Best Tips
13 Things You Need to Know About Redeeming Loyalty Points
Accumulating loyalty points takes time and effort. Here’s what you need to know about getting the most out of redeeming them.
Treat Your Points Like You Would Real Money
Use them on products and trips you’d normally purchase rather than on luxuries.
Save Up
In most programs, the more you collect, the more your total is worth. At the lowest tier, you can use 8,000 Shoppers Optimum Points to get $10 off. But if you’re a good saver, you can spend 95,000 on a $170 shopping trip.
Get the App
Many companies have smartphone apps with deals. If you win Air Miles’ Check-in Challenge, for example, the program doubles the miles you collected that month.
Take Advantage of Promotions
Shoppers Drug Mart has Spend Your Points events, when your Optimum savings count for more.
Comparison Shop
When buying a retail product with Air Miles, make sure you wouldn’t be getting a better deal paying cash elsewhere. Say Air Miles were to offer a $115 blender for 1,000 reward miles. Seems great, until you find the same model on sale at Costco for $79.99.
Friends Forever
If you and a friend are trying to book two seats together on points, work with an agent associated with your miles program so you can sit together.
Don’t Let Your Balance Expire
Had that card in your wallet for years? Points don’t last forever-spend them while you can.
Use Your Points to Help a Pal Fly
Consider buying a friend’s flight and having them reimburse you. Flights bought with points can work out to be cheaper than those bought with cash, so you’ll be saving them-and yourself-money.
