Best Air Miles Credit Cards in Canada February 2023

Amex AIR MILES Platinum Credit Card

The Amex Air Miles Platinum Credit Card offers the highest returns on common living expenses and a generous base rate on all other purchases.

Rewards: 1 Mile per $5 purchase of food, drinks, gas and transit and 1 Mile per $10 purchase on everything else.

Welcome Offer: 2,000 Air Miles after the first three months.

Annual Fee: $120

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: This card sacrifices some travel benefits for better returns. Cardholders earn 1 Mile for every $5 or $10 purchase instead of every $20 purchase, which is the industry standard.

BMO AIR MILES World Elite Mastercard

The BMO Air Miles World Elite Mastercard is best suited for collectors who want competitive earn rates and travel perks on one card.

Rewards: Every $12 charge earns 3 Miles on purchases from Air Miles partners, 2 Miles on groceries and 1 Mile on everything else.

Welcome Offer: 2,000 Air Miles after the first three months.

Annual Fee: $120 (waived in the first year)

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: The earn rate on this card is still competitive for an Air Miles credit card. However, the $500 monthly cap on groceries reduces the overall rewards potential.

BMO AIR MILES World Elite Business Mastercard

The BMO AIR MILES World Elite Business Mastercard offers a flat earn rate and instant rebates on everyday business expenses.

Rewards: Every $12 purchase will earn 4 Miles from Air Miles partners and 1 Mile everywhere else.

Welcome Offer: 3,000 Air Miles after the first 90 days.

Annual Fee: $149 (waived in the first year)

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: Premium travel benefits and merchant rebates increase the overall value of this card. Supplementary cards can earn points faster, but this can add up to $1,100 in annual fees ($50 per card).

American Express AIR MILES Credit Card

The Amex AIR MILES Credit Card can be useful for collectors who frequently shop with merchants that accept American Express cards.

Rewards: 1 Mile for every $15 purchase at Air Miles partners and $20 purchase everywhere else.

Welcome Offer: 500 Air Miles after the first three months.

Annual Fee: $0

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: Not paying annual fees helps increase the overall value of this card. However, it doesn’t offer bonus Miles at Air Miles partners like most competitor cards.

American Express AIR MILES Gold Business Card

The American Express AIR MILES Gold Business Card is ideal for new business owners who want to earn rewards without paying annual fees.

Rewards: 1 Mile per $15 spent at Air Miles partners or $20 spent at other eligible locations.

Welcome Offer: 150 Air Miles after the first 90 days.

Annual Fee: $0

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: Flexible payment options can help maximize cash flow. That said, monthly balances and missed payments will incur interest rates of up to 26.99%.

BMO AIR MILES Mastercard

The BMO AIR MILES Mastercard is a no-fee card with straightforward rewards and extra discounts.

Rewards: Every $25 in net purchases will earn 3 Miles at Air Miles partners, 2 Miles at grocery stores and 1 Mile at other eligible locations.

Welcome Offer: 800 Air Miles after the first 90 days and 0.99% interest on balance transfers for nine months.

Annual Fee: $0

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: Gold Status benefits help offset lower earn rates. This status lets members use fewer Miles to book flights and buy merchandise.

BMO AIR MILES No-Fee Business Mastercard

The BMO AIR MILES No-Fee Business Mastercard can benefit business owners and employees who frequently fill up at Shell stations for work commutes or trips.

Rewards: Every $20 purchase earns 1.25 Miles at Shell stations and 1 Mile everywhere else.

Welcome Offer: 1,000 Air Miles after the first three months.

Annual Fee: $0

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: Earning bonus Miles at Shell gas stations adds an extra rewards category to an otherwise standard no-annual-fee card. However, it only bumps up the base rate by 0.25.

Student BMO AIR MILES Mastercard

The Student BMO AIR MILES Mastercard offers an easy way to build a credit history while earning travel rewards.

Rewards: Every $25 in card charges will earn 3 Miles at Air Miles partners, 2 Miles at grocery stores and 1 Mile on all other purchases.

Welcome Offer: 800 Air Miles after the first three months.

Annual Fee: $0

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: No annual fees and a grocery bonus category are pretty standard for student cards. Most students would benefit more from fuel or transit rewards than discounts on Cirque du Soleil shows.

American Express AIR MILES for Business Card

The American Express AIR MILES for Business Card is ideal for established business owners looking to leverage cash flow every month.

Rewards: 1 Mile per $10 purchase from Air Miles partners and 1 Mile per $15 purchase from other qualifying merchants.

Welcome Offer: 2,000 Air Miles after the first 90 days.

Annual Fee: $180

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: This card has no pre-set spending limit and up to 55 interest-free days between statements. Business owners should have the budget to pay the full balance to avoid 30% interest rates.

American Express AIR MILES Reserve Credit Card

The American Express AIR MILES Reserve Credit Card is a good fit for frequent flyers who can maximize the rewards to make up for the annual fee.

Rewards: 1 Mile for every $10 purchase at Air Miles partners, grocery stores, gas stations and drug stores, and 1 Mile for every other $15 purchase.

Welcome Offer: 2,400 Air Miles after the first 90 days.

Annual Fee: $299

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: In addition to premium travel benefits and insurance, this card qualifies for Air Miles Onyx Status. Members can save up to 40% on Miles to book flights and up to 10% on merchandise.

Data research and analysis by Debra Toews and Tia Duncombe.