Comparing the Blue Rewards/Air Miles vs. Aeroplan rewards programs is tricky, as one is operated by a bank and earns points, while the other is operated by an airline and earns miles. The bottom line, though, is that Aeroplan offers considerably more value than Blue Rewards.
This article explains how you earn points with both programs, reviews what you can redeem them for, and compares the overall value of each program. We'll also walk you through the best credit cards for each program, so you can decide which one is worth participating in.
Key Takeaways
- Blue Rewards (formerly Air Miles) is BMO’s rewards program, while Aeroplan is Air Canada’s official frequent flyer and credit card rewards program.
- Blue Rewards allows you to earn and redeem points for travel through Expedia and Aeroplan gives you preferred pricing for reward flights with Air Canada.
- Aeroplan points pack more value than BMO’s Blue Rewards, especially if you’re a loyal Air Canada traveller.
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What is Blue Rewards/Air Miles?
The Air Miles/Blue Rewards program is open to anyone with a free membership or a BMO Blue Rewards credit card. Collectors earn their Blue Rewards points by shopping at partner stores, scanning receipts, and using BMO credit and debit cards.
Pros:
- Access hotels, flights, rental cars, cruises, experiences, and vacation packages through Blue Rewards Travel Powered By Expedia
- 250+ online stores awarding points through Blue Rewards Shops
- 400+ online and in-store partners
- 6 ways to collect points
- 6 ways to redeem points
- Option to gift, transfer and/or share points with friends and family
- 4 Blue Rewards credit cards (including business cards)
- No membership tiers to keep track of
- Near flat-rate redemption value
Cons:
- Rewards worth as little as 0.6 CPP
- Unable to buy extra points
- Points can't be transferred to other programs
- Points expire after 24 months of inactivity
What is Aeroplan?
Aeroplan is the official frequent flyer and credit card rewards program of Air Canada, the country's largest airline and founding member of the Star Alliance airline group. Members earn Aeroplan points by buying flights, booking travel, using Aeroplan credit cards, and converting points from other rewards programs, but you can get started with a free account, too.
Pros:
- 250+ online stores awarding points through the Aeroplan eStore
- 50+ airlines, 300,000+ hotel locations, and 11,000+ rental car locations worldwide offering points
- Aeroplan credit cards from multiple issuers (including business cards)
- Transfer points to/from other rewards programs
- 7 online and 4 in-store partners
- 7 ways to earn points
- 6 ways to redeem points
- 5 membership tiers with exclusive perks on Air Canada and Star Alliance flights
Cons:
- Advanced membership requires points, miles, and flights
- Economy Basic flights don't count towards advanced membership
- Travel rewards have inconsistent value
- Rewards worth as little as 0.5 CPP
Blue Rewards/Air Miles vs. Aeroplan
In our opinion, the ideal travel rewards program offers excellent benefits, credit cards, earning opportunities, and redemption options. After comparing and contrasting Blue Rewards/Air Miles vs. Aeroplan in all 4 categories, the winner is clearly Aeroplan.
Aeroplan offers superior benefits, credit cards, and earning opportunities. While we like Blue Rewards' user-friendly travel options, we wish the rewards points were worth more.
That said, Aeroplan might not be the best travel rewards program for you.
Best benefits: Aeroplan
Boasting airport lounge access, gratuitous freebies, and plenty of perks, Aeroplan offers frequent flyers a better array of benefits than Blue Rewards.
Both Blue Rewards Collectors and Aeroplan members begin with a free membership, but after that, the similarities end. Aeroplan members advance to higher tiers by collecting points:
- 25K
- 35K
- 50K
- 15K
- Super Elite
With Aeroplan Super Elite status, you can earn perks that aren't possible with Blue Rewards, like:
- Priority and concierge services when flying
- Preferred pricing on reward flights
- Airport lounge access
- Free flight upgrades and checked bags
- Accelerated earn rates
- Complimentary changes and cancellations
- Status passes for friends or family
Air Canada's sponsorship makes this contest a no-brainer – advanced Aeroplan members get VIP treatment on Air Canada and Star Alliance flights that Blue Rewards can't replicate. The downside is that it takes a significant amount of investment and travel to reach each membership tier.
Best credit cards: Aeroplan
Featuring credit cards across 3 banks, plus high returns for premium travellers and general spenders, Aeroplan has better credit cards than Blue Rewards.
The right travel credit card can make all the difference between the occasional free coffee and an all-expenses-paid trip to the Caribbean. A whopping 82% of all Canadians use a credit card to pay at least one bill every month, so getting rewarded for the money you're already spending makes sense.
