It costs C$0.03 to buy an AE mile so 85K would cost C$2,550. 85K AE miles can get a one-way business class ticket to Asia, Australia, Africa Europe or South America (most with AEs left over) that would cost at least C$1,500, more likely twice that (and on most airlines without the horrendous surcharges found on AC or LH flights). Or at least three one-way North American business flights (with 10K left over) that go for at least C$1,500 each. So you figure out how bad a value that C$1,000 gift card really is. (The same poor value can be found in most non-flight redemptions.)