Why You Can’t Earn Air Miles at Metro Anymore

Metro, Inc. has announced plans to leave the Air Miles Rewards program and introduce Moi Rewards across its Ontario stores later this year. The move affects shoppers who collect Air Miles and those who rely on store loyalty perks. Below we explain what’s changing, how Moi Rewards works today in Quebec, what to expect during the transition, alternatives for earning value on groceries, and credit card options that can help offset the change.

What, exactly, is changing?

Metro has partnered with Air Miles since 1998, allowing customers to earn and redeem Miles toward grocery purchases. The company has confirmed it will phase out Air Miles and roll out its own loyalty program, Moi Rewards, to Metro and Food Basics stores in Ontario. Food Basics previously did not offer a loyalty program, so this will mark a first for that banner.

Once the transition is complete, Metro locations will no longer collect or redeem Air Miles. Metro has not given a firm cut-off date but is targeting late 2024 for the full transition. Customers will be informed of timing and migration details through in-store signage and digital communications before the switch occurs.

Featured credit cards

As Metro moves away from Air Miles, many shoppers will look to rewards credit cards to continue earning value on grocery purchases. Below are some representative cards and the reasons they might appeal—these examples highlight common features like cash back, low interest, or generous welcome offers. Terms such as annual fees, interest rates and welcome bonuses vary by card and issuer.

Tangerine Rewards World Elite Mastercard — Higher-tier card with an annual fee and substantial welcome offers in some promotions; useful for points and travel-related benefits.
SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express — Positioned for cash back, it typically offers elevated cash back rates on groceries and gas and a steady rate on other everyday purchases; carries an annual fee.
MBNA True Line Mastercard — A no-annual-fee or low-fee option with a comparatively low purchase APR, suited for cardholders prioritizing low interest over rewards.

Choosing the right card depends on your spending patterns, whether you prefer points or straight cash back, and whether you value a low APR or a strong sign-up offer.

What is Moi?

Moi Rewards evolved from the metro&moi program introduced in 2023 and has become popular in Quebec. The program awards points on qualifying purchases and provides options to redeem points in-store and online, along with personalized offers. In Quebec, the earning rate is one point per dollar spent, and members can redeem points once they reach 500 points, which currently redeems for $4. Points are calculated on pre-tax amounts.

Enrollment is free: customers sign up and present their Moi card or account at checkout to accumulate points. Account management is available online and through the My Metro app. Metro has said the Ontario rollout will use the Moi Rewards name, but full details on earning rates, redemption thresholds and any Ontario-specific features have not yet been confirmed.

Does Metro redeem Air Miles?

Metro will continue to accept Air Miles until it formally transitions to Moi Rewards. While no exact end date has been published, the company aims to complete the change by late 2024. Shoppers currently earning Air Miles at Metro should watch for official notices explaining deadlines for earning and redeeming Miles at Metro stores.

The history of Air Miles in Canada

Air Miles entered the Canadian market in 1992 and became a dominant multi-retailer loyalty program. Members earned Miles across many retail partners and redeemed them for merchandise, gift cards and travel. Over time, program changes—including a devaluation of rewards, proposed expirations and a later split into Cash Miles and Dream Miles—dented consumer trust and complicated redemptions. Several major partners gradually left the program, and Metro’s move is the latest high-profile departure.

Earning rewards for groceries

Even as Air Miles partners depart, shoppers have options to keep earning value. One straightforward approach is joining the loyalty program of the grocery chain you frequent. Major banners have their own programs: for example, PC Optimum at Loblaw-affiliated stores, More Rewards at some regional chains, and Scene+ at certain supermarkets.

Comparing current values, Moi Rewards in Quebec effectively values one point at about $0.008 if 500 points redeem for $4. By contrast, a typical Air Mile’s value varies by redemption method, but published averages place it higher—historical estimates often cited an average near $0.12 per Mile depending on how they’re used. If Moi’s Ontario implementation mirrors Quebec, shoppers should expect a lower per-point value than Air Miles historically offered.

The best grocery credit cards in Canada

Using a rewards credit card for groceries is an effective way to regain value. Cards that offer elevated cash back or points on grocery purchases can offset lower in-store loyalty value. The right card depends on where you shop and how you prefer to redeem rewards.

Best category	Credit card	Why it’s a strong choice
Best cash back card	Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite — Annual fee commonly applies but may be waived for the first year	Typically offers high cash back on groceries and gas (example: 4% in category promotions).
Best no-fee cash back card	BMO CashBack Mastercard — No annual fee	Often provides a competitive cash back rate on groceries for a no-fee product.
Best groceries and gas cards	CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite; Meridian Visa Infinite Cash Back — Annual fees vary	Both commonly offer elevated cash back rates on groceries and fuel.
Best for Loblaw-affiliated shopping	PC Financial World Elite Mastercard — No annual fee on many offers	High point accrual at Loblaw banners, delivering outsized value when redeemed within that network.
Best points cards	American Express Cobalt; Scotiabank Gold American Express — Annual fees apply	Points-based cards that pay well on groceries and dining, ideal for cardholders who redeem points for travel or transfer partners.

What’s replacing Air Miles at Metro?

In short: Air Miles will be phased out at Metro and replaced by Moi Rewards. Early indications suggest Moi’s published earn and redemption rates are more modest than Air Miles was perceived to be. Until Metro releases full Ontario program details, shoppers can mitigate lost value by choosing a rewards credit card that matches their grocery habits or by enrolling in the new Moi Rewards program once it becomes available at their local stores.