American Express, CIBC, and TD issue a combined total of 12 official Aeroplan credit cards in Canada. Our top co-branded pick is the luxurious TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card, but Aeroplan has a secret weapon: point conversions.
Amex credit cardholders can convert unlimited Amex Membership Rewards points to Aeroplan points at a 1:1 ratio for free, expanding your total options. As always, we recommend the American Express Cobalt Card, the best overall credit card in Canada.
Blue Rewards credit cards fall into 2 basic categories: basic or premium. Unfortunately, neither card has a great rate of return, so they're not as valuable as Aeroplan co-branded cards. The premium Blue Rewards card only nets an average 1.16% return on rewards, compared to the American Express Cobalt Card, which gives an average 3.94%.
Remember that although the American Express Cobalt Card earns Amex points, you can convert them to Aeroplan points at a 1:1 rate.
Value of rewards in CAD / money spent in CAD = returns in %
Every 1% in returns means $1 in rewards per $100 spent. It's an easy way to compare the 2 best Aeroplan credit cards and the best Blue Rewards card in Canada:
| American Express Cobalt Card | TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card | BMO Blue Rewards World Elite Mastercard | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $191.88 | $139 | $150 |
| Welcome Bonus | Up to 15,000 bonus points (terms) | Up to 50,000 bonus points (terms) |  $150 GC Boost + Up to 100,000 bonus points, first year free (terms) |
| Rewards Program | American Express Membership Rewards | Aeroplan | Blue Rewards/Air Miles |
| Rewards | * 5 points per $1 spent on eligible groceries and restaurants (up to $2,500 spent per month) * 3 points per $1 spent on eligible streaming services * 2 points per $1 spent on eligible gas, transit, and ride share purchases * 1 point per $1 spent on foreign currency purchases * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases | * 1.5 points per $1 spent on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, grocery and direct through Air Canada purchases * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases | * 10 points per $1 spent at Blue Rewards partners, up to $25,000 spent per year* * 2 points per $1 spent on groceries, gas, electric vehicle charging, wholesale, and alcohol purchases, up to $500 spent per month on each* * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases* |
| Average Returns | 3.94% | 1.86% | 1.16% |
| Insurance Package | 10 | 12 | 12 |
| Income Requirements | None | $60,000 personal or $100,000 household | $80,000 personal or $150,000 household |
| Credit Card Benefits | * Amex Experiences * Amex Front of the Line * Amex Offers * The Hotel Collection | * Annual fee rebate for the first year * $100 CAD NEXUS rebate every 4 years * Anniversary bonus *12 types of insurance | * Annual fee rebate for the first year * 4 airport lounge passes every year *12 types of insurance * Free roadside assistance |
| Rewards Program Benefits | * Convert Amex Membership Rewards Points to Aeroplan Points 1:1 | * 1,000 Elite Status Miles for every $10,000 spent annually * Free checked bags and preferred pricing on Air Canada flights | * Doesn't participate in program with elite status |
Best earning opportunities: Aeroplan
The Aeroplan program's credit cards, travel rewards, and online shopping portal yield higher returns than Blue Rewards.
Here's how and what you can earn with each of these rewards programs:
Aeroplan
- Buy flights and flight-related services from Air Canada or Star Alliance airlines: Up to 6 points per $1 spent (depending on status)
- Book hotels, rental cars, and vacation packages through Air Canada: Up to 2 points per $1 spent
- Convert points from other rewards programs: Convert points at a rate of 1:1 if moving Amex points to Aeroplan
- Purchase Aeroplan points or Points Boosters: Buy points/boosters for 3.5 cents per point (note that this isn't cost-effective)
- Shop at the Aeroplan eStore and with retail partners: Up to 5 points per $1 spent by stacking offers and shopping with partners
- Shop with an Aeroplan credit card: Up to 3 points per $1 spent (using the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card)
Blue Rewards
- Shopping with Blue Rewards partners: Around 16 points per $10 – $20 spent
- Shopping online via Blue Rewards Shops: Earn up to 20 points per $1 spent by taking advantage of online offers on the Blue Rewards website
- Scan grocery receipts: Points vary by offer and change weekly
- Book travel through Blue Rewards Travel powered by Expedia: Up to 16 points per $15 spent
- Shop with a BMO Blue Rewards credit card: Up to 10 points per $1 spent (using the BMO Blue Rewards World Elite Mastercard)
- Open and use a BMO chequing account: Earn up to 2 points per $1 spent by using a debit card linked to an eligible BMO chequing account
Best redemption options: Aeroplan
Aeroplan offers a streamlined booking process, consistent value, and more valuable benefits.
