10 Christmas Gift Ideas to Purchase With Points

Fact checked by
Caroline Tremblay
Caroline Tremblay

Caroline Tremblay

Caroline Tremblay
Caroline, a loyalty program specialist, helps families maximize their points to travel more frequently and affordably. With expertise in Disney, AIR MILES, and Costco, she travels the world with her partner and two children through rewards. Passionate about the latest in loyalty programs, Caroline shares tips to help you earn more points and turn your travel dreams into reality.
All posts by Caroline Tremblay
Cadeaux
To the point Here are 10 ideas to transform your loyalty points into Christmas gifts, to spoil your loved ones without emptying your wallet!

Practical Guide for an Original and Inexpensive Gift

If you accumulate reward points through your credit card or loyalty programs, you can transform them into Christmas gifts without spending an extra penny! Pamper your loved ones or yourself with thoughtful gifts by redeeming your points. Enjoy the gift of giving without stretching your budget!

Often, the best use of points is for a trip. But if you have no getaway planned, you might as well use them for something just as delightful!

Here is a list of gift ideas for your future holiday purchases.

Useful Gift Ideas for Adults and Teenagers With Points

Movie Tickets

Scene+ points can be used to buy Cineplex gift cards, every 1,000 SCENE+ points redeemed equals $10 in gift card purchases.

Another option is to use 375 Dream Miles to get 2 free adult movie tickets, with 1 regular-sized popcorn at the Cineplex cinema with AIR MILES.

With AIR MILES Cash Miles, get a $50 AIR MILES electronic gift card at Cineplex or Landmark Cinemas for 475 Cash Miles.

Ski Ticket

With AIR MILES, exchange between 1,000 and 1,500 Dream Miles for a one-day lift ticket at Nakiska (Calgary), Fernie Alpine Resort (British Columbia), Stoneham (Quebec), Mont-Sainte-Anne (Quebec), or Kimberley Alpine Resort (British Columbia).

Another tip: If you have an eligible RBC Avion Visa card, buy a ski ticket and get a second one for free, every Friday during winter! Based on previous years, this promotion should be back soon.

A Free Year of Membership With a Costco Membership Card

Thanks to AIR MILES, give the gift of a Costco Gold Star Membership to friends or family for 675 Dream miles.

The Costco Executive Membership card, which is a higher level, is also available for 15,600 NBC points.

Video Games

With AIR MILES, about 7,500 Dream Miles can be used to buy a wonderful Nintendo Switch!

With PC Optimum, your PC Optimum points can be redeemed to buy a game console, a game, or a controller at Pharmaprix, as a Christmas gift. As a reminder, 100,000 Optimum points brings your bill down by $100.

jeux pharmaprix

Investment

Treat yourself! At the end of the year, give yourself the perfect gift by using your NBC points to contribute to your RRSP or TFSA.

With your Avion Rewards points, contribute to one of these investment products from the Royal Bank of Canada:

  • Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP)
  • Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)
  • Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA)
  • Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)

You must redeem a minimum of 3,000 Avion points to get a $25 value.

It is also possible to contribute with CIBC Aventura points, BMO Rewards, and BONUSDOLLARS. Read our guide to invest with your points:

Amusement Park Tickets (Disney, Universal, Legoland, etc.)

For you, for a friend, or for your children/grandchildren, treat them to an adventure:

  • With RBC Avion Rewards Points: about 15,000 Avion points for Universal Studios Orlando and 11,000 Avion points for an Express Pass. An entry to Legoland is available for about 9,000 Avion Points, and often, there are entries available with your Avion Points for Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park;
  • With TD Rewards points: About 45,000 points to enjoy Universal Studios Orlando and 33,000 points for an Express Pass;
  • With AIR MILES: Spend the day at Universal Studios Orlando for about 2,500 Dream Miles per person or a Walt Disney World ticket for 2 days at 1 park per day for about 5,500 Dream Miles. There are many other options depending on the number of days and parks, which can be very interesting for saving.
Universal RBC avion FR

Food and Groceries

On the NBC rewards site, a delicious gourmet platter of crab, seafood, and oysters is available for 34,990 NBC points.

Redeem all your Moi points at Super C or Metro to treat yourself to a Christmas feast and give yourself a break at the end of the year. You can use 125 points to get a $1 discount on your grocery bill.

Do the same for a $10 discount for every 1,000 Scene+ Points at IGA (or with Les Marchés Tradition, Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo, etc).

moi points FR

For Travel

My colleague Aline showed us that you can book a trip for someone else with your points.

For someone who has had a tough year or a loved one who really needs a change of scenery, use your points to surprise them!

For instance:

Air Fryer

For a quick and convenient feast, there’s nothing better than gifting the very popular air fryer to make your favourite person’s life easier.

If you have between 20,000 and 33,000 RBC Avion Rewards Points and don’t know what to do with them, exchange them for a useful Holiday gift.

Alternatively, TD Rewards Points can be used to buy this famous air fryer for a total ranging from 50,000 points to 89,000 points.

air fryer

Gift Card: The Best Gift Idea for the Person Who Already Has Everything

It’s the most versatile idea, especially for the person who seems to need nothing!

Almost all rewards programs offer gift cards in exchange for points. AIR MILES and Scene+ are among the best where the exchange of miles or points is the most advantageous.

Your AIR MILES can be used to buy electronic gift cards of all tastes and styles, such as Amazon, Walmart, Starbucks, Airbnb, Dollarama, Garage, H&M, Sail, Spotify, or Wayspa.

A Sobeys gift card (IGA, Foodland, Safeway, etc.) costs the same number of Scene+ points as a checkout exchange (1,000 points = $10 discount). This is ideal because your points will not be devalued during this exchange, unlike other programs where it is less worthwhile.

IGA scene carte cardeau

Bottom Line

By using your points, you can give the perfect gift without affecting your budget. We often advise you to not let your points or miles go to waste.

Take advantage of rewards programs to spoil your loved ones!

Are you in the points accumulation phase? Take advantage of the holiday season to multiply your points and accumulate more with our tips:

Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
Caroline Tremblay

Caroline Tremblay

Caroline Tremblay
Caroline, a loyalty program specialist, helps families maximize their points to travel more frequently and affordably. With expertise in Disney, AIR MILES, and Costco, she travels the world with her partner and two children through rewards. Passionate about the latest in loyalty programs, Caroline shares tips to help you earn more points and turn your travel dreams into reality.
All posts by Caroline Tremblay

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