Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own.
AIR MILES is one of Canada’s largest loyalty programs and is tied to more than 300 retailers and brands, including dozens of airlines. Joining is free and there are a handful of ways to earn points. The easiest strategy is to sign up for one of the best co-branded Air Miles credit cards, which earn Air Miles Cash Miles or Dream Miles and will reward your loyalty with special perks and benefits that will make your next trip even more enjoyable.
- NerdWallet’s picks for the best AIR MILES credit cards
- Why you should trust us
- Summary of our selections
- Guide to AIR MILES credit cards and rewards
Best AIR MILES credit cards in Canada
Best World Elite AIR MILES card
BMO AIR MILES®† World Elite®* Mastercard®*
-
Annual Fee$120Waived first year
-
Interest Rates20.99% / 23.99%20.99% on purchases and 23.99% on cash advances (21.99% for Quebec residents).
-
Rewards Rate0.08x-0.25x MilesEarn 3x the Miles for every $12 spent at participating AIR MILES Partners and 2x the Miles for every $12 spent at any eligible grocery store.* Earn 1 reward mile for every $12 in credit card purchases, everywhere you spend.*
-
Intro Offer2,000 MilesSpend $3,000 in the first three months to earn 2,000 AIR MILES Bonus Miles. Waive the $120 annual fee in the first year. Applications must be received by July 31, 2023. Terms and conditions apply.
With airport perks, travel benefits, 24/7 concierge access, and an impressive standard earn rate — 1 AIR MILE for every $12 spent — the BMO AIR MILES®† World Elite®* Mastercard®* offers frequent flyers a luxury travel experience at a great value.
Pros
- Airport lounge access with a complimentary membership in Mastercard Airport Experiences provided by LoungeKey.
- Strong insurance policy, including up to $2 million in out-of-province/out-of-country emergency medical insurance.
Cons
- This card doesn’t offer accelerated earn rates on certain spending categories.
- Welcome offer: Get 2,000 AIR MILES Bonus Miles and we’ll waive the $120 annual fee for the first year.*
- Get 3x the Miles for every $12 spent at participating AIR MILES Partners and 2x the Miles for every $12 spent at any eligible grocery store*.
- Earn 1 reward mile for every $12 in credit card purchases, everywhere you spend.*
- Get valuable benefits and offers for digital everyday services from a variety of on-demand apps and subscription services.
- Use your card at Costco.*
- Extended Warranty.
- Access over 1 million Wi-Fi hotspots around the world – all at no added cost, and no added fees or roaming charges.*
- Complimentary membership in Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass.*
- Use less Miles with our exclusive 25% discount on one worldwide AIR MILES flight redemption during the calendar year.*
- BMO AIR MILES World Elite Travel and Medical Protection.*
- BMO Concierge Service.*
- Unlock Mastercard Travel Rewards cashback offers when you travel and shop outside of Canada.
- *Terms and conditions apply.
- BMO is not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click on the Apply now link for the most up to date information.
Best AIR MILES intro offer
American Express® AIR MILES®* Reserve Credit Card
-
Annual Fee$299
-
Interest Rates20.99% / 21.99%20.99% on purchases and 21.99% on cash advances
-
Rewards Rate0.06x-0.1x MilesEarn 1 Mile for every $10 in Card purchases on eligible AIR MILES®* Partners, grocery stores, gas stations and drugstores in Canada. Earn 1 Mile for every $15 in Card purchases everywhere else.
-
Intro Offer2,400 MilesEarn a welcome bonus of 2,400 Bonus Miles when you charge a total of $3,000 in purchases to your Card within your first 3 months of Card membership. New cardmembers only.
If you can handle the annual fee, the American Express AIR MILES Reserve Credit Card offers generous and unlimited rewards at grocery stores, gas stations and drug stores — some of the best earn rates for any travel rewards card.
Pros
- If you use AIR MILES to book a flight within the AIR MILES Flight Program, you’ll receive up to a maximum of 1,700 AIR MILES Reward Miles towards a Companion Flight for the same itinerary.
- Insurance includes up to a maximum of $5,000,000 for eligible emergency medical expenses incurred by an insured person under age 65 while travelling outside your Canadian province or territory of residence for the first 15 consecutive days of a covered trip.
Cons
- A $299 annual fee is pretty steep, so make sure you’ll take full advantage of the travel perks to realize the card’s full value.
