Air Miles Taking a Beating

This Air Miles expiry policy coming into effect on December 31, 2016 is really damaging their reputation. Basically, effective December 31, 2016, Air Miles reward miles that are more than 5 years old will begin to expire on a quarterly basis (March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31). The program started back in 1992, and if people haven’t redeemed since then, they are probably panicking to redeem them now.

As a result of this upcoming expiry policy change, there are news articles such as:

Granted, there are equally just as many reviews by people giving tips on how to redeem your Air Miles:

Personally, I’ve been taking the earn and burn approach with Air Miles. Another change I made is in my redemption strategy. I no longer aim for big ticket rewards anymore. I have been targeting smaller reward items. It became way less frustrating for me once I made the switch.

If you are sitting on a bunch of miles, then I would go for hotels or flights. You can book a reward for a trip that falls after December 31, 2016. So long as you book your trip before that date.

That being said, I am more curious what everyone else’s thoughts are about Air Miles? Are these news reports accurately Air Mile members? Are people really going to give up their accounts because of all the frustration?

8 Comments

  1. here is Western Canada we are double challenged to remain Airmiles collectors. The major store issuing Air Miles, Canada Safeway, is going through major change due to their recent take over by Sobeys. Prices have sky rocketed, selection diminished, service in the toilet. Sobeys actions have lead me to change my store destinations which don’t include them. 2014… earned 2500 AM at Safeway… 2016… might get 250 AM. Given my accumulations it really doesnt matter if Airmiles implodes or not.

    As an aside… this site has issues with Safari

    1. Thanks for sharing your experience.

      Please send us an email about the issues you are experiencing with Safari to see if we can troubleshoot. Thanks!

  2. I’ve never been an avid Air Miles collector and generally taken the earn and burn approach too Matthew. The sad thing is there are less good thing to burn your dream air miles on than before – I used to love my free movie tickets and car washes.

    I’ve got about 2,000 miles in the bank right now and fortunately none of them are expiring right away. I might take my first ever flight using them if I can scrape together enough. Unfortunately, their flight availability is terrible.

    Following up the previous commenter – half of your “Post Comment” button is unclickable in Chrome.

  3. I’ve never been a fan of Airmiles due to the slow accumulation and high redemption amounts, including fees and charges. I only have about 2600 Airmiles half of which are expiring. I’ll book a hotel night or two to use it up. Then I’m sending them back their silly blue card, cut in a couple of pieces.
    If only Aeroplan could add partners like Airmiles had, what a program we would have.

    1. Yes, Air Miles does have a fair number of partners to earn miles with. Would definitely like to see Aeroplan add more partners too. Granted, if things go downhill in a hurry for Air Miles, Aeroplan gains even more monopoly.

      Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

  4. Was an avid collector from 2010-2014 when Safeway offered a lot of deals. Flight availability was good, could find short flights within a few days. Went out of country for a year, came back.and found flight availability to be non-existent. Sign up bonuses have gone up but no flights to redeem for means no interest in collecting the points anymore. Once I figure out how to burn the 4000 non-expiry miles I have left, I’m definitely done with the program.

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