The BMO AIR MILES Mastercard is the no-annual-fee entry point into BMO’s AIR MILES credit card lineup. It earns AIR MILES on eligible purchases with no annual fee and no income requirement — making it accessible to any Canadian who is active in the AIR MILES loyalty programme and wants to supplement their partner-location earning with credit card miles. While the earn rate is lower than the World Elite tier, the zero-cost structure means every AIR MILES mile earned is pure gain.
Quick Verdict
Best for: Active AIR MILES members who want to earn credit card miles at no annual cost, particularly those who shop regularly at AIR MILES partner locations and do not meet the World Elite income threshold.
Not ideal for: High-spend households who would benefit from the World Elite’s earn rates and travel insurance, those who prefer cash back or Aeroplan/Scene+ over AIR MILES, or those who rarely shop at AIR MILES partner locations.
Key Card Details
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Additional cardholder fee | $0 |
| Purchase interest rate | 20.99% |
| Cash advance rate | 23.99% |
| Foreign transaction fee | 2.5% |
| Income requirement | None |
| Network | Mastercard |
| Welcome bonus | Verify current offer at bmo.com |
AIR MILES earn rates, welcome bonus, and card terms are subject to change. Always verify current details at bmo.com before applying.
Welcome Bonus
BMO periodically offers a welcome AIR MILES bonus for new no-fee Mastercard cardholders.
Always verify the current welcome bonus at bmo.com before applying.
AIR MILES Earn Rates
The BMO AIR MILES Mastercard earns AIR MILES on eligible purchases at the entry tier — lower than the World Elite but at zero annual cost.
| Category | AIR MILES per $1 |
|---|---|
| Eligible purchases everywhere | Base rate — verify at bmo.com |
Verify exact current earn rates at bmo.com. AIR MILES earn structures and partner definitions can change.
Value at the no-fee level
At a typical base earn rate (verify at bmo.com) and $1,500/month in spending:
- Annual credit card miles earned: verify estimate at bmo.com
- Additional miles from AIR MILES partner location scans (Shell, Rexall, Metro) not included — these stack on top
For a dedicated AIR MILES collector, the credit card adds to miles already accumulating through partner purchases and the AIR MILES app.
AIR MILES: Cash vs. Dream
All AIR MILES balance can be directed to two redemption pools:
AIR MILES Cash
- 95 miles = $10 off at AIR MILES Cash partner locations at checkout
- Value: approximately $0.105 per mile
- Best for: Immediate discounts on groceries, gas, and everyday shopping at participating stores
AIR MILES Dream
- Redeem for flights, vacation packages, merchandise, and experiences
- Value varies by redemption type
- Best for: Larger aspirational rewards like flights or travel packages
Verify the current AIR MILES Cash and Dream partner network and redemption rules at the AIR MILES website.
Card Benefits
As a no-fee entry-level card, the BMO AIR MILES Mastercard includes minimal benefits. Verify at bmo.com:
- Basic purchase protection may apply
- Travel insurance: not expected at the no-fee tier — verify at bmo.com
- Extended warranty: may apply on some purchases — verify
Fees and Rates
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Purchase interest rate | 20.99% |
| Cash advance rate | 23.99% |
| Foreign transaction fee | 2.5% |
Who Is the BMO AIR MILES Mastercard Best For?
Ideal cardholders:
- Active AIR MILES members who want to add credit card earn on top of their partner location scanning
- Those who do not meet the $80,000 income requirement for the World Elite
- Low-spend households where the World Elite fee cannot be offset by higher earn rates
- Those who want to maintain an AIR MILES-earning card at zero cost while pursuing other primary cards
Less suitable if:
- You qualify for the World Elite Mastercard — the higher earn rates and travel insurance typically justify the $120 fee
- You are not active in the AIR MILES programme and would see better returns from a cash back or Aeroplan/Scene+ card
BMO AIR MILES Mastercard vs. World Elite
| Feature | BMO AIR MILES Mastercard | BMO AIR MILES World Elite |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $120 |
| Earn rate | Lower | Higher |
| Income requirement | None | $80,000 personal |
| Travel insurance | None | Comprehensive |
| World Elite benefits | No | Yes |
Bottom Line
The BMO AIR MILES Mastercard is a solid no-fee companion for active AIR MILES programme members. It adds credit card miles to what you are already earning through partner location scans, at zero cost.
The card is most useful as a gap-filler: for spending at non-AIR MILES locations, every purchase still adds to your AIR MILES balance. However, for those who can qualify on income, the BMO AIR MILES World Elite Mastercard at $120/year will consistently earn significantly more miles and include comprehensive travel insurance.
Card terms, AIR MILES earn rates, welcome bonus, and benefits are subject to change. Always verify current details at bmo.com and the AIR MILES programme website before applying.