No more AeroPlan Miles with ESSO
Mar 13, 2018, 4:34 pm
#47
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
Programs: Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, IHG Silver, Aeroplan 25K, DVC
Posts: 310
I'd been still collecting Aeroplan miles hoping that the program would turn into something like Air Miles--not affiliated with any airline and not as lucrative for those of us hoping to redeem for business class seats, but still a viable option for those looking to collect points towards travel. But with the loss of Esso and no replacement partner, I'm starting to worry that Aeroplan may not survive in any worthwhile format past 2020.
I've just received an RBC Avion card (I plan to transfer miles to Avios--I've had pretty good success redeeming them for Cathay Pacific business class seats) to replace my now defunct Marriott Rewards VISA. Perhaps it's time to ditch the Aeroplan credit cards too.
I've just received an RBC Avion card (I plan to transfer miles to Avios--I've had pretty good success redeeming them for Cathay Pacific business class seats) to replace my now defunct Marriott Rewards VISA. Perhaps it's time to ditch the Aeroplan credit cards too.
Mar 13, 2018, 4:40 pm
#48
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE
Posts: 2,342
I was curious, so I did the math and posted to another forum. $500 doesn't quite get you one (high end) car wash, but is still one of the better rates of return.Here's what I came up with:
...
In summary, looks like the best return is filling up at Mobil. If no Mobil in your area, then Esso is best for car washes or Petro-Canada for gas. The worst return is Shell. Co-op could be OK too but you won't know what your return is until the end of the year.
Calculations done at $1.40/liter using regular gas without any promotions for reward items valued at $10 or high end car wash. Estimated value for car wash I used was $12.
...
In summary, looks like the best return is filling up at Mobil. If no Mobil in your area, then Esso is best for car washes or Petro-Canada for gas. The worst return is Shell. Co-op could be OK too but you won't know what your return is until the end of the year.
Calculations done at $1.40/liter using regular gas without any promotions for reward items valued at $10 or high end car wash. Estimated value for car wash I used was $12.
Mar 13, 2018, 5:30 pm
#50
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: FOTSG Tangerine Ex E35k (AC)
Posts: 5,612
According to AP buying requirements, that’s $15.05 in ON. So 1:33? Of course, there are so many caveats here not least if which actual AP worth that it’s hard to compare.
I personally think I’d value points at 6750 for a $50 GC right now, which is 0.74c/point and that converts to a 1:202 ratio. If my math is correct.
Mar 13, 2018, 5:41 pm
#51
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: Altitude 50K, Hilton Honours, Marriott
Posts: 11
I don't do the PC Optimum thing. I did the PC Plus for a short period of time and stopped after it was clear it offered no points or rewards. Even worse than Aeroplan. You basically present your card, provide the vendor with lots of data for analytics and in return you get no points unless you log into some website and then the retailer has selected 4-5 items but only if you indicate you want to get point and then only over the next few days. It was a problem designed to ensure you accumulated nothing. That lead me to run away from any Loblaws program in existence. Aeroplan is much better can't believe any retailer would want to partner with Loblaws.
This is my fear too. Got the e-mail last night and thought: "oh ...., they're really on the outs."
Mar 13, 2018, 5:43 pm
#52
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: YVR
Programs: UA Premier Platinum
Posts: 3,759
Good work. I guess we also need to consider AP. I can’t actually recall how many points one gets though, but AP website (actually working) indicates 2 for $3. So at $500 that gives us 333 points if every transaction is exactly divisible by 3.
According to AP buying requirements, that’s $15.05 in ON. So 1:33? Of course, there are so many caveats here not least if which actual AP worth that it’s hard to compare.
I personally think I’d value points at 6750 for a $50 GC right now, which is 0.74c/point and that converts to a 1:202 ratio. If my math is correct.
Mar 13, 2018, 5:53 pm
#53
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: YYJ
Posts: 2,230
I don't do the PC Optimum thing. I did the PC Plus for a short period of time and stopped after it was clear it offered no points or rewards. Even worse than Aeroplan. You basically present your card, provide the vendor with lots of data for analytics and in return you get no points unless you log into some website and then the retailer has selected 4-5 items but only if you indicate you want to get point and then only over the next few days. It was a problem designed to ensure you accumulated nothing. That lead me to run away from any Loblaws program in existence. Aeroplan is much better can't believe any retailer would want to partner with Loblaws.
Mar 13, 2018, 6:03 pm
#55
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: YYZ
Programs: Accor ALL Diamond, AC Aeroplan 25K, Nexus/GE
Posts: 2,732
I don't do the PC Optimum thing. I did the PC Plus for a short period of time and stopped after it was clear it offered no points or rewards. Even worse than Aeroplan. You basically present your card, provide the vendor with lots of data for analytics and in return you get no points unless you log into some website and then the retailer has selected 4-5 items but only if you indicate you want to get point and then only over the next few days. It was a problem designed to ensure you accumulated nothing. That lead me to run away from any Loblaws program in existence. Aeroplan is much better can't believe any retailer would want to partner with Loblaws.
Mar 13, 2018, 7:30 pm
#57
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: YYJ
Posts: 4,137
Just for reference - you'll get 1 More Rewards point per dollar spent at Petro Canada.
The few $10 gift cards that they offer are 6000 points - so that's a 600:1 return.
Mar 13, 2018, 8:42 pm
#58
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 56,446
Mar 13, 2018, 9:39 pm
#59
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Vancouver
Programs: Aeroplan, Mileage Plus, WestJet Gold, AMEX Plat
Posts: 2,026
More Rewards points are basically useless, though. I do like shopping at Save On Foods, but the rewards program is the pits.
Just for reference - you'll get 1 More Rewards point per dollar spent at Petro Canada.
The few $10 gift cards that they offer are 6000 points - so that's a 600:1 return.
Just for reference - you'll get 1 More Rewards point per dollar spent at Petro Canada.
The few $10 gift cards that they offer are 6000 points - so that's a 600:1 return.
Mar 14, 2018, 12:09 pm
#60
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: YBG
Programs: Marriott: Platinum Hilton: Diamond AC: 25K
Posts: 234
I Stopped using my Aeroplan credit card at my local ESSO station when I found out it was mistakenly code as a restaurant and giving me 5x points on my American express card. But before that I would go out of my way to fill up at the local Esso station. Now I use the American Express and CAA card for the 3cents off/ liter. A little over a year ago I was able to use the 3 cards now I can only use 2
Last edited by Nimitz; Mar 14, 2018 at 12:14 pm