BMO AIR MILES®† MasterCard®* Review

Mar 21, 2025

While we adhere to strict editorial guidelines, partners on this page may provide us earnings.

Overall rating

First year value

$253

Get this card if you:

  • quickly rack up more Air Miles
  • want rewards, with an annual fee
  • value a great welcome offer

Scores by category

No Annual Fee 3.0

Rewards 2.3

Travel 2.2

At a glance

The BMO® AIR MILES®† Mastercard®* is a no-annual-fee credit card that allows cardholders to earn AIR MILES on everyday purchases, with accelerated rates at participating AIR MILES Partners and eligible grocery stores. It includes benefits such as purchase protection, extended warranty, and discounts on car rentals, making it a practical choice for those looking to accumulate AIR MILES without an annual fee.

Highlights

$253

First year value

1,200 AIR MILES*

Welcome bonus

Interest Rates

21.99%

Purchase APR

23.99%

Balance transfer APR

23.99%

Cash advance APR

21.99% for Quebec residents

Eligibility

Good

Recommended credit score

$15,000

Required annual personal income

Quick overview of the BMO AIR MILES MasterCard

Looking for that elusive rewards credit card with a hefty sign-up bonus and no annual fee? We got you covered. Want that $0  annual fee credit card to come with awesome rewards opportunities? How about access to Canada’s largest loyalty program with over 10 million active members, and one of the country’s richest earn rates? 

Even if you have another “favourite” credit card in your wallet already, why not give one of Canada’s most popular credit cards and loyalty programs a try?

Who's the BMO AIR MILES MasterCard for?

  • Savvy travellers: With this credit card, you can double dip getting miles with your credit card AND your AIR MILES collector card to earn miles doubly fast*. And you can get bonus miles with your card at retailers!

Pros and cons

Pros

Pros

  • No annual fee with a substantial welcome offer

  • Earn Air Miles with both credit and collector cards

  • Potential for upwards of an exceptional 2.04% travel earn rate

  • Additional Benefits include discounts, insurance, and a low balance transfer rate

Cons

Cons

  • A 2% fee applies to balance transfers.

  • Limited redemption options

  • Variable redemption values may vary based on last-minute short-haul flights

  • Its specific rewards program is best for those interested in Air Miles loyalty program

BMO AIR MILES MasterCard welcome bonus

The card comes with a lucrative welcome bonus: Get 1,200 AIR MILES Bonus Miles‡ and a 0.99% introductory interest rate on balance transfers for 9 months with a 2% transfer fee.†

How to earn AIR MILES with the BMO AIR MILES MasterCard 🛫

  • Earn accelerated miles: 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*.
  • Earn double rewards: Use your BMO® AIR MILES®† MasterCard®* and AIR MILES Collector Card at an AIR MILES sponsor to earn reward miles from both.
  • Earn on everything: Earn 1 AIR MILES rewards for every $25 spent on the credit card.

Do AIR MILES expire?

AIR MILES expire if your account is inactive for 24 months.

Ready to turn your AIR MILES into jet-setting adventures? Score flights to your ultimate getaway using your stash of AIR MILES. The amount of AIR MILES needed will depend on the destination you're flying to. You can also convert AIR MILES to Cash Miles. Let's do the math: 95 AIR MILES = $10, which can be used towards your purchases at participating AIR MILES partner locations. Learn more about redeeming AIR MILES.

  • What are Dream Miles?

    +

    Dream Miles are higher value points that can be used for or flights, vacation packages, attractions, events, and merchandise

    Minimum redemption: Varies by reward, often starting at 909 Dream Miles for flights

    Flexibility: Requires saving up, but offers more diverse rewards

  • What are Cash Miles?

    +

    Cash Miles are lower value points that can be used for in-store cash discounts at participating AIR MILES partners.

    Minimum redemption: 95 Cash Miles ($10)

    Flexibility: Instant gratification, use as you earn

BMO AIR MILES Mastercard benefits

Here are some of the additional perks that help this card stand-out from the pack:

  • Bonus AIR MILES welcome bonus: Get 1,200 AIR MILES Bonus Miles‡ and a 0.99% introductory interest rate on balance transfers for 9 months with a 2% transfer fee.†
  • $0 annual fee: There is no annual fee on this card – ever
  • Free additional cards: With a $0 annual fee, you can get as many authorized users on your card as you’d like to help you accumulate AIR MILES even faster!
  • Discounts: Car rental discounts*
  • Insurance: Double manufacturer’s warranty up to 1 year and automatically insure items against theft or damage for 90 days from date of purchase with your card*
  • Low rate on balance transfers: Low 0.99% introductory interest rate on Balance Transfers for 9 months, 2% fee applies to balance amounts transferred

AIR MILES point values

BMO AIR MILES have a value of 10 cents per point ($0.10/pt.)