- New American Express® AIR MILES®* Reserve Credit Card Cardmembers, earn a welcome bonus of 2,400 AIR MILES®* Bonus Miles when you charge a total of $3,000 in purchases to your Card within your first 3 months of Card membership. That’s enough for two select flights.
- Your ticket to the World of Onyx®* – Receive automatic Onyx® Collector status.
- Once a year, when you redeem for any flight Reward within the AIR MILES®* Reward Program, you can receive up to a maximum of 1,700 Miles towards a Companion Flight, for your companion to travel with you for the same itinerary (offer excludes service charges if applicable and taxes).
- Get 1 Mile for every $10 in Card purchases at eligible AIR MILES®* Partners (excludes purchases made at airmilesshops.ca).
- Get 1 Mile for every $10 in Card purchases at other eligible grocery stores, gas stations and drugstores in Canada.
- Plus, get 1 Mile for every $15 in Card purchases everywhere else.
- You can receive four (4) complimentary visits per year to more than 1,300 airport lounges around the globe. After your four (4) complimentary visits have been used for the year, you may continue to visit the lounges for a usage fee at the prevailing rate.
- American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information click the Apply now link. Conditions apply.
Best overall AIR MILES card
American Express® AIR MILES®* Platinum Credit Card
-
Annual Fee$120
-
Interest Rates20.99% / 21.99%20.99% on purchases and 21.99% on cash advances.
-
Rewards Rate0.1x-0.2x MilesEarn 1 Mile for every $5 in Card purchases, up to $30,000 annually, on eligible food & drinks and gas & transit in Canada. Earn 1 Mile for every $10 in Card purchases everywhere else.
-
Intro Offer2,000 MilesNew American Express AIR MILES Platinum Credit Card Cardmembers, earn a Welcome Bonus of 2,000 AIR MILES Bonus Miles when you charge a total of $1,500 in purchases to your Card within your first three months of Cardmembership. That’s enough to redeem for $200 towards your purchases with AIR MILES Cash.
The American Express AIR MILES Platinum card’s array of Platinum perks and unlimited rewards make it a fantastic value. Plus, an intro offer valued at $200 makes the $120 annual fee well worth paying.
Pros
- A generous intro offer worth $200 in purchases with AIR MILES Cash.
- Includes several types of insurance: Car Rental Theft and Damage Insurance, Travel Accident Insurance, Purchase Protection® Plan, Fraud Protection Guarantee, and Buyer’s Assurance® Protection Plan.
Cons
- The earn rate on food, drinks, gas and transit is capped at $30,000 annual spend. After that, you’ll need to spend twice as much to receive the same number of AIR MILES.
- New American Express AIR MILES Platinum Credit Card Cardmembers, earn a Welcome Bonus of 2,000 AIR MILES Bonus Miles when you charge a total of $1,500 in purchases to your Card within your first three months of Cardmembership. That’s enough to redeem for $200 towards your purchases with AIR MILES Cash.
- Earn 1 Mile for every $5 in Card purchases, up to $30,000 annually, on eligible food & drinks, (such as eligible restaurants, coffee shops and stand-alone grocery stores), and eligible gas & transit (such as local commuter transportation including ridesharing services and taxi) in Canada.
- Earn 1 Mile for every $10 in Card purchases everywhere else.
- American Express® AIR MILES®* Platinum Credit Card Cardmembers can take advantage of the Annual Travel Redemption Benefit. Once per calendar year, when an eligible Cardmember uses Dream Miles with the AIR MILES Reward Program to book their first single flight or package vacation through airmiles.ca or vacations.airmiles.ca, they can get Bonus Miles equivalent to 25% of the net number of Miles used (up to a maximum of 750 Bonus Miles).
- Shop at participating AIR MILES®* Partners®* across Canada with your Card and show your AIR MILES®* Card, and you can earn Miles twice.
- American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information click the Apply now link. Conditions apply.
Best AIR MILES card for balance transfers
BMO AIR MILES®† Mastercard®*
-
Annual Fee$0
-
Interest Rates19.99% / 22.99%19.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances (21.99% for Quebec residents).
