Introduction
The distinction between CASH and DREAM rewards
The first thing you need to know about AIR MILES is about AIR MILES Reward Miles.
CASH Rewards
CASH miles are used to earn cash rewards for everyday purchases such as gas and groceries.
The value is fixed and is the easiest currency to use in the AIR MILES program.
DREAM Rewards
DREAM miles are redeemed for dream rewards such as travel, amusement park tickets or products.
Value is variable and it is the currency that can deliver the best return in the AIR MILES program.
Choosing between Cash and Dream
Before earning AIR MILES reward miles you’ll need to define your type of earning. 100% cash or 100% Dream… or a combination of both.
- If you prefer concrete and immediate rewards, it will be best to choose the CASH rewards
- If you are more flexible with your dates, it is better for you the DREAM rewards.
You can change the accumulation level whenever you want (the change will be taken into account at 3:00 a.m. (EST) the next day).
Earn points
With purchases from partners
AIR MILES has more than 120 partners and 100+ online sponsors.
Miles earning rate will be different for each partner. For example:
- ACE: 1 mile / $20
- Best Western: 20 miles per stay
- Staples: 1 mile / $40
- IGA: 1 mile / $20
- Jean Coutu: 1 mile / $15
- and much more!
Keep an eye on the flyers of each of AIR MILES partners: with strategic purchases, you could earn many AIR MILES bonus miles!
With airmilesshops.ca
AIR MILES has an online shopping portal called airmilesshops.ca.
By using this portal before shopping online, you will get 1 mile / $20 of purchases. This is called “the basic offer.”
Then, during promotions, comes the “multiplier”of partner shops AND from the whole site airmilesshops.ca.
The multiplier of partner stores
Regularly, AIR MILES partner stores offer mileage earning promotions through a multiplier.
For example, if it is indicated that you will earn 5x the miles, it means that:
- you will get 1 Mile for every $20 you spend (basic offer)
- you will get 4 miles / $20 purchases (bonus offer with the multiplier)
That’s 5 miles / $20 in purchases.
That’s why AIR MILES indicates 5x the miles.
The multiplier on the whole airmilesshops.ca website
What’s interesting is when AIR MILES also offers a multiplier on the entire airmilesshops.ca portal.
In this case, the multiplier offered by the store and the one offered by airmilesshops add up on the basic offer:
For example, if it is indicated that you will win:
- 5x miles at the shop
- and 10x miles on all airmilesshops.ca stores
This means that:
- you will get 1 Mile for every $20 you spend (basic offer)
- you will get 4 miles / $20 purchases (bonus offer with the multiplier)
- you will get 9 miles / $20 purchases (bonus offer with airmilesshops.ca multiplier)
That’s 15 miles for every $20 you spend.
With credit cards welcome bonuses
AIR MILES is a partner with 2 financial institutions offering a lot of AIR MILES credit cards
- American Express
- BMO
Each of these cards will have a welcome bonus when you apply for it. This is a good way to earn many AIR MILES bonus miles quickly!
AIR MILES and American Express
For individuals
American Express has 2 AIR MILES credit cards for individuals:
For the self-employed, professionals and small businesses
And 2 AIR MILES credit cards for self-employed / professional / small businesses:
AIR MILES and BMO
For individuals
BMO has many AIR MILES credit cards
For the self-employed, professionals and small businesses
BMO also offers two AIR MILES credit cards for self-employed individuals, professionals and small businesses. View their presentation here.
With purchases made on credit cards
To earn AIR MILES reward miles faster, it’s best to use your AIR MILES credit cards(see the choices above) as often as possible!
The miles earning rate will often depend on the issuer and the type of card:
- Between 1 and 3 miles per $25 in purchases for no-fee cards such as the BMO AIR MILES Mastercard
- Between 1 mile / $5 in purchases and 1 mile / $10 in purchases for the American Express® AIR MILES®* Platinum Credit Card.
- 1 mile / $12 in Card purchases for the BMO® AIR MILES® World Elite®* Mastercard®*
With promotional events
Apart from the credit cards welcome bonuses, events are one of the best opportunities to earn hundreds of miles.
Throughout the year, AIR MILES runs promotional events during which you can earn many miles.
Redeem points
Redeem Cash reward miles
Let’s discover together all the possibilities of using CASH miles for:
For in-store discounts
AIR MILES CASH rewards can be redeemed directly in-store (IGA, Jean Coutu, Shell…) for an instant discount at the checkout.
95 miles = $10, or 10.5 cents / mile.
Gift cards
Throughout the year, brands like Jean Coutu run promotions to encourage you to redeem your CASH reward miles.
