Air Miles is one of Canada’s oldest loyalty programs, offering both instant redemption (Cash) and travel/merchandise options (Dream). Here’s how to get the most from your Miles.
Air Miles Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Point types | Cash Miles and Dream Miles |
| Cash Mile value | ~10.5 cents (95 Miles = $10) |
| Dream Mile value | 8-15 cents (varies by redemption) |
| Expiry | 24 months inactivity |
| Membership cost | Free |
Cash Miles vs Dream Miles
When you earn Air Miles, you choose whether to allocate them to Cash or Dream:
| Type | Use | Value | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash Miles | Instant redemption in-store | 95 Miles = $10 (~10.5¢/Mile) | Immediate savings |
| Dream Miles | Flights, merchandise, experiences | Varies (8-15¢/Mile) | Big redemptions |
When to Choose Cash Miles
| Scenario | Why Cash |
|---|---|
| You need immediate value | Redeem at checkout |
| You don’t travel much | Dream flights require many Miles |
| Small balance collectors | Won’t reach Dream thresholds |
| Shell gas discount | 95 Miles = $10 off gas |
When to Choose Dream Miles
| Scenario | Why Dream |
|---|---|
| You fly domestically | Flights can be 12-15¢/Mile |
| You earn Miles quickly | BMO cards, heavy Shell/Sobeys use |
| You want big rewards | Save for flight or vacation |
| Special promotions | Dream Miles events offer better value |
Switching Between Cash and Dream
You can switch your preference anytime in the Air Miles app or website. Miles already earned stay in their original category unless transferred during specific promotional windows.
Where to Earn Air Miles
Gas: Shell
| Transaction | Earning |
|---|---|
| Regular gas | 1 Mile per $15-20 (varies by promo) |
| Premium gas | 1 Mile per $15-20 |
| Convenience store | 1 Mile per $15 |
| Car wash | 1 Mile per purchase |
With BMO Air Miles card: Earn credit card Miles on top of Shell Miles
Grocery: Sobeys (some regions)
| Banner | Earning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sobeys | 1 Mile per $20 | Base rate |
| Safeway | 1 Mile per $20 | Western Canada |
| IGA | Varies | Quebec |
| Foodland | Varies | Atlantic/Ontario |
Note: Sobeys switched primary loyalty to Scene+ in 2022. Air Miles earning at Sobeys varies by region—check your local store.
BMO Credit Cards (Primary Earner)
| Card | Annual Fee | Earning Rate |
|---|---|---|
| BMO AIR MILES Mastercard (no fee) | $0 | 1 Mile per $15 |
| BMO AIR MILES World Elite | $150 | 1 Mile per $10, 3 Miles per $12 groceries |
Other Partners
| Partner | Earning |
|---|---|
| Rexall | 1 Mile per $20 |
| American Eagle | 1 Mile per $15 |
| Staples | 1 Mile per $20 |
| Best Western | Miles on stays |
| Budget/Avis | Miles on rentals |
| airmilesshops.ca | Varies by retailer |
Air Miles Credit Card Comparison
| Card | Annual Fee | Earn Rate | Travel Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMO AIR MILES No-Fee | $0 | 1 Mile/$15 | Basic |
| BMO AIR MILES World | $120 | 1 Mile/$12, bonus on groceries | Lounge passes |
| BMO AIR MILES World Elite | $150 | 1 Mile/$10, 3 Miles/$12 groceries | 4 lounge passes, insurance |
BMO World Elite Earning Breakdown
| Category | Earning |
|---|---|
| Groceries | 3 Miles per $12 (25 Miles per $100) |
| Gas | 1 Mile per $10 |
| Everything else | 1 Mile per $10 |
Annual earning example:
- $600/month groceries = 1,500 Miles/month = 18,000 Miles/year
- $200/month gas = 200 Miles/month = 2,400 Miles/year
- $1,000/month other = 1,000 Miles/month = 12,000 Miles/year
- Total: 32,400 Miles/year
How to Redeem Air Miles
Cash Miles Redemptions
| Redemption | Miles Needed | Value per Mile |
|---|---|---|
| $10 at Shell | 95 Miles | 10.5¢ |
| $10 at Sobeys | 95 Miles | 10.5¢ |
| $10 at Rexall | 95 Miles | 10.5¢ |
| $10 at Staples | 95 Miles | 10.5¢ |
Cash Miles are simple: 95 Miles = $10 at checkout, always.
Dream Miles: Flights
| Route | Miles Needed | Approx. Cash Price | Value per Mile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto-Montreal | 1,250-2,500 | $200-400 | 12-16¢ |
| Toronto-Vancouver | 3,000-5,500 | $400-700 | 11-15¢ |
| Toronto-Calgary | 2,500-4,500 | $350-600 | 12-15¢ |
| Canada-US (select) | 3,500-6,500 | $400-800 | 10-15¢ |
Flight redemption tips:
- Book early for lowest Mile requirements
- Use the Air Miles travel hub (not airline websites)
- Flexible dates get better rates
- Peak travel costs more Miles
Dream Miles: Other Redemptions
| Category | Value per Mile |
|---|---|
| Flights | 12-15¢ (best) |
| Hotel stays | 10-12¢ |
| Car rentals | 8-10¢ |
| Event tickets | 10-12¢ |
| Merchandise | 7-10¢ (worst) |
| Gift cards | 8-10¢ |
Recommendation: Use Dream Miles for flights. Avoid merchandise—value is poor.
