After bankruptcy, reorganization, shedding extra baggage and coming under the control of new owners, the ClickRewards program is up and running again on the Internet, albeit it’s a far leaner program than when it went out of business some months ago (far leaner meaning that if you didn’t get your redemptions out in time you lost all your points)
All members have a zero balance right now. It will probably take some time but we see ClickRewards again becoming a premier online resource to earn additional frequent flyer miles when shopping on the Internet. Some of the re-launch partners include AVON.com, Barnes & Noble.com, Brooks Brothers, Cigar.com, Coldwater Creek, eBags.com, Eddie Bauer, H&R Block, Hickory Farms, jcrew.com, KBtoys.com, Mrs. Fields, OfficeMax.com, PETsMART.com, priceline.com, Rand McNally, REI.com, Sephora.com, Sharper Image, Soccer.com, TimeLife.com and wine.com. Most of these merchants offer one mile per dollar spent online.
As far as the frequent flyer side of things, only US Airways was a partner on re-launch, allowing you to redeem 500 ClickMiles for 500 Dividend miles. While not public at press time, we believe you’ll see American AAdvantage rejoin the program in June. So, we suggest you go enroll or re-introduce yourself to ClickRewards (www.clickrewards.com).
Inside Advice: Former members can go online and have an opportunity to earn 250 bonus points simply by answering a few questions. Updating your account information earns you an easy 100 ClickMiles, opt-in to receive email earns another 100 ClickMiles and finally, complete a new personal profile and you’ll be 50 more ClickMiles richer. Note that only after all this is done do they say that the 250 total bonus miles will be awarded after your next (or first) online purchase with ClickRewards. So much for instant gratification. But wait! There may be a great reason to shop to earn that bonus. Former members should inquire about their eligibility for a five percent bonus on all ClickMiles earned through the end of July with the bonus being paid at the end of each month.
Inside Joke: We notice that when you redeem for US Airways Dividend Miles you actually receive a 500-mile certificate. This hints that ClickRewards might be a “pay up front” partner and has to purchase these certificates in advance. In the original program, airline partners were all electronic and we had heard that they were stiffed for millions of dollars worth of miles with the bankruptcy.