-
Rewards Rate0.04x-0.12x MilesEarn 3x the Miles for every $25 spent at participating AIR MILES Partners and 2x the Miles for every $25 spent at any eligible grocery store*. Earn 1 Mile for every $25 spent everywhere else.*
-
Intro Offer800 MilesSpend $1,000 in the first three months to earn 800 AIR MILES Bonus Miles (applications must be received by July 31, 2023 to be eligible). New accounts only. Terms and conditions apply.
It’s rare to find a 0.99% balance transfer offer on a dedicated travel rewards credit card, especially with a low 2% balance transfer fee. Sure, the introductory period is only for nine months, but the BBMO AIR MILES®† Mastercard®* makes it worth its while by adding an extra introductory perk: 800 bonus AIR MILES.
Pros
- No annual fee.
- Ability to earn unlimited rewards.
Cons
- The introductory APR period for transfers is only nine months, so make sure you can pay off your balance during that window of time.
- Welcome offer: Get 800 AIR MILES Bonus Miles!* That’s enough for $80 towards purchases with AIR MILES Cash.*
- Get a 0.99% introductory interest rate on Balance Transfers for 9 months, 2% fee applies to balance amounts transferred.*
- Get 3x the Miles for every $25 spent at participating AIR MILES Partners and 2x the Miles for every $25 spent at any eligible grocery store.*
- Get 1 Mile for every $25 spent everywhere else.*
- Use your BMO AIR MILES Mastercard and AIR MILES Collector Card at an AIR MILES Partner to earn Reward Miles from both.*
- No annual fee.*
- Receive a discount on car rentals.*
- Extended Warranty.*
- Purchase Protection.*
- *Terms and conditions apply.
- BMO is not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click on the Apply now link for the most up to date information.
Best AIR MILES card for students
BMO AIR MILES®† Mastercard®* for Students
-
Annual Fee$0
-
Interest Rates19.99% / 22.99%19.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances (21.99% for Quebec residents).
-
Rewards Rate0.04x-0.12x MilesGet 3x the Miles for every $25 spent at participating AIR MILES Partners and 2x the Miles for every $25 spent at any eligible grocery store*. Get 1x Mile for every $25 spent on everything else.
-
Intro Offer800 MilesSpend $1,000 in the first three months and earn 800 Bonus Miles. Offer available to new accounts only. Applications must be received by July 31, 2023. Terms and conditions apply.
Students can start earning AIR MILES rewards on everyday purchases with this no-fee and easy-entry Air Miles card.
Pros
- Better-than-usual intro offer for a student card, plus the ability to earn rewards on everyday purchases.
- Your AIR MILES membership will help you earn miles twice as fast at AIR MILES Partners when you pay with your BMO AIR MILES credit card.
Cons
- The 19.99% interest rate may be an industry standard, but it could feel high for first-time cardholders. If a lower rate is important to you, consider the nearly-identical BMO AIR MILES®† Mastercard®*, which comes with a 0.99% introductory interest rate on balance transfers for nine months.
- Welcome offer: Get 800 AIR MILES Bonus Miles!* That’s enough for $80 towards purchases with AIR MILES Cash.*
- Get 3x the Miles for every $25 spent at participating AIR MILES Partners and 2x the Miles for every $25 spent at any eligible grocery store.*
- Get 1 Mile for every $25 spent everywhere else.*
- Use your BMO AIR MILES Mastercard and AIR MILES Collector Card at an AIR MILES Partner to earn Reward Miles from both.*
- Get AIR MILES back every time you spend, plus start building a healthy credit history.
- No annual fee.*
- Receive a discount on car rentals.*
- Extended Warranty.*
- Purchase Protection.*
- *Terms and conditions apply.
- BMO is not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click on the Apply now link for the most up to date information.
Best no-fee AIR MILES card
American Express® AIR MILES®* Credit Card
-
Annual Fee$0
-
Interest Rates20.99% / 21.99%20.99% on purchases and 21.99% on cash advances.
-
Rewards Rate0.05x-0.06x MilesEarn 1 Mile for every $15 in Card purchases at eligible AIR MILES Partners. Earn 1 Mile for every $20 in Card purchases everywhere else.
-
Intro Offer500 MilesEarn a Welcome Bonus of 500 AIR MILES Reward Miles when you charge a total of $500 in purchases to your Card within your first three months of Card membership. New cardmembers only.
Earn unlimited AIR MILES rewards and enjoy exclusive ticket access, virtual events, live performances and more American Express Experiences when using this no-fee American Express AIR MILES Credit Card.