The best flexible rewards programs offer a variety of appealing redemption options and fairly consistent value.
Cost of reward in $CAD / cost of reward in miles or points x 100 = value in cents per mile (CPM) or cents per point (CPP)
| Blue Rewards | Aeroplan | |
|---|---|---|
| Redemption Options | * Travel * Store discounts * eGift cards * Merchandise | * Merchandise * Gift cards * Travel |
| Best Option | * Cruises for 0.7 CPM | * Flights from Air Canada for up to 1.6 CPP |
| Worst Option | * Merchandise for as little as 0.59 CPM | * Gift cards for as little as 0.71 CPP |
| Other Travel Options | * Car, flights, and hotels from Expedia Blue Rewards for 0.64 CPP | * Air Canada gift cards for 1 CPP * Car rentals for 0.9 CPP * Cruises and packages for 0.83 CPP * Hotels for 0.82 CPP |
Blue Rewards really can't compete with the value offered by Aeroplan's travel options. You're looking at a value of 0.64 to 0.7 CPP for all of your travel options with the BMO program.
Aeroplan, however, offers 1.6 CPP when you book flights with Air Canada. Even if you're not booking a trip, your car rentals, cruises, vacation packages, and hotel stays all deliver more value when paid for with Aeroplan points.
How to choose the right travel rewards program for you
Whether you're stuck between Blue Rewards/Air Miles vs. Aeroplan or other rewards programs, you'll want to consider the benefits, credit cards, earning opportunities, and redemption options of each. The one that best suits your lifestyle will be the right choice for you.
For example, Blue Rewards is likely your best choice if you aren't a frequent flyer and you like:
- Buying Economy flights on different airlines
- Booking travel through Expedia
- Buying travel packages
- Hunting for bonus offers and promotions
- Shopping at Blue Rewards partner stores
On the other hand, Aeroplan is your best option if you prefer to fly Air Canada and you carry a rewarding credit card. You won't have to hunt regularly for bargains and promotions to earn rewards, but you'll have to put more effort into finding a valuable use for your points.
Pro tip: Pick the program that best rewards your existing shopping habits with options that excite you. It'll make it easier to tolerate each program's quirks.
Alternatives to Blue Rewards/Air Miles and Aeroplan
Of course, Air Miles and Aeroplan aren't the only travel rewards programs in Canada – you could also earn points and travel with CIBC Aventura, RBC Avion, or TD Travel Rewards. For the sake of brevity, we're going to explore one rival with fantastic rewards: the American Express Membership Rewards program.
Amex Membership Rewards can only be earned by select American Express credit cards. The top Amex cards offer above-average earn rates, incredible travel perks, and decent insurance. Their only downside is somewhat limited acceptance, although this continues to improve.
We recommend transferring your Amex Membership Rewards points to Aeroplan or using the user-friendly Amex Fixed Points Travel Program to get up to 1.75 CPP. You can also transfer them to Aeroplan (1.6 CPP) or to the Marriott Bonvoy reward program (1.32 CPP).
FAQ
Are Air Miles/Blue Rewards and Aeroplan the same?
No, Blue Rewards (formerly Air Miles) and Aeroplan are separate reward programs with different credit card networks, points systems, retail partners, etc. A detailed comparison of these programs shows that they operate very differently, but Aeroplan ultimately provides better value.
Does Air Miles still exist in Canada?
No, BMO revamped its famous Air Miles rewards program in 2026, renaming it Blue Rewards and restructuring how you earn rewards. Instead of earning Dream Miles or Cash Miles, members now earn Blue Rewards points that can be redeemed for the same things.
What is better, Aeroplan or Miles and More?
Unless you're a regular Lufthansa Group traveller, we advise participating in the Aeroplan program. Not only do you get fantastic Air Canada perks and benefits, but you have more widespread earning opportunities than you do with the Miles and More program.
Is it better to have points or miles?
Points and miles are essentially the same thing. Whether a reward program uses points or miles as its currency isn't as important as the value of these points or miles. Still, most Canadian travel programs use points rather than miles.
Can I convert Blue Rewards/Air Miles to Aeroplan?
No, Aeroplan and Blue Rewards don't allow users to convert points between programs at this time. However, the Aeroplan program allows members to transfer points to and from multiple partner programs, including Flying Blue, Cathay Pacific, Delta SkyMiles, Hilton Honors, and Marriott Bonvoy.
What are the disadvantages of Blue Rewards/Air Miles?
The biggest disadvantage of the Blue Rewards/Air Miles program is that the reward points aren't particularly valuable, even when you redeem them for the highest-value option. At best, you'll only get around 0.73 cents per point with Blue Rewards.
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