Updated late 2013: This thread is now obsolete. The Airmiles program has changed significantly since this post was written, and doesn't offer nearly the value it once did. You are advised to explore other loyalty points options.
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In the interest of giving back to the community, here's a list of my "best practices" to make optimal use of the Airmiles loyalty program. This program has declined significantly over the past year or so and is not as attractive as it once was, but these strategies might still be helpful for you. Remember: YMMV (your mileage may vary). Any of these tips are subject to change, they may not work for you in your neighbourhood or with your particular shopping patterns or family type, etc. So adapt as needed, and feel free to share your own tips.
I took a snapshot of my current airmiles.ca webpage since it helps illustrate a number of these ideas.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7019/6...463a34d7_b.jpg
0. Maybe the most important tip of all: http://forum.smartcanucks.ca/4309378-post11.html
- gold status is useless - don't worry about it
- sears (in fact anyone besides safeway) earns you so few airmiles it's really not something you should even consider. If an airmile is worth 11cents it isn't worth your time comparison shopping to see if you can earn an extra 5 or 10 airmiles. It's only when you can start earning hundreds that it becomes worth the effort.
- redeem as soon as you have a decent balance, don't wait (your value will likely go down in future) - for example I redeemed for a $150 best western card as soon as I had enough airmiles (1125), bringing my balance down to almost zero, then started accumulating again
- redeem for the highest value possible, for something you are likely to use and that doesn't expire (eg: Best Western cards, gas cards) - for example these 1125 airmiles gave me a $150 BW card which makes the airmiles worth just over 13c each, better than any other reward I might use
- Safeway's customer appreciation day (CAD) isn't as good as it used to be (not as many discounts or airmiles offers) plus other stores are more competitive (eg: Extra Foods in my neighbourhood offers a 15% discount coupon which beats Safeway's 10% on CAD) so only buy items with a decent discount or airmiles bonus on CAD to get your 10% off; then do your other shopping at a competitor if they are cheaper.
- later in the month Safeway will run their "spend $100 get 100 airmiles" deals -- do more of your shopping then
- use ALL safeway Spend$100Get100 coupons - you can find one version in the flyer, another by signing up to airmiles.ca email alerts -- they have different PLU codes so although technically you shouldn't be able to use both at the same time, the computer will accept them (ask nicely for your cashier to scan both for you)
- try to buy items that you will actually use (or donate) in a reasonable timeframe - many items can be stored for a while but try to avoid over-buying and spoilage (consider the time-value of money and the cost of waste)
- try to buy the healthiest items (many of the airmiles bonus offers are for very processed foods - yes you'll see some of those less healthy items on my list but I try not to make them a very big part of our overall diet)
- stick with the old airmiles (what they now call "dream rewards") until their new "cash rewards" becomes more compelling, if ever
Other best practices for REDEEMING airmiles:
- Airmiles.ca recently cut back significantly on the variety of gift cards they offered. However many grocery and drug stores offer a huge assortment of giftcards for restaurants, coffee shops, electronics stores, etc. Some people have had success with redeeming their airmiles for a gift card for their grocery store (eg: Metro) and then using that card at their local Metro to purchase the gift card they really want. Obviously this only works for stores that offer gift cards on airmiles.ca (eg: Safeway doesn't) and apparently the gift cards state that they are not to be used to purchase other gift cards, so this may not work for you. Buyer beware.
Other best practices for COLLECTING airmiles:
- Leverage the knowledge of other shoppers (eg operabob's safeway sweet airmiles thread: http://forum.smartcanucks.ca/23424-s...-deals-canada/)
- Always make a shopping list (use the online features of the flyer websites to tag items you want to buy) – merge all the stores into one main list so you can compare
- Create a coupon pile (or wallet, or some means of keeping them together) – bring this with you everytime you go shopping along with your shopping list
- value your time - there are many online coupon sites (save.ca, websaver.ca, etc.) but don't get carried away and spend a lot of time to save 50c here and there - focus on the big savings (bonus airmiles, big coupons, etc.), and just because you printed a coupon doesn't mean you have to actually use it (only buy products you need -- do you really need to try all those disposable household cleaner products for eg?)
- If you buy items that have a coupon attached (eg: coupons on jar lids, etc.) – remove these as soon as you get home and add them to your coupon pile; redeem offers (eg: cereal boxes) immediately to avoid missing deadline
- Just because it says “Extreme Value” or “Caselot Savings” doesn’t mean it is – always check the net prices, don’t focus on the discount amount or %.
- Just because an item is on sale or has a good discount doesn’t mean you should buy it. First ask yourself if it is something you and your family will consume. Then ask if it’s something you SHOULD consume (ie is it healthy) – often it’s the packaged foods that are discounted. EG: premade boxed hamburgers, even when discounted, are still more expensive than buying extra lean ground beef and making your own patties. This takes only a few minutes, you choose what you put in them (try an egg, oatmeal, worchestershire, ketchup, mustard, pepper) and you will save money and be healthier. God only knows what cuts of meat (eg: ground up bones, skin, fatty offcuts, etc.) go into making these pre-made patties.
- Similar to the health issue, it is often cheaper to be more environmental as well. Extra packaging is not only bad ecologically but it typically adds cost to you as a consumer as well. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking if a little convenience is good then a whole lot of convenience is even better. Does it really save you much time to have your dishwasher detergent packaged into individual portions for you? Do you really need disposable floor mopping pads? Do you really need air freshener (try opening a window instead)?
- Similar to the health and environmental issues are ethical shopping options. Get informed (not easy with all the conflicting info out there, but at least try) about where your food and other consumables come from. How are they produced and how do they get to you in your local store? You may find you are willing to pay a little more to buy bananas from sources that don’t spray pesticides on their workers. You may just cut down on chocolate treats and when you do indulge you make it a fair trade item. You may find you will just have to do without tomatoes during the winter if they come from sources (*cough* Florida) that use slave labour. Yes, it’s the 21st century but slave labour is still prevalent and not just in far away lands. It can be overwhelming to try to learn the entire life cycle of every product you buy, so start with one thing. Make a small effort in one area, that’s better than doing nothing.
- Just because a store seems to have great deals this month doesn’t mean it will always – store policies, pricing and promotion change over time, at times they are hungrier or are deliberately trying to gain market share so are more aggressive on pricing, but this will change and suddenly the prices aren’t as good anymore. Shop around.
- Finally, chillax a little. Doing your weekly shopping shouldn't feel like planning the D-Day invasion. Get back to basics - choose fresh ingredients, get reacquainted with your kitchen, reconnect with the joy of preparing good food and sitting down to a nice meal with the people you love.
LOTS MORE TIPS BELOW - KEEP READING