LCBO Is No Longer An Air Miles Partner

Written by creditcardGenius Team

updated on Apr 15, 2021

Fact Checked

One of Canada’s largest rewards programs, Air Miles has a large reach in Canada.

But, for one province in Canada, a major retailer is no longer a partner.

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LCBO no longer an Air Miles partner

For those of you who live in Ontario, the LCBO is no longer an Air Miles partner.

This is unfortunate news for many, as they were an easy way to earn some bonus rewards, and there’s also no replacement for the LCBO – it’s your only choice for buying alcohol in Ontario (along with the Beer Store).

However, if you have any vouchers for the LCBO from your Cash Miles, those will continue to be accepted.

It’s part of a slow decrease in partners over the last few years, starting with Rexall, Lowes, and Rona.

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BMO AIR MILES^®^† World Elite^®^* Mastercard^®^*

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4.1 Genius Rating

3.4 (55) User reviews

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Annual fee

$120.00 $0

1st year waived

Welcome bonus

$945^◊
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BMO AIR MILES^®^† Mastercard^®^*

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3.7 (21) User reviews

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BMO AIR MILES^®^† Mastercard^®^*

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3.6 Genius Rating

3.7 (21) User reviews

Annual fee

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Welcome bonus

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2,500 miles

Annual rewards
$129^◊
GC Ends:

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Credit estimate:

(560 - 659)

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Your turn

Air Miles has steadily been losing partners, and this is one merchant that can’t be easily replaced.

What are your thoughts on this?

Let us know in the comments below.

creditcardGenius is the only tool that compares 126+ features of 229 Canadian credit cards using math-based ratings and rankings that respond to your needs, instantly. Take our quiz and see which of Canada's 229 cards is for you.

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Editorial Disclaimer: The content here reflects the author's opinion alone. No bank, credit card issuer, rewards program, or other entity has reviewed, approved, or endorsed this content. For complete and updated product information please visit the product issuer's website. Our credit card scores and rankings are based on our Rating Methodology that takes into account 126+ features for each of 229 Canadian credit cards.

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Comments

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Showing 21 comments

Stanley Kravitz

April 14, 2021

Been an Air Miles collector since 1992 and seen many partners come and go, but like this in a short period of time. Is Air Miles Costs too high and these partners not seeing the return on investment? I average about 8000 miles collected a year, however since Air Miles was taken to court over slapping an expiry date on Miles, they have struck back with increases to get rewards. I think it’s safe to assume consumers hit back against those partners and sales may have dropped off ever since they tried to pull the wool over our eyes.

creditcardGenius Team

April 20, 2021

Hey Stanley, Air Miles partners have certainly come and gone over the years, but not as frequently as they have recently. There could be other things at play, like you've suggested.

Tom

April 13, 2021

I have been a long time Airmiles collector. I have used it primarily for flights and hotels. It’s too bad the LCBO has dropped the program. I would try a lot of new wines because of the extra Airmiles on promotional wines. I still look for retailers who offer Airmiles especially Shell Gas. I hope more retailers pick up the program.

April 10, 2021

This is not the first time AirMiles has made a negative change. Last time it was a policy that if you do not use your card in a given time they take away your miles. Before that, they changed the structure designating points for travel or purchases and prevented transferring them between the two designations. OVerall I am completely dissatisfied with their arbitrary limiting policies and much prefer Aeroplan!

creditcardGenius Team

April 15, 2021

Hey RJ, Many are unsatisfied with Air Miles lately. Here's hoping they can turn it around and get more retailers on board.

Ernest A. J.

April 9, 2021

For quite a while, Air Miles has been playing the god of the loyalty/rewards card industry and to paraphrase the song in the movie "Color Purple", maybe they're trying to tell us something!

bob johnston

April 9, 2021

Too bad the LBCO dropped Air miles, now I'll buy all my booze except wine in Quebec where alcohol & beer are cheaper. Air miles may soon go under as places are dropping them like flys are charge extra to get airmiles.

Hank

April 9, 2021

I would hope that the monopoly, LCBO, finally smartened up and dropped the scam known as Air Miles.

Elizabeth J

April 8, 2021

I was surprised and disappointed by this when at the LCBO yesterday! It’s really the only place I get air miles lately. And I’ve been getting quite a few this past year purchasing for my Dad who lives in a retirement home and hasn’t been able to shop himself during the pandemic! His money, my air miles 😜 Not much point in an air miles card now in my opinion.

creditcardGenius Team

April 15, 2021

Hey Elizabeth, For some, there isn't much point in collecting Air Miles unless you frequent Sobeys or Shell stations (or use the right credit card).

Rick Nedza

April 8, 2021

Air Miles seem to be disappearing from many major retailers like the LCBO maybe it’s time to lose that card and focus on others

Janet Koyle

April 8, 2021

I’m very disappointed that Air Mikes cut off Rexall and LCBO.They were two places you could build up mikes.I Along with others I’ve spoken too said they will just start shopping we’re Aeroplane points count.Guess I might as well.

creditcardGenius Team

April 15, 2021

Hey Janet, Seems like many people are thinking of looking for a replacement program for collecting points.

Gerhard S

April 8, 2021

That is a shame. I guess I will be purchasing wine and beer at Sobey’s. They take the air miles card. Unfortunately not all Sobey locations carry wine or beer. Cheers, GS

Felim Greene

April 8, 2021

Was shocked that a monopoly was offering Airmiles in the first place! As a tax payer, glad they have stopped but took great of advantage of it while it was in place. Will probably drop my Airmiles card now as this was my primary place of use.

Kevin

April 8, 2021

I never liked the association with the LCBO since it seems like a reward for buying alcohol that we don't need to encourage (I include myself in this perspective). I am giving up on AirMiles anyway, there's nothing to be done with them anymore, the ratio of AirMiles to benefits has become absurd.

AGM

April 8, 2021

The selections on Air Miles are terrible. It was so much better in the old days - today's variety is much smaller. I would not use a credit card for Air Miles.

creditcardGenius Team

April 15, 2021

Hello, Depending on where you live, the selection of Air Miles partners has slowly dwindled over the past couple of years. Hopefully Air Miles is able to turn it around.

Jon

April 8, 2021

This was a total surprise. Not impressed. However as you mentioned, there is no substitute for the LCBO in Ontario, unless you use a AM CC, say at a winery. Other merchants that dropped AM, I am no longer frequenting, like SportChek, now Lowes, etc. The airmiles program I guess would be to attract customers, I wonder what caused the LCBO to drop AM?

creditcardGenius Team

April 15, 2021

Hey Jon, We can't be certain what caused the LCBO to drop Air Miles, but our guess was the cost was too much to handle.

April 8, 2021

Same for Lowes & Rona - dropped in January!

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LCBO Is No Longer An Air Miles Partner

LCBO no longer an Air Miles partner

Best Air Miles Credit Cards