Latest news with #AirMiles
CTV News
5 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Calgary man shocked after Air Miles ‘retired' 25,000 points worth nearly $8K
Calgarian Todd Woodbeck says Air Miles 'retired' nearly 25,000 of his loyalty points worth close to $8,000. A Calgary man is voicing his frustration with Air Miles after the company quietly wiped nearly 25,000 of his loyalty points – worth close to $8,000 – from his account, after more than three decades of collecting with the program. Todd Woodbeck told CTV News he hadn't used his Air Miles card in some time, and made the discovery when he went to buy oil for his car at a Shell gas station. 'I hadn't been asked to use Air Miles for so long, but they asked, and I said, 'Sure.' They took my card, and it worked.' 'I went home and wondered, 'How many Air Miles points do I have now?'' When Woodbeck logged into his account, he noticed that almost all of his points were gone. 'They had redeemed almost 25,000,' Woodbeck said. 'So, I had two Air Miles total in my account from that Shell gas station purchase.' 'I was very angry, so I picked up the phone immediately and called Air Miles.' He says when he contacted the company, he was told the points had been 'retired'– not expired – because of account inactivity. 'I said, 'Well I thought Air Miles didn't retire,'' he said. 'They said 'no,' they don't expire, but they can retire if you don't use your card. I didn't know.' Woodbeck says the company restored only 1,240 points—far short of what he lost. 'That's not a lot really,' he said. 'That's nothing.' Air Miles 'retires' 25,000 points from Calgary man Calgarian Todd Woodbeck says Air Miles 'retired' nearly 25,000 of his loyalty points worth close to $8,000. Woodbeck estimates his lost points were worth nearly $8,000. He says he had also paid more than $1,500 out of pocket to purchase nearly 4,800 of those points after winning a golf tournament prize that had to be used toward travel. 'They basically stole that money,' he said. 'I had to show them proof that I had used it towards travel via purchases in the Air Miles program. I printed everything off, thank God.' Woodbeck believes Air Miles had an outdated email address on file—one he hadn't used in five years—and says he never received any warnings by mail or phone. 'They have my address; they have my phone number. I never got anything in the mail. I never got a call,' he said. 'They just took them.' Air Miles responds In a statement to CTV News, Air Miles says its members must use their account at least once over a two-year span to avoid their account becoming inactive. 'We value our collectors and remain committed to enhancing their experience by continuously introducing new partners and exciting offers that encourage ongoing engagement with the program,' read the statement. 'To maintain an active account, collectors must earn, redeem or transfer miles within 24 months—if no activity occurs, the account will be considered inactive. Collectors are proactively notified before any changes to their account status.' Woodbeck, however, says his account still worked when he used it at Shell—raising more questions. 'My card worked that day, and I got two points for it,' he said. 'They didn't discontinue my account—they just stole the points.' Advice for loyalty program collectors Patrick Sojka, founder of says consumers need to pay close attention to the loyalty programs they're enrolled in. 'You should be checking them relatively frequently,' he said. 'It's not just for the expiry; it's even for fraud.' Sojka says many loyalty programs have inactivity policies buried in their terms. 'If you don't earn at least one mile or one point or redeem within a certain time period, they will close it down, and you'll lose all your mileage or points,' he said. 'Some programs are as little as 12 months, but some are 24 months.' He says even small actions – like a $5 gas station purchase – can keep an account active. 'Donating miles to charity is one way, too,' he said. 'That will reset the counter on that inactivity clock.' Sojka also advises collectors to reach out early if they know they won't be using their points for a while. 'Typically, it's better to do it beforehand,' he said. 'But even after the fact, some programs may help you if you show them a good reason why you were inactive.' Aeroplan changes how members earn and qualify Woodbeck's experience comes as other loyalty programs are rolling out major changes of their own. Starting Jan. 1, 2026, Aeroplan members will earn points based on dollars spent on eligible Air Canada flights, rather than the distance flown. The program will also introduce a new system for status qualification called Status Qualifying Credits (SQC). 'Members will earn a minimum of one Aeroplan point per $1 spent,' Air Canada said in a release. 'Depending on their status level ... Aeroplan Elite status members will earn 2x to 6x Aeroplan points per dollar spent.' The airline says SQC can be earned not just through flights, but also Aeroplan credit card use and partner activity. 'These changes help us better recognize [members'] loyalty and keep improving the experience,' said Scott O'Leary, vice president of loyalty and product at Air Canada. Travel expert Onanta Forbes says travelers who stick with a single program will be rewarded the most under the new system. 'If you are loyal to one program, you're going to get more rewards for it,' she said. 'You might want to align yourself with a credit card that offers you points if you spend on it.' Forbes says it's also key to stay informed about changes. 'It's always important to look at the news about your program that you're in, so that you're updated.' 'Do the right thing' Woodbeck says the issue isn't just about fine print; it's about fairness. 'Nobody reads the fine print, and it's in the fine print that if you don't use it for two years, they'll retire – not expire, retire,' he said. 'I would like to get the word out, so people are aware of it.' Woodbeck says he's speaking out to prevent the same thing from happening to others and hopes Air Miles will reconsider its decision by returning his earned points into his account. 'I don't know how many times it's happened before, but I certainly think that if somebody lost 25,000 of these points like me, I would have heard about it,' he said. 'I mean come on, I've been a loyal customer for more than 30 years.' His final message for Air Miles is clear: 'Do the right thing.'
