Might go back to SPG because Aeroplan has blackout dates. Back to cashing out on ...... hotels!

How can I maximize the value of 44k Aeroplan miles?

We all know AM recanted on its redemption policy but that was too late for me and many others. I was forced to redeem over 7,000 AM.

One was for a flight today. However I needed to change it as I was too ill to fly. Their call centre was closed Dec 26 and 27th so I called today. I waited on the phone for over 3 hours with no response. I finally hung up but it was now boarding time for my flight and I knew I would be considered a no show, no fault of my own.

I was never able to talk to an agent at AM who could help me. The few I did talk to kept moving me to another department where the wait times were in excess of 2 more hours!

Is there any chance I can get my AM back? Or at the least book a new flight?

I am very very upset with Airmiles and I am a Gold member of many years. This has to be the very worst service I have ever received from any loyalty company. Advice would be appreciated.

100k,
AC SE forever.

If you have documented calls to them, where you spoke to someone and they transferred you there should be a record of this for the company to see your efforts. You can appeal to their shortcomings as a company and hope for some leniency. But I wouldn't get my hopes up.

@*%^%^+! I knew I should have kept the 9 supplementary cards I got for my SPG Amex because of the 1000 starpoints offer... rather than destroying them all! Perhaps it's time to ask for them to be reissued?

I have it all documented.

I would like to hear from others with similar AM problems.

JJ

Can't share any similar experience, but a quick look at their T&Cs is not very promising. Having said that, a well-documented and written case can help.

Also Air Miles are dealing with a PR nightmare right now, not sure if that will help or hurt your cause.

https://www.airmiles.ca/arrow/Travel...ctionId=300004

You should share your experience with CBC business reporter Susan Harris. She can be contacted at : [email protected]

Checked one station, only debit/cash for gift cards. When 7-eleven runs Esso station, what does the bill show. Does that work for the promotion?

Ellen Roseman at the Toronto Star often advocates for similar issues.

"When 7-eleven runs Esso station, what does the bill show"

Husband just made this mistake, purchased a gift card, but it shows on American Express pending as 7-Eleven.

I tried at one place and the receipt says 7 Eleven Store but Amex pending does show Imperial kiosk, it should be OK? no? Other than Esso cards it had few pickings of other gift cards, just bunch of music or phone cards which I don't need.

If it's "IMPERIAL OIL...<whatever>", then it should be fine. I had a bunch of those too, and they all got the $7 statement credits.

Esso stations that I've visited are running out of $25 denomination gift cards. You can tell that other people are taking advantage of this promo, thus the "empty" slots on the rack where you'd expect say a $25 gas gift card (below the $50 series of cards). I don't mind those "Ultimate" restaurant cards which do come in $25 denominations, but they are also getting snatched up quickly. Then there are the $20 Subway cards which my kids would use, and I could top them up with something like lottery tickets.

I suppose I should just get say a $50 gas gift card, but I'm being stubborn because I've got way too many already as it is, and I've got quite a few more Amex cards registered that can be used for this promo, so I'm trying to optimize my purchases...in the end if I don't find a $25 card I'll just get a $50 version. People who only have 1 or 3 Amex cards shouldn't even think twice about getting a $50 vs $25 GC.

FWIW, I did find a station that had Esso gift cards that could be used for a variable amount, from $25, $50, $100, etc. and it was up to the cashier to key in the correct "PLU #" to specify the amount...great! But, this station only accepts debit/cash. Boo!

Great promo! I used my Amex to buy $50 gift card with the 5 c/l discount card (on 100 litres)**. So that's a $12 discount on my $50 spend.

** Esso at Bayview and Major Mac in Richmond Hill has a ton of these cards and gladly accept credit cards.

THANK YOU JJ!!!

You already got the credit? statement end or how many days after posting charge.

12/24 bought 5 x $25 Esso GC on 5 AMEX cards
12/29 ~9pm ET got 5 "Congrats" email
12/30-31 $7 credit shows on all my 5 cards' online account

Thanks AMEX for another easy, smooth promotions