Dad's Cookies ($4.50) - Buy 4 get 50 airmiles, dollar-to-airmiles ratio $0.36

Charmin Bath Tissue ($10.99) - Buy 2 get 50 airmiles, dollar-to-airmiles ratio $0.44

Lean Cuisine Entrees ($3.00) - Buy 10 get 100 airmiles, dollar-to-airmiles ratio $0.30

Pinty's Sauce & Toss Roasted Chicken Wings ($10.99) - Buy 2 get 30 airmiles, dollar-to-airmiles ratio $0.73

Maple Leaf Natural Selections ($4.49) - Buy 2 get 35 airmiles, dollar-to-airmiles ratio $0.26

Purex Bath Tissue ($7.99) - Buy 2 get 40 airmiles, dollar-to-airmiles ratio $0.40

Kashi Cereal ($5.00) - Buy 3 get 50 airmiles, dollar-to-airmiles ratio $0.30

Old Dutch Restaurante Salsa ($2.50) - Buy 5 get 30 airmiles, dollar-to-airmiles ratio $0.42

Old Dutch Potato Chips ($2.69) - Buy 5 get 35 airmiles, dollar-to-airmiles ratio $0.38

Children's Tylenol ($5.99) - Buy 2 get 20 airmiles, dollar-to-airmiles ratio $0.60

Colgate Toothpaste ($1.67) - Buy 6 get 30 airmiles, dollar-to-airmiles ratio $

Check back later in the week for even more great tips, tricks and ideas!

Ferrero Rocher ($6.49) - Buy 1 get 3 airmiles, dollar-to-airmiles ratio $2.16

Tolberone ($7.99) - Buy 1 get 3 airmiles, dollar-to-airmiles ratio $2.66

Dutch Crunch ($2.50) - Buy 2 get 2 airmiles, dollar-to-airmiles ratio $2.50

Sunlight Dish Detergent ($3.99) - Buy 1 get 2 airmiles, dollar-to-airmiles ratio $2.00

Heinz Ketchup, Smart Ones Essentials, Classico Saucses ($3.33) - Buy 3 get 15 airmiles, dollar-to-airmiles ratio $0.67

Obviously, having your air miles expire is horrible but there is little that we can do to change that. The 2nd option Cash Rewards is that something that everyone CAN and SHOULD AVOID!

Briefly, AirMiles has split what use to be just Air Miles into two systems: Cash Rewards and Dream Rewards. Dream Rewards are what everyone was and is collecting by default. Cash Rewards, the new system, are accumulated at the same rate as regular airmiles. The only differences is that once you have 95 air miles you can trade these in at participating merchants for $10.

This means that each "Air Mile" using the cash rewards option is now worth $9.50. However, if you use your Airmiles for a gift card you will spend your air miles at a rate of $8.25 (or less). This is a 20% mark-up by cashing your airmiles in directly at a merchant. This is a HORRIBLE way to use your airmiles.

What can I do to stop this?
Obviously, we recommend that you don't collect the Air Miles Cash Rewards. The 'regular' airmiles are collected by default so if you have done nothing you are good. If you've changed your account to start collecting 'Cash Rewards' revert back to only collect Dream Rewards asap.

How do I redeem my Air Miles Dream Rewards?
Simple. You can call Air Miles at (1-888-AIRMILES) or login at airmiles.ca. If you want to check your Air Miles balance see our article here. If you need to setup your online account see our article here.

UPDATE ---- February 2nd, 2012
Thanks to Martin who pointed out that they will be phasing out the gift cards from their dream rewards section. This is SAD news, however, I was only using the gift cards as an example. You can still redeem your Air Miles for a MUCH better rate than $10 for 95 Airmiles!

If you spend $100 or more you'll get 100 Air Miles. Be sure to grab the coupon from the flyer stand as you enter the door.

Raw Large Prawns ($6.99) - Buy 2 get 20 airmiles, dollar-to-airmiles ratio $0.70

Renee's Gourmet Meat and Seafood Sauces ($3.33) - Buy 3 get 20 airmiles, dollar-to-airmiles ratio $0.50

Party Pack Chicken Wings ($9.99) - Buy 2 get 50 airmiles, dollar-to-airmiles ratio $0.40

Purex Bath Tissue ($6.99) - Buy 2 get 30 airmiles, dollar-to-airmiles ratio $0.47

Kashi Cereal - ($5.00) - Buy 3 get 50 airmiles, dollar-to-airmiles ratio $0.30

Piazza Fire Baked Pizza ($4.99) - Buy 2 get 50 airmiles, dollar-to-airmiles ratio $0.20

Old El Paso Tortillas ($3.00) - Buy 3 get 30 airmiles, dollar-to-airmiles ratio $0.30

Yoplait Tubes ($2.50) - Buy 5 get 40 airmiles, dollar-to-airmiles ratio $0.31

Lysol Multipurpose Cleaners ($2.99) - Buy 6 get 50 airmiles, dollar-to-airmiles ratio $0.36

Check back later in the week for even more Air Miles specials and deals!

Del Monte Fruit Cups ($1.99) - Buy 2 get 2 air miles, dollar-to-airmiles ratio $1.99

Minute Maid or Coca Cola Soft Drinks ($3.99) - Buy 2 get 5 air miles, dollar-to-airmiles ratio $1.60

International Delight ($4.49) - Buy 1 get 2 Air Miles, dollar-to-airmiles ratio $2.25

Coca Cola Soft Drinks, Powerade, Nestea Iced Tea ($4.50) - Buy 2 get 15 airmiles, dollar-to-airmiles ratio $0.60

This is on top of the base airmiles that you receive shopping at Michael's which is 1 air miles for every $20 you spend.

Valid in BC and Atlantic Provinces only
Valid January 27, 28 & 29 2012

• Donate $25 and EARN 5 AIR MILES reward miles
• Donate $50 and EARN 15 AIR MILES reward miles
• Donate $100 and EARN 30 AIR MILES reward miles

Visit this page to make your donation and get credit for the Air Miles

Offer valid from January 11th - February 29th, 2012