Airmiles Armchair Chatter

[alohamom]

I wasn't a fan and had maybe 200 airmiles in my account from years of being a member. Once I really started to pay attention and shop the Sobeys and Rexall promos, as well as put online purchases through airmilesshops.ca, I really started racking up the points. I have redeemed for a 5 day Adult Disney ticket, and a 2 day park to park Universal ticket and I only started seriously collecting in the early fall. I may buy different things than I used to buy, but I don't buy anything I won't use, and I don't go over my regular spending budgets. We don't have the airmiles credit card yet, but I am considering it. The program is working well for us. Besides.. it's fun.

There used to be decent offers at Metro and that was always were I got a lot but I am finding them few and far between, seems to be more of the spend your AM cash, get points type of promos.

I was never really a fan of the Shoppers Optimum program but last year I happened to need to buy a gift in the makeup dept that was on a 20x the points event day. Suddenly I had all these points and my eyes were opened. Now they have these electronic "load to your card" personalized offeres that have made it sooo much easier to rack up point. I wish AM would do that. I use the printed coupons they send BUT I would love an emailed version that I could put on my AM card.

 

[jjpet]

There used to be decent offers at Metro and that was always were I got a lot but I am finding them few and far between, seems to be more of the spend your AM cash, get points type of promos.

I was never really a fan of the Shoppers Optimum program but last year I happened to need to buy a gift in the makeup dept that was on a 20x the points event day. Suddenly I had all these points and my eyes were opened. Now they have these electronic "load to your card" personalized offeres that have made it sooo much easier to rack up point. I wish AM would do that. I use the printed coupons they send BUT I would love an emailed version that I could put on my AM card.

I found some 'load to your card' offers on AM this week! I haven't seen them before, it might be a new thing. It was just for groceries, getmyoffers.ca was the website.

 

[alohamom]

I found some 'load to your card' offers on AM this week! I haven't seen them before, it might be a new thing. It was just for groceries, getmyoffers.ca was the website.

oh my, this might change things! Thanks...

 

[ottawamom]

It is at Sobey's and they have been doing this since the fall at least (when I started shopping there). It is a civilized way to shop. A word of caution. Make note of your loaded offers when you shop. They don't always show up on your receipt, they are good about adding them when you note the discrepancy but buyer beware.

I usually take a printout of the offers and add my grocery list to the bottom of the page. I keep track of the AM before I check out and verify that I received the correct amount before I leave the store, just in case. They are usually bang on but every couple of weeks they drop the ball.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

If my AM don't post from get my offers, I usually just call the phone number and they add them right away for me.

 

[jjpet]

It is at Sobey's and they have been doing this since the fall at least (when I started shopping there). It is a civilized way to shop. A word of caution. Make note of your loaded offers when you shop. They don't always show up on your receipt, they are good about adding them when you note the discrepancy but buyer beware.

I usually take a printout of the offers and add my grocery list to the bottom of the page. I keep track of the AM before I check out and verify that I received the correct amount before I leave the store, just in case. They are usually bang on but every couple of weeks they drop the ball.

That's good to know, I'll make sure to keep track of those. Thanks!!

 

[Debbie]

I had TOTALLY forgotten that Sobeys gift cards are good for Foodland. We are nowhere near a Sobeys, but a trip to the city might be in order. How many gift cards can I buy at one time?

 

[ottawamom]

I had TOTALLY forgotten that Sobeys gift cards are good for Foodland. We are nowhere near a Sobeys, but a trip to the city might be in order. How many gift cards can I buy at one time?

I picked up 4 the other day. They were all processed in one transaction. Someone had to come do an over-ride because I wanted to put them on my M/C and earn more AM. If you put them on debit I would imagine you are only limited by the daily limit imposed by your bank.

 

[Debbie]

I picked up 4 the other day. They were all processed in one transaction. Someone had to come do an over-ride because I wanted to put them on my M/C and earn more AM. If you put them on debit I would imagine you are only limited by the daily limit imposed by your bank.

Good to know that you used your MC. Double dipping is a good thing.

 

[Misha72683]

I had TOTALLY forgotten that Sobeys gift cards are good for Foodland. We are nowhere near a Sobeys, but a trip to the city might be in order. How many gift cards can I buy at one time?

This slipped my mind. So I ended up using my Sobey's gift card to buy that ice cream. I have to run into the city tomorrow so we'll run by Sobey's and grab one more gift card. That will take care of the month's groceries (which includes my son's birthday party).

 

[pigletto]

This slipped my mind. So I ended up using my Sobey's gift card to buy that ice cream. I have to run into the city tomorrow so we'll run by Sobey's and grab one more gift card. That will take care of the month's groceries (which includes my son's birthday party).

I so want to go and get the ice cream deal at FoodLand but it would be a very bad idea to have a stockpile of ice cream and creamscicles in this house. We've been eating really healthy so I have to give up on the miles to avoid the temptation.

 

[Misha72683]

I so want to go and get the ice cream deal at FoodLand but it would be a very bad idea to have a stockpile of ice cream and creamscicles in this house. We've been eating really healthy so I have to give up on the miles to avoid the temptation.