Winnipeg Free Press
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- Winnipeg Free Press
Pump wars: fluctuating gas prices leave drivers to decide between cheap, quick
A 15-cent price gap at two gas stations across the street from one another near Polo Park had drivers choosing between saving cash or saving time on Wednesday. At the Shell on Ness Avenue, vehicles came and went with little delay, even with prices posted at 134.9 cents per litre. Across the street at Domo, long lines of cars spilled onto Ness as customers flocked to fill up at 119.9 — or 114.9 for Domo Club members. The price difference and recent fluctuation left some drivers scratching their heads. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Shell on Ness Avenue with prices posted at 134.9 cents per litre, Wednesday. 'It doesn't make much sense to me, but I'll save money where I can,' said one driver, who declined to give their name, at Domo. Over at Shell, Lynn, who was filling up her small sedan, said she was willing to pay more for what she believes is higher-quality fuel. 'And they give out Air Miles,' she said. Another woman a few pumps over said the 15-cent savings wasn't worth the wait across the street. The Domo had a steady stream of customers Wednesday afternoon, while the pumps at Shell were never at capacity. Jon, who was fueling his 120-litre Chevrolet Suburban at Domo, said the savings were worth the wait. 'When I saw the price here, and the price at Canadian Tire on St. James (134.9), I knew it was going to go up,' he said. Filling his tank at 119.9 saved him about $18 compared. For most drivers, with tanks ranging from 50 to 60 litres, the savings were around $7.50 to $9. Tuesdays A weekly look at politics close to home and around the world. Former Member of Parliament and GasBuddy analyst Dan McTeague said Winnipeg's fuel market is known for unpredictable pricing. 'Gas retailers often sell fuel for below cost, and that's really the game there,' he said Wednesday from southern Ontario. 'Whoever they're trying to outdo, obviously their competitors, but the means with which to do this require either being a very large box store that cross-subsidizes losses in selling gasoline to get people onto your site, recovering losses with sales in your store, or you might have competitive advantage no one else does, such as not paying taxes.' He said retailers like Costco can afford to sell fuel at a loss and make up the difference with in-store sales. McTeague said the wholesale or 'rack' price for fuel in Winnipeg was about 93.7 cents per litre on Wednesday. After adding the provincial fuel tax (14 cents), federal excise tax (10 cents), and GST (roughly six cents), the cost to operate a pump lands around $1.23. 'No gas station can turn on their pump, that is to say, the electricity to run them, honour credit cards or do any type of business under $1.23 per litre today in Winnipeg,' he said. 'The fact that some do is either recovering the cost on something like beef jerky inside the gas station, or they have a rich uncle OK with having them lose money.' MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Across the street at Domo, long lines of cars spilled onto Ness as customers waited to pay 119.9 cents per litre, while Domo Club members paid as little as 114.9 cents. Some retailers may qualify to skip the GST or receive tax breaks — including Indigenous-owned operations — which could push prices as low as $1.12 per litre, McTeague noted. 'But that's really putting your nose to the grindstone,' he said. He emphasized that 134.9 cents per litre was the true market price on Wednesday. 'So what you really have to ask is when you go to these stores, how do they honour a credit card? It costs them a point or two for every litre of gasoline,' he said. 'If they have rewards loyalty programs… how do they pay for that? How do they pay for electricity to turn on the pumps, or pay for the staff?' He calls these deep discounts 'gas bar shenanigans.' In some cases, he said, a gas station will slash prices to compete with a nearby rival, prompting suppliers to temporarily lower wholesale costs to help that station maintain volume — a tactic known as dealer support. 'Gas stations win at the end of the day because they move volumes,' McTeague said. As for concerns over quality at discount stations, McTeague dismissed them. 'I don't know where they would get it from,' he said. 'Fuel can become contaminated if it's put in tanks that don't work, but generally speaking, wherever you get it from, the refineries can't sell stuff that would cause a vehicle to break down. There are liability issues. There are some pretty strict and strong sanctions. And there are only a couple of suppliers — Co-op and Imperial — that come to the market in Winnipeg, and they share product.' Scott BilleckReporter Scott Billeck is a general assignment reporter for the Free Press. A Creative Communications graduate from Red River College, Scott has more than a decade's worth of experience covering hockey, football and global pandemics. He joined the Free Press in 2024. Read more about Scott. Every piece of reporting Scott produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Toronto Star