Pros
- As an eligible Basic Cardmember, refer a friend and you could earn a maximum annual referral bonus of 1,500 AIR MILES Bonus Miles for approved referrals.
- You can be covered up to $100,000 of Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance when you fully charge your common carrier (plane, train, ship or bus) tickets to your American Express AIR MILES Credit Card.
Cons
- You only get an accelerated earn rate on rewards when shopping with AIR MILES Partners.
- New American Express AIR MILES Credit Card Cardmembers, earn a Welcome Bonus of 500 AIR MILES Reward Miles when you charge a total of $500 in purchases to your Card within your first three months of Card membership.
- Earn 1 Mile for every $15 in Card purchases at eligible AIR MILES Partners.
- Excludes purchases made at airmilesshops.ca.
- Earn 1 Mile for every $20 in Card purchases you charge to the Card everywhere else.
- Shop at participating AIR MILES; Partners across Canada with your Card and show your AIR MILES Card, and you can earn miles twice.
- Redeem for a wide range of rewards – everything from electronics to travel and more.
- American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information click the Apply now link. Conditions apply.
Best business credit card for AIR MILES
BMO AIR MILES®† World Elite®* Business Mastercard®*
-
Annual Fee$149Waived first year
-
Interest Rates19.99% / 22.99%19.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances.
-
Rewards Rate0.08x-0.33x Miles1x AIR MILE for every $12 spent and get 4x AIR MILES when you use your card at participating AIR MILES Partners.
-
Intro Offer3,000 MilesGet 3,000 AIR MILES Bonus Miles when you spend at least $5,000 in the first three months. Plus, an annual fee rebate for the first year. Offer ends December 31, 2023.
On-the-move business owners are likely fans of the BMO AIR MILES World Elite Business Mastercard for its healthy earn rates, travel perks, small business support, and round-the-clock access to virtual health care through Maple.
Pros
- Earn up to 4x the AIR MILES at certain retailers and reach your redemption goals faster by getting up to 22 additional cards for employees to use.
- Wide range of travel perks and travel protection coverage.
- Access to on-demand virtual physical and mental health care with Canadian-licensed general practitioners with Maple.
Cons
- Airport lounge access is included with a complimentary membership in Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass — but it isn’t free. You’ll need to spend US$32 per person, per visit.
- While the interest rates are standard, this card does not come with flexible payment options or an extended interest-free grace period.
- Intro offer: 3,000 AIR MILES Bonus Miles when you spend at least $5,000 in the first three months. Plus, the $149 annual fee is waived for the first year. Offer ends December 31, 2023. Earn 1 AIR MILE for every $12 spent.
- Get 4x the AIR MILE when you use your card at participating AIR MILES partners.
- $149 annual fee, waived in the first year.
- Redeem Miles for travel, office supplies, events, attractions or AIR MILES cash rewards.
- Get up to 22 additional cards so employees can easily make purchases on behalf of your business and help you earn Miles faster.
- Get protection against employee card abuse with Liability Waiver Program.
- Enjoy Airport Lounge Access with complimentary membership in Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass. As a member enjoy lounge access for a fee of just US$32 per person, per visit. Registration is required.
- Get automatic rebates of 1%-25% when you shop at qualifying merchants with Mastercard Easy Savings.
- Enjoy Travel Protection when you use your Mastercard to book travel arrangements. Coverage includes car rental collision damage waiver, trip cancellation / trip interruption, baggage delay, and more.
- Enjoy 90-day purchase protection and extended warranty protection of up to one additional year on items you charge to the card.
- Comes with five free virtual care visits on Maple, shared by you and your family members. Maple provides access on-demand health care with Canadian-licensed general practitioners 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
- Preferred rates: 20.99% on purchases, 23.99% on cash advances (21.99% for Quebec residents).
Methodology to identify the AIR MILES credit cards
NerdWallet Canada selects the best AIR MILES credit cards based on overall consumer value as well as their suitability for specific kinds of consumers. Factors in our evaluation methodology include each card’s earning rates, rewards structure (such as flat-rate or bonus categories), annual fee, redemption options, promotional APR period for purchases, bonus offers for new cardholders, and noteworthy features such as insurance, loyalty bonuses or the ability to choose one’s own rewards categories.
