Air Miles is one of Canada's oldest and most widely recognized loyalty programs, with partner locations at Shell, Sobeys, Rexall, and hundreds of other retailers. BMO is the primary bank partner, issuing co-branded Air Miles credit cards across multiple tiers. This review covers the main BMO Air Miles cards and whether Air Miles still makes sense in 2026.
Annual fee: $0 | Earn rate: 1 Air Mile per $20 spent everywhere; bonus miles at Air Miles partners
The entry-level BMO Air Miles Mastercard earns 1 Air Mile per $20 spent on general purchases and bonus miles at Air Miles partner locations (Shell, Sobeys, etc.). The no-fee positioning makes it accessible, but the earn rate is modest. It works best as a supplement to collecting Air Miles in-store at partner merchants, rather than as a standalone rewards maximizer.
Annual fee: $120 (first year free) | Earn rate: 1 Air Mile per $10 at most merchants; 3x at partner locations
The World Elite version doubles the base earn rate to 1 Air Mile per $10 spent and adds premium perks including DragonPass lounge access (with 4 free visits/year) and Mastercard World Elite benefits. For Air Miles collectors who spend significantly, the step-up in earn rate helps accumulate miles for free flights more quickly.
Air Miles come in two flavours:
When you collect Air Miles, you choose whether they go to Dream or Cash Miles (or split them). The value of Dream Miles for travel redemptions depends on where you're flying and availability, but Canada domestic flights typically require 1,000 to 2,500 Dream Miles.
This is a common question for Canadian travellers. Aeroplan is generally considered more valuable for international travel due to its Star Alliance connections and more predictable point values. Air Miles is stronger for Canadians who regularly shop at partner merchants like Sobeys and Shell, as the in-store earn rate at those locations can be quite high.
For pure travel focus, most points experts recommend Aeroplan over Air Miles. But if you're already collecting Air Miles through grocery and gas partner shopping, adding a BMO credit card to your wallet is a logical step to accelerate earnings.
| Card | Earn Rate | Annual Fee | Best Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMO Air Miles Mastercard | 1 mile/$20 | $0 | No fee, easy entry |
| BMO Air Miles World Elite | 1 mile/$10 | $120 | Lounge access, 2x earn rate |
Air Miles has faced criticism in recent years over point devaluations and changes to redemption rules. The program is still widely used — particularly by shoppers at Sobeys and Shell — but its value for travel enthusiasts has declined relative to Aeroplan and flexible points programs like Amex MR. For casual collectors who shop at partner stores, Air Miles remains convenient. For dedicated travel hackers, Aeroplan or Amex MR typically offers higher value.
If the complexity of Air Miles doesn't appeal to you, KOHO offers a simpler alternative: up to 5% cash back on everyday purchases with no annual fee and no interest. Real money back, no redemption hoops to jump through.
Get $100 bonus cash with code 45ET55JSYA
Get $100 with KOHOAeroplan Credit Card Review · Best Travel Cards Canada · Best Rewards Cards Canada · BMO CashBack Mastercard Review