A humorous post & some light ribbing of Rewards Network to consume with your morning coffee.
Yesterday, Reddit user yes_its_him posted a pretty funny screenshot in which he was targeted for a 50,000 mile signup bonus on the Hawaiian Airlines card. Unfortunately for yes_its_him, their current balance of 201 miles plus the 50,000 miles signup bonus would only put their account balance at 35,201 miles. Tragic!
That post reminded me of a series of e-mails I’ve received from the AAdvantage and MileagePlus dining programs, both of which are run by Rewards Network. Chuck’s post about card-linked reward programs is a good introduction if you aren’t familiar with Rewards Network.
As on “online member”, I earn 3 miles per $ at participating restaurants. Once I hit 10 visits at participating restaurants in a calendar year, though, I become a “VIP member” (holla!) and start earning 5 miles per $. You may notice that Rewards Network very prominently displays that this is 60% more miles per $ – on a type of chart whose name escapes me.
While 60% of 5 miles per $ is 3 miles per $, I’m currently only earning 3 miles per $! An increase of 2 miles per $ would be earning 66(.66)% more, which is a whole 11.11% more impressive!
I did a quick e-mail search, and it appears this started in September 2016 and is on every monthly statement. Clearly, Rewards Network needs to shuffle some more mathematically inclined people to their QC department.
Questions, comments, etc.? Drop them below.
How many decimal points should they go for? Maybe they are superstitious of 666. Or maybe just say two-thirds more miles? hehe
I was thinking the exact same thing! 66.6% more miles >:)