Summary of the best Air Miles credit cards
| Card name | Why we picked it | Annual fee | Intro offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Express® AIR MILES®* Platinum Credit Card | Comprehensive insurance with annual travel benefits. | $120 | 2,000 Miles |
| BMO AIR MILES World Elite Mastercard | Luxury travel experiences and strong insurance coverage. | $120 | 2,000 Miles |
| BMO AIR MILES Mastercard | No annual fee plus low intro APR for balance transfers. | $0 | 800 Miles |
| American Express® AIR MILES®* Reserve Credit Card | Generous rewards alongside strong earn rates. | $299 | 2,400 Miles |
| Student BMO AIR MILES® Mastercard® | No-fee card that earns Miles on everyday purchases. | $0 | 800 Miles |
| American Express® AIR MILES®* Credit Card | Annual referral bonuses and no annual fee. | $0 | 500 Miles |
| BMO AIR MILES®† World Elite®* Business Mastercard®* | Generous intro offer plus on-demand virtual and mental health care via Maple. | $149 | 3,000 Miles |
Best Credit Cards in Canada
Compare all different credit cards side-by-side and find out the best card that will meet your need with special perks and benefits
Guide to AIR MILES credit cards and rewards
By Sandra MacGregor and Shannon Terrell
AIR MILES, or Air Miles, is one of Canada’s largest loyalty programs. The best co-branded Air Miles credit cards make it easy to earn rewards across the country and redeem them for an appealing array of options.
- What are Air Miles credit cards?
- How to choose the best Air Miles credit card in Canada
- How Air Miles work in Canada
- Types of Air Miles rewards
- Air Miles Dream Miles
What are Air Miles credit cards?
Air Miles credit cards are co-branded rewards credit cards issued by BMO Bank and American Express that earn Air Miles on qualifying purchases. Cardholders can then redeem those Air Miles for various types of rewards, such as flights, hotels, merchandise, in-store cash rebates and more.
Flights tend to be the most popular and offer the best redemption value, but like other loyalty programs, there is a broad spectrum of redemption options.
How do Air Miles credit cards work?
Air Miles credit cards earn a fixed amount of miles on every qualifying purchase, but the number of miles earned depends on the specific card’s Air Miles earn rates. In addition, the co-branded cards differ on features such as insurance packages, annual fees, welcome bonuses, extra perks and more.
Who should get an Air Miles credit card?
Air Miles credit cards are best for those seeking flexible travel rewards, such as frequent travellers craving travel perks alongside a diverse lineup of redemption options. Cardholders can earn points with every purchase they charge to the card, whether or not the retailer participates in the Air Miles program. Often, cardholders can earn points twice when shopping with participating Air Miles retailers.
Consider your lifestyle and spending habits when deciding whether to apply for an Air Miles credit card. You may also want to consider the distinct benefits and drawbacks of the program.
Pros for Air Miles credit cards
- Air Miles credit cards maximize Air Miles earnings because you earn miles with every qualifying purchase.
- Cards typically come with welcome bonus miles.
- Business versions of Air Miles credit cards are available.
- Many Air Miles credit cards feature perks like insurance, discounts and automatic Onyx collector status.
- Some cards come with no annual fee.
- It’s possible to earn bonus Air Miles with many credit cards.
- Air Miles has flexible redemption options, including flights, hotels, car rentals, merchandise and even in-store cash rebates (for Cash Miles).
Cons for Air Miles credit cards
- Some Air Miles credit cards come with high annual fees.
- Air Miles does not cover taxes and fees on redemption flights, and they can add up to be quite expensive.
- Air Miles expire if your account is inactive for 24 months.
- You must decide between collecting Cash or Dream Miles. Once you’ve earned one type of miles, you can’t convert them to the other type.
- You can’t transfer points to other loyalty programs like you can with points earned on Aeroplan credit cards.
- $0.15 per-mile fee to gift miles or merge accounts with members of separate households.
How to choose the best Air Miles credit card for you
Choosing the best credit card for you will come down to a variety of factors that depend on your shopping habits, perk preferences, and your personal finances (such as your yearly income and credit score).
Eligibility
Age
Air Miles credit cards have different eligibility requirements depending on the issuer, though all credit card providers in Canada require that you are at least the age of majority in your province or territory.
Credit score
Credit card providers tend not to state the minimum credit score required to apply for a credit card successfully.
