If you’re looking for a credit card that earns travel rewards, there are plenty to choose from in Canada. Aeroplan credit cards allow you to earn points for Air Canada flights, and the RBC WestJet World Elite Mastercard lets you earn WestJet dollars. Most Canadian banks have their own travel rewards programs and affiliated credit cards. And then there’s AIR MILES.

AIR MILES is a longstanding loyalty rewards program that allows you to earn points that you can redeem for merchandise, events, flights, and more.

The best way to accumulate AIR MILES quickly is by shopping with an AIR MILES credit card. These rewards credit cards pay you bonus miles for shopping at AIR MILES partners and eligible grocery stores. They also have other benefits like fuel discounts and complimentary insurance protections.

I’m sharing our list of Canada’s best AIR MILES credit cards in this article.

Best AIR MILES Credit Cards in Canada

You’ll notice that all of the Air Miles credit cards on our list are BMO credit cards. The reason for that is simple – BMO owns the Air Miles rewards program after completing its acquisition in June 2023. American Express did have co-branded Air Miles credit cards, but those were discontinued as of September 30, 2023. Therefore, the best Air Miles credit cards belong to BMO.

1. BMO AIR MILES World Elite Mastercard

The BMO AIR MILES World Elite Mastercard is our choice for the best AIR MILES credit card. In addition to a generous welcome offer, it allows you to accelerate your AIR MILES earnings, especially if you use the card for most of your spending.

You’ll earn 3X the miles on every $12 you spend at AIR MILES Partner stores, 2X the Miles for every $12 you spend at eligible grocery stores, and 1 Mile for every $12 you spend on all other purchases.

In addition to earning AIR MILES, the card comes with a wide range of additional benefits. For example, each year, you qualify for a 25% discount on one worldwide AIR MILES flight redemption. You get a complimentary airport lounge membership through Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass.

The card also includes complimentary BMO AIR MILES World Elite Travel Medical Insurance, Purchase Protection, and Extended Warranty coverage.

Card Features:

• Welcome Offer: 2,000 AIR MILES Bonus Miles and $120 annual fee waived for the 1st year.
• $120 annual fee (waived for the first year)
• 20.99% Purchase interest rate
• Earn 3x AIR MILES at participating AIR MILES Partners
• Earn 2X AIR MILES at eligible grocery stores
• Earn 1 Mile for every $12 spent on all other eligible purchases
• AIR MILES flight redemption: 25 discount on one worldwide flight each calendar year
• Membership in Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass (private airport lounges)
• Travel and Medical Insurance
• Extended Warranty and Purchase Protection

Click Here to Sign Up for a BMO AIR MILES World Elite Mastercard

2. BMO Air Miles Mastercard

The BMO AIR MILES Mastercard has fewer benefits than the AIR MILES World Elite, but it offers plenty of value nonetheless. It’s a no-annual-fee credit card that includes a decent Welcome Offer. At the time of writing, you’ll receive 800 AIR MILES Bonus Moles ($80 value) and a 0.99% introductory interest rate on balance transfers for 9 months. Note that a 2% transfer fee does apply.

The standard reward earning rate is about 50% of the AIR MILES World Elite. For example, you still get 3X the miles from participating AIR MILES Partners, but you must spend $25 instead of $12. The same goes for the 2X the Miles at eligible grocery stores. You can also double up your Shell Go + Miles on eligible fuel and in-store purchases.

Card Features:

• Welcome Offer: 800 AIR MILES Bonus Miles ($80 Value), plus 0.99% introductory interest on balance transfers (2% transfer fee applies.)
• No annual fee
• 20.99% Purchase interest rate
• Earn 3x AIR MILES at participating AIR MILES Partners ($25 spend)
• Earn 2X AIR MILES at eligible grocery stores ($25 spend)
• Double the Miles on Shell Go+ purchases
• Add an additional cardholder for free
• Extended Warranty and Purchase Protection
• 25% discount on car rentals through National Car Rental and Alamo Rent-a-Car
• Discounts at Cirque du Soleil shows

3. BMO AIR MILES World Elite Business Mastercard

Businesses have different credit card needs than personal users. BMO recognizes this and has created an AIR MILES credit card designed specifically for business owners. In addition to helping you separate your business and personal expenses, the BMO AIR MILES World Elite Mastercard has features that make it easier to run your business.