Good for you! I'm six months pregnant with two toddlers, there's no resisting temptation. My husband actually decided I didn't buy enough so we'll go back tomorrow and get more. We have a seperate freezer though and it's a hassle to get to, so it reduces temptation a bit.

 

[pigletto]

Good for you! I'm six months pregnant with two toddlers, there's no resisting temptation. My husband actually decided I didn't buy enough so we'll go back tomorrow and get more. We have a seperate freezer though and it's a hassle to get to, so it reduces temptation a bit.

You are six months pregnant with two toddlers. I think you get to have all the ice cream you want. Ever!

 

[DizzyDis]

Thanks all for tips, was able to get the Sobeys gift cards after seeing it flagged here. It appears that every store has their own policy as I had no questions about using my MC so I would get points, but they said that each gc would have to be a separate purchase to get the AM. I was buying 2, so didn't challenge it, but it seems that the rules are determined/enforced however the store/cashier chooses to interpret them!

And, btw, welcome to all that came, this was a huge help to me as I planned our recent WDW trip and was able to get 5 day passes for the whole fam (2 adult and 1 kid), due mostly to this thread! So pay attention and stick with it as there will be slow times with no offers, but the ladies here are wise and you may be able to justify an extra trip with how much you save! (Can you see my thinking here?? )

 

[Misha72683]

I have gotten over 1300 airmiles in the last two weeks. Impossible pace ot keep up but it makes a huge difference. 280 in Keg gift cards and then 600 in points for Sobey's gift cards. I spent $270 in groceries this week as we had company and then I stocked up on ice cream (another 300 miles) and I still have a $180 in gift cards left which will cover next weeks groceries. Plus 100 from Rexall.

 

[mort1331]

Thanks all for tips, was able to get the Sobeys gift cards after seeing it flagged here. It appears that every store has their own policy as I had no questions about using my MC so I would get points, but they said that each gc would have to be a separate purchase to get the AM. I was buying 2, so didn't challenge it, but it seems that the rules are determined/enforced however the store/cashier chooses to interpret them!

And, btw, welcome to all that came, this was a huge help to me as I planned our recent WDW trip and was able to get 5 day passes for the whole fam (2 adult and 1 kid), due mostly to this thread! So pay attention and stick with it as there will be slow times with no offers, but the ladies here are wise and you may be able to justify an extra trip with how much you save! (Can you see my thinking here?? )

Hey we are not all ladies.
Here is a quick update for you all too, hope it helps for the next day. Just back from Sobeys, I had picked up one GC earlier. Then went to do my regular veg and fruit run to get the $10GC for spending $20.(not sure if that is just local or store wide). I included 2 more $150 GC and total came to $330. So gave my GC that still had $135 on it and my MC. They took the whole amount of the GC and then just charged my MC $199. So a little of the GC roulette. Works for me and hope it works for others.
I didnt say anything to the cashier and just went along as normal. If she said I could only apply the $30 to the GC and the rest on MC, I would have been fine, but hey not going to point out about buying a GC with one.
Walked out with 445AM on the reciept with all the other bonus points.
Good luck to all

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

I recently signed up for our Sobeys AM Mastercard. You get 400 bonus miles on your first transaction. Then you get 3 times the miles for the first three months, plus 2 AM / $20 at Sobeys all the time. It is a No-fee credit card as well. I also signed up for the American Express Platinum where you get 2000 AM after $500 charged in the first three months, plus 1 AM / $10 at AM participants and 1 AM / $15 everywhere else.

I signed Hubby up for his own AM card so I can sign him up for the above offers as well. His account will start saving for the US passes, while I'm saving for the WDW passes.

He thinks I'm crazy, but still reaps the travel rewards of my AM collection.

 

[alohamom]

I bow down to you all, you are such AM pros! I feel like a rookie LOL

 

[mort1331]

I recently signed up for our Sobeys AM Mastercard. You get 400 bonus miles on your first transaction. Then you get 3 times the miles for the first three months, plus 2 AM / $20 at Sobeys all the time. It is a No-fee credit card as well. I also signed up for the American Express Platinum where you get 2000 AM after $500 charged in the first three months, plus 1 AM / $10 at AM participants and 1 AM / $15 everywhere else.

I signed Hubby up for his own AM card so I can sign him up for the above offers as well. His account will start saving for the US passes, while I'm saving for the WDW passes.

He thinks I'm crazy, but still reaps the travel rewards of my AM collection. [/QUOTE
Question, have you had your AMEX loaded the bonus points yet. Wondering how long it takes, still waiting on mine. Thanks

Question, have you had your AMEX loaded the bonus points yet. Wondering how long it takes, still waiting on mine. Thanks

 

[mort1331]

I bow down to you all, you are such AM pros! I feel like a rookie LOL

No dont worry, up until last year it took me over 15 years to get 1000am, just lately I have been paying attention. Read the tips, look for things that add up without increasing your spending. Know what a point is worth.