In general, you are more likely to be approved with a “good” score of at least 660. Premium credit cards may require even higher credit scores.
Income
Air Miles credit cards may have a minimum personal or household annual income requirement.
American Express doesn’t state its minimum income requirements. BMO, on the other hand, notes that there is no annual income requirement for their no-fee card, and their World Elite Mastercard requires a minimum of $80,000 individual or $150,000 household annual income.
Type of card
The issuer and network of an Air Miles credit card may be important for some users. Only BMO Mastercard and American Express co-branded cards are available (so Visa lovers are out of luck).
American Express vs. Mastercard: Which is better?
American Express cards are not accepted at certain grocery stores and popular retailers:
- Loblaws (and subsidiaries like Superstore, Zehrs, No Frills and Shoppers Drug Mart) only accept Visa and Mastercard.
- Canadian Costcos only accept Mastercard.
That said, American Express cards are accepted at Sobeys, Whole Foods, Safeway, Metro, Wal-Mart, and other common destinations. You can use American Express Maps to check specific retailers. American Express cards also feature exclusive perks, like Front of the Line and American Express Invites, that help cardholders secure in-demand tickets to events, movies and more.
Mastercard is one of the most widely accepted credit cards globally. If you have a World or World Elite Mastercard, you’ll also enjoy extra perks like free Boingo Wi-Fi and access to airport lounges.
Earn rates
Earn rates with Air Miles cards tend to be based on how much you spend (though you may get bonus miles at participating retailers). For example, a cardholder may earn 3 Air Miles for every $12 they charge to the card. Typically, you’ll get a higher earn rate with premium cards.
Features
After Air Mile earn rates, there are other essential features to consider when deciding if an Air Miles credit card is the right pick for your needs and shopping habits.
Annual fee
Annual fees for Air Miles credit cards in Canada vary widely and range from $0 to as much as $299 for the American Express Air Miles Reserve Credit Card. While it can be tempting to go for the card without the yearly charge, sometimes the annual fee is worth paying to enjoy a lot of valuable perks.
It’s wise to add up how much savings you may reap from things like the card’s insurance package, discounts and airport lounge access, not to mention the dollar value of all the extra Air Miles you’ll earn with the higher earn rate often awarded by premium cards.
Ability to earn Air Miles Onyx status
Air Miles Onyx status is the highest status tier of the Air Miles loyalty program. Members attain Onyx status when they earn 6,000 or more miles within a calendar year. People with Onyx status enjoy exclusive perks, like priority customer service and discounts of up to 40% on Air Miles flights and 10% fewer points for merchandise redemptions.
Some premium Air Miles credit cards allow cardholders to automatically receive Onyx status, which may be a welcome perk for some credit card users.
Welcome bonus
All Air Miles credit cards currently offer welcome bonuses — though the specific amounts and how much you have to spend in a set period of time to claim the bonus are subject to change.
Insurance coverage
Even the most basic Air Miles cards offer extended warranty and purchase protection. When comparing cards, look for insurance extras that may be important to you, like travel accident coverage, rental car, flight and baggage delay, or roadside assistance.
Additional perks
Extra benefits can include things like discounts on miles needed for a redemption, balance transfer promotions, airport lounge access, invites to exclusive events and more. It’s worth taking the time to compare perks as they can result in big savings if you’ll frequently use the benefits.
Air Miles vs. Aeroplan
Aeroplan, Air Canada’s loyalty program, is an Air Miles competitor, offering many of the same perks and rewards, including flight tickets, car rentals, vacation packages, merchandise, and more. When comparing the two, look for what sets these programs apart to decide which travel card is best for your lifestyle and spending habits.
| Aeroplan | Air Miles | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of available credit cards | 13 | 7 |
| Credit card issuers | ||
| Credit card networks | ||
| Number of partner airlines | 51 | 20 |
| Average value per point, according to NerdWallet analysis | 2.23 cents | 11.35 cents |
| Special perks | Air Canada benefits, including free checked bags, priority boarding, lounge access, and eUpgrades. | 25% discount on flights (conditions apply), free Boingo Wi-Fi around the world with select Air Miles Mastercard credit cards. |
| Co-branded cardholder benefits | Higher earn rate on Air Canada purchases and Preferred Pricing discounts on flights. | Earn Miles twice at participating AIR MILES partners. |
| Are points transferable to other loyalty programs? | Yes. | No. |
How the Air Miles loyalty program works in Canada
The Air Miles loyalty program is usually regarded as a travel rewards program, despite offering a wide spectrum of redemption options beyond travel and not being affiliated with a specific hotel or airline.
