And I almost forgot, what about sales taxes like the GST? When my mother used her Airmiles to go to Whitehorse, she had to pay about $150 in taxes on a "free" Airmiles ticket worth about $1,700. This wouldn't have happened with an Aeroplan reward ticket.
What good is a $120 Avion card if they decide to make one pay a ticket fee plus sales taxes on the "free" ticket?
My parents also have the CIBC Dividend 2% card, it's great for people who already have lots of ff miles. Plus it includes medical insurance for trips under 15 days. One caveat, though, the 2% rebate is capped at $50,000 in annual charges. But still a good deal for the average person charging two or three grand a month.