AIR MILES stands as one of Canada’s most renowned loyalty programs, boasting over ten million active collector accounts nationwide. Whether you’re a seasoned member or new to the program, maximizing the benefits of your AIR MILES points is essential. Let’s delve into strategies to ensure you’re optimizing your points and unlocking the full potential of this rewards program.
AIR MILES offers a variety of rewards, including travel, merchandise, and discounts at participating stores. To accumulate AIR MILES points, you can:
The mileage accrual rate typically equates to 1 reward mile for every $20 spent at partner retailers, though this can vary by merchant. With an AIR MILES credit card, you can enhance your earnings by “double dipping” at select establishments.
You have the flexibility to choose between Cash Miles, Dream Miles, or a combination of both for your points collection. This preference can be adjusted at your convenience through online platforms.
To maximize AIR MILES accumulation, consider using an AIR MILES credit card and shopping at designated partner stores. Here are some top cards for earning AIR MILES:
The BMO AIR MILES®† World Elite®* MasterCard®* stands out for its generous rewards structure. Cardholders earn 3x the Miles for every $12 spent at participating AIR MILES Reward Partners*, 2x the Miles for every $12 spent at eligible grocery stores*, and 1 reward mile for every $12 spent anywhere*. Plus, enjoy a welcome bonus of 2,000 points* (upon spending $3,000 within the first three months) and a waived annual fee of $120 for the first year*. Additional perks include an exclusive 25% discount on one worldwide AIR MILES flight redemption annually*, complimentary membership in Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass*, and a comprehensive travel insurance package*.
*Terms and conditions apply.
For budget-conscious individuals, the BMO AIR MILES®† MasterCard®* is an attractive option, offering the opportunity to earn AIR MILES on various purchases with no annual fee. Cardholders earn 1 MILE for every $25 spent on everyday purchases*, with enhanced earning rates of 3x the MILES per $25* at participating AIR MILES Partners and 2x the MILES per $25 spent at eligible grocery stores*. Additionally, there’s an enticing 800-AIR MILES* Welcome Offer (upon spending $1,000 within the first three months). Supplementary perks include a 0.99% balance transfer rate deal for 9 months (2% fee applies to balance amount transferred)* and car rental discounts*. Explore further insights in our BMO AIR MILES®† MasterCard®* review.
*Terms and conditions apply.
If you’re uncertain about which AIR MILES card aligns best with your spending habits, utilize our AIR MILES calculator. Simply input estimated monthly expenditure across different categories and compare the features of the cards you’re considering. The calculator will provide an approximation of the real-world value each card offers over a year.
AIR MILES calculates flight redemption rates based on distance. Typically, you can maximize the value of your Dream Miles when redeeming them for short-haul flights. Here are the approximate redemption rates for roundtrip tickets on popular routes:
These redemption rates are subject to change and may vary based on factors such as availability and demand. It’s advisable to check the AIR MILES website for the most up-to-date information on redemption rates and flight options.
To determine the exact number of points required for your destination, you can use the interactive map provided by AIR MILES, which offers a convenient way to plan your travel.
Keep in mind that airlines allocate a restricted number of seats for loyalty program members, which means your flight options may be more limited compared to purchasing tickets directly from the market. Additionally, when redeeming flights using AIR MILES, it’s important to note that you’ll still be responsible for covering any applicable taxes and fees associated with the flight.
To check your AIR MILES points balance, simply log into airmiles.ca, where you’ll find your Cash and Dream Miles prominently displayed at the top of the page. It’s worth noting that your points won’t expire as long as your account remains active. However, if there’s no earning or spending activity for 24 consecutive months, your account will become dormant, and you risk losing your accumulated balance due to account inactivity.
AIR MILES boasts a wide-ranging partnership network that spans various industries, ensuring you can earn points on everyday purchases. Here’s a snapshot of some key partners:
While many sponsors offer AIR MILES points nationally, some may have participation restrictions based on specific provinces or territories. Be sure to consult the Sponsor Directory to identify eligible AIR MILES earning locations near you.
