Points 8: BMO Club Sobeys MasterCard Snafu

Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in. Seems like the final points blog on best websites will now be number 9.

Yesterday afternoon (Wednesday, October 6), an anonymous comment was left on post Points 2: Earn Aeroplan Miles with No-Fee Credit Card. That was the post where I told you how the BMO Club Sobey's MasterCard earned you Club Sobeys points, points that could be automatically converted to Aeroplan miles. Well, fuggedaboutit.

The comment said: "Please note Club Sobeys Points earned on the new BMO Club Sobeys MasterCard are not eligible to be converted to Aeroplan Miles."

That sounded suspiciously like official corporate speak. I guess I should be flattered who's reading my blog.

So I searched the Club Sobey's website, particularly the pages relating to the BMO Club Sobeys MasterCard for any mention in the Terms and Conditions about this exception. Nothing.

I called Club Sobeys, where a very nice Customer Service Representative (CSR) told me that they had been informed just that day of this change to the Club Sobeys program. Customers who simply collect points and redeem for groceries will not be affected, but those who, like me, autoconvert to Aeroplan, will have points earned on the card saved, and when the number of points required for a grocery redemption is reached, will receive a grocery gift card by mail.

Now, I'm speculating here, but I think the reason for this sudden, unannounced, and after the fact change, is that BMO offers a number of credit cards affiliated with Air Miles, while other banks are tied to Aeroplan. There are probably exclusivity agreements that are being breached if the Club Sobeys arrangement is construed as BMO offering Aeroplan miles, even indirectly.

Again I'm speculating, but it sounds like someone didn't do their due diligence on this one when BMO bought CitiBank's Club Sobeys business.

This certainly isn't any way to run a loyalty program, the purpose of which is to keep customers happy, and well, loyal. If you're a Sobeys shopper who likes to redeem for groceries, this won't make any difference to you. The BMO Club Sobeys MasterCard could still be worth your while. In effect, it now acts just like the PC Financial MasterCard from President's Choice.

But if, like me, the only attraction of the BMO Club Sobey's MasterCard, and indeed of the Club Sobey's program period, is the conversion to Aeroplan miles, then this is a huge disappointment. That's what I told (nicely) the CSR, and asked her to pass my comments on. She said she expected to get the same reaction from other customers.

I've already made a purchase on the card to qualify for the enrolment bonus, which contrary to my expectation, won't be converted to Aeroplan miles. I'll pay my bill and cancel the card.