Thus, it is common to be able to redeem only 85 miles for $10.
Like 85 miles = $10 or a value of 11.8 cents / mile
This is a great time to buy gift cards with your CASH miles (but it’s impossible with DREAM miles)! It’s a regular practice for Disney fans!
For electronic certificates
As we have seen above, with some stores you can redeem your CASH rewards miles DIRECTLY at the checkout.
For others, it will be necessary to use an electronic exchange voucher to be retrieved online.
95 miles = $10, or 10.5 cents / mile
The mileage rate will vary depending on the items and your status. Let’s take the example of an easily comparable article:
Redeem DREAM miles
A little more complex to use than CASH rewards, Dream Miles can however get you a better return on your miles.
Here are all the possibilities of using DREAM miles for:
Free flights
With The Dream Miles, it is possible to book flights directly from the AIR MILES website.
An interactive map lets you know the fares from which it is possible to find flight rewards:
Rates vary on:
- distance
- season
Short-haul flights: the best deal
The best use of AIR MILES Dream Miles is on short-haul flights.
That is to say, local flights (usually destinations within 2 hours flight) such as Montreal to New York, Boston, Toronto, Halifax, St John…
All of these destinations are accessible from 1,400 miles in low season and around 2,500 miles in high season.
Here is an example of a flight from Montreal to Halifax.
On AIR MILES, the rate 2,155 miles and $141.72 in taxes.
This rate includes a 15% discount for BMO® AIR MILES® World Elite®* Mastercard®* holders (which we will detail later). Without the discount, the fare would be 2,478 miles.
Let’s compare this ticket (same dates and flights) with the cash price:
To find out the valuation of the AIR MILES mile, here is the calculation:
(Cash Price – Taxes Paid) / Number of miles used
($610 – $141.72) / 2 155 miles = 21.7 cents / mile
With15% discount
($610 – $141.72) / 2,478 miles = 18.9 cents/mile
Without the 15% discount
15% discount on flight
Only one AIR MILES credit card in Canada offers a 15% discount on all AIR MILES reward tickets (in North America). This is the BMO® AIR MILES® World Elite®* Mastercard®*
This card also has 2 free access to airport lounges and has great travel insurance.
You can earn 1 AIR MILES reward mile / $10 ,everywhere, including at Costco. This is the best credit card in Canada to earn AIR MILES reward miles on your purchases.
In addition, for a limited time, this one is free for the first year !
For car rentals
AIR MILES reward miles can be redeemed for car rentals.
Here’s an example of a mid-size car rental, for a week, in Orlando.
It costs 1,910 miles and US$ 75 in fees.
Compare this with Costco Voyages, which often has the best rates when it comes to car rental:
The same car, for the same period costs US$ 365.97.
To find out the valuation of the AIR MILES mile, here is the calculation:
(Cash Price – Taxes Paid) / Number of miles used
(365.97 US$ – 75 US$) / 1,910 miles = 15.2 US cents /mile or
20.24 cents / mile
For holiday packages and cruises
You can redeem Dream Miles on AIR MILES’ travel portal, powered by Redtag.
Many holiday/all-inclusive package providers are suggested:
- Air Canada Vacations
- Transat
- WestJet Holidays
- Sunwing
- Signature Vacations
- Porter Escapes
- And much more!
The Dream Miles redemption rate will always be the same: 909 miles = $100
For example, an all-inclusive week in Cuba:
You can apply 13,635 miles to save $1 500.
Here, 1 Dream mile = 11 cents
For hotels
It is also possible to redeem Dream Miles to book hotel nights.
Description to come: the AIR MILES website having a problem for hotels at the time of writing this article.
For events and attractions
In its awards catalogue, AIR MILES has a “Events and Attractions” section.
It is therefore possible to redeem Dream Miles to buy tickets to theme parks like Disney World:
Comparing this type of ticket with the public fare, directly on the Disney World website:
To find out the valuation of the AIR MILES mile, here is the calculation:
(Cash Price – Taxes Paid) / Number of miles used
US$ 530.61 / 5,900 miles = 9 US cents/mile
or 12 cents /mile
For merchandise
Finally, it is possible to redeem Dream Miles on AIR MILES’ rewards catalogue to buy products.