Redemption Comparison
| 5,000 Miles | Cash Value | Dream Flight Value |
|---|---|---|
| Cash redemption | $526 (at 95 Miles = $10) | — |
| Flight redemption | — | $600-750 |
Math: 5,000 Dream Miles for a $600 flight = 12¢/Mile vs 10.5¢/Mile for Cash.
Air Miles Earning Strategies
For Shell Gas Buyers
| Action | Why |
|---|---|
| Use BMO Air Miles card at Shell | Earn card Miles + Shell Miles |
| Fill up fully | Maximize per-visit earning |
| Use Shell app for promos | Occasional bonus Miles |
| Redeem Cash Miles for gas discounts | Immediate savings |
Monthly example:
- 4 fill-ups × $80 = $320/month
- Shell earning: ~20 Miles
- BMO World Elite: ~32 Miles
- Total: ~52 Miles/month = 624 Miles/year
For Frequent Flyers
| Action | Why |
|---|---|
| Choose Dream Miles | Better flight value |
| Get BMO World Elite | Fastest earning |
| Stack grocery + gas | Build Miles quickly |
| Book flexible dates | Lower Mile requirements |
Annual earning needed for flights:
- Short-haul (TO-MTL): 2,000 Miles = $20,000 spend on WE card
- Cross-Canada: 4,000 Miles = $40,000 spend on WE card
For Casual Collectors
| Action | Why |
|---|---|
| Choose Cash Miles | Immediate, guaranteed value |
| Use at Shell for gas | Easy $10 off |
| Get no-fee BMO card | Some earning, no cost |
| Don’t chase Air Miles specifically | PC Optimum/Scene+ often better |
Air Miles vs Other Programs
| Feature | Air Miles | PC Optimum | Scene+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Point value | 10-15¢/Mile | 1-1.6¢/point | 1¢/point |
| Gas earning | Shell | Esso | — |
| Primary grocery | Sobeys (some) | Loblaws | Sobeys |
| Drug store | Rexall | Shoppers | Lawtons |
| Credit card | BMO | PC Financial | Scotiabank |
| Flights | Yes (Dream) | No | Yes (Aeroplan) |
| Best for | Gas + flights | Groceries | Entertainment + travel |
Which Program Wins for Groceries?
| If you shop at… | Best Program |
|---|---|
| Loblaws/No Frills | PC Optimum |
| Sobeys (Ontario) | Scene+ |
| Sobeys (Western) | Scene+ or Air Miles |
| Safeway | Scene+ |
Which Program Wins for Flights?
Air Miles Dream can be good for domestic flights, but:
- Aeroplan (via Scene+) offers more routes
- Aeroplan has airline alliance partners
- Air Miles is limited to select carriers
Air Miles Gold and Onyx Status
| Status | Annual Requirement | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Blue | 0-299 Miles | Basic earning |
| Gold | 300-999 Miles | Exclusive offers, contests |
| Onyx | 1,000+ Miles | Best offers, VIP experiences, concierge |
Reaching Onyx
| Method | Miles Earned |
|---|---|
| BMO World Elite ($30,000 spend) | ~3,000 Miles |
| Heavy Shell user + groceries | 500-1,000 Miles |
| Onyx promos | Varies |
Onyx benefits:
- Access to exclusive redemption events
- Lower Mile requirements during promos
- Dedicated member line
- Exclusive experiences
Air Miles Shop Online
Earn bonus Miles through airmilesshops.ca:
| Retailer | Earning |
|---|---|
| Amazon | 1 Mile per $5 |
| Apple | 1 Mile per $5 |
| Sephora | Varies |
| Nike | 1 Mile per $5 |
| Hudson’s Bay | 2 Miles per $5 |
Strategy: Bookmark airmilesshops.ca and start shopping sessions there for easy bonus Miles.
Common Air Miles Mistakes
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Defaulting to Dream when not traveling | Switch to Cash for immediate value |
| Redeeming Dream for merchandise | Use Dream for flights only |
| Forgetting to swipe at Shell | Keep card in wallet |
| Not using BMO card at gas | Stack card + Shell Miles |
| Letting account go inactive | Earn or redeem at least once every 2 years |
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I choose Cash or Dream Miles?
Cash if: You want immediate value, don’t fly much, or earn slowly. Dream if: You plan to use Miles for flights and earn consistently through BMO cards.
Can I convert Cash to Dream or vice versa?
Occasionally Air Miles offers conversion promotions. Watch for these events if you want to switch your balance.
Are Air Miles worth collecting anymore?
For Shell gas buyers with a BMO card, yes. The combination earns reasonable Miles. For groceries alone, PC Optimum or Scene+ generally offers better earning.
How do I check my Air Miles balance?
- Air Miles app
- airmiles.ca website
- On your receipt after swiping
Do Air Miles work at Costco?
No. Costco accepts Mastercard but does not participate in Air Miles.