Air Miles Shop the Block 2019: Nov 14-Dec 27

A fresh thread for this year's STB. Atm, there's some info on the coming soon site https://shoptheblock.ca/en/coming_soon with the basics being:

Use offers at 3 different Partners, get 300 Bonus Miles.Use offers at 5 different Partners, get 800 Bonus Miles.Use offers at 7 different Partners, get 1,200 Bonus Miles.

Like last year, each partner only counts once even if you use more than one offer at that partner.

The 300, 800 or 1200 BAM will be credited within 120 days after the promotion, so possibly as late as late April.

In addition, while offer booklets are reportedly already available at some partners (YMMV), they almost certainly don't show all the offers. All of them should be on the STB website when it goes live.

thanks for starting this.

there is this weekend , in ontario a use 95 airmiles, get 25 back at metro . double check to see if this counts as one.

and keep all proof of doing each shop from any place. better to be prepared then not

Thank you @Arjon for starting this thread.

I started a thread yesterday, is there a way to merge them?

I hope not everyone is as disappointed with STB 2019 as I am. It was bad enough to see that the three BAM levels had been significantly nerfed from last year's, then even worse to learn that a number of the individual offers are less appealing this time. As a result, my still preliminary plan is to do three partners times two accounts, down from seven and five last year. :(

So far
My card
LCBO - Jacob's Creek
Airmilesshops - $100 Old Navy

Mom's Card
*LCBO - Jacob's Creek
*Airmilesshops - $100 with $50+ The Children's Place*
*MissFresh
*Shell 25L

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Originally Posted by Arjon

I hope not everyone is as disappointed with STB 2019 as I am. It was bad enough to see that the three BAM levels had been significantly nerfed from last year's, then even worse to learn that a number of the individual offers are less appealing this time. As a result, my still preliminary plan is to do three partners times two accounts, down from seven and five last year. :(

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@Arjon .....Yup! I AM disappointed. But that being said I'll simply try to do the 7 offers watching closely that my overall OOP spent doesn't negate the BAM I get. Plus I must actually need whatever I'm buying.
Christmas gifts helps with that I suppose.
I'm further annoyed that ONE shop at each of the 7 different partners is necessary to qualify. So tough as I really don't shop at more than say 5 of them on a regular basis. The offer to opt into from BOM MC helps that along.

Happy Shopping all!

wow the offers for BC are hard. You have to spend a ton of money to get any of the rewards. Any others from BC?

So far on my DH card SHELL is done

SHELL opt in and use the coupon. Don't just rely on the opt in. Shell has been known to screw up things.

So opt in online, then after a couple of days fill the gas abd go inside and pay for it and make sure they scan the coupon as well so there is a record on the receipt.

I think Sobeys and Sobeys Urban Fresh are counted as 2 separate offers, although they are the same company.

Not sure if Sobeys Gift Cards are included or not in the purchase. If so the GC can be used in FRESCHO as well.

I will be lucky if I just about finish 3 offers this year. Lot of stuff they have this year is some I don't really need, so not going to go out of the way just to get some bonus STB AM. Not worth it.

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Originally Posted by tjthemanto

I will be lucky if I just about finish 3 offers this year. Lot of stuff they have this year is some I don't really need, so not going to go out of the way just to get some bonus STB AM. Not worth it.

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I'm not seeing three easy ones either. :( For instance, while I've only taken a first look at this week's Sobeys flyer, I didn't see an obvious way to spend $50 without paying more than I usually do for various things, which would effectively reduce the value of the 300 BAM.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Arjon

I'm not seeing three easy ones either. :( For instance, while I've only taken a first look at this week's Sobeys flyer, I didn't see an obvious way to spend $50 without paying more than I usually do for various things, which would effectively reduce the value of the 300 BAM.

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@Arjon can you or anyone you know find use of the LEPAGES's PL Premium 295-825 ml construction adhesive? The offer is available from both Lowes and Rona ( the same BAM given, 20 ) I picked my DH up one @ $7.99...he thanked me and said yes he could use that. Whew!
Bonus experience at Lowes when the 6 very plush soft Santa Hats rang in WRONG! ( @ $4.99 instead of $2.99 ) so I got a SCOP on one and paid the proper price $2.99 for the remaining. I intend to force everyone to wear one on Christmas Day!

I wonder if redeeming air mile points for $50 products in food land, do I qualify for this promotion?

thanks in advance!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Arjon

I'm not seeing three easy ones either. :( For instance, while I've only taken a first look at this week's Sobeys flyer, I didn't see an obvious way to spend $50 without paying more than I usually do for various things, which would effectively reduce the value of the 300 BAM.

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Its blue friday you can do it

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by hcao

I wonder if redeeming air mile points for $50 products in food land, do I qualify for this promotion?

thanks in advance!

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Yes but being blue friday might as well spend the hundred

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SOBEYS - Blue Friday tomorrow. Some decent AM bonus miles deals, especially if you are doing Shop The Block promotion as well.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tjthemanto

SOBEYS - Blue Friday tomorrow. Some decent AM bonus miles deals, especially if you are doing Shop The Block promotion as well.

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I'd be interested to see a few examples of deals that are the same as or lower than the good sale prices at other stores. I'm not seeing much at all.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Arjon

I'd be interested to see a few examples of deals that are the same as or lower than the good sale prices at other stores. I'm not seeing much at all.

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Sunlight Dishwashng Liquid 800 ml - 4 for $ 10 - with 40 BAM - So $ 1.50 per bottle after 40 BAM

Breyers Ice Cream Tubs 1.66 L - 4 at $ 2.99 each - with 40 BAM - So $1.99 per Tub after 40 BAM

Astro Yogurt Tubs 750 gms - 4 at $ 2.00 each - with 25 BAM - So $ 1.40 per Tub after 25 BAM

Lays Family Size chips 255 gms - 4 for $ 11.00 - with 40 BAM - So $ 1.75 per bag afer 40 BAM

Quaker Granola Bars 156 gms - 2 for $4.44 - Buy 10 - with 100 BAM - So $ 1.22 per box after 100 BAM

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I need at least 1 dishwashing liquid per month. So I will probably buy 8 of them for $ 20. They easily last for a year or so without expiring or losing their scent.

I eat Yogurt a lot. Especially the plain white Astro Balkan style plain yogurt since it has no artifical colours, refined sugars, gelatin, flavours etc. Will probably buy 8.
For $ 16.

Might buy some Granola bars or Breyers Ice cream or regular stuff like Milk 4 litre bags, Bread etc to make $ 50 spend at SOBEYS for SHOP THE BLOOCK promotion.

MAKE SURE YOU USE THE SOBEYS SHOP THE BLOCK COUPON if you are doing the $ 50 spend.

The Bonus AM for Blue Friday will be automatic, the Shop The Block promotion won't be automatic unless you present the STB coupon.!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tjthemanto

Sunlight Dishwashng Liquid 800 ml - 4 for $ 10 - with 40 BAM - So $ 1.50 per bottle after 40 BAM

Breyers Ice Cream Tubs 1.66 L - 4 at $ 2.99 each - with 40 BAM - So $1.99 per Tub after 40 BAM

Astro Yogurt Tubs 750 gms - 4 at $ 2.00 each - with 25 BAM - So $ 1.40 per Tub after 25 BAM

Lays Family Size chips 255 gms - 4 for $ 11.00 - with 40 BAM - So $ 1.75 per bag afer 40 BAM

Quaker Granola Bars 156 gms - 2 for $4.44 - Buy 10 - with 100 BAM - So $ 1.22 per box after 100 BAM

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I need at least 1 dishwashing liquid per month. So I will probably buy 8 of them for $ 20. They easily last for a year or so without expiring or losing their scent.

I eat Yogurt a lot. Especially the plain white Astro Balkan style plain yogurt since it has no artifical colours, refined sugars, gelatin, flavours etc. Will probably buy 8.
For $ 16.

Might buy some Granola bars or Breyers Ice cream or regular stuff like Milk 4 litre bags, Bread etc to make $ 50 spend at SOBEYS for SHOP THE BLOOCK promotion.

MAKE SURE YOU USE THE SOBEYS SHOP THE BLOCK COUPON if you are doing the $ 50 spend.

The Bonus AM for Blue Friday will be automatic, the Shop The Block promotion won't be automatic unless you present the STB coupon.!

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The thing is... if I factor the value of the BAM into how much I pay for the products, it means I'm buying the BAM. As a simplified example, if I buy 8 Sunlight and take off the 80 BAM to arrive at a cost of ~$1.50 each, I will still have paid out $20 in actual money, not $12.

So, if I say I only spent 8x$1.50=$12 on the Sunlight, what did I get for the other $8? The only possibility is the 80 BAM, which are worth ~$8.

So when I redeem those 80 BAM, I have to count them as $8 because that's what I paid for them, not $0.