01-06-2025
- Automotive
- Toronto Star
Trump sparks a surge in homegrown road trips. Here's where to look for savings on your next adventure
U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff war is even affecting a great Canadian summer ritual — the road trip. According to a recent survey by the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada, 51 per cent of drivers have recently cancelled their road trips to the U.S., with a whopping 88 per cent looking to explore Canada by car this summer. Having lived in four different cities across Canada, Jessica Robinson, a content marketer based in Toronto, has taken her fair share of road trips — long and short — and picked up tips for saving money along the way. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'You tend to be a little bit more budget-conscious on a longer road trip than on a shorter one,' says Robinson, whose longest trip has been from Toronto to Halifax and back. The car itself is the biggest expense. Robinson has rented, borrowed and even used a car-share service for her journeys. The price of a rental depends on several factors, including the pickup and drop-off locations, the type (gas, hybrid or electric) and size of the vehicle and the car rental supplier. Personal Finance Breaking your mortgage to land a better interest rate ahead of renewal? Be prepared to pay up Refinancing your mortgage can include securing a lower rate with a different lender, changing According to Kayak, you can expect to pay an average of $78 to $115 per day, depending on how big — and nice — a vehicle you end up renting. Travel services sites like Kayak let you set price alerts on car rentals for the dates you plan to hit the road so that you can score the best deal. The next largest expense is fuel. Calculate the distance of your trip in kilometres to figure out just how much fuel you'll need for the trip. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Loyalty programs like Shell Fuel Rewards or Petro-Points can also help you stretch a buck on filling up through discounts and rewards that can be redeemed later on — or right at the pump. Shell, for instance, offers per-litre discounts for both CAA and Air Miles users. Using both cards can cut five cents a litre at the pump. It may not seem like a lot, but over a several-thousand-kilometre adventure, the savings can add up. Personal Finance My company offers a deferred profit-sharing plan. How does it differ from my group RRSP? There are many differences between a DPSP and an RRSP, experts says, not the least of which is Trip calculators, like the one from GasBuddy, can estimate how money you'll spend on fuel on the trip. 'See if there are opportunities to get car rental deals through your loyalty programs that might be affiliated with your credit cards, CAA memberships or even your Costco card,' says Jackie Porter, certified financial planner at Carte Wealth Management in Mississauga. Some credit cards offer additional discounts and insurance coverage options for car rentals. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW For instance, the American Express Cobalt, Scotiabank Gold American Express and TD Cash Back Visa Infinite cards offer some type of rental car coverage. Scotiabank Scene+ Visa offers up to 25 per cent off base rates at select Avis and Budget, while the RBC Avion Visa Platinum and RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege offer discounted base rates at participating Hertz locations. Personal Finance Amid U.S. tariff storms, you really need a rainy-day fund. Here's where to park your money Experts says keeping emergency cash liquid is crucial, in an account that earns at least some Porter recommends budgeting for a road trip in a savings account so 'even if you use your cards to give you more points, the money is there when you come back from that trip to pay that bill.' Budgeting for souvenirs and snacks sometimes goes overlooked, points out Robinson. You might tell yourself you won't make a pit stop on the road, she says, 'but when it's three o'clock, you've been driving for five hours and you're a little bit tired, you're going to pull over and get that next coffee.'
