Best AIR MILES credit cards in Canada
Fact Checked: Scott Birke
Updated: May 15, 2024
By using Air Miles credit cards along with an Air Miles membership card you can accelerate your Air Miles earn rate at one of the many participating Air Miles merchants in Canada.
Air Miles is one of Canada’s most popular loyalty programs, with over 100 merchants that participate in Air Miles. And Air Miles never expire and can be redeemed for so many different things from kitchen appliances, electronics and cash balances to flights and vacations, movie tickets, merchandise or other free items .
What are the best Canadian Air Miles credit cards?
BMO purchased the Air Miles program in July, 2023 so all Air Miles cards are now issued by BMO Bank of Montreal. While this limited the range of Canadian Air Miles cards available on the market, BMO is investing in the program to make its cards competitive with other rewards credit cards.
Best Air Miles credit card with high earn rate
BMO AIR MILES®† World Elite®* MasterCard®*
Get 2,000 AIR MILES Bonus Miles and BMO will waive the $120 annual fee for the first anniversary*.
3x
Cardholders earn an accelerated 3x the Miles per $12 spent at participating AIR MILES partners*,
2x
2x the Miles for every $12 spent at any eligible grocery store*
1x
reward mile for every $12 in credit card purchases, everywhere you spend*
25%
discount on one worldwide AIR MILES flight redemption during the calendar year.*
Cardholders earn an accelerated 3x the Miles per $12 spent at participating AIR MILES partners*,
3x
2x the Miles for every $12 spent at any eligible grocery store*
2x
reward mile for every $12 in credit card purchases, everywhere you spend*
1x
discount on one worldwide AIR MILES flight redemption during the calendar year.*
25%
20.99%
Purchase APR
23.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
23.99%
Cash Advance APR 21.99% for Quebec residents
$120
Annual Fee
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
23.99%
Cash Advance APR
23.99%
Annual Fee
$120
Excellent
Recommended Credit Score
$80,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$150,000
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
Required Annual Personal Income
$80,000
Required Annual Household Income
$150,000
Pros
-
Offers the largest Air Miles sign-up bonus on the market with a waived annual fee for the first anniversary*
-
High earn rates of up to 3x the Miles on eligible purchases
-
Exclusive travel discounts like 25% off one worldwide AIR MILES flight redemption annually
-
Airport lounge access through complimentary Mastercard Travel Pass membership
-
Comprehensive insurance package which covers medical, trip, flight delay, lost luggage and more
-
Additional Perks include Boingo Wi-Fi, BMO Concierge, digital subscriptions, and cash back promotions
Cons
-
An $80,000 personal/$150,000 household income is needed to qualify
-
Ideal for AIR MILES loyalists, may not suit those with a casual approach
-
The fixed redemption value for flights may not appeal to everyone
-
Optimal value only when frequently shopping at AIR MILES partners
3x
Cardholders earn an accelerated 3x the Miles per $12 spent at participating AIR MILES partners*,
2x
2x the Miles for every $12 spent at any eligible grocery store*
1x
reward mile for every $12 in credit card purchases, everywhere you spend*
25%
discount on one worldwide AIR MILES flight redemption during the calendar year.*
Cardholders earn an accelerated 3x the Miles per $12 spent at participating AIR MILES partners*,
3x
2x the Miles for every $12 spent at any eligible grocery store*
2x
reward mile for every $12 in credit card purchases, everywhere you spend*
1x
discount on one worldwide AIR MILES flight redemption during the calendar year.*
25%
20.99%
Purchase APR
23.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
23.99%
Cash Advance APR 21.99% for Quebec residents
$120
Annual Fee
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
23.99%
Cash Advance APR
23.99%
Annual Fee
$120
Excellent
Recommended Credit Score
$80,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$150,000
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
Required Annual Personal Income
$80,000
Required Annual Household Income
$150,000
Pros
-
Offers the largest Air Miles sign-up bonus on the market with a waived annual fee for the first anniversary*
-
High earn rates of up to 3x the Miles on eligible purchases
-
Exclusive travel discounts like 25% off one worldwide AIR MILES flight redemption annually
-
Airport lounge access through complimentary Mastercard Travel Pass membership
-
Comprehensive insurance package which covers medical, trip, flight delay, lost luggage and more
-
Additional Perks include Boingo Wi-Fi, BMO Concierge, digital subscriptions, and cash back promotions
Cons
-
An $80,000 personal/$150,000 household income is needed to qualify
-
Ideal for AIR MILES loyalists, may not suit those with a casual approach
-
The fixed redemption value for flights may not appeal to everyone
-
Optimal value only when frequently shopping at AIR MILES partners
Best Canadian Air Miles credit card with no annual fee
BMO AIR MILES®† MasterCard®*
4.2
800 AIR MILES
Good
Get 800 AIR MILES Bonus Miles!* That’s enough for $80 towards purchases with AIR MILES Cash*
3 miles
Get 3 Miles for every $25 spent with AIR MILES Partners.