AIR MILES points have different values depending on how you redeem them. Here are the current valuations for AIR MILES points:

  • Cash back or statement credits: 10 cents per point
  • Merchandise or gift cards: 7 cents per point
  • Travel (economy class): 10.5 cents per point
  • Travel (business class): 13 cents per point

Does the BMO AIR MILES MasterCard offer travel insurance?

Here are the insurance benefits you get with this card:

Protection
Coverage
Extended warranty
1 year
Purchase protection
90 days

How does the BMO Mastercard with AIR MILES compare?

Here's how the BMO AIR MILES stack up:

up to 7,000 MILES†

Welcome Bonus

$383

First Year Value

$53

Annual Value

Welcome Bonus: Get up to $1,000 in value including up to 7,000 AIR MILES Bonus Miles and no annual fee in your first year.† Expires Jun 01, 2025

Learn More Apply Now On BMO's Secure Site
BMO AIR MILES Mastercard BMO AIR MILES World Elite Mastercard
Annual fee:
$0
Annual fee:
$120
Welcome bonus:
Get 1,200 AIR MILES Bonus Miles‡ and a 0.99% introductory interest rate on balance transfers for 9 months with a 2% transfer fee.†
Welcome bonus:
Get up to $1,000 in value including up to 7,000 AIR MILES Bonus Miles and no annual fee in your first year.†
Rewards:
- Earn 3x the Miles for every $25 spent at participating AIR MILES Partners
- Earn 2x the Miles for every $25 spent at any eligible wholesale clubs, membership-based retailers and alcohol retailers
- Earn 1x the Mile for every $25 that you spend with your credit card everywhere else
Rewards:
- Earn 3x the Miles per $12 spent at participating AIR MILES partners*
- Earn 2x the Miles for every $12 spent at any eligible grocery store*
- Earn 1x the Mile for every $12 in credit card purchases, everywhere you spend*
Insurance:
Basic travel insurance
Insurance:
Comprehensive travel insurance
Perks:
N/A
Perks:
- 25% discount on 1 reward flight per year
- Mastercard Travel Pass membership
- AIR MILES Onyx status
- Apply Now

While the  BMO AIR MILES World Elite Mastercard comes with an annual fee, you earn 1 mile for every $12 spent anywhere and unlock premium perks like airport lounge access, comprehensive travel insurance and a bigger welcome bonus. 

Let's do some math. Spending $2,000 a month with the BMO AIR MILES Mastercard would net you 80 miles each month, or 960 miles a year. Since short-haul flights within Canada typically require 1,200 to 1,700 miles, it would take around 15 to 18 months to earn a flight.

The BMO AIR MILES World Elite card would earn you about 166 miles per month—adding up to 1,992 miles in a year. That’s enough for a short-haul flight within a year or even sooner, depending on bonuses or promotions.

With enough AIR MILES, a short-haul flight could take you from:

  • Toronto to cities like Montreal, Ottawa, New York or Chicago
  • Vancouver to Calgary, Edmonton, Seattle or Portland
  • Halifax to Montreal, Boston or Toronto.

With the BMO AIR MILES World Elite Mastercard, you’ll be flying to your next destination twice as fast compared to the BMO AIR MILES Mastercard.

Disclosures:

  • *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.

up to 10,000 points

Welcome Bonus

$569

First Year Value

$369

Annual Value

Welcome Bonus: Join and get up to $200 in value in your first year!† Earn 10,000 Aeroplan points!†

Learn More Apply Now On CIBC's Secure Site
BMO AIR MILES Mastercard CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* Card
Annual fee:
$0
Annual fee:
$0
Welcome bonus:
Get 1,200 AIR MILES Bonus Miles‡ and a 0.99% introductory interest rate on balance transfers for 9 months with a 2% transfer fee.†
Welcome bonus:
Join and get up to $200 in value in your first year!† Earn 10,000 Aeroplan points!†
Rewards:
- Earn 3x the Miles for every $25 spent at participating AIR MILES Partners
- Earn 2x the Miles for every $25 spent at any eligible wholesale clubs, membership-based retailers and alcohol retailers
- Earn 1x the Mile for every $25 that you spend with your credit card everywhere else
Rewards:
- Earn 1 Aeroplan point on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries and with Air Canada directly, including through Air Canada Vacations®†
- Earn 1 point for every $1.50 you spend on all other purchases.†
Insurance:
Basic travel insurance
Insurance:
Basic travel insurance
- Apply Now

Both the BMO® AIR MILES®† MasterCard®* and the CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* Card are $0 annual fee travel credit cards. With the CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* Card, you can earn 1x Aeroplan point per dollar spent on gas, EV charging, groceries and Air Canada purchases. Additionally, shopping at Aeroplan partners allows you to earn double points on your spending.