On the Dream Rewards catalogue , there are discounts based on status:
- 10% less miles for GOLD members
- 20% less miles for Onyx members
The mileage rate will vary depending on the items and your status. Let’s take the example of an easily comparable article:
To compare the price, let’s take the same product on amazon.ca:
To find out the valuation of the AIR MILES mile, here is the calculation:
Cash Price / Number of miles used
$ 515 / 5,270 miles = 9.77 cents/mile
for all members
$ 515 / 4,216 miles = 12.2 cents/mile
for members with Onyx status
Manage
The value of miles
As you saw above, there are 2 types of miles… but several valuations!
So, we agree to say:
- 1 Cash mile = between 10.5 cents and 11.8 cents
- 1 Dream mile = between 9 cents and 25 cents
That means the BMO® AIR MILES® World Elite®* Mastercard®* or BMO® AIR MILES® Business Mastercard®* Welcome Bonus is worth between $270 and $750!
Transfer miles
It is impossible to transfer miles from a Cash account to a Dream account and vice versa.
It is possible – but very expensive – to transfer miles from one AIR MILES member to another AIR MILES member: 15 cents/mile!
The expiration of miles
AIR MILES miles no longer expire.
Status
AIR MILES has 3 levels of status:
- Blue
- Gold
- Onyx
Each of these status will offer its own benefits:
The most interesting status to get is the Onyx status which offers:
- up to 40% off flights
- up to 20% off items
- a personal assistant service to use Dream Miles
- priority access to the customer service center
Video
FAQ
How do I enroll in the AIR MILES Reward Program?
Create your Collector Profile on the AIR MILES website or request an enrollment form at the customer service desk of any AIR MILES Partner.
How do I collect AIR MILES miles?
Swipe your AIR MILES card when making in-store purchases at over 120 partners (IGA, Shell, Staples, Jean Coutu, etc.).
Register your card number on the airmileshops.ca shopping portal before you shop.
Use Bank of Montreal and American Express credit cards with AIR MILES. Take advantage of their welcome and purchase bonuses.
Finally, participate in small or large promotions.
What is the difference between Dream Miles and Cash Miles?
CASH MILES are used to earn cash rewards for everyday purchases like gas and groceries.
DREAM miles are used to earn dream rewards such as travel, theme park tickets or merchandise.
How do I use AIR MILES Cash Miles?
AIR MILES Cash miles can be used directly in-store at participating partners for an instant discount at checkout (IGA, Jean Coutu, Shell, etc.).
95 miles = $10, or 10.5 cents / mile.
You can also use the same strategy for e-vouchers for these same partners on the AIR MILES website.
How do I use AIR MILES Dream Miles?
With the search tool, directly on the AIR MILES website.
Search for your favorite destination and use your miles to fly, stay in hotels, book an all-inclusive trip, rent a car, buy tickets for various attractions or purchase various items.
How do I transfer Cash Miles to Dream Miles (and vice versa) in my account?
This is impossible.
However, you can change your percentage allocation preference from now on. If you prefer concrete and immediate rewards, it will be best to choose the CASH rewards
If you are more flexible with your dates, it is better for you the DREAM rewards.
Do AIR MILES miles expire?
No, AIR MILES miles do not expire.
How do I claim missing AIR MILES miles?
As a general rule, base points are paid out after 60 days and special offer points (bonus, promotion) after 120 days.
If you still don’t have them after that time, apply at airmiles.ca.
What is the value of the AIR MILES miles in my account?
A good valuation is measured as follows: 1 Cash Mile = 10.5 cents to 11.8 cents and 1 Dream Mile = 9 cents to 25 cents
I forgot to present my AIR MILES card at the cashier. How do I claim my miles?
Ask at the customer service desk, with your bill and your AIR MILES card.
Depending on the partner, you may need to have your receipt initialized before leaving the store, or you may have a maximum of a few days at the same store to claim your missing miles. Other partners simply can’t give it back to you.
If I request a refund for a transaction at an AIR MILES partner, will the AIR MILES miles earned be removed from my account?
Yes. Returned miles will be prorated to your refund.
What is the best strategy to collect the most AIR MILES miles?
Take advantage of promotions such as the Shop the Block or the Mega Miles, multipliers from partner stores on Airmileshops, sign up for the AIR MILES newsletter to receive targeted offers, and take advantage of credit card welcome bonuses with American Express and the Bank of Montreal.
Are gift card purchases considered eligible purchases for earning AIR MILES?
No, except in the case of very rare specific promotions.
Why aren't my AIR MILES showing up on my bill?
Base and bonus miles can take up to 60 days to be credited to the account and 120 days if they are special offers.
How can AIR MILES miles help me pay for a trip to a Disney park?
With Dream Miles: useful for airfare, park tickets, possibly hotels or car rentals.
With Cash miles: useful for Disney gift cards obtained at Jean Coutu.