Local Fredericton Sobeys stores have a new policy for student discounts on Tuesdays this year. The 10 percent reduction off the purchase for any university or college student is only valid if the student has an Air Miles card.
Evan Allman is a UNB student and former Sobeys employee who recently signed up for an Air Miles card to receive the discount.
“I think it’s a good idea. The online enrollment is a little boring but after that you’re just helping yourself,” said Allman. “And it’s free.”
Sobeys Manager, Daniel Lowther, said the store has noticed slightly more people taking advantage of the discount after implementing the Air Miles initiative.
“It’s double dipping for students,” said Lowther. “Students are able to receive both Air Miles and a discount on their regular grocery order.”
For every $20 you spend at Sobeys, you receive one Air Mile. With 95 Air Miles, you receive $10 off your purchase. These reward miles can be put into a customer’s Air Miles Cash balance. This allows reward miles to be redeemed at participating businesses such as Shell gas stations and Lawtons Drugs. Some miles can also go towards a ‘dream balance’ where your reward miles add up for flights and vacations.
Although some people see the new policy as a benefit, others don’t agree.
Naomi Ward, second-year student at STU says she doesn’t want to bother with the hassle of getting an Air Miles card.
“It takes too long to accumulate enough points to fly anywhere,” she said. “I would rather go to competing stores who don’t require the discount.”
Whether or not students take advantage of the “double dipping” effect of the new terms of student discounts, Sobeys is happy with the results so far.