For those who prefer flying with Air Canada, the CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* Card is a good option. Best of all, you enjoy flexible rewards redemption, as you can redeem your points for flights, vacations, hotel stays, car rentals and gift cards. This card also includes common carrier accident insurance, auto rental collision/loss damage, purchase security, and extended protection, giving it a slight edge over the BMO AIR MILES MasterCard.

Disclosures:

  • †Terms and Conditions Apply. This offer it not available to the residents of Quebec.
  • The information for the CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* Card has been collected independently by Money.ca. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

up to 5,000 points

Welcome Bonus

$471

First Year Value

$421

Annual Value

Welcome Bonus: Earn up to 5,000 bonus Scene+ points within your first 3 months (that’s up to $50 towards travel). Expires Jul 01, 2025

Learn More Apply Now On Scotiabank's Secure Site
BMO AIR MILES Mastercard Scotiabank American Express®
Annual fee:
$0
Annual fee:
$0
Welcome bonus:
Get 1,200 AIR MILES Bonus Miles‡ and a 0.99% introductory interest rate on balance transfers for 9 months with a 2% transfer fee.†
Welcome bonus:
Earn up to 5,000 bonus Scene+ points within your first 3 months (that’s up to $50 towards travel).
Rewards:
- Earn 3x the Miles for every $25 spent at participating AIR MILES Partners
- Earn 2x the Miles for every $25 spent at any eligible wholesale clubs, membership-based retailers and alcohol retailers
- Earn 1x the Mile for every $25 that you spend with your credit card everywhere else
Rewards:
- Earn 3 Scene+ points on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo, Foodland and more.
- Earn 2 Scene+ points1 for every $1 you spend on restaurants, fast food, drinking establishments, and other eligible grocery stores. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.
- Earn 2x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on eligible entertainment purchases, from movies, theatres, and select streaming services.
- Earn 2 Scene+ points1 for every $1 you spend on eligible gas and daily transit. Includes rideshare, buses, taxis, subway, and more.
- Earn 1 Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases.
Insurance:
Basic travel insurance
Insurance:
Basic travel insurance
- Apply Now

If you want a no fee rewards credit card that offers a more flexible rewards program, you can look at the Scotiabank American Express credit card. This credit card allows you to earn 3x Scene+ points on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo, and Foodland, 2x Scene+ points for every $1 you spend on restaurants, fast food, groceries, drinking establishments and movies. Plus, you can earnEarn 2 Scene+ points1 for every $1 you spend on eligible gas and daily transit. Includes rideshare, buses, taxis, subway, and more.x Scene+ points for every $1 you spend on eligible gas and daily transit and select streaming services. You can redeem your Scene+ points to for statement credit, gift cards, travel credit and much more. You can also use the Scotiabank Travel portal to book your flights and stays and take advantage of ongoing travel discounts. 

Disclosures:

  • Conditions Apply. Visit here for the Scotiabank American Express® Card to learn more. *See Card Provider's website and Card Application for complete card details, terms and current offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accuracy of information.

BMO CashBack® Mastercard®*

3.5

Winner: Best No Annual Fee

5% cash back

Welcome Bonus

$526

First Year Value

$401

Annual Value

Welcome Bonus: Get up to 5% cash back in your first 3 months and a 0.99% introductory interest rate on Balance Transfers for 9 months with a 2% transfer fee.† Expires Jun 01, 2025

Learn More Apply Now On BMO's Secure Site

BMO CashBack® Mastercard®* - winner, best no annual fee credit card in the Money.ca Credit Card Awards 