2 miles
Get 2x the Miles for every $25 at grocery stores and supermarkets.
4 miles
Double up your Shell Go+ Miles on eligible fuel and in-store purchases.
Get 3 Miles for every $25 spent with AIR MILES Partners.
3 miles
Get 2x the Miles for every $25 at grocery stores and supermarkets.
2 miles
Double up your Shell Go+ Miles on eligible fuel and in-store purchases.
4 miles
20.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate 0.99% introductory interest rate for 9 months (fee applies)*
22.99%
Cash Advance APR 21.99% for Quebec residents
$0
Annual Fee
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$0
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$15,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$15,000
3 miles
Get 3 Miles for every $25 spent with AIR MILES Partners.
2 miles
Get 2x the Miles for every $25 at grocery stores and supermarkets.
4 miles
Double up your Shell Go+ Miles on eligible fuel and in-store purchases.
Get 3 Miles for every $25 spent with AIR MILES Partners.
3 miles
Get 2x the Miles for every $25 at grocery stores and supermarkets.
2 miles
Double up your Shell Go+ Miles on eligible fuel and in-store purchases.
4 miles
20.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate 0.99% introductory interest rate for 9 months (fee applies)*
22.99%
Cash Advance APR 21.99% for Quebec residents
$0
Annual Fee
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$0
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$15,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$15,000
What are Air Miles?
Air Miles, also called air miles points, are a form of rewards points. You earn air miles by showing your membership card in participating online and brick and mortar stores, using an Air Miles credit card for any purchase, or by buying extra miles online. After you’ve collected enough miles you can redeem them for cash, movie tickets, flights, or other items. To learn more about the Air Miles program and how to earn and redeem, read our Air Miles Points guide.
Everyone always asks what their Air Miles are worth in cash terms, but it’s not so easy to answer. It depends on what you plan to redeem them for and where you go to redeem them. We estimate one Air Mile to be worth something between $0.12 and $0.194. That valuation is greater than what you can expect from cash back rewards, making card like these among the best credit cards for flights.
How to apply for an Air Miles credit card
The best Canadian Air Miles credit card is different for everyone, depending on your spending habits and financial situation. Here are some crucial features to look for:
- Annual fee
- Basic air miles earn rate
- Accelerated air miles earn rate and where you can earn
- Welcome bonus
- Additional special offers like discounts and travel insurance
- Interest rates for balance transfer
You might opt to simplify your selection process by using our automated Air Miles calculator. Just input your monthly spending and the features of the Air Miles credit card you’re considering, and the calculator will tell you how much value the credit card will give you in a year.
Summary: Best Canadian Air Miles credit card list
FAQs
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Sarah Pritzker has been writing for Money.ca since 2017, and loves learning about the latest trends in Canadian personal finance.
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