Loyalty programs can give you many benefits, rewards that you can redeem to pay for many things, like flights, hotels, or shopping. Air Miles is one of those loyalty programs. In Canada, you can gain much access with Air Miles. We’ll explain to you about Air Miles and how to get a no-fee Air Miles credit card Canada.
What’s Air Miles?
Air Miles is a loyalty program that allows you to collect a point (miles). By using these miles, you can redeem them to purchase many things, such as travel, hotel, flight, merchandise and many more. With an Air Miles credit card, you earn miles for every spending on the card.
This program is one of Canada’s most popular loyalty programs. Air Miles is very well-known and has almost 10 million members. It was launched in 1992 by a Netherlands-based company, LoyaltyOne.
To get a no-fee Air Miles credit card Canada, You can apply for Air Miles online or in-person. You may need to fill out the basic information, like name, address, etc. Once your application is approved, the company will send you the Air Miles credit card and membership number.
Pros:
- Free to join.
- Sometimes include a welcome bonus.
- It has a wide range of ways to earn miles.
- Has a wide array of retail partners and helps to earn more miles.
- Increase your points by spending using the Air Miles card.
- There’s an extra benefit for Onyx and Gold status.
Cons:
- The reward system is complicated.
- The value of Dream Miles is not exact, which means it’s always changing.
- Cash Miles can’t convert to Dream Miles and vice versa.
- Miles can’t transfer to another loyalty program.
- Air Miles will be expired, if the user is inactive for 24 months
How Does Air Miles Work?
If you are a member of Air Miles, you can collect miles with various things, like shopping, booking hotel, flight and many more. Usually, you will earn 1 Mile for spending $10, $12, $15, and $25 in purchases. However, the exact value can vary depending on the type of Air Miles.
Air Miles has two types of rewards: Dream Miles and Cash Miles. Dream Miles is a type of Air Miles that you can redeem for non-cash rewards, for instance, hotel, flights, car rental, and many more. Meanwhile, Cash Miles is a reward you redeem for purchasing, like in-store purchasing, online shopping, and online eVoucher.
Here is the comparison between Dream Miles and Cash Miles:
| Dream Miles | Cash Miles | |
| Value | Dream Miles doesn’t have a fixed value; therefore, the value can change. | 95 Miles can be worth $10, which is for each mile worth around 10.5 cents |
| Redemption options | Worth it for non-cash rewards, such as rental cars, hotel stays, concert tickets and flights. | Excellent for purchasing in-store or online shopping. |
| Pro | It’s more flexible and has many options for redeeming the rewards. | The value is more stable and easy to use. |
| Con | Dream Miles can’t convert to Cash Miles, and the value is unstable and complicated. | Cash Miles can’t convert to Dream Miles, and it has limited options and is only for purchasing. |
Nerdwallet
How to Obtain Points for Air Miles?
Between Dream Miles and Cash Miles, you can set the percentage of these Miles. For example, you can set a percentage of 50% for Dream Miles and 50% for Cash Miles. You can change it on your account profile in “Set Balance Preference”. Keep in mind, you can’t convert the Miles.
For instance, if you have 50 Cash Miles and change the percentage to Dream Miles. 50 Cash Miles won’t convert into Dream Miles; they will remain as Cash Miles until you use it.
1. Shop Around With Air Miles Credit Card
You can take advantage of your no-free Air Miles credit card Canada. Every time you purchase using an Air Miles credit card, it will earn you Miles. Using a co-branded credit card allows you to get more Miles.
2. Use the Air Miles eStore and Shopping Portal
Shopping at Air Miles eStore or shopping portal would give you more Miles. You can earn 1 Mile for $20 purchasing. Visit the shopping portal at http://www.airmilesshops.ca/ and get your Miles.
3. Show the Air Miles Membership Card
When you apply to obtain a no-fee Air Miles credit card Canada, you will and the card and the membership card. You can use this membership card to earn Miles. Just present the membership card whenever you shop at Air Miles retail partners, and you’ll get miles based on how much you spend.
4. Book Travel Using Air Miles Travel Portal
You can obtain the Miles by booking at Air Miles Travel Portal. There are many options you can do, like booking hotels, renting cars, flights, and vacations.
5. Air Miles Bonus and Promotions
When you become a member of Air Miles, pay attention to their promotions and bonus. You can use these bonuses to earn more Miles.
The Best No-Fee Air Miles Credit Card Canada
If you consider to get yourself a no-fee Air Miles credit card Canada, we have some good recommendations for you:
1. BMO Air Miles Mastercard
This Air Miles credit card is eligible for everyone. People who have average and low credit scores are welcome. As long as you are of the age of the majority of your province. Additionally, you must have an income of $15000 a year and no bankruptcy record for the last 7 years.
Features:
- 3 Miles per $25 spent on Air Miles Retail Partners.
- 2 Miles per $25 spent on grocery stores.
- 1 Mile per $25 spent on other purchases.
- 0.99% balance transfer for the first 9 months, with a 2% transfer fee.
- No annual fee.
- 800 Miles as a welcome bonus per $1000 spent for the first three months.
- Discount 25% for car rental at Alamo Rent-a-car and National Car Rental.
Pros:
- No annual fee.
- Discount for car rental.
- Automatic Air Miles gold status.
Cons:
- Earn rate is low.
- There is no travel insurance.
2. BMO Air Miles Mastercard for Students
If you are a student who loves to travel, this credit card can be an option to get you a no-fee Air Miles credit card Canada. This card is available for those who age 18 to 24 years old. You must be a Canadian or permanent resident to obtain this card and have an annual income from a family allowance, employment or a scholarship.
Features:
- 3 Miles per $25 spent on Air Miles Retail Partners.
- 2 Miles per $25 spent on grocery stores.
- 1 Mile per $25 spent on other purchases.
- 0.99% balance transfer for the first 9 months, with a 2% transfer fee.
- No annual fee.
- 800 Miles as a welcome bonus per $1000 spent for the first three months.
- Discount for car rental.
Pros:
- No additional fee for additional cards.
- Discount for car rental.
- Automatic Air Miles gold status.
Cons:
- Low value for Air Cash Miles.
- There is no travel insurance.
3. BMO Air Miles No-Fee Business Mastercard
If you are looking for a no-fee Air Miles credit card Canada for a small business owner, this card will be a good option. You can earn 1 Mile per $20 for every purchase. Moreover, this card provides a liability waiver program. It is a program that defends you from misuse of your card by the employee.
Features:
- 1 Mile per $20 for every purchase.
- 1.25 Miles per $20 for purchasing at shell stations.
- $1000 Miles as a welcome bonus per $3000 spent for the first 90 days.
- Get additional free cards for employees up to 22 cards.
Pros:
- There are no income requirements
- Bonus Miles for purchasing at Shell stations
Cons:
- There is no travel insurance.
- Limited option to earn Miles.
Obtain Your No-Fee Air Miles Credit Card Canada Rewards!
Air Miles is a loyalty program that gives you many benefits from collecting Miles. You can redeem many rewards whether from Dream Miles or Cash Miles. Just choose what suits you more. If you want to get a no-fee Air Miles credit card Canada, BMO offers many options for no-fee credit cards.
However, keep in mind that most no-fee cards have a low value to earn Miles. Think about this carefully before purchasing the card.