As Cash Miles, your AIR MILES can be utilized for discounts on everyday in-store purchases. At checkout, you can redeem a minimum of 95 Cash Miles for a $10 discount, with increments of $10 thereafter, up to a maximum of $750 per account per day. Additionally, Cash Miles can be redeemed online in the same increments for eVouchers delivered via email.
Refer to the directory for a comprehensive list of stores in your region where Cash Miles are accepted. It’s important to note that they cannot be used for purchasing gift cards or prepaid credit cards.
AIR MILES Dream Miles are the points you accumulate for experiences and merchandise. These miles can be redeemed for flights, hotels, car rentals, and even travel insurance.
You can also utilize your Dream Miles for thousands of package vacations through the partnership with redtag.ca. For instance, redeeming 909 Dream Miles will earn you a $100 discount, with an ongoing earning rate of $1 for every $20 spent on the booking. Additionally, in 2019, members gained the ability to apply their Dream Miles towards cruise bookings.
AIR MILES offers two options for allocating your Miles: Cash Rewards and Dream Rewards. Cash Rewards are used for everyday shopping at participating partners, primarily grocery and drug stores, while Dream Rewards can be redeemed for larger items such as vacations, events, and electronics.
It’s essential to choose wisely between the two options, as Miles cannot be transferred between them. While you can allocate your points to a mixture of both, many opt to allocate them entirely to Dream Rewards due to the exciting rewards and potentially higher value per mile (CPM).
Not every reward offers the same CPM, so it’s advisable to calculate and ensure you’re getting the best deal. To do this, divide the retail price of the desired product by the number of miles required for redemption. A higher CPM indicates better value.
For example, if the retail price of a GoPro Hero 7 Silver is $399.99 and it requires 6,100 Dream Miles for redemption, the CPM would be $399.99 / 6,100 = $0.066, or 6.6 cents per mile.
Generally, AIR MILES Dream Rewards tend to offer a higher CPM compared to Cash Miles, particularly for flights or vacation packages. Many collectors consider a CPM of 10.5 to be good value regardless of the redemption item.
The AIR MILES rewards program offers two distinct categories: AIR MILES Cash Miles and AIR MILES Dream Miles. Each category provides different types of rewards, requiring members to allocate their points accordingly in advance, although a combination of both is possible.
Cash Miles can be utilized for in-store purchases like groceries or redeemed for vouchers for various activities such as movies, restaurants, or Via Rail.
On the other hand, if you prefer redeeming for larger items such as flights, electronics, or event tickets, Dream Miles are the preferred choice.
However, once earned, miles cannot be swapped between categories. For instance, if you possess 2,000 Dream Miles, you cannot convert them into Cash Miles for redemption purposes.
Redeeming AIR MILES Cash Miles is simpler compared to redeeming AIR MILES Dream Miles.
For instance, 95 Cash Miles can be exchanged for $10 in purchases at participating sponsor locations. Redeeming in-store is straightforward – just inform the cashier of your intention to redeem Cash Miles during checkout.
Cash Miles can be redeemed in increments of $10, up to $750 per Collector Cash Account, per day. Alternatively, you can opt to redeem for vouchers at other participating merchants.
AIR MILES Dream Rewards offer a wide array of redemption options, spanning from experiences to products. Common rewards include flights, car rentals, hotels, attraction tickets, and event passes. Additionally, you can use your points to purchase household items and electronics like cameras, barbecues, watches, and more. Once you’ve accrued enough Dream Rewards, you can easily exchange your points for your desired reward online.
However, it’s important to note that AIR MILES Dream Rewards gift cards are no longer available. If you’re seeking vouchers for restaurants, movies, and other similar offerings, they are now categorized under the AIR MILES Cash Rewards program.
Interprovincial flights often provide excellent value within the AIR MILES program, as they are typically costly when purchased with cash but are considered short-haul flights. Additionally, last-minute flights tend to offer a significantly higher cost per mile (CPM) compared to flights booked in advance. While this may not always align with your travel plans, it’s worth considering if you aim to maximize the value of your accumulated miles.