How many Air Miles per dollar?
Air Miles can be redeemed for an incredible variety of items, making it next to impossible to give an Air Miles point a standard dollar value. The value of an Air Mile depends on how it’s redeemed. For example, you may get a per-mile value of about $0.07 when redeemed for merchandise versus a per-mile value of approximately $0.12 when redeemed for a hotel room.
Things get even more complicated when you redeem miles for in-store cash rebates (but only if you pre-selected the “Cash” redemption option — more on that below), which gives miles an approximated value of $0.105 each.
How many Air Miles for a flight?
NerdWallet analyzed 75+ data points to compare the Air Miles redemption values of flights in 2022 to determine a “cent per mile” value for each flight.
Based on our analysis, the value of 1 Air Miles Dream Mile is worth 11.35 cents.
More specifically, you can expect to get around:
- 10.1 cents per Air Miles Dream Mile for economy class redemptions
- 12.60 cents per Air Miles Dream Mile for business class redemptions
These average values can increase or decrease depending on the route and when the ticket is booked. Also, the value of a single Air Miles point when redeemed for flights depends on the class of the ticket (i.e., economy versus business), where and when you are travelling, and how far ahead you book the ticket.
For example, when redeeming miles for a business class ticket travelling within Canada or internationally, the value of a single Air Mile can rise to as high as 16.8 cents, on average, if you book at least 180 days before departure. However, if you book the same business class seat on a flight only 15 days out, the average value of each Air Mile shrinks to 10.50 cents.
Bearing in mind that the value of your Air Miles will depend on where, when and how you book your travel, here’s how much Air Miles Dream Miles are worth, according to NerdWallet analysis:
- 1,000 Air Miles are worth around $113
- 5,000 Air Miles are worth around $567
- 10,000 Air Miles are worth around $1,135
» MORE: How much are Aeroplan points worth?
Dream Miles vs. Cash Miles
One of the more unique (if complicated) features of the Air Miles reward loyalty program is that you can earn miles as either Cash Miles or Dream Miles (or even both).
- Cash Miles are rewards redeemable for certain cash-like purchases.
- Dream Miles are miles that you can redeem for non-cash rewards, such as flights, hotels, experiences, rental cards and merchandise.
If you choose to earn your miles as Cash Miles, you can redeem points in-store at select partners for an automatic discount on your purchase. You can also put your cash rewards toward eVouchers that can be used in-store or online at Air Miles partners. Cash Miles can be redeemed at a rate of $10 cash for 95 Air Miles.
Air Miles members can elect to earn all their Air Miles as Dream Miles or Cash Miles. Members can also choose to earn Air Miles in both categories by using the Air Miles slider tool to select what percentages of Air Miles earnings they want to earn as Dream Miles and Cash Miles.
Can I convert Cash Miles to Dream Miles?
Air Miles rewards can’t be converted to a different category once earned. But you can change your reward category selection at any time by logging into your Air Miles account.
How many Air Miles do I need to fly?
The number of Air Miles needed to redeem a plane ticket varies by numerous factors, including destination and class of ticket.
Here’s how many Air Miles you need to book a round-trip economy class ticket 180 days before departure from Toronto’s Pearson Airport to the following destinations:
| Destination | Number of Dream Miles needed |
|---|---|
| London, England | 666 |
| New York City, United States | 1,895 |
| Paris, France | 3,095 |
| Vancouver, Canada | 3,257 |
| Cancun, Mexico | 3,314 |
| Bangkok, Thailand | 8,266 |
| New Delhi, India | 12,952 |
| Manila, Philippines | 26,751 |
How to earn Air Miles
Earning Air Miles is easy.
- Join the program for free by signing up via the website.
- Receive your membership number and a card.
- Collect Air Miles by showing your card or entering your membership number when shopping in-store or online with an Air Miles partner.
The amount of Air Miles earned on a purchase depends on the retailer. Some retailers also have occasional promotional bonus offers, which can be a good way to boost earnings.