For starters, you can get up to 22 additional cards to give to employees so they can make purchases on behalf of the business. This will also help you accumulate AIR MILES more quickly. You can also get protection against employee card abuse with BMO’s Liability Waiver Program.

If you travel for business, you can use the complimentary airport lounge membership through Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass. Unfortunately, complimentary passes are not included, but you can access an airport lounge for $32 per visit, saving the annual membership fee.

Card Features:

• Welcome Offer: Earn up to 15,000 Bonus Miles, plus the $149 annual fee is waived for the first year. (Up to $1,800 value.)
• Annual Fee: $149 (waived for the first year)
• 19.99% Purchase interest rate
• Earn 1X AIR MILE for every $12 you spend.
• Earn 4X the Miles when you shop at participating AIR MILES Partners.
• Get up to 22 additional employee cards
• Liability Waiver Program protects you from employee card abuse
• Complimentary membership in Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass
• Out of Province/Country Emergency Travel Medical Insurance
• Car rental collision damage waiver
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance
• Baggage Delay Insurance
• Purchase Protection and Extended Warranty Protection

4. BMO Air Miles Mastercard for Students

Last but not least is the BMO AIR MILES Mastercard for students. Most student credit cards are basic products with no annual fee, a low credit limit, and little to no rewards or additional benefits. You may earn a tiny percentage of cash back or get Purchase Protection and Extended Warranty, but that’s about it.

The BMO AIR MILES Mastercard for Students offers a bit more. There is a welcome offer of 800 AIR MILES Bonus Miles, with an AIR MILES Cash value of $80, and there is no annual fee.

You’ll earn 3X the Miles for every $25 you spend at AIR MILES Partner stores and 2X the Miles at eligible grocery stores (per $25 spent). And remember that you can earn AIR MILES twice by spending with your Mastercard and presenting your AIR MILES Collector card at participating stores. All of this, and you still get the Extended Warranty and Purchase Protection coverage.

Card Features:

• Welcome Offer: 800 AIR MILES
• No annual fee
• 20.99% Purchase interest rate
• Earn 3X the Miles for every $25 you spend at participating AIR MILES Partners
• 2X the Miles on eligible grocery store purchases (per $25 spent)
• Earn miles twice by presenting your regular AIR MILES card
• Extended Warranty and Purchase Protection
• Up to 25% discount at National Car Rental and Alamo Rent-a-Car locations
• Discounts to Cirque du Soleil shows
• Add an additional cardholder for free

Final Thoughts

Not everyone is a fan of the AIR MILES program. However, if you are or you spend a lot of money at participating AIR MILES Partners, then you may want to consider getting an AIR MILES credit card through BMO as it can help you maximize your earnings. Also, with BMO now in full control of AIR MILES, it will be interesting to see what changes they make to the program in the future.

FAQs

Are there any no-annual-fee AIR MILES credit cards in Canada?

The BMO AIR MILES Mastercard is a no-fee credit card that pays you Air Miles rewards. You’ll get 3X the Miles for every $25 you spend at AIR MILES partner stores and 2X the Miles for every $25 you spend on groceries.

What are AIR MILES Dream Miles?

You can earn Dream Miles or Cash Miles as an AIR MILES member. Cash Miles can be redeemed for cash rewards, like an in-store rebate. You can redeem Dream Miles for non-cash rewards, like air miles flights, rental cars, concerts, and merchandise. For more details, check out the AIR MILES website.

What are the best credit cards for international travel?

If you travel internationally, the best credit card for you will depend on where and how you travel and your personal spending habits. For example, if you usually fly on Air Canada and its partners when you travel outside of Canada, then you’ll get the most earning power from an Aeroplan credit card.

At the same time, if you like flexible redemption options, you might prefer a travel credit card that’s not affiliated with a specific airline. For example, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card or the American Express Cobalt Card offer travel-related benefits and points redeemed for flights, hotels, car rentals, vacation packages, and more.

Another consideration is foreign transaction fees. If you spend a lot of time outside Canada, make sure you get a credit card that waives the foreign transaction fee on transactions.

Is it worth using an AIR MILES credit card for flights in Canada?

Using an AIR MILES credit card can be worthwhile if you travel frequently or plan to redeem for flight rewards or other travel-related purchases. It is important to consider your spending habits, redemption options, and the value of each mile earned to determine if an air miles credit card is the right choice for you.