Furthermore, you can redeem 909 AIR MILES for $100 in purchases at redtag.ca, resulting in a CPM of $0.11, which represents a decent value for your miles.
Customers should be aware that all purchases made with Dream Rewards are considered final. Once you have received your order confirmation, no changes can be made to the transaction. Refunds, returns, exchanges, or cancellations are not permitted. In the event of a cancellation, it is at the discretion of the artist, venue, or promoter to issue a refund or exchange, as they deem appropriate.
Upon registering for an AIR MILES account, you’ll be prompted to allocate your points to either Cash Rewards, Dream Rewards, or a combination of both. While you can adjust this allocation at any time, keep in mind that once points have been earned as Cash or Dream Rewards, they cannot be transferred between the two categories. Choose your allocation wisely based on your preferences and spending habits.
To swiftly accumulate AIR MILES Dream Rewards, consider concentrating your spending on an AIR MILES credit card. These cards offer several advantages for enthusiasts of the AIR MILES rewards program:
Access additional perks like airport lounge access, travel insurance, and competitive interest rates.
Concerned about the expiration of your AIR MILES? Here’s a comprehensive guide to keeping your miles active and ensuring they don’t expire.
Upon visiting the AIR MILES website, members are greeted with news of the program’s cancellation of its expiry policy. While this initially appears promising, a closer examination reveals a nuanced reality.
With the cancellation of the expiry policy, AIR MILES members no longer face the pressure of using their Miles within a set timeframe. However, this doesn’t mean Miles are indefinitely preserved. Instead, the focus shifts to maintaining account activity to prevent it from becoming dormant. Inactive accounts risk losing accumulated AIR MILES, highlighting the importance of remaining engaged to safeguard one’s rewards.
As long as you remain active by earning and redeeming AIR MILES regularly, they will not expire. However, if your account remains inactive for 24 consecutive months, you risk losing all accumulated miles. To prevent this, ensure you keep your account active by earning Miles at least once every two years.
Rest assured, you won’t suddenly lose your AIR MILES without prior notice. You’ll receive an AIR MILES expiry statement informing you that your account has been inactive for too long and is nearing the dormant status. However, some customers have reported not receiving these notifications because their email provider marked them as spam.
Regrettably, there’s no cap on the number of miles you can forfeit. As per AIR MILES expiry regulations, once your account remains inactive for 24 consecutive months, you’ll lose all accumulated miles, regardless of the total count.
There are a few key actions and habits that we recommend to ensure that you get to keep and use all of your AIR MILES rewards.
We strongly advise adjusting your email junk box settings and adding any AIR MILES email addresses to your safe sender list. This ensures you receive the expiry statement promptly, providing ample time to address any concerns before your account becomes inactive.
Your AIR MILES account stays active when you consistently earn and redeem Miles. Therefore, there’s no need to fret about losing your AIR MILES as long as you regularly accumulate and use them.
In instances where prolonged illness or personal challenges lead to account inactivity, consider reaching out to the AIR MILES support team for assistance. They may offer extensions on the 24-month inactivity period or provide options like transferring Miles to a family member or friend. However, it’s crucial to contact them before your account expires, as exceptions are typically made only under extreme circumstances. If your account has already been labeled as dormant, it might be too late to take action
Optimizing your AIR MILES account against expiration is as simple as selecting a credit card that rewards you with AIR MILES. By using such a card for everyday purchases, you ensure ongoing activity in your account, preventing your miles from expiring. Many AIR MILES credit cards offer additional benefits, such as earning double or triple miles at select partners and bonus miles for specific spending categories like gas or groceries.
If you’re unsure which AIR MILES credit card suits you best, our AIR MILES calculator can lend a hand. Simply input your monthly spending across different categories and the key features of the AIR MILES card you’re considering, and it will provide an estimate of the real-world value the card offers in dollars.
You don’t need to be a frequent flyer to accumulate points for free travel. Ground-based spending with AIR MILES credit cards can turbocharge your earning potential. If you’re already a regular shopper at participating sponsors and diligently pay off your balance monthly, leveraging an AIR MILES credit card becomes a logical choice.
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