The benefits of Onyx

When you become a 'super-collector' or as Air Miles calls it.... an Onyx collector, you will earn deeper discounts on flights and other awesome rewards.

To become an Onyx collector, you need to collect 6000 Air Miles in a 12 month period. It's easier to do than you think.

Step 1: Get a second copy of your card so that all adults in your household can collect

Step 2: Strategize to get 300 Air Miles per month from groceries

Step 3: Gas at Shell, and beer/wine/etc at the MLCC should account for another 50 per month.

Step 4: Do your on-line shopping through the www.airmilesshops.ca referral link. (They offer huge bonuses at back to school and Christmas time)

Step 5: Choose Rona over Home Depot for your home renovation supplies.

Then, you will be eligible for specials like these:

Montreal in March?

Lots of great dates and direct flights available. Have you been to Montreal? What a great place for a date! What a great couples' weekend destination.

What about a Montreal Canadiens' game?

Westjet and Air Canada are similarly priced right now for flights. (See the Westjet sample) Prices are as low as $405, tax in, return.

Wouldn't a little trip to Montreal be the best Valentine's gift? Write a note in the card and take the trip in a few weeks.

How to collect a ton of Air Miles

I wrote about how to build a grocery strategy to collect Air Miles, several months ago.

Here's my specific way of approaching Customer Appreciation Day (20 times the Air Miles) at Safeway and Sobeys.

Step 1: Identify your monthly needs. Toilet paper, cereal, soup, etc. (Things that are non-perishable) I also include canned goods and freezer foods. I also have kids who take lunch to school. So I use this math formula.....

2 granola bars per day x 5 days a week, x 2 boys = 20 granola bars per week (80 per month)
2 juice boxes per day x 5 days a week, x 2 boys = 20 juice boxes per week (80 per month)

2 large boxes of cereal per week = 8 boxes of cereal (per month)
3 boxes of pasta per week = 12 boxes of pasta (per month)
2 jars of pasta sauce per week = 8 jars (per month)
1 bag of frozen fruit for smoothies = 4 bags (per month)
1 bag of frozen vegetables = 4 bags (per month)
Friday night frozen pizzas (Dad's night to cook)= 4 (Per month)
2-3 rolls of toilet paper per bathroom per week, x 2 bathrooms = 16-24 rolls per month

Step 2: Identify the cupboard staples you need: Flour, sugar, baking supplies, sauces, pickles, margarine

Step 3: Add your perishables to the list (in 7-10 day quantities - depending on expiry dates)

Milk, bread, fruit, eggs, yogurt, cheese, dinner meat, lunch meat

Step 4: Is there discretionary money left in the budget for luxuries like chips, cookies, etc?

Step 5: Are there any amazing bonus offers on Air Miles worth adding to the list? (i.e., buy 6 get 100 Air Miles)

Step 6: Study the weekly flyer to see what's on sale and within budget.

Step 7: Adjust the list according to flyer & budget. EVERY SINGLE THING I BUY MUST BE A "good price" whether on sale or not. If it is over-priced, or comes on sale regularly but is regular price today, I DO NOT BUY.

*** Don't be alarmed. This will be bigger than your normal average grocery bill. But it will actually save you time and money in the long run. Instead of spending $100 per week (5 Air Miles) you are spending $300 in week #1; $30-$35 on perishables only in weeks 2, 3, & 4. As a result, you are spending the same $400 per month.***

With this formula, you will collect 300 (PLUS bonus miles) in week #1,  and 2 or so miles on weeks 2, 3, 4.  This is a HUGE difference in Air Miles from the 20 you would collect monthly from doing $100 weekly shops.

With this strategy on 20x Customer Appreciation Day, you could earn enough miles to buy a plane ticket to Toronto every 4 months.

$20 in Palm Springs

$20 will get you a great fish taco dinner for 2, and leave a 20% tip, at the Captain's Table.

The Captain's Table was a busy little indoor and outdoor restaurant with lovely patio seating. They were busy every time we went past it, so we decided to give it a try.

My son had the kids' fish taco plate. I had the same in an adult size. I had a choice of several different varieties of fish. You could also choose fried, or grilled. I had grilled Mahi Mahi. We both chose lemonade to drink.  The bill, with tax was about $16.50. I left the rest of the $20 dollar bill as a tip.

Service was quick. Food was hot and delicious. The portion was right-sized for each of us. I'd definitely go back.

They had nightly early bird specials. For $20 you could get 2 adult meals off this menu. (Specials vary by the day.) Wine and beer was also very reasonably priced.

The Captain's Table was on the main street, right next to the parkade, in downtown Palm Springs.

Did you know.... rental cars

Did you know that you can book a rental car through Air Miles?  It's easy and a good value for your points. Simply book it on-line through their "dream rewards - travel section."

Sample search for a 2 day rental in Palm Springs, California

We had the services of a Dodge Charger.  It was a great car. It had lots of room and was comfortable to drive on the California highways and Palm Springs side streets. 

Palm Springs airport and car rental set up has to be the EASIEST I've ever experienced. It was a short walk through the airport terminal to the rental cars. It was quick and easy to return it when we were done. 

I will admit to being intimidated to rent a car in California. I was nervous about the highways and the pace of things. Well, Palm Springs has about 4 main roads and the speed limit is 40MPH. Most people are retired and it was a very easy, comfortable place to drive. 

We left the city limits to hike, go to the zoo and hit the outlet mall. No problems at all with driving in the area. Easy peasy. And you didn't have the hazards of ice, construction, detours, snow, and potholes. I can, and do, recommend renting a car to explore Palm Springs.

Nearly Free in Palm Springs

There are many great outdoor events in Palm Springs that you can enjoy at little or no cost.

This is the California Baseball League. You can attend a game on a Wednesday for $1 and watch some fantastic baseball. Many of the players are unsigned free agents looking to play in the pros. It' a well kept ballpark in a nice area of town. It's a clean and well serviced park with reasonable and tasty concessions. Get a bag of peanuts for $1.00 or popcorn for $2.00.  You can even stay all day and see 2 ball games for the price of admission. Games run at 9:30AM and 12:30PM.

Another great event that runs every Thursday evening (6-10pm) is the Palm Springs street fair called 'Village Fest'. The road is closed to vehicles and a free shuttle runs from most hotels in the area. You will enjoy music and great food, as you shop the crafts and farmer's market vendors that line the street.

Palm Springs from Brandon

Here's a decent price on a quick getaway to the desert.

Easy, great flight times have you leaving YBR at 1:20pm and arriving in time for dinner.

Westjet vacations. Pre-paying your hotel, in Canadian funds is a great idea right now, considering the poor exchange rate on the Canadian dollar.

If you do choose to stay at the Riviera, say hi to Richard at the front desk for me. He was a great host and made sure my son & I had a great room. Look for a future blog where I post my fabulous pics from the Riviera.

Current as of Feb 2nd. Flight from Brandon (YBR)

Here's the same search in and out of YYC (Calgary) just for comparison. 

This is the same search but out of Calgary.