BMO AIR MILES MasterCard BMO CashBack MasterCard
Annual fee:
$0
Annual fee:
$0
Welcome offer:
Get 1,200 AIR MILES Bonus Miles‡ and a 0.99% introductory interest rate on balance transfers for 9 months with a 2% transfer fee.†
Welcome bonus:
Get up to 5% cash back in your first 3 months and a 0.99% introductory interest rate on Balance Transfers for 9 months with a 2% transfer fee.†
Rewards:
- Earn 3x the Miles for every $25 spent at participating AIR MILES Partners
- Get 2x the Miles at any eligible grocery store*
- Earn 2x the Miles for every $25 spent at any eligible wholesale clubs, membership-based retailers and alcohol retailers
- Earn 1x the Mile for every $25 that you spend with your credit card everywhere else
Rewards:
- 3% (up to a monthly max of $500) cash back on groceries
- Earn 1% (up to $500 per month) on any recurring bill payments*.
- Cardholders can earn 0.5% (no monthly max) on all other eligible purchases*

Insurance:
Basic travel insurance
Insurance:
Basic insurance
- Apply Now

 If you're looking for a no annual fee BMO credit card, another great option is the BMO CashBack MasterCard. This card's great welcome offer allows you to maximize your cash back, which you can easily deposit directly into a chequing or savings account, credit to your monthly card statement, or invest via the BMO Investorline account. Cash back is more versatile than AIR MILES, giving you more freedom when it comes to deciding what to do with your rewards.

Disclosures:

  • *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.

What people have to say about the BMO AIR MILES Card

AIR MILES are pretty handy if you already shop at places where you can redeem them for cash

/u/beekeeper1981

Is the BMO AIR MILES Mastercard worth it?

If you collect AIR MILES and want to double them so you can redeem them for free flights faster, the BMO® AIR MILES®† MasterCard®* is a great no-fee credit card that can help you achieve exactly that.

However, when doing our research, we found an unexpected revelation. With AIR MILES rewards, you can hack your way to one of the highest travel earn rates of any rewards credit card in Canada, let alone a no annual fee card. The trick is to redeem for short-haul flights at the last minute. Doing so will earn you upwards of 2.04% in value from your BMO® AIR MILES®† MasterCard®* – that’s $2.04 per $100 spent!

Spending example:

For example, in our research at the time this was looked at a flight from Toronto to Boston booked two days before departure cost $664 (excluding taxes & fees), which we were able to book for 1,300 AIR MILES – worth 51 cents a mile ($664/1300)! Divide 51 cents by $25 (1 AIR MILES per $25 spent on the credit card) and you get $2.04 in rewards for every $100 spent on your BMO® AIR MILES®† MasterCard®* – unparalleled redemption value.

Compare the earn rate of 2.04% of the BMO® AIR MILES®† MasterCard®* to the 2% earn rate offered by many of Canada’s top premium travel cards that come with a $150 annual fee and the value is obvious.

BMO AIR MILES MasterCard eligibility

To qualify for the BMO® AIR MILES®† MasterCard®* you need the following:

  • A Good credit score
  • $15,000or more of annual personal income

Disclosures

  • *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.

FAQs

  • Does the BMO AIR MILES Mastercard have travel insurance?

    +

    The BMO AIR MILES Mastercard does not include travel insurance. However, the BMO AIR MILES World Elite Mastercard offers comprehensive travel insurance coverage, including trip cancellation, medical insurance, and baggage loss protection, making it a better choice for frequent travellers looking for added security.

  • How many AIR MILES do you get with BMO Mastercard?

    +

    With the BMO AIR MILES Mastercard, you earn 1 AIR MILE for every $25 spent. This can vary slightly depending on promotions, and there’s often a small welcome bonus when you first sign up, helping you accumulate miles faster for your first rewards.

  • How do I link BMO Mastercard to my AIR MILES account?

    +

    Linking your BMO Mastercard to your AIR MILES account is simple. Log in to your BMO online banking or call customer service. Provide your AIR MILES Collector Number, and they will link it to your card. After that, you’ll automatically earn miles with every eligible purchase.

  • How do I redeem AIR MILES from BMO Mastercard?

    +

    To redeem your AIR MILES earned with the BMO Mastercard, log in to your AIR MILES account via the AIR MILES website or app. You can use your miles for travel, merchandise, or experiences. Simply select your reward, and follow the instructions to complete your redemption.

  • Does BMO AIR MILES Mastercard offer rental car insurance?

    +

    No, the BMO AIR MILES Mastercard does not provide rental car insurance. However, if you upgrade to the BMO AIR MILES World Elite Mastercard, you’ll receive rental car collision damage waiver coverage, protecting you when renting vehicles during your travels.

Cory Santos Credit card expert

Cory Santos is a finance writer, editor and credit card expert with nearly a decade of experience in personal finance. Cory joined Wise Publishing from BestCards, with bylines in numerous print and digital publications across North America, including the Miami Herald, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Debt.ca, AOL, MSN and Medium as well as financial podcasts like KOFE Talk.

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