A complete guide to the 2026 transition from AIR MILES® to Blue Rewards
The year 2026 marks the most significant evolution in the thirty-four-year history of AIR MILES®. Following its acquisition by BMO, the program is undergoing a total reimagining. For collectors, this means more flexibility, simplified rules, and a major rebranding effort that will define the next era of Canadian loyalty.
Whether you are a long-time “Dream” collector or someone who uses “Cash” miles for gas, the landscape is changing. Here is everything you need to know about AIR MILES in 2026.
The Great Rebrand: Transitioning to Blue Rewards
Starting in Summer 2026, AIR MILES® will officially become Blue Rewards. It’ll be transformed into a platform overhaul designed to compete with modern programs like Scene+ and Aeroplan.
What Happens to Your Existing Miles?
The transition is designed to be automatic and “lossless” for collectors.
- Automatic Conversion: On launch day, your existing AIR MILES will automatically convert into Blue Points.
- The Conversion Rate: Miles will convert at a ratio of approximately one Mile to sixteen Blue Points.
- Value Retention: BMO has committed to maintaining equivalent value. Since 95 Cash Miles currently equals $10, the new benchmark will be 1,500 Blue Points for $10.
A Unified Currency: No More Cash vs. Dream
One of the most frequent complaints in the program’s history was the rigid separation between Cash Miles and Dream Miles.
The Single Balance System
Members no longer need to set a “preference” percentage. All miles earned now go into a single, unified balance. This gives you total freedom to decide at the moment of redemption whether you want to use your points for an instant $10 off at the checkout or save them for a flight to Europe. This change effectively turned AIR MILES into a much more versatile “anytime” currency.
How to earn miles in 2026?
While some legacy partners have left (most notably Shell, which moved to Scene+ in May 2026), the earning network has expanded into new, high-frequency categories.
Everyday Retail and Partners
You can continue to earn at over four hundred brands, including Pharmasave, Global Pet Foods, and Instacart. A major new focus for 2026 is the MTY Group partnership, allowing you to earn miles at restaurants like Thai Express, Mucho Burrito, and Mr. Sub.
Card-Linked Offers and Receipt Scanning
The 2026 AIR MILES app (soon to be the Blue Rewards app) allows you to earn miles even at non-partner stores. By linking any Canadian-issued Mastercard to your account or scanning receipts from major grocery and wholesale clubs, you can rack up bonus miles on everyday essentials.
Redeeming for in-store discounts (cash rewards)
This remains the fastest way to get value from your miles at a fixed rate of 95 Miles for $10 off.
- At the Checkout: When shopping at a participating partner (like Pharmasave), simply tell the cashier you would like to redeem your miles. You can redeem in increments of 95 miles ($10) up to a daily maximum of $750.
Redeeming for travel (The new Expedia Portal)
All travel bookings are powered by Expedia Group. This means you have access to over 700,000 hotels and every major airline without blackout dates.
- Access the Portal: Log in to the AIR MILES website or app and select the “Travel” tab.
- Search and Book: Search for flights, hotels, or car rentals as you would on a standard travel site.
- Flexible Payment: You can now choose to pay with 100% miles, or a combination of Miles + Cash. There is no longer a strict minimum for the miles portion, making small balances much more useful.
Redeeming for eVouchers and merchandise
If you prefer shopping online or physical goods, the Rewards Catalog is your primary destination.
Pro Tip: To get the most value, compare the “Miles Price” against the retail price on Amazon. Generally, you want to see a value of at least 10.5 cents per mile
eVouchers: These are digital gift cards for brands like Starbucks, Uber Eats, and Spotify. They are delivered instantly to your email and typically follow the 95 miles = $10 value rule.
Merchandise: You can use miles for everything from kitchen appliances to the latest Apple products.
Elite Status and Credit Cards
BMO has refreshed the credit card lineup to align with the new Blue Rewards identity.
- BMO Blue Rewards Mastercard: Offers accelerated earning rates on groceries and transit.
- Onyx Status: Elite collectors still receive benefits such as up to 40% off the miles required for certain flights and priority customer service. These perks will carry over into the highest tiers of the Blue Rewards program.
