I have had booked flights twice and had different results. This last flight I phoned and left my information because it was busy. THey called me back and I also returned the call. I needed to call back once my plans were confirmed had virtually no wait and was able to book a flight valued at around $1k for 800 miles!

Also fees were
LOYALTY ADMINISTRATION FEE........................20.00
AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT FEE - AIF.....................20.00
NAV CANADA, FUEL AND SECURITY SURCHARGE...........80.00
TAXES/SERVICE CHARGES AND ADMIN FEE
SUBTOTAL.........................................1 20.00

Taking an Aeroplan flight also Canada- US- Canada Security charge - $15.89, Carrier Admin Surcharge $80.00, Taxes $105 =$200 +

You judge on the fees.


I still think the best deal for the points required are the Shell Carwash coupons.

Considering it is free.. it is a good program IMHO

I'm not impressed

fees when booking
poor routings for such simple city pairs
not all that easy to acrue miles

Personally I dont use Airmiles at all but the above is based on family experiences.

My recent experience with Air Miles!
 

I decided to use AM to fly from Toronto to New York's JFK airport since they are partners with AA who flies this route. (Air Canada only flies to La Guardia and Newark.)

I called about 1 month before my departure date (Oct 12/08), and got a recording that unless I needed to fly within 2 weeks, to leave a message and someone would call me back. They did call back 4 days later. :rolleyes: But I called the next day after my original call, and got through. I was able to get the exact flights I needed on AA from YYZ-JFK-YYZ.

Cost was 1050 Air Miles AND $235 of taxes! Same itinerary on AA web site would have cost me $345. What an absolute rip off!

So yes, I will continue to accumulate Air Miles because it's a free program, but given a choice, I will use a different loyalty program. For example I have an MBNA Starwood MC and a CIBC Aerogold Visa. Also recently participated in a BMO promotion where I had the choice of 1000 Air Miles or $200 on a Mosaik MC gift card. After my JFK experience, I opted for the gift card!

I used to think the best value was to redeem Air Miles for travel rather than merchandise. I no longer think that way. Apparently, there are no taxes or anything else to be paid when redeeming for merchandise.

Also, thought I should mention that I did earn AA frequent flier miles on my YYZ-JFK flights. ^

I don't agree! Last October I booked flights from Kelowna to Barcelona for the end of May 2008 with no problems. May was still shoulder season at lower miles, even though I came back in June, which was high season. As long as your departure is in low season means less miles. The only thing I find outrageous are the high fees involved, plus the cancellation fee. With other programs you get your miles back, and pay a penalty - not Air Miles.

As others have said, I only collect them because it's free, and I shop at Safeway anyway. The miles on prescriptions is definitely a good deal.