Cision Canada
12-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
redtag.ca Partners with Airmilesshops.ca Making Travel More Rewarding Français
Earn Miles on thousands of vacation packages and flights. TORONTO, May 12, 2025 /CNW/ - Travel just got easier – and more rewarding – thanks to latest strategic partnership with the AIR MILES® Reward Program. Now available on gives Air Miles Collectors the opportunity to earn Miles on pre-packaged vacation bookings and flights, adding even more value to their vacation bookings. For every $35 spent before taxes and fees, Collectors will earn 1 Mile*, making it simpler to turn dream vacations into rewarding experiences. "At we are committed to enabling Canadians to explore the world more frequently while curating unforgettable travel experiences," says Sam Youssef, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Partnerships at onto is a strategic initiative that enhances the value of every vacation booking made on that platform, allowing travellers to accumulate Miles for future journeys. Our mission is to make travel effortless, enriching, and exceptionally rewarding for all." By booking through on Collectors gain access to an extensive range of vacation packages and flights to popular destinations worldwide. Start planning your next getaway and make every trip more rewarding with and "We are thrilled to welcome to the family. This partnership means more opportunities for Canadians to create moments that matter. When Collectors are able to earn Miles and put them towards unforgettable experiences booked with every vacation is rewarding," says Danièle Gadbois, Vice President of Rewards at Air Miles. Air Miles Collectors can also use Dream Miles to book cruises with Everyday purchases can allow Collectors to save toward extraordinary cruise experiences by collecting and redeeming enough Miles toward their next dream cruise vacation with With access to over 18 cruise lines and a seamless booking process, Collectors can pay using Dream Miles, a credit card, or a combination of both to secure their unforgettable cruise vacation. Sign in to your Air Miles account at Learn how to book your next vacation and earn Air Miles Reward Miles with at *For full details, terms, and conditions, visit: Experience the ease and rewards of travel made easy™, only with About is one of Canada's top travel companies, specializing in personalized travel solutions for every type of traveller. As part of the H.I.S Canada Travel Inc./TravelBrands family, offers an extensive selection of vacation packages, flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and even travel to the edge of space – making it easier than ever to plan and book unforgettable travel experiences. Known for its innovative approach and exceptional customer service, has earned the trust of travellers seeking great value, simplicity, and convenience. With competitive pricing and exclusive perks, ensures customers always get the best value for their travel investment. With over 20 years of experience, is committed to helping travellers create their dream vacations, powered by cutting-edge technology and a passionate team of travel professionals. Discover travel made easy™ at
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
redtag.ca Partners with Airmilesshops.ca Making Travel More Rewarding
Earn Miles on thousands of vacation packages and flights. TORONTO, May 12, 2025 /CNW/ - Travel just got easier – and more rewarding – thanks to latest strategic partnership with the AIR MILES® Reward Program. Now available on gives Air Miles Collectors the opportunity to earn Miles on pre-packaged vacation bookings and flights, adding even more value to their vacation bookings. For every $35 spent before taxes and fees, Collectors will earn 1 Mile*, making it simpler to turn dream vacations into rewarding experiences. "At we are committed to enabling Canadians to explore the world more frequently while curating unforgettable travel experiences," says Sam Youssef, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Partnerships at "Expanding onto is a strategic initiative that enhances the value of every vacation booking made on that platform, allowing travellers to accumulate Miles for future journeys. Our mission is to make travel effortless, enriching, and exceptionally rewarding for all." By booking through on Collectors gain access to an extensive range of vacation packages and flights to popular destinations worldwide. Start planning your next getaway and make every trip more rewarding with and "We are thrilled to welcome to the family. This partnership means more opportunities for Canadians to create moments that matter. When Collectors are able to earn Miles and put them towards unforgettable experiences booked with every vacation is rewarding," says Danièle Gadbois, Vice President of Rewards at Air Miles. Air Miles Collectors can also use Dream Miles to book cruises with Everyday purchases can allow Collectors to save toward extraordinary cruise experiences by collecting and redeeming enough Miles toward their next dream cruise vacation with With access to over 18 cruise lines and a seamless booking process, Collectors can pay using Dream Miles, a credit card, or a combination of both to secure their unforgettable cruise vacation. Sign in to your Air Miles account at Learn how to book your next vacation and earn Air Miles Reward Miles with at *For full details, terms, and conditions, visit: Experience the ease and rewards of travel made easy™, only with About is one of Canada's top travel companies, specializing in personalized travel solutions for every type of traveller. As part of the H.I.S Canada Travel Inc./TravelBrands family, offers an extensive selection of vacation packages, flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and even travel to the edge of space – making it easier than ever to plan and book unforgettable travel experiences. Known for its innovative approach and exceptional customer service, has earned the trust of travellers seeking great value, simplicity, and convenience. With competitive pricing and exclusive perks, ensures customers always get the best value for their travel investment. With over 20 years of experience, is committed to helping travellers create their dream vacations, powered by cutting-edge technology and a passionate team of travel professionals. Discover travel made easy™ at SOURCE View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
