BMO Replaces Air Miles with Blue Rewards: What It Means

BMO Financial Group will replace the Air Miles loyalty program with a new rewards platform called Blue Rewards this summer. The bank says the redesigned program will be available to all Canadians via a new Blue Rewards app and will be integrated into BMO’s existing mobile banking app and website for the bank’s customers.

Existing Air Miles collectors can continue to use their collector cards. When Blue Rewards launches, accumulated Air Miles will automatically convert to Blue Points at equivalent value, with no action required by members. BMO customers who hold Air Miles-branded credit and debit cards will be able to keep using their cards without interruption; the bank has indicated it will share additional program details with cardholders in the coming months.

BMO revamps Blue Rewards with simpler, personalized perks

Blue Rewards aims to simplify how members redeem points and tailor rewards to individual preferences. The program will offer a streamlined booking experience for flights, hotels and car rentals through a partnership with Expedia Group. It will also continue to build on recent changes that let members earn points for grocery and food delivery purchases when they scan in-store receipts with the Blue Rewards app, along with bonus points at many grocery retailers and wholesale clubs across Canada.

“Blue Rewards completely reimagines the loyalty experience with the client at the centre,” said Mathew Mehrotra, group head of Canadian personal and business banking at BMO, in a news release. “With a digitally enabled platform, we’re making one of Canada’s most celebrated loyalty programs even better by delivering simpler, flexible, more personalized rewards for collectors and helping them make real financial progress every day.”

Featured travel and rewards credit cards

Shell leaves Air Miles for Scene+ loyalty program

BMO acquired the Air Miles program in 2023 after the program’s U.S. parent company filed for bankruptcy. At the time of that acquisition, Air Miles was one of Canada’s oldest and largest loyalty programs, with millions of active members who collect miles through participating stores, services and payment cards. Those miles could be redeemed for travel, merchandise and event experiences.

Separately, Shell Canada has announced it will end its partnership with Air Miles and join the Scene+ loyalty program instead. Scene+—which is owned by Scotiabank, Empire Co. Ltd. and Cineplex Inc.—reports having more than 15 million members. Under the new arrangement, Scene+ members will be able to earn points at Shell’s roughly 1,400 gas stations and convenience stores across Canada.

The rollout of the new Scene+ partnership with Shell is staged: the program launches in Alberta on March 3 and expands nationwide on May 26. Under the plan, Scotiabank and Tangerine clients with eligible payment cards will receive savings at participating Shell locations. Shell customers will still be able to earn and redeem Air Miles through March 2 in Alberta and through May 25 in the rest of Canada.

“We listened to our members when they told us they wanted a fuel loyalty partner,” said Tracey Pearce, president of Scene+. “As a leader in the fuel industry, Shell is an ideal partner for our ecosystem.”

Blue Rewards adds new partners while retaining hundreds of brands

In the years before BMO’s acquisition, Air Miles lost several major retail partners. BMO says the new Blue Rewards program will still allow collectors to earn points at more than 400 brands nationwide.

Among the new partners announced for Blue Rewards are travel and hospitality brands such as Porter Airlines and Accor Group hotel brands, including Fairmont Hotels and Resorts. The program will also add grocery and delivery partners like Instacart and multiple restaurant brands operated by MTY Group, such as Thai Express, Baton Rouge, Pizza Delight, Allo Mon Coco, Sushi Shop, Mr. Sub, Manchu Wok, Mucho Burrito and Jugo Juice. These partnerships are intended to broaden everyday earning and redemption opportunities for members.

More on credit cards and rewards

• What New Year’s credit deals promise—and why you should be wary
• Scotiabank Gold American Express Card review
• How cashback credit cards work
• Credit card interest calculator