Best air miles credit cards in Canada
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Nothing beats a free vacation, and that’s exactly what air Miles give you. With air miles, you earn points whenever you show your air miles membership card when making a purchase at one of the many participating merchants in Canada. Once you earn enough air miles, you can redeem them for flights and vacations, movie tickets, or other free items.
Air miles is Canada’s most popular loyalty program, partly because we love free vacations, and partly because it is so diverse. There are over 100 merchants that participate in air miles, plus you can earn air miles points even faster by using a BMO or Amex air miles credit card to pay for your purchase. Air miles never expire and can be redeemed for so many different things – kitchen appliances, electronics, and even cash balances at participating stores.
What are the best air miles credit cards for 2023?
Best air miles high earn rate credit card
Quick Facts
Who’s eligible?
Minimum credit score: Excellent
Minimum income: $80,000 individual or $150,000 household
Age: Age of majority in your province or territory
Other requirements: No bankruptcies in the last seven years
BMO AIR MILES®† World Elite®* Mastercard®*
You have an air miles credit card to earn air miles, so it might make sense to choose the card that lets you earn them as quickly as possible, even if it comes with a $120 annual fee. The BMO AIR MILES®† World Elite®* Mastercard®* earns 3x the miles for every $12 spent at participating AIR MILES Reward Partners* and 2x the Miles for every $12 spent at any eligible grocery store* with one mile per $12 spent anywhere else.* Those who spend $3,000 with the card in the first three months can also get a welcome bonus of 2,000 miles*. BMO even waives the annual fee of $120 in the first year*. Travel insurance is the icing on the cake.
- Annual fee: $120 (first year fee waived)*
- Welcome offer: 2,000-Mile welcome bonus*; first year annual fee waived*
- Earn rates: Get 3x the Miles for every $12 spent at participating AIR MILES Reward Partners* and 2x the Miles for every $12 spent at any eligible grocery store*, 1 mile per $12 spent anywhere else*
- Extra features: Travel insurance*; exclusive 25% discount on one worldwide AIR MILES flight redemption during the calendar year*; complimentary membership in Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass*
Click here to apply or learn more by reading our complete BMO AIR MILES®† World Elite®* Mastercard®* review.
*Terms and conditions apply
Best no annual fee air miles card
Quick Facts
Who’s eligible?
Minimum credit score: Good
Minimum income: $15,000
Age: Age of majority in your province or territory
Residency: Resident of Canada
Because the BMO AIR MILES®† Mastercard®* has a $0 annual fee, you basically earn air miles for free whenever you shop. The card has a welcome bonus of 800 air miles* (when you spend $1,000 within the first three months). That’s enough for $80 towards purchases with AIR MILES Cash*. You’d otherwise have to spend $20,000 to earn that many miles.
On top of the basic earn rate of one air mile per $25 charged*, you can receive a discount on car rentals*. The 0.99% introductory interest rate for balance transfers in the first nine months means that the card can also help you consolidate credit card balances and reduce the amount you pay in interest (2% fee applies to balance amount transferred)*.
- Annual fee: $0
- Welcome offer: Get 800 air miles bonus miles!* That’s enough for $80 towards purchases with Air Miles Cash*.
- Earn rates: 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 one mile for every $25 spent everywhere else*.
- Extra features: 0.99% interest rate on balance transfers for the first nine months (2% balance transfer fee applies)*; discount on car rentals*
Click here to apply or learn more by reading our complete BMO AIR MILES®† Mastercard®* review.
*Terms and conditions apply
Summary of the best air miles credit cards
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.
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.
How to apply for an air miles credit card
The hardest part about applying for an Air Miles credit card in Canada is choosing from the many options available. The best 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 utilizing our automated Air Miles calculator below. 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. Check out this article if you’d like to learn more about how the calculator works.
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