee gives you 1.25% if you spend more than $6000

[shopper-X]

I agree! 25 miles for a movie ticket is pretty sweet.
Would the Night out package be a better deal?
175 miles for:
2 x Regular Admission
2 x Regular Soft Drinks
1 x Regular Popcorn

I'm not a big movie go'er but I'm guessing $20 for the two passes and $10 for the Concessions (food). So $30/175 Miles = about $0.17 per mile and you can use it on the weekend.

[crukkh]

Hi,

Where do you find that 2-for-1 ticket? I don't seem to find it although I find the Night out package alright???

[shopper-X]

Hi,

Where do you find that 2-for-1 ticket? I don't seem to find it although I find the Night out package alright???
under the Arts and Entertainment section