Then, when I redeem those 80 BAM, I have to remember that I paid $8 for them, which effectively means my OOP when I redeem them is $8, not $0.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Arjon

The thing is... if I factor the value of the BAM into how much I pay for the products, it means I'm buying the BAM. As a simplified example, if I buy 8 Sunlight and take off the 80 BAM to arrive at a cost of ~$1.50 each, I will still have paid out $20 in actual money, not $12. <br>
<br>
So, if I say I only spent 8x$1.50=$12 on the Sunlight, what did I get for the other $8? The only possibility is the 80 BAM, which are worth ~$8. <br>
<br>
So when I redeem those 80 BAM, I have to count them as $8 because that's what I paid for them, not $0. <br>
<br>
Then, when I redeem those 80 BAM, I have to remember that I paid $8 for them, which effectively means my OOP when I redeem them is $8, not $0.

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Yes your OOP is $ 20 at Sobeys, not $ 12.

But for $20 you are getting a lot.

Say a bag of milk of 4L is $ 4, you can redeem the 80 BAM for 2 Bags of milk later on.

So $ 20 (OOP) =

8x - Sunlight Bottles ( $20 you spent OOP initially)
2x - 4 Litre Milk bags (80 BAM redemption later on)

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The Sunlight Bottles never go on sale for less than $ 2 at No Frills, Food Basics, Freschco etc. And milk is always $ 4.

So even if you buy this in other stores on sale later on, you will come out ahead by $ 4 in Sobeys as you spent only $ 20 OOP over there.

Other stores will be :

Sunlight - 8 x $ 2 = $16
Milk - 2 x 4 = $8

So $24 for the same stuff at other stores, as opposed to only $20 at Sobeys.

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Same calculation can be made for Astro Yogurt Tubs which rarely go below $ 2 at other stores.
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Plus if you add the Shop The Block AM promotion to this Blue Friday BAM promotion - you will definitely come out ahead, as Sobeys will be counted as 1 partner shop and you will get the STB air miles also later on.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tjthemanto

Yes your OOP is $ 20 at Sobeys, not $ 12.

But for $20 you are getting a lot.

Say a bag of milk of 4L is $ 4, you can redeem the 80 BAM for 2 Bags of milk later on.

So $ 20 (OOP) =

8x - Sunlight Bottles ( $20 you spent OOP initially)
2x - 4 Litre Milk bags (80 BAM redemption later on)

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The Sunlight Bottles never go on sale for less than $ 2 at No Frills, Food Basics, Freschco etc. And milk is always $ 4.

So even if you buy this in other stores on sale later on, you will come out ahead by $ 4 in Sobeys as you spent only $ 20 OOP over there.

Other stores will be :

Sunlight - 8 x $ 2 = $16
Milk - 2 x 4 = $8

So $24 for the same stuff at other stores, as opposed to only $20 at Sobeys.

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Same calculation can be made for Astro Yogurt Tubs which rarely go below $ 2 at other stores.
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Plus if you add the Shop The Block AM promotion to this Blue Friday BAM promotion - you will definitely come out ahead, as Sobeys will be counted as 1 partner shop and you will get the STB air miles also later on.

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I shopped Blue Friday today, purchased for just over $100, and included the flyer coupon for an extra 100 Air Miles ($10.50 value) on top of the Air Miles I earned for yogurt, etc.

I redeemed Air Miles to pay for all but $1.60 of my purchase.

I don't often shop at Sobeys but the Blue Friday deals are usually worthwhile, especially since I can redeem Air Miles to pay for them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lotsasavings

I shopped Blue Friday today, purchased for just over $100, and included the flyer coupon for an extra 100 Air Miles ($10.50 value) on top of the Air Miles I earned for yogurt, etc.

I redeemed Air Miles to pay for all but $1.60 of my purchase.

I don't often shop at Sobeys but the Blue Friday deals are usually worthwhile, especially since I can redeem Air Miles to pay for them.

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Did the STB coupon work?

CSR scanned and it didn’t register. She tried keying it in and I’m not sure if it worked either.

I didn’t get the 5x base pts per STB offer and nothing shows on the receipt referencing the STB coupon.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tjthemanto

Yes your OOP is $ 20 at Sobeys, not $ 12.

But for $20 you are getting a lot.

Say a bag of milk of 4L is $ 4, you can redeem the 80 BAM for 2 Bags of milk later on.

So $ 20 (OOP) =

8x - Sunlight Bottles ( $20 you spent OOP initially)
2x - 4 Litre Milk bags (80 BAM redemption later on)

------

The Sunlight Bottles never go on sale for less than $ 2 at No Frills, Food Basics, Freschco etc. And milk is always $ 4.

So even if you buy this in other stores on sale later on, you will come out ahead by $ 4 in Sobeys as you spent only $ 20 OOP over there.

Other stores will be :

Sunlight - 8 x $ 2 = $16
Milk - 2 x 4 = $8

So $24 for the same stuff at other stores, as opposed to only $20 at Sobeys.

--------------------

Same calculation can be made for Astro Yogurt Tubs which rarely go below $ 2 at other stores.
----------------------

Plus if you add the Shop The Block AM promotion to this Blue Friday BAM promotion - you will definitely come out ahead, as Sobeys will be counted as 1 partner shop and you will get the STB air miles also later on.

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The thing is... you're making a selective comparison of purchase with loyalty program benefits vs. a straight purchase with no such benefits. If that works for you, fine. It doesn't for me since I do a large majority of my grocery shopping at stores where I earn PCO points. So far this year, for every $1 spent at those stores - not including SDM - I've averaged over 40% in points.

So to make a more apples to apples comparison, if I were to spend $20 on Sunlight on sale, I'd get 10 bottles, and on average, over 8k in points. So I don't see how it's better to spend $20 OOP to get only 8 Sunlight plus 80 BAM.

The STB partner bonus does work in Sobeys favor, but in practice, I stocked up on Sunlight earlier in the year when it was $2 with buy three get one rebated offer. I'm also fully stocked on Astro yogurt that I got using FPCs as part of a shop where I paid 41 cents, redeemed 10k and got back 12k. So atm, it would take more than the STB partner bonus for me to buy more of either.

Fwiw, the last time I bought Sunlight, earlier this year, it was $2 with a buy 3 get a full rebate for 1 offer, so effectively $1.34.

Which is the cheapest wine to get at LCBO?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Arjon

The thing is... you're making a selective comparison of purchase with loyalty program benefits vs. a straight purchase with no such benefits. If that works for you, fine. It doesn't for me since I do a large majority of my grocery shopping at stores where I earn PCO points. So far this year, for every $1 spent at those stores - not including SDM - I've averaged over 40% in points.

So to make a more apples to apples comparison, if I were to spend $20 on Sunlight on sale, I'd get 10 bottles, and on average, over 8k in points. So I don't see how it's better to spend $20 OOP to get only 8 Sunlight plus 80 BAM.

The STB partner bonus does work in Sobeys favor, but in practice, I stocked up on Sunlight earlier in the year when it was $2 with buy three get one rebated offer. I'm also fully stocked on Astro yogurt that I got using FPCs as part of a shop where I paid 41 cents, redeemed 10k and got back 12k. So atm, it would take more than the STB partner bonus for me to buy more of either.

Fwiw, the last time I bought Sunlight, earlier this year, it was $2 with a buy 3 get a full rebate for 1 offer, so effectively $1.34.

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These extreme cases are always going to exist, but they are rare.

You can use Astro FPC's over here also with Sobeys and you will get both the BAM and STB AM's.

You can also use AM redemption to buy the products if you have enough of them, need not pay OOP and you will still get the BAM & STB AM.

That buy 3 get 1 rebated sunlight offer if from Manufacturer can be used over here also.

AM also has promotions where when you redeem you can get AM back at various retailers. If you want you can save your BAM and STB AM for such events and redeem them, just like you saved & redeemed your PCO points for such PCO redemption 's and promotions.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by torontogal12

Which is the cheapest wine to get at LCBO?

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It's not 100% accurate, but if you look at the offers that award small amounts of BAM, one of them is likely to be the lowest OOP. At first glance, the wine lower=cost offers appear to cost at least ~$25 because they require buying two bottles, not one like before.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tjthemanto

Quote

These extreme cases are always going to exist, but they are rare.

You can use Astro FPC's over here also with Sobeys and you will get both the BAM and STB AM's.

You can also use AM redemption to buy the products if you have enough of them, need not pay OOP and you will still get the BAM & STB AM.

That buy 3 get 1 rebated sunlight offer if from Manufacturer can be used over here also.

AM also has promotions where when you redeem you can get AM back at various retailers. If you want you can save your BAM and STB AM for such events and redeem them, just like you saved & redeemed your PCO points for such PCO redemption 's and promotions.

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I agree I could have done basically the same deal at Sobeys. However, there was a window of one day to do so, whereas the deal at RCSS was for the entire week that my 10k wus $50 personal offer was valid as well as the other weeks I've had this offer in the past few months. So again, not completely apples to apples, IMO.