The best way to maximize your Air Miles earning potential is by using an Air Miles credit card. These co-branded credit cards allow users to earn Air Miles on every purchase, whether or not a retailer is an Air Miles partner (exact earning amounts vary by credit card). The Air Miles website lists its partners and how many miles you can earn at each retailer.
How to get free Air Miles online
Another way to earn Air Miles is by shopping online through the Air Miles portal:
- Head to the Airmilesshops.ca portal and click on the desired retailer’s icon.
- Make your purchase directly on the merchant’s website as you would normally.
- Earn 1 Air Mile for every $20 you spend, excluding taxes and shipping fees.
Additional ways to earn free Air Miles online include participating in surveys from select companies, such as Shopper’s Voice and Rewarding Your Opinions. You can also earn Air Miles when booking travel, like flights and hotels, via the Air Miles travel portal (more on that below).
How to redeem Air Miles
To redeem your Cash Miles:
- Visit a participating retailer.
- Show your Air Miles card (or an eVoucher) and tell the cashier that you want to use your Cash Miles toward your purchase.
- Redeem Cash Miles in $10 increments, using 95 Cash Miles to get $10 off your purchase, up to $750 daily.
To redeem Dream Miles:
- Head to the Air Miles website.
- Select the Rewards tab if you want to redeem your points for merchandise or experiences or donate miles to charity.
- Select the Travel tab to redeem points for travel-related rewards, and then follow the prompts.
Types of Air Miles rewards
One of the most attractive features of the Air Miles program is the large array of rewards available for redemption.
Air Miles travel
As the name implies, travel-related redemptions are the most popular way to use Air Miles. You can choose from a variety of travel rewards, including flights, rental cars, hotel stays, cruises and vacation packages.
Air Miles flights
When you book a flight via the Air Miles travel portal, you can redeem Air Miles or pay with a credit card and earn Air Miles on your purchase. Taxes and fees usually can’t be paid with Air Miles and can add up to a significant additional expense, especially when flying internationally.
Calculate the value of your points to figure out if you’re getting a good deal by using your points. Otherwise, you might be better off simply paying for the ticket. The number of miles you’ll need for a flight will vary.
Air Miles hotels
As with flights, you can redeem Air Miles to pay for a hotel room, or use the Air Miles travel portal to book a hotel and pay with a credit card. You’ll earn Air Miles rewards when paying with a credit card.
Air Miles shops
As noted above, you can also earn free Air Miles by accessing the retailer’s website through the Air Miles shopping portal at airmilesshops.ca. As long as the retailer is an Air Miles partner, you’ll earn 1 Air Mile for every $20 spent.
Dream Miles
Dream Miles are Air Miles you redeem for physical items or experiences (like flights or concert tickets). They’re different from Cash Miles, which are used to obtain a cash rebate on a purchase in-store or online (with an eVoucher).
How to get Dream Miles
Air Miles members can earn Dream Miles in many ways, including making purchases at Air Miles partners, using Air Miles co-branded credit cards and shopping through the Air Miles shopping portal. Just be sure to select Dream Miles (rather than Cash Miles) when you set up your Air Miles account.
Types of Air Miles Dream rewards
Air Miles members can use their Dream Miles to book flights, vacation packages, car rentals, hotel stays and cruises. You can also use Dream Miles for merchandise redemptions and experiences like concert or movie tickets. Air Miles collectors can even redeem 500 Dream Miles for a $50 donation to charities like Kids Help Phone or Food Banks Canada.
Frequently asked questions about Air Miles credit cards
Yes, Air Miles expire if your account is inactive for 24 months. You can keep your account active by using your card to make a purchase or redeeming your Air Miles for a reward.
You can apply for an Air Miles credit card online by visiting the website of the card provider and filling out an online application. Or, you can visit a local bank branch to apply in person.
15 Best Cash Back Credit Cards in Canada for 2023
The best cash-back credit cards in Canada deliver high earn rates, multiple rewards catefories and premium perks.
25 Best Rewards Credit Cards in Canada for 2023
Compare the best rewards credit cards in Canada across numerous rewards categories, including travel, cash back and more.
26 Best Travel Credit Cards in Canada for 2023
The best travel credit cards in Canada have strong earn rates, great bonus offers, and useful perks and benefits, like travel insurance.
15 Best No-Fee Credit Cards in Canada for 2023
The best no-fee credit cards in Canada deliver great value and perks without charging an annual fee.