Rewards Programs

Macified

Having just posted regarding iPod and Airmiles I got to wondering about rewards programs in general.

My family has done quite well with Airmiles. I'd be somewhat embarrased to list all of the stuff we've picked up. My wife, as a very frequent business traveler, has done ver y well with Aeroplan. We've got PetroPoints out the wazoo.

What plans do other ehMacers use? Have you spent much time trying to decide on things like cash back credit cards? How about those lists of loot...

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SINC

Over the years before retiring, I accumulated over a million AeroPlan miles and 1.7 million American Express reward points.

I am still using them for my family, mostly to travel and the odd time to buy expensive and extravagant goodies. My daughter recently visited Ottawa and my son Halifax.

Who knows, I might even fly again one day myself. (I haven't since my heart attack over four years ago).

Cheers

[img]smile.gif[/img]

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Macified

< embarassing Airmiles list >

Sony 5 DVD home theatre system
Canon ZR-70 digital video camera
Canon A20 digital still camera
2 Peg Perego electric motor ATVs
kids John Deer ride-on (peddle) tracktor with trailer
wine fridge
Motorola FRS radios
A couple of short flight trips (Boston, New York)
Bread machine
Several books of car wash coupons

< /embarassing Airmiles list >

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“Maybe some day somebody will call me "Sir" without adding "You're making a scene"!!”
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Pelao

Aeroplan

Has been great for us. I have been able to fly my mother-in-law to Canada 4 times (from Chile), and my brother-in-law once.

We could not have done this any other way.

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james_squared

Hello,

Points plans are quite amusing, especially for consumers who do not use their points. I assume you are all aware that you do PAY for the points program through your purchases? The price you pay includes the expected value of the goods you redeem with your points.

Let's see what point programs I have *digs out dusty old wallet from safe*:

Petro-Points: I have used these for long distance calling cards, potato chips, sugary carbonated beverages, and gum.

Save-on-More Points: I very rarely shop at Save-on-Foods and I just use my points for free promotional food products.

HBC: I very rarely shop at Zellers and I doubt I have very many points. Thus, I have not redeemed anything. However, my father has one of his business credit cards, which has allowed him to collect several million HBC points. To my knowledge, he has redeemed them for a dishwasher and a camera.

Airmiles: I have very few Airmiles points, but I used my points to get two compact discs: Slayer's God Hates Us All and Marilyn Manson's The Golden Age of Grotesque.

Aeroplan: Again, very few points with nothing redeemed thus far.

PC Points: So far, I have received $ 285 worth of groceries through their program. This is where the majority of my points come from and when I get around to getting my mortgage I will be collecting lots of PC Points that I will redeem for more groceries.

*puts dusty old wallet back in safe*

James

Macified

Unless there are specific fees such as the case with Airmiles, all consumers pay for those of us who use points programs.

Case in point. PetroCanada offers PetroPoints. You can collect these points free of charge. There is no fee for the program and you don't pay more for gas. Yes the cost of the program is factored into the overall profit but everyone who buys gas at PetroCanada is contributing to the cost. This is the same for all free programs.

In the case of Airmiles there is indeed a fee. When you compare the fees against the rewards, you may or may not come out on top. The fee is fixed, the rewards are variable depending on your spending habits. My wife and I recently built a cottage and the massive expenditures went towards the Airmiles program. In the past two years I have payed around $200 to be in the program but I have collected at least $2000 in rewards. Once our spending drops back to normal, however, the program might loose its shine. I'm holding out for a digital slr camera and an iPod.

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thewitt

I collect as many 'free' things as I can. The big winner being my Aeroplan Visa. Yes, there is a fee ($125 per annum), but I bill EVERYTHING through it. This has added up to 2 trip to Mexico (for 2) a couple of trips to the east coast (for two) and a big pile of points waiting for the next break. Far more than $125 would buy.

The only thing that doesn't get billed to the visa are Costco purchases (they don't take it). Their own credit card gives you 2% back, that adds up to about $100 a year, all for doing what I would be doing anyway.

Recently we started collecting Shoppers Optimum points. Didn't really add up to much, then we found a printable coupon that gives 1000 points per visit, no limit, so a couple more visits and we get $75 in free merch. If any one wants the coupon, let me know.

One reward program I use with every purchase, even though I would prefer not to. I pay in and recieve dividend cheques. Pretty sure the pay out is less... Maybe you have heard of it? I think it is refered to as GST...

[ October 02, 2004, 02:27 PM: Message edited by: thewitt ]

Macified

Thewitt, could you send me info on the Optimum coupon. We have an Optimum card but my wife carries it. It seems I do more Shoppers spending but for some reason the card is always in her wallet.

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“Maybe some day somebody will call me "Sir" without adding "You're making a scene"!!”
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lindmar

How the heck do you get 1 million airmiles!?!

Kuni

After 5 years with Air Miles and HBC Rewards, I now have enough to convert them both into Air Miles and buy......a new controller for my Playstation, which retails at less than $30. O_o;

As I get HBC Rewards on my Visa, and I usually use my Visa as my only source of cash and then pay it off each month, I'm wondering how the heck people go so many rewards! Perhaps it's because, as a poor student, I haven't made many big purchases...

HOWEVER, with my Shoppers Drug Mart rewards, I have cashed in quite a bit. They give reward points (and allow you to redeem them) when you pay for prescriptions!

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