Air Miles has announced a number of changes to their long running reward program this week, including an expansion of who can transfer points and the new option to buy additional Miles to help cash in on that reward you’re close to but still need a few points for.
“As the cost of living rises and economic uncertainty persists…Canadians are feeling the pinch and carefully watching their wallets,” said Kat Carl-Musson, head of marketing at Air Miles, in an emailed statement to the Star about the changes. “Now more than ever, value matters.”
Here’s what you need to know:
Changes to who can transfer Miles, with upped limits
Blue cardholders can now transfer up to 500 Miles per year between Cash Miles and Dream Miles accounts. Gold cardholders can now transfer 3,000 Miles per year, up from a transfer limit of 1,000 points while Onyx cardholders continue to have unlimited transfers.
“We’ve… enhanced the program to offer greater flexibility,” said Carl-Musson, “to further equip collectors with the tools needed to maximize value based on how they’re already shopping.”
You can now buy additional Miles
All Air Miles collectors can now buy Dream Miles for $0.20 each, in bundles of either 100, 200, 500, or 1,000 per transaction, costing anywhere from $20-$200, allowing you to strategically top up your balance if needed. This feature will help if you are close to redeeming Dream Miles but don’t have the full balance required.
These changes enable “Canadians to earn and redeem in ways that seamlessly fit their lifestyle,” said Carl-Musson.
How to collect Reward Miles
To collect Reward Miles, show your card whenever you shop at a business that is listed as a reward partner, when you book flights, reserve hotels or rent vehicles.
How to redeem points
Your Air Miles account has two streams you can put your collected points balance into; Dream Miles you can use to purchase items from the online Air Miles Rewards Catalogue — including flights — and Cash Miles, redeemable in-store, in $10 increments, at participating businesses, or online through eVouchers, according to the airmiles.ca website. Ninety-five Cash Miles are equal to $10.
Cash Miles or Dream Miles: Choose how you save
You can set your reward balance to distribute Miles between the two reward streams in your Air Miles account — Cash Miles and Dream Miles, att any percentage you’d like — or make it so your points go into one category of rewards completely. Any new limit you set does not affect the Miles currently in your accounts, it just changes where any future Miles you collect, go, and you can update your preferences at anytime.
