Is the BMO AIR MILES Mastercard Worth It for Canadians in 2025?

By CR

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The BMO AIR MILES Mastercard is a no-annual-fee credit card aimed at Canadians who want to earn AIR MILES on everyday spending without paying for a premium travel card. It offers accelerated earning at grocery stores, warehouse clubs, alcohol retailers and AIR MILES Partners, plus recurring welcome offers and basic purchase protections. For cardholders who usually pay their balance in full and value the AIR MILES ecosystem, it can be a practical, low-cost way to build travel and cash-style rewards over time.

Main Advantages

Permanent $0 annual fee: There is no annual fee for the primary cardholder, making it easy to keep long term. You can use it as your main AIR MILES card or as a secondary card for specific purchases without worrying about recovering a yearly fee through rewards.
Strong earn rates in everyday categories: The card earns 1 Mile per $25 on general purchases and 2x Miles per $25 at eligible grocery stores, warehouse clubs, membership-based retailers and alcohol retailers. Because these are common household expenses, you can accumulate Miles steadily with spending you would make anyway.
3x Miles at AIR MILES Partners and “earn twice” potential: At participating AIR MILES Partners, you earn 3x the Miles per $25 spent. When you also present your AIR MILES collector card, you earn from both the credit card and the partner program. This double-earning potential is one of the main reasons collectors choose this card.
Useful protections and Shell fuel savings: Extended warranty, purchase protection and Zero Liability protection give extra security on your purchases and against fraud. When you combine your AIR MILES collector card with the BMO AIR MILES Mastercard at Shell stations, you can also access fuel savings, which adds a tangible everyday benefit for drivers.
Low-commitment access to the AIR MILES ecosystem: Because there is no annual fee, the card offers an easy way to participate in AIR MILES without committing to a premium product. You can redeem Miles for flights, hotels, merchandise, attractions or Cash Rewards at participating retailers, and you can keep the card even if your travel habits change over time.

Main Disadvantages

Standard, relatively high interest rates: Interest rates on purchases, cash advances and most balance transfers are typical for a rewards card and can be expensive if you carry a balance. If you frequently revolve credit, the interest costs will outweigh the value of the Miles, and a low-rate card might be more appropriate.
Limited premium travel benefits: The card does not include the full suite of travel insurance benefits found on higher-tier products, such as comprehensive emergency medical coverage, trip interruption insurance or lounge access. Frequent travellers may prefer to pair it with a more robust travel card or separate insurance.
Rewards locked into AIR MILES: All rewards are earned as AIR MILES, not flexible bank points or simple cash back. If you prefer straightforward statement credits, or want points you can transfer to multiple airline and hotel partners, you may find the program less flexible than other reward structures.
Best value requires some strategy and partner use: To maximize returns, you need to direct spending to AIR MILES Partners and higher-earning categories like groceries and warehouse clubs, while remembering to show your collector card. If most of your spending falls outside these areas, your effective earn rate may feel modest compared with some flat-rate cash back cards.
Welcome offers are variable and time-limited: The welcome bonus can be attractive but changes throughout the year and usually requires hitting minimum spend thresholds within a set period. Applying when the promotion is weaker, or not reaching the required spend, means you earn less upfront value than advertised during peak campaigns.

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Check your eligibility: Confirm you are a Canadian resident, at least the age of majority in your province or territory, and that your credit profile is in reasonable standing. BMO will review your credit history and overall financial situation.
Review the current welcome offer: Visit BMO’s official BMO AIR MILES Mastercard page to see the latest welcome bonus, minimum spending requirements and deadlines. This helps you plan your first few months of spending to capture the full offer.
Gather your information: Prepare your personal details (name, address, date of birth), employment information, annual income, housing status and monthly housing costs. Your SIN is optional but may help speed up the credit check.
Complete the online application: Fill in the secure online form accurately. Decide if you want to add authorized users and provide your existing AIR MILES collector number, or request one if you do not yet have an account.
Submit and wait for a decision: Submit your application and wait for BMO’s response. Many applicants receive a quick decision, though some cases may require extra verification before approval.
Receive and activate your card: Once approved, your card arrives by mail. Activate it online, through the BMO mobile app or by phone, then set your PIN so it is ready to use.
Link and optimize your rewards: Ensure your card is linked to your AIR MILES collector account. Use it for groceries, warehouse clubs, alcohol retailers and AIR MILES Partners, and always present your collector card to maximize Miles.
Set up responsible payment habits: Register for BMO online or mobile banking, enable alerts and consider automatic or scheduled payments to pay your statement in full each month. This keeps interest charges away and lets you focus on rewards.

The BMO AIR MILES Mastercard is a strong option in 2025 for Canadians who enjoy collecting AIR MILES and want to earn them from everyday purchases without paying an annual fee. It combines solid earn rates in common spending categories with useful protections and the ability to “earn twice” at AIR MILES Partners, all while remaining simple to manage.

If you typically pay your balance in full and are willing to route your grocery, partner and routine spending through this card, it can steadily build a pool of Miles that you can later redeem for trips, experiences or Cash Rewards. Take a moment to compare the current welcome offer and terms on BMO’s website with your own spending habits. If the fit is right, applying for the BMO AIR MILES Mastercard can be a practical way to turn everyday Canadian spending into future rewards.