BMO Rewards is one of several major Canadian bank loyalty programmes. Here is how it compares to the most popular alternatives — Scene+, Aeroplan, and Avion.
Programme Comparison Table
| Factor | BMO Rewards | Scene+ | Aeroplan | Avion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best card | BMO eclipse ($120) | Scotia Gold Amex ($120) | Amex Cobalt ($156) | RBC Ion Plus ($48) |
| Best everyday earn rate | 5x BMO Rewards | 5–6x Scene+ | 5x MR → Aeroplan | 3x Avion |
| Point value | ~0.67¢ | 1.0¢ | 1.5–5.0¢ | 1.0–5.0¢ |
| Transfer partners | None | None | ✅ Aeroplan IS a transfer target | BA Avios, Asia Miles |
| No FX fee | ❌ | ✅ (Gold Amex) | ❌ | ❌ (Ion Plus) |
| Point expiry | No (while card active) | 24 months inactivity | 18 months inactivity | No (while card active) |
BMO Rewards vs. Scene+
Winner for most Canadians: Scene+
| BMO eclipse + BMO Rewards | Scotia Gold Amex + Scene+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $120 | $120 |
| Grocery earn | 5x BMO Rewards | 6x Scene+ (Sobeys), 5x Scene+ (other eligible) |
| Dining earn | 5x BMO Rewards | 5x Scene+ |
| Point value | 0.67¢ | 1.0¢ |
| FX fee | Yes (2.5%) | No |
On identical spend, Scene+ delivers 49% more value per dollar (1.0¢ vs 0.67¢) plus waives the foreign transaction fee. The only reason to choose BMO eclipse over the Gold Amex is Visa acceptance at Amex-not-accepted merchants, or a strong preference for BMO banking.
BMO Rewards vs. Aeroplan
Winner for travel value: Aeroplan (not even close)
Aeroplan points via the Amex Cobalt (5x MR → Aeroplan 1:1) deliver 3–5 cents per point on Star Alliance business class redemptions — vs BMO Rewards’ fixed 0.67¢. For every 100,000 points accumulated:
| BMO Rewards | Amex MR → Aeroplan | |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 100,000 | 100,000 |
| Travel portal value | ~$667 | ~$1,000–$1,100 |
| Premium cabin (Star Alliance) | Not possible | $3,000–$5,000 |
If premium travel is a goal, BMO Rewards simply cannot compete. Its value comes from simplicity and BMO banking integration, not travel optimization.
BMO Rewards vs. Avion
Winner: Avion (for travellers)
Avion transfers to British Airways Avios (Oneworld, Qatar Qsuites) and delivers 1–5¢/point, vs BMO Rewards’ fixed 0.67¢. The RBC Ion Plus earns 3x Avion at $48/year vs the BMO eclipse’s 5x BMO Rewards at $120/year.
A cardholder spending $2,500/month in grocery/food/gas/transit:
- BMO eclipse: ~11,000 BMO Rewards/month = ~$74/month value (0.67¢/pt)
- RBC Ion Plus: ~7,500 Avion/month = ~$75/month at portal, or up to $225/month via Avios transfer
Avion delivers equal or better value at significantly lower annual fee.
When BMO Rewards Makes Sense
Despite its lower point value, BMO Rewards is reasonable for:
- BMO banking customers who want a single-bank relationship for credit card, chequing, and savings
- Visa-preferred spenders where Amex isn’t consistently accepted
- Travellers who want simplicity and don’t want to research airline award charts
- Low-moderate spenders where the annual fee difference matters more than optimization
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Programme details and earn rates are subject to change. See our Advertiser Disclosure.