The Ultimate Guide to Air Miles in Canada (2025)
Everything Canadians need to know about earning, redeeming, and maximizing value with Air Miles—plus a real-world value calculator and side-by-side loyalty program comparisons.
What is Air Miles? Why Canadians Care
Air Miles is one of Canada’s largest and longest-running loyalty programs, letting you collect points (“Miles”) at hundreds of partner retailers—including grocery, gas, pharmacy, online shops, and more. Miles can be redeemed for travel, merchandise, gift cards, or cash rewards. This guide explains how the program works, how to earn Miles faster, which redemptions offer the best value, and how Air Miles stacks up against PC Optimum, Scene+, and CT Money. Use our calculator to see what your Miles are worth!
Updated for 2025. For details on other programs, see our Loyalty Program Comparison.
How Air Miles Works in Canada: Structure, Types & Partners
Air Miles is a free rewards program available to all Canadians. Sign up for an account and collect Miles when you shop at partner stores or online retailers. Miles can be split into two balances:
- Cash Miles: Use instantly at checkout for discounts on groceries, gas, and more. Every 95 Cash Miles = $10 off at participating stores.
- Dream Miles: Redeem for travel (flights, hotels), merchandise, gift cards, events, and more. Dream Miles often give higher value, especially for travel.
You can earn Air Miles at hundreