About six years ago Air Miles somewhat worked: the points you accumulated could bag you a cheap or 'free' flight somewhere. Then they changed the points ratios and loaded on taxes and fees. This had the effect of ensuring most reward flights, when taxes and fees are added, are actually more costly than if you just bought a flight on one of the booking websites. They also fed you very awkward routes and flight connections. 

Air Miles needs to get back to being a genuine flight reward scheme or people will just drop it all together.