How To Earn 7,500 AIR MILES Bonus Miles for free?

Updated May 31, 2024
Fact checked by
Alexandrine Bertrand
Alexandrine Bertrand Alexandrine Bertrand
An avid solo traveller, Alexandrine is an expert on loyalty programmes such as Aeroplan, Avios, AIR MILES, Flying Blue and Marriott Bonvoy. With a budget-conscious approach, she helps travellers make the most of their points and miles to experience affordable, off-the-beaten-path getaways. She also shares a love of gastronomy and enjoys exploring local flavours and culinary traditions.
All posts by Alexandrine Bertrand
featured bmo air miles cards
To the point 7,500 AIR MILES Reward Miles represent a minimum value of $789 in CASH Rewards, or much more if properly used in DREAM miles. Find out how to collect those 7,500 AIR MILES Bonus Miles for free!

AIR MILES Rewards

Before we tell you our tip for earn free AIR MILES Reward Miles, there is an important reminder. There are 2 types of AIR MILES Reward Miles: CASH or DREAM.

Air Miles distribution

CASH Rewards

AIR MILES CASH Rewards are simple:

95 AIR MILES Reward Miles = $10 off your bill

This means that 1 CASH mile = 10.5 cents

You can redeem CASH Miles at your IGA grocery store or JEAN COUTU drugstore, for example.

In fact, a few times a year, promotional offers allow you to redeem 75 or 85 miles for $10.

This increases the value of each AIR MILES CASH mile (11.8 to 13.3 cents versus the usual 10.5 cents).

Jean Coutu

Thus, the 7,500 Cash Miles you get for free with the technique described below are worth:

  • $789 (when redeeming 95 miles for $10)
  • 882 $ (when redeeming 85 miles for $10)
  • $1,000 (when redeeming 75 miles for $10)
curseur air miles argent reves

DREAM Rewards

DREAM miles are more difficult to use but can provide greater value!

You can redeem DREAM Miles on the AIR MILES travel portal for:

  • flight tickets all over the around the world
  • car rentals
  • Theme park tickets (Disney and Universal in Florida and California)
  • Hotels
  • vacation packages with RedTag
Red Tag Air miles Disney World

One of the best uses is for example :

  • car rental: you can get around 24 cents per mile in some situations
Orlando MCO car rental Airmiles

Thus, the 7,500 Dream Miles you get for free with the technique described below can be worth up to:

  • $1,875 (when redeeming at a value of 25 cents / mile)
  • $3,000 (when redeeming at a value of 40 cents/mile)

More conservatively, we estimate that those 7,500 AIR MILES Reward Miles are worth between $1,400 and $2,000.

milesopedia's technique

Over the course of a year, you could earn 7,500 free AIR MILES Reward Miles through personal spending. This can be much more, if you are a couple, self-employed, professional or small business owner.

For this technique, it will be necessary to carry an average of $9,000 in expenses over 9 months on three different cards. With good planning, it’s achievable!

For example, you can put your expenses for :

  • Grocery store, Costco, gas
  • Bill payments (like Videotron)
  • Pre-authorized expenses (Netflix, gym, cell phone, various subscriptions, etc.)

You have the opportunity to earn even more during AIR MILES promotions such as multipliers on airmileshops or special events. Targeted offers for credit card holders are also available.

Step 1: apply for the World Elite credit card

First, you’ll need to apply for our exclusive BMO® AIR MILES® World Elite®* Mastercard®* offer.

You can earn 3,000 AIR MILES Bonus Miles after $3,000 in Card purchases within the first three months ($1,000 per month).

AIR MILES bonus miles earned with the credit card are credited into your AIR MILES account a few days after the monthly statementis issued. So if you spend $3,000 in the first month, you’ll get your welcome bonus quickly!

This card also has other benefits such as:

  • 25% discount on rewards flights (once per year, maximum of 750 miles)
  • excellent travel insurance

The BMO® AIR MILES® Mastercard®* World Elite BMO® AIR MILES® Mastercard®* has no annual fee in the first year .

It’s a great way to get 3,000 AIR MILES Reward Miles for free through this exclusive offer:

  • 3X miles at participating AIR MILES partners
  • Premium Insurance
  • Accepted at Costco
Learn More
Best AIR MILES Credit Card in 2024

Welcome Offer: Get 3,000 bonus AIR MILES! That’s enough to get $310 off your purchases using AIR MILES Cash Miles.

