There was a time when I had to travel a lot for work.
I had saved up lots of miles with Lufthansa. When I tried to use them for flights for my wife, my daughter and me to travel together it was almost impossible to book us together onto the same flight. In the end there were so many fees and charges that I ended up paying almost as much as the regular fare and we were not able to get the flight of our choice, even though there were plenty of seats available on it. Decided to avoid Lufthansa whenever possible after that and never did collected any more miles with their Miles & More program. It was just a scam. I read somewhere that it was one of their most profitable parts of their business. No wonder.
On the other hand, I also had plenty of miles with Emirates. I could use those for any flight at any time and did not have to pay any extra fees or charges. I could even book a flight last minute and could combine them to reduce the cost of a flight.
Recent visit to grocery checkout, my receipt also got a coupon for free ice cream. Got the ice cream, went to use coupon, code printed in very faint blue color, scanner couldn’t see it. Assistant tried a half dozen times, no luck, ice cream melting on counter. Several others had same result. And, when I considered the exorbitant price for 14oz ($5) free is the only way that stuff will get into my basket.
Airline points are totally useless. The restrictions are draconian and they “expire” faster than a container of milk. I do not choose a flight based on being a member of their club and donate my points to the Red Cross so they can get GIs home for emergency leave.
I hate these “clubs” of one kind of another. The grocery stores want to offer me discounts on items I never buy. It’s not worth tracking little pieces of paper (or even online coupons) in the off chance something useful will turn up. I understand the situation is different, if you are trying to feed a family on a budget.
Stop & Shop use to give me a $1.25 coupon off something I bought quite a bit. During the past few years it went to a $1.00 off. Then they started with Go Rewards that was 100 points then it went down to 80 points so you need to buy something else. Thus 3 points for every $1 of net purchase, 2 points for gas. Finally you ask: “When do points expire? You have 30 days from the earn date to designate points, and an additional 30 days from designation date to redeem. Unused points expire and are non-refundable.” NOW THAT’S SIMPLIFICATION! lol
Imagine over 3 years ago
There was a time when I had to travel a lot for work.
I had saved up lots of miles with Lufthansa. When I tried to use them for flights for my wife, my daughter and me to travel together it was almost impossible to book us together onto the same flight. In the end there were so many fees and charges that I ended up paying almost as much as the regular fare and we were not able to get the flight of our choice, even though there were plenty of seats available on it. Decided to avoid Lufthansa whenever possible after that and never did collected any more miles with their Miles & More program. It was just a scam. I read somewhere that it was one of their most profitable parts of their business. No wonder.
On the other hand, I also had plenty of miles with Emirates. I could use those for any flight at any time and did not have to pay any extra fees or charges. I could even book a flight last minute and could combine them to reduce the cost of a flight.
NeedaChuckle Premium Member over 3 years ago
My supermarket gives you a 5% coupon on next purchase for $50 and over. A penny saved….
mommavamp over 3 years ago
Walgreens does a nice job with their “mywalgreens” cash back program. I regularly save $20 or more.
sandpiper over 3 years ago
Recent visit to grocery checkout, my receipt also got a coupon for free ice cream. Got the ice cream, went to use coupon, code printed in very faint blue color, scanner couldn’t see it. Assistant tried a half dozen times, no luck, ice cream melting on counter. Several others had same result. And, when I considered the exorbitant price for 14oz ($5) free is the only way that stuff will get into my basket.
dflak over 3 years ago
Our local supermarket (Harris Teeter) used to have a good customer loyalty program. Now it’s run-of-the-mill.
dflak over 3 years ago
Airline points are totally useless. The restrictions are draconian and they “expire” faster than a container of milk. I do not choose a flight based on being a member of their club and donate my points to the Red Cross so they can get GIs home for emergency leave.
RickMcdermott over 3 years ago
That’s about right
MuddyUSA Premium Member over 3 years ago
Reward point are never valued when you use them?
Zen-of-Zinfandel over 3 years ago
She’ll check her purse for bitcoin tokens.
mistercatworks over 3 years ago
I hate these “clubs” of one kind of another. The grocery stores want to offer me discounts on items I never buy. It’s not worth tracking little pieces of paper (or even online coupons) in the off chance something useful will turn up. I understand the situation is different, if you are trying to feed a family on a budget.
Norris66 over 3 years ago
Stop & Shop use to give me a $1.25 coupon off something I bought quite a bit. During the past few years it went to a $1.00 off. Then they started with Go Rewards that was 100 points then it went down to 80 points so you need to buy something else. Thus 3 points for every $1 of net purchase, 2 points for gas. Finally you ask: “When do points expire? You have 30 days from the earn date to designate points, and an additional 30 days from designation date to redeem. Unused points expire and are non-refundable.” NOW THAT’S SIMPLIFICATION! lol