I’ve written before about what it takes to become an Air Miles Gold Collector, and about how they stopped sending out actual gold cards to their members a few years ago. Well it looks like Air Miles is bringing the gold card back with an emphasis on exclusive new benefits to Air Miles Gold Collectors.
Yesterday I received two gold cards in the mail along with a letter outlining what was new with the program. Here’s what the letter said:
Now it’s even more rewarding to be Gold
Great news! We’ve added some amazing new benefits to our Air Miles Gold program to bring you even more savings, giveaways and events. Better yet, as one of our most valued Gold Collector’s, you’ve been selected to receive a card fitting of your status – an Air Miles Gold Collector Card. Only select Collectors carry this card so please accept it with our thanks!
Enhanced suite of Gold Benefits
Here’s what you already get with the Air Miles Gold Card:
- up to 40% off reward miles on select flights
- up to 25% off reward miles on select merchandise
- special savings on package vacations and cruises
- exclusive bonus offers
Now you can enjoy so much more:
- double the amount of discounted merchandise you have access to
- 20% off reward miles on ski lift tickets all season long
- free movies – 300 passes given away every month
- exclusive Gold Card Collector events
Coming Soon…Gold Giveaways!
You could also win fabulous prizes just for being a Gold Collector. Giveaways will begin January, 2012. Learn more at www.airmiles.ca/goldgiveaways.
As a long time Air Miles collector, I’m excited about the renewed emphasis on the Gold Card program. I’ll definitely be checking out the website to participate in the Gold giveaways in January and putting my name in for free movie rewards.
Even though I mostly redeem Air Miles for gift cards, I might have to look into the extra discounted merchandise and do some early Christmas shopping this year.
You need to earn 1000 Air Miles rewards through at least 5 Air Miles sponsors to become a Gold Collector. It’s pretty easy to reach Gold status if you always carry your card with you (or use a mobile app like Key Ring) and regularly shop at one or two of the sponsor locations.
I’ve reached Gold status for each of the past 5 years, but haven’t really taken advantage of the program. Maybe it’s the shiny new gold card in my wallet, but I like the direction this program is taking and hopefully it will help me earn more rewards and save more money.
Did you get your Air Miles gold card in the mail?
If you travel regularly for business or leisure it makes sense to enrol in a frequent guest program. Air Canada customers can earn Aeroplan miles, which is arguably the most popular loyalty program in Canada. WestJet has developed their own frequent guest program called WestJet Dollars, which can be used like cash towards the purchase of WestJet flights and vacations.
How To Earn WestJet Dollars
The WestJet Dollars frequent guest program is fairly straightforward. The first reward level starts at $1,500 in annual spending per person in base fares. A base fare is the cost of your flight before taxes, fees and surcharges. Customers earn 2.5% of their eligible spending in WestJet Dollars, plus bonuses.
- At $1,500 in annual spending, members will earn $38 in rebates plus $12 bonus dollars for a total of $50 (3.00% rebate)
- At $3,000 in annual spending, members will earn $75 in rebates plus $30 bonus dollars for a total of $105 (3.50% rebate)
- At $4,500 in annual spending, members will earn $113 in rebates plus $52 bonus dollars for a total of $165 (3.67% rebate)
When your annual spending reaches $4,500 you’ll receive a Canadian Jet-Away, a free companion flight anywhere WestJet flies in Canada. You’ll also get 4 advance seat selection vouchers and 2 airport lounge passes prior to boarding. This reward has a $500 value.
- At $6,000 in annual spending, members will earn $150 in rebates plus $80 bonus dollars for a total of $230 (3.83% rebate)
When your annual spending reaches $6,000 you’ll receive another Jet-Away. This time it’s an International Jet-Away with a free companion flight anywhere WestJet flies. You’ll also get 4 advance seat selection vouchers and 2 airport lounge passes prior to boarding. This reward has an $800 value.
- At $7,500 in annual spending, members will earn $188 in rebates plus $112 bonus dollars for a total of $300 (4.00% rebate)
Maximize your Dollars with a WestJet Credit Card
WestJet offers a travel rewards credit card program that gives cardholders the opportunity to earn WestJet Dollars on everyday purchases and use them towards the future purchase of a WestJet flight or vacation package.
With the WestJet Credit Card Program you earn WestJet Dollars instead of points. Every WestJet Dollar earned can be used as one Canadian dollar towards the purchase of any flight or vacation package and, best of all, you can use your WestJet Dollars on any date, to any destination, with no blackout periods. You can even redeem your WestJet Dollars on the lowest fares.
You can earn WestJet Dollars with both the WestJet RBC World MasterCard and the WestJet RBC World MasterCard. The difference is that with the WestJet RBC World MasterCard you earn WestJet dollars faster – 1.50% back on everyday purchases and 2.00% back on eligible WestJet travel with your credit card. Plus, you receive $350 in WestJet Dollars as a welcome bonus.
With the WestJet RBC MasterCard, you earn 1.00% back on everyday purchases and 1.50% on eligible WestJet travel with your credit card. Plus, you receive $100 in WestJet Dollars as a welcome bonus.
How much can you earn?
In my view you need to go all in with a program like this in order to maximize the value of your rewards. I’m not a frequent traveler, but if I were I would use definitely use one of the WestJet credit cards for my everyday spending as well as for my regular travel.
I spend approximately $2,600 per month on my credit card, and let’s assume I can also reach $3,000 in annual travel spending. Let’s take a look at what my potential WestJet Dollars rebate will be in the 1st year if I use the WestJet RBC World MasterCard:
- Initial welcome bonus – $350
- 2.50% rebate plus bonus for spending $3,000 in travel – $105
- 2.00% rebate for using WestJet credit card on travel expenses – $60
- 1.50% rebate on everyday spending – $468
Total WestJet Dollars in the first year = $983 minus the $79 annual fee = $904 (2.64% rebate on spending)
Final Thoughts
It’s safe to say that at first glance the WestJet Dollars frequent guest program, when combined with the WestJet credit card program and initial welcome bonus, blows away the best Aeroplan credit cards and Air Miles credit cards. But when you take away the initial welcome bonus this program becomes pretty average at a 1.60% rebate on spending.
That being said, if you are a frequent WestJet flier it can’t hurt to sign-up for this frequent guest program to try and take advantage of WestJet dollars and earn a free flight.