  • Collect miles more than 10x faster than other AIR MILES* Collectors:
    • 3x the Miles for every $12 spent at participating AIR MILES Reward Partners
    • 2x the Miles for every $12 spent at any eligible grocery store*.
    • 2x the Miles for every $12 spent at any eligible wholesale clubs, membership-based retailers and alcohol retailers*
    • Plus, 1 Mile for every $12 that you spend with your credit card everywhere else*
  • Plus, you now have the flexibility to move your Miles between Cash and Dream with our new Transfer Miles feature, so if you want to turn your Cash Miles into a dream vacation, go for it!
  • Get 7¢/L off Shell V-Power premium fuel and 2¢/L off all other Shell fuels every time you fill up.
  • Use fewer miles with our exclusive 25% discount on an AIR MILES flight to any destination during the calendar year*.
  • Complimentary membership in Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass.*
  • Get valuable benefits and offers for digital everyday services from a variety of on-demand apps and subscription services
  • Store, eat and relax with our partners to receive offers when you travel and make purchases with your BMO World Elite Mastercard outside Canada.
Legal

*Conditions apply.

BMO is not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click on the Apply now link for the most up to date information

Annual Fee
  • Primary card $120
  • Additional card $50
Annual Income Required
  • Individual $80,000
  • Household $150,000
Conversion fees
  • 2.5 %
Interest Rates
  • Purchase Rates 21.99 %
  • Cash Advance Rates 23.99 %
    21.99 % (QC)
  • Balance Transfer Rates 23.99 %
    21.99 % (QC)
Earning Rate
  • AIR MILES partners0.25mile
  • All Spending0.08mile
  • Groceries0.08mile
Value
  • Year 1 $686
  • Year 2+ $101
Best For
Transfer Partners
  • AIR MILES

Advantages

  • Annual Credit
  • VIP Lounges
  • Concierge
  • Wifi
  • Travel credit

Travel Insurance

Insurance Name
Included
Amount
Duration
Travel Medical Insurance
Travel medical insurance up to 54 years old
$2,000,000
15 day(s)
Travel medical insurance up to 64 years old
$5,000,000
15 day(s)
Travel medical insurance 65+
Trip Cancellation Insurance
$1,500
Trip Interruption Insurance
$2,000
Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance
$500,000
Flight Delay Insurance
$500
Delayed Baggage Insurance
$500
Lost/Stolen Baggage Insurance
$500
Auto Rental Loss/Insurance
$65,000
48 day(s)
Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance
$1,000

Another card... without a minimum income!

If you don’t have the minimum income requirement for BMO® AIR MILES® Mastercard®* World Elite BMO® AIR MILES® Mastercard®*, there is another option. You could apply for another credit card with no minimum income requirement!

With the AIR MILESMD* American ExpressMD Platinum Credit Card, you can earn 2,000 AIR MILES Reward Miles after $1,500 in purchases. It does, however, have a $120 annual fee, but can be convenient if you want even more miles.

Step 2: Apply for the no-fee credit card

It can take anywhere from 1 to 3 months from the time you application for the BMO® AIR MILES® Mastercard®* World Elite and receiving the welcome bonus. MasterCard, then you can take advantage of our exclusive offer for the BMO® AIR MILES® Mastercard®* .

The welcome bonus of 1,500 AIR MILES miles(instead of the usual 500 miles) is earned after $1,000 in purchases in 3 months. This requires an average expense of $340 per month.

AIR MILES bonus miles earned with the credit card are credited into your AIR MILES account a few days after the monthly statementis issued. So if you spend $1,000 in the first month, you’ll quickly get your Welcome Bonus!

  • No annual fee
  • Purchase Insurance
  • Accepted at Costco
Learn More

Welcome offer: Get 1,500 bonus AIR MILES! That’s enough to get $150 off your purchases using AIR MILES Cash Miles.

  • Collect miles more than 10x faster than other AIR MILES* Collectors:
    • 3x the Miles for every $25 spent at participating AIR MILES Reward Partners.
    • 2x the Miles for every $25 spent at any eligible grocery store.
    • 2x the Miles for every $25 spent at any eligible wholesale clubs, membership-based retailers and alcohol retailers.
    • Plus, 1 Mile for every $25 that you spend with your credit card everywhere else.
  • Plus, you now have the flexibility to move your Miles between Cash and Dream with our new Transfer Miles feature, so if you want to turn your Cash Miles into a dream vacation, go for it!
  • Get 7¢/L off Shell V-Power premium fuel and 2¢/L off all other Shell fuels every time you fill up.
  • Purchase Protection and Extended Warranty*
  • Zero Liability Protection
  • No annual fee*.
Legal

*Terms and Conditions apply.

BMO is not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click on the Apply now link for the most up to date information

Annual Fee
  • Primary card $0
  • Additional card $0
Annual Income Required
  • Individual $15,000
  • Household $15,000
Conversion fees
  • 2.5 %
Interest Rates
  • Purchase Rates 21.99 %
  • Cash Advance Rates 23.99 %
    21.99 % (QC)
  • Balance Transfer Rates 23.99 %
    21.99 % (QC)
Earning Rate
  • AIR MILES partners0.12mile
  • All Spending0.04mile
  • Groceries0.04mile
Value
  • Year 1 $283
  • Year 2+ $110
Best For
Transfer Partners
  • AIR MILES

Advantages

  • Annual Credit
  • VIP Lounges
  • Concierge
  • Wifi
  • Travel credit

Travel Insurance

Insurance Name
Included
Amount
Duration
Travel Medical Insurance
Travel medical insurance up to 54 years old
Travel medical insurance up to 64 years old
Travel medical insurance 65+
Trip Cancellation Insurance
Trip Interruption Insurance
Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance
Flight Delay Insurance
Delayed Baggage Insurance
Lost/Stolen Baggage Insurance
Auto Rental Loss/Insurance
Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance

Other cards with no annual fee

BMO offers other AIR MILES card with no annual fee, such as the BMO AIR MILES card for Students. A way for you to earn hundreds of AIR MILES Reward Miles… for free.

AIR MILES business credit cards

Finally, to reach 7,500 AIR MILES Bonus Miles with no annual fee, you’ll need to apply for the BMO® AIR MILES® Business Mastercard®*: 3,000 AIR MILES Bonus Miles after $5,000 in Card purchases within the first three months and the first-year free!

Find out in this article how to apply for a BMO Business credit card.

BMO AM World Elite Business Mastercard RGB Fre-for online
Business Card
  • 4X miles at participating AIR MILES partners
  • Virtual health care offered by Maple
  • Accepted at Costco
Learn More
  • Welcome Offer: Get 3,000 AIR MILES Bonus Miles when you spend a minimum of $5,000 in the first three months.
  • Plus, we’ll waive the $149 annual fee for a year.*
  • Get 4x the Miles when you use your card at participating AIR MILES partners
  • Get 1 Mile for every $12 you spend*
  • Get up to 7 cents off per litre on all Shell®± fuel*
  • You can now use your BMO Mastercard at Costco stores across Canada
  • Become A Cardholder & Get Access To Virtual On-Demand Healthcare With Maple*
  • 25 payment grace days*
  • Get up to 22 additional cards so employees can easily make purchases on behalf of your business and help you earn points faster* (employee cards have an annual fee of $50)
Legal

*Terms and conditions apply

BMO is not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click on the Apply now link for the most up to date information

Annual Fee
  • Primary card $149
  • Additional card $0
Annual Income Required
  • Individual $0
  • Household $0
Conversion fees
  • 2.5 %
Interest Rates
  • Purchase Rates 20.99 %
  • Cash Advance Rates 23.99 %
  • Balance Transfer Rates 23.99 %
Earning Rate
  • AIR MILES partners0.33mile
  • All Spending0.08mile
  • Groceries0.08mile
Value
  • Year 1 $715
  • Year 2+ $72
Best For
Transfer Partners
  • AIR MILES

Advantages

  • Annual Credit
  • VIP Lounges
  • Concierge
  • Wifi
  • Travel credit

Travel Insurance

Insurance Name
Included
Amount
Duration
Travel Medical Insurance
Travel medical insurance up to 54 years old
$5,000,000
15 day(s)
Travel medical insurance up to 64 years old
$5,000,000
15 day(s)
Travel medical insurance 65+
Trip Cancellation Insurance
$1,500
Trip Interruption Insurance
$2,000
Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance
$500,000
Flight Delay Insurance
$500
Delayed Baggage Insurance
$500
Lost/Stolen Baggage Insurance
$500
Auto Rental Loss/Insurance
$65,000
48 day(s)
Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance
$1,000

As a couple/family: earn double that!

One of the secrets of AIR MILES: you can enter the same AIR MILES account number for every credit card application made by you, your spouse/friend/relative…

So if you are a couple, you could each apply for for these offers and get double the bonus miles.

Of course, plan your credit card applications based on scheduled expenses over the next few months!

Spouses each applying for the:

… can earn up to 15,000 AIR MILES Bonus miles! And for free in the first-year!

A value between $1,579 and $6,000 depending on your redemption!

That’s what we had done in 2019.

Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
Jean-Maximilien Voisine
Jean-Maximilien Voisine
Jean-Maximilien, President and Founder of Milesopedia, is a recognized expert in rewards programs, credit cards, and travel in Canada and France. Approaching forty and a father of two, he has travelled to over 100 countries, half of them with his children and his wife, Audrey. Specializing in top loyalty programs like Aeroplan, American Express Membership Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy, he guides travellers to maximize their benefits across North America and Europe.
All posts by Jean-Maximilien Voisine

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