The BMO Air Miles Business Mastercard offers a no-annual-fee entry point for Canadian small businesses that are already collecting Air Miles through BMO’s personal product ecosystem. It’s a straightforward way to earn Air Miles on everyday business spending without adding to your overhead.
Quick Verdict
Best for: Small businesses already collecting Air Miles who want to earn points on business spending at zero cost.
Not ideal for: Businesses that prefer cash back, fly internationally on non-Air Miles partners, or want premium business travel insurance.
Key Card Details
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 CAD |
| Employee Cards | Available |
| Network | Mastercard |
| Purchase Interest Rate | 19.99% |
| Cash Advance Rate | 22.99% |
| Income Requirement | None specified |
| Credit Score Recommended | Good |
Welcome Bonus
BMO periodically offers bonus Air Miles for new cardholders—check BMO’s website for the current offer. Past promotions have included 800–1,200 bonus Air Miles upon first purchase or after meeting a minimum spend.
Earn Rates
| Spending Category | Earn Rate |
|---|---|
| All eligible purchases | 1 Air Mile per $10 spent |
At $10 per Air Mile, a business spending $5,000/month earns 500 Air Miles/month, or 6,000 Air Miles per year. That’s enough for domestic short-haul flights or $120+ in Air Miles Cash redemptions.
Air Miles Redemption
Air Miles offers two redemption streams:
- Dream Miles — flights, vacation packages, hotels, car rentals, and merchandise. Flight rewards start around 1,500 Dream Miles for short-haul domestic routes.
- Cash Miles — redeemable at Air Miles partner retailers (Shell, Sobeys, Rexall, etc.) at a rate of 95 Cash Miles = $10 off.
For most Canadians, Dream Miles (flights) deliver the best per-mile value.
Benefits and Perks
- No annual fee — all Air Miles earned are net profit for your business
- Employee cards — pool Air Miles earnings from team members
- Mastercard acceptance — broad acceptance across Canada and internationally
- Purchase protection — eligible purchases protected against theft or damage for 90 days
- Extended warranty — doubles the manufacturer’s warranty on eligible items
Fees and Rates
| Fee / Rate | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 CAD |
| Additional Employee Cards | Verify with BMO |
| Purchase Interest | 19.99% |
| Cash Advance | 22.99% |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 2.5% |
| Returned Payment | $48 |
Who Is This Card Best For?
The BMO Air Miles Business Mastercard suits:
- Air Miles collectors who want to earn on business spending in addition to personal spending
- BMO business banking clients seeking a unified banking relationship
- Low-to-mid spend businesses where a no-fee card makes sense before the volume justifies a premium card
At roughly $5,000/month in business spending, you’d earn about 6,000 Air Miles per year. If your business spends significantly more, compare against premium cards with higher earn rates.
Alternatives
| Card | Annual Fee | Best Earn Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMO Business Mastercard | $0 | 1% cash back | Cash back preference |
| BMO Air Miles World Elite Mastercard | $120 | 1 Mile per $7 | Higher Air Miles earners |
| RBC Business Cash Back Mastercard | $0 | 1% cash back | Simple cash back |
Bottom Line
The BMO Air Miles Business Mastercard is a reasonable no-fee business card for Air Miles loyalists. If you’re already collecting Air Miles through BMO personal products or Air Miles partners, adding a business card to the mix is an easy way to accelerate your balance at no cost.
Disclaimer: Card terms, rates, and Air Miles program rules are subject to change. Verify all current details at bmo.com before applying.