Air Miles is one of Canada’s original coalition loyalty programmes — launched in 1992, it predates Aeroplan by several years. Unlike single-issuer programmes, Air Miles is a coalition: you earn miles at dozens of retail partners by presenting your Air Miles card or app at checkout, regardless of which credit card you use to pay.
The programme has two distinct mile types — Cash Miles and Dream Miles — which operate differently and deliver very different values.
Cash Miles vs. Dream Miles
Air Miles members have two separate mile balances:
| Feature | Cash Miles | Dream Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Primary use | Instant discount at retail partners | Flights, travel, merchandise, entertainment |
| Value per mile | ~10.5¢ (95 Miles = $10) | ~0.7–1.5¢ (variable by redemption) |
| Redemption location | At participating retail checkout (Shell, Metro, Rexall, etc.) | Through Air Miles online portal |
| Minimum redemption | 95 Cash Miles = $10 | Varies by redemption |
| Simplicity | Very high | Medium-high |
By default, most Air Miles members’ miles accumulate as Dream Miles. To activate Cash Miles, you must opt in through your Air Miles account — you then specify what percentage of earned miles should be allocated to Cash vs. Dream.
For a full breakdown, see: Air Miles Cash vs. Dream Miles
Where to Earn Air Miles in Canada
Retail Partners (by scanning Air Miles card/app)
Air Miles’ network of retail earn partners varies by province. Major national partners include:
| Partner | Category | Earn Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Shell | Gas | Varies; see Air Miles app |
| Rexall | Pharmacy & drugstore | Varies by purchase |
| Home Depot | Home improvement | Periodic bonus events |
| Metro | Grocery (Ontario, Quebec) | Varies by purchase |
| IGA | Grocery (Quebec, B.C.) | Varies by purchase |
| Sobeys | Grocery (Atlantic Canada) | Varies by region |
Partners, earn rates, and regional availability are subject to change. Always verify your local partners through the Air Miles app before shopping.
Important: Unlike Aeroplan (which has 100+ earn partners) or PC Optimum (which covers all Loblaws-owned banners), Air Miles’ retail network is more limited and regional. If your local grocery store or gas station is not an Air Miles partner, in-store earning may not be available without a credit card.
Air Miles Credit Cards
Credit cards are often the most reliable way to accumulate Air Miles across all your spending:
| Card | Annual Fee | Key Earn Rates |
|---|---|---|
| BMO Air Miles World Elite Mastercard | $120 | 3 Air Miles per $12 eligible travel & dining; 2 per $12 elsewhere |
| BMO Air Miles World Mastercard | $120 | 2 Air Miles per $12 on groceries & drug; 1 per $12 elsewhere |
| BMO Air Miles Mastercard | $0 | 1 Air Miles per $12 on most purchases |
| Amex Air Miles Card | $65 | 1 Air Mile per $10 at eligible grocery & drug; 1 per $15 elsewhere |
| TD Air Miles Visa Gold | $39 | 1 Air Mile per $1 at participating Air Miles partners; 1 per $7.50 elsewhere |
All earn rates and fees are subject to change. Verify with each issuer before applying.
Flying with Air Canada or WestJet
Air Miles partners with Air Canada and WestJet for flight earning. Earn rates depend on the fare class purchased and the route. Dream Miles are typically earned on eligible flight bookings.
How to Redeem Air Miles
Dream Miles — Flights
Book flights through the Air Miles portal or by calling Air Miles. Available on Air Canada, WestJet, and other carriers. The Dream Mile cost of a flight varies by route, date, and availability.
Approximate Dream Miles value for flights: 0.7–1.5 cents per mile depending on the route and booking. Verify the current Dream Miles cost for your desired flight at airmiles.ca.
Dream Miles — Hotels, Car Rentals, Merchandise
Hotel and car rental redemptions through the Air Miles portal. Value per Dream Mile varies. Merchandise redemptions (electronics, gift cards, retail items) typically deliver the lowest Dream Mile value.
Cash Miles — Retail Redemptions
Redeem Cash Miles at participating retail locations at checkout:
- 95 Cash Miles = $10 off your purchase (approximately 10.5¢ per Cash Mile)
- Available at Shell, Rexall, Metro, IGA, and other participating partners
- Instant redemption — no portal booking required
Cash Miles deliver a fixed, predictable value comparable to Scene+ and PC Optimum’s 1¢/point structure (at 10.5¢/mile for retail purchases).
Air Miles vs. Aeroplan vs. Scene+
| Feature | Air Miles | Aeroplan | Scene+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Programme type | Coalition (retail partners + credit cards) | Airline + partners | Bank + grocery coalition |
| Best earn source | In-store at Shell, Metro, Rexall | Credit card spending (TD, CIBC) + Air Canada flying | In-store at Sobeys + Scotiabank cards |
| Cash Miles value | 10.5¢/mile (retail) | N/A | 1¢/point |
| Dream Miles value | 0.7–1.5¢/mile (flights) | 1.5–4.5¢/point (premium cabin) | 1¢/point |
| Transfer to airlines | No | Is an airline programme | No |
| Simplicity | Medium (two mile types) | Medium-high | High |
| Best for | Shell + Metro + Rexall shoppers | Air Canada / Star Alliance flyers | Sobeys / Cineplex / Scene ecosystem |
Is Air Miles Still Worth It?
Air Miles remains worthwhile for Canadians who:
- Regularly fill up at Shell gas stations (earn Cash or Dream Miles per litre)
- Shop at Metro (Ontario/Quebec) or IGA (Quebec/B.C.) as their primary grocery store
- Use Rexall as their pharmacy
- Prefer Cash Miles for predictable instant-discount value
Air Miles is less competitive for:
- Travellers seeking premium cabin redemptions (Aeroplan and Amex MR deliver 3–5× the Dream Mile value)
- Grocery shoppers at Loblaws (PC Optimum is far better) or Sobeys chains (Scene+ is better)
- Anyone who doesn’t live near Air Miles earn partners
Air Miles FAQ
How does Air Miles work? Earn Cash or Dream Miles at partner retailers (Shell, Metro, Rexall, etc.) and through Air Miles credit cards. Redeem Cash Miles for instant discounts at retail; Dream Miles for flights and travel.
What is the difference between Cash and Dream Miles? Cash Miles: 95 = $10 at retail checkout (fixed 10.5¢/mile). Dream Miles: variable value for flights, hotels, and merchandise.
Do Air Miles expire? Yes — 5 years after the date earned. Check your account for expiry dates.
What credit card earns Air Miles? BMO Air Miles World Elite Mastercard (best for high earners), BMO Air Miles World Mastercard, BMO Air Miles Mastercard, Amex Air Miles Card.
Is Air Miles still worth it? Yes, for Shell and Metro/IGA shoppers. For general travel redemptions, Aeroplan and Amex MR deliver higher value per mile/point.
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Air Miles programme terms, partner earn rates, and redemption values are subject to change. Verify at airmiles.ca and with each card issuer before making decisions.