How Air Miles works now that it's Blue Rewards
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If you are wondering how Air Miles works today, the short answer is that it now runs under a new name. On June 2, 2026, BMO officially launched Blue Rewards and moved the AIR MILES program to it. Your Reward Miles became Blue Points, and BMO says the conversion happened with no loss of value.
This guide explains how the program works as of October 18, 2026: what changed, how you earn and redeem Blue Points, what a point is worth, and when points can be cancelled. Every figure comes from BMO's Blue Rewards pages and program terms.
How Air Miles works since it became Blue Rewards
BMO announced the official launch of Blue Rewards on June 2, 2026, and presented it as the transition from AIR MILES. BMO's FAQ says your card and card number stay the same, and your collector number is now your member number.
The old split between Cash Miles and Dream Miles is gone. Both balances were consolidated into a single Blue Points balance.
| Item | Before (AIR MILES) | Now (Blue Rewards) |
|---|---|---|
| Program name | AIR MILES | Blue Rewards |
| Currency | Reward Miles | Blue Points, converted with no loss of value |
| Balances | Cash Miles and Dream Miles | One Blue Points balance |
| Your number | Collector number | Member number |
| Your card | AIR MILES card | Same card and same number |
How to earn Blue Points
You can earn Blue Points in 4 main ways.
Shop at participating partners
You earn Points when you shop in store or online with participating partners, including Blue Rewards Travel, powered by Expedia. Partners named by BMO as of October 18, 2026, include:
- Travel and hotels: Porter Airlines and Accor brands such as Fairmont, Sofitel, and Novotel.
- Groceries and delivery: Instacart.
- Retail: Dollarama.
- Restaurants: MTY brands such as Thai Express, Mr. Sub, Manchu Wok, and Mucho Burrito.
BMO says you can earn up to 2x the Points at participating partners such as Instacart, Dollarama, and Thai Express when you link an eligible BMO payment card. The partner list changes over time, so check the Blue Rewards site before you shop.
Use a BMO Blue Rewards credit card
BMO issues the credit cards that earn Blue Points. At select partners, a Blue Rewards credit card earns up to 10x the Points, and it earns up to 2x on everyday categories: grocery, gas, EV charging, and wholesale purchases. The BMO Blue Rewards World Elite Mastercard has the highest earn rates, and the BMO Blue Rewards Mastercard has no annual fee. Compare the full line-up on our Blue Rewards credit cards page.
Pay with a BMO debit card
If you have an eligible BMO chequing account, you earn 1 Point for every $2 spent on grocery, gas, EV charging, and wholesale purchases with your BMO Debit Card. BMO caps this at $300 of spending per month.
Open a Blue Rewards Chequing Account
The Blue Rewards Chequing Account earns up to 2x the Points on the same everyday categories with the debit card. It also pays bonus Points each month:
- 500 Bonus Points: when you keep a minimum daily balance of $4,000.
- 500 more Bonus Points: when you also hold a BMO Blue Rewards World Elite Mastercard.
See the BMO Blue Rewards Chequing Account for fees and conditions.
How to redeem Blue Points
You have 2 main ways to use your Points.
In store and for eGift Cards
BMO's reference rate is 1,500 Blue Points = $10 when you redeem in store at participating partners or for eGift Cards. You redeem in increments of 1,500 Points, and a daily limit of $750, or 112,500 Points, applies.
For travel
You can book with Points through Blue Rewards Travel, powered by Expedia. The program terms exclude cruises and fees you pay at the property. Travel redemptions follow their own rates, so compare the Points price with the cash price before you book.
How much a Blue Point is worth
At BMO's in-store and eGift rate, 1 Blue Point is worth about 0.67 cent. In other words, 1 Point per $1 spent equals about 0.67% back, and 2 Points per $1 equals about 1.33% back.
| Blue Points | Value in store or as eGift Cards |
|---|---|
| 1,500 | $10 |
| 7,500 | $50 |
| 15,000 | $100 |
| 30,000 | $200 |
| 112,500 (daily limit) | $750 |
This makes it easy to estimate what your balance is worth. For comparisons with Aeroplan, Scene+, and other programs, see our points valuation page.
Do Blue Points expire?
BMO's terms tie cancellation to inactivity rather than to a fixed date. Points may be cancelled after 24 consecutive months without account activity. In Quebec, BMO must give written notice first.
Blue Rewards vs BMO Rewards
Blue Rewards and BMO Rewards are 2 separate programs. According to BMO, BMO Rewards is available only with select BMO credit cards. Check which program your card earns before you redeem. Our BMO Rewards credit cards page lists the cards that earn BMO Rewards points.
Conclusion
Air Miles works much like before, but under the Blue Rewards name. You earn Blue Points at partners, with BMO credit and debit cards, and with the Blue Rewards Chequing Account. You redeem them at 1,500 Points = $10 in store or for eGift Cards, or through Blue Rewards Travel. Keep an eye on account activity so your Points are not cancelled after 24 months.
To see how much Blue Points could add up to compared with other cards, try our rewards calculator or browse the best credit cards in Canada.
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Frequently asked questions about Air Miles
Does Air Miles still exist?
The AIR MILES name has been replaced by Blue Rewards. BMO moved the program to Blue Rewards on June 2, 2026, and converted Reward Miles to Blue Points with no loss of value, according to BMO. Your card and card number did not change.
What happened to my Cash Miles and Dream Miles?
They were consolidated into a single Blue Points balance. Your Points can be redeemed in store, for eGift Cards, or through Blue Rewards Travel.
How much is one Air Mile worth now?
At BMO's reference rate of 1,500 Blue Points = $10 for in-store or eGift Card redemptions, 1 Point is worth about 0.67 cent. Travel redemptions follow separate rates. Our points valuation page compares Blue Points with other programs.
Do Blue Points expire?
There is no fixed expiry date, but BMO may cancel Points after 24 consecutive months of account inactivity. In Quebec, BMO must send written notice first. Check the program terms for what counts as activity.
Can I use Blue Points for flights?
Yes. You can book travel with Points through Blue Rewards Travel, powered by Expedia. Cruises and fees paid at the property are excluded. Porter Airlines is also a partner where you can earn Points.
Who do I contact about my Blue Rewards account?
BMO lists Blue Rewards customer care at 1-877-225-5266. For card-specific questions, see our BMO Blue Rewards World Elite Mastercard review.
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