Air Miles is one of Canada’s oldest loyalty programs, launched in 1992 and now active with over 11 million Canadian households. The program runs across fuel stations, pharmacy chains, grocery stores, and banking — with a distinctive two-currency system that separates travel rewards from everyday spending value.
Air Miles at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Program operator | AIR MILES Reward Program (Loyalty One) |
| Miles types | Dream Miles (travel) and Cash Miles (retail) |
| Dream Mile value | ~7–15¢ per mile (flights) |
| Cash Mile value | ~1¢ per mile |
| Points expiry | No expiry (active account) |
| BMO card exemption | No expiry for BMO Air Miles cardholders |
| Membership cost | Free |
Dream Miles vs Cash Miles: The Key Distinction
Understanding the two-currency system is essential before earning or redeeming.
| Type | Best use | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Dream Miles | Flights, car rentals, travel packages | Converting to Cash Miles |
| Cash Miles | Retail discounts at Shell, Rexall, grocery | Treating as a primary earn target |
When you earn Air Miles at partners, you typically earn a mix of Dream and Cash Miles (split varies by partner and promotion). Dream Miles offer significantly higher value for travel redemptions — never convert Dream Miles to Cash Miles, as this destroys approximately 70–80% of their value.
Where to Earn Air Miles
Shell Fuel Stations
Shell is the primary fuel partner. Earn Air Miles when you pay at Shell stations across Canada. BMO Air Miles credit cards layer additional miles on top of the base Shell earn rate.
Rexall Pharmacies
| Purchase type | Earn rate |
|---|---|
| Regular in-store products | 1 Dream Mile per $20 spent |
| Qualifying prescriptions | Bonus miles on eligible prescriptions |
| Personalized app offers | Weekly bonus events |
BMO Air Miles Credit Cards
| Card | Annual fee | Earn at partners | Earn everywhere |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMO Air Miles World Elite Mastercard | $120 | 3 miles per $12 | 2 miles per $12 |
| BMO Air Miles Mastercard | $0 | 1 mile per $12 | 1 mile per $12 |
BMO Air Miles World Elite Mastercard earns effectively 25 miles per $100 at Air Miles partners and 16.7 miles per $100 everywhere — the highest earn rate available in the program. The annual fee is waived in the first year.
Annual companion voucher: Book a Dream Flight and bring a companion on the same itinerary at no additional Dream Miles cost. On a cross-Canada flight (Toronto–Vancouver), this benefit alone can be worth $300–$600+ per year.
15% Dream Flight discount: World Elite cardholders receive 15% off Dream Flight redemptions, reducing the miles required on every flight booking.
Other Partners
| Partner | Category |
|---|---|
| Sobeys (Atlantic Canada and select markets) | Grocery |
| IGA (Quebec) | Grocery |
| Home Hardware | Home improvement |
| Enterprise, National, Alamo | Car rental |
| Air Miles eShop | Online retailers (bonus miles) |
How to Redeem Dream Miles: Flights
Air Miles Dream Flights
The highest-value redemption. Dream Flights are available on Air Canada and select partners at fixed mile prices determined by destination zone.
| Route | Approximate Dream Miles |
|---|---|
| Short-haul (e.g., Toronto–Ottawa) | ~1,225 |
| Cross-Canada (Toronto–Vancouver) | ~2,100–2,600 |
| US destinations | ~2,100–3,500 |
| Caribbean | ~2,100–4,000 |
| Europe (economy) | ~4,000–6,500 |
Important: Dream Flight availability is limited. Book 90–120 days in advance for the best seat selection. BMO World Elite cardholders should always apply the 15% discount at booking.
Car Rentals and Experiences
Dream Miles can also redeem for:
- Car rentals (Avis, Budget, Enterprise) — value typically 5–8¢ per mile
- Entertainment packages and experiences
- Air Miles merchandise catalogue
Cash Miles Redemptions
Cash Miles redeem at approximately 1 cent each at Shell, Rexall, and participating grocery stores. At checkout, use your Air Miles card and apply Cash Miles as a discount on your purchase.
Air Miles vs Other Canadian Rewards Programs
| Program | Best earn category | Travel value | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Miles | Fuel (Shell), pharmacy (Rexall) | Moderate (Dream Miles) | Moderate |
| Aeroplan | Air Canada flights, credit cards | High | High |
| PC Optimum | Loblaws/Shoppers grocery | None (grocery only) | Low |
| Scene+ | Scotiabank + Sobeys + Cineplex | Moderate | Low |
| WestJet Rewards | WestJet flights | High (WestJet Dollars) | Low |
| BMO Rewards | Groceries/dining (BMO eclipse) | Moderate | Low |
Air Miles is strongest for Canadians who regularly fill up at Shell and shop at Rexall or Sobeys (select regions). The Dream Miles value on flights is competitive, but the program has lower credit card earn rates than Aeroplan or Amex Membership Rewards for everyday spending.
Common Air Miles Mistakes
| Mistake | Better approach |
|---|---|
| Converting Dream Miles to Cash Miles | Never convert — you lose 70–80% of value |
| Missing Dream Flight availability windows | Book 90–120 days out; be flexible on dates |
| Using the no-fee card for all purchases | Upgrade to World Elite for 2–3× more miles per dollar |
| Ignoring the 15% World Elite discount | BMO World Elite holders: always apply the discount on Dream Flights |
| Redeeming Cash Miles for low-value items | Prioritize Shell fuel and grocery redemptions for consistent value |
Sources
- AIR MILES Reward Program. “How It Works.” airmiles.ca
- Bank of Montreal. “BMO Air Miles Credit Cards.” bmo.com
- Financial Consumer Agency of Canada. “Loyalty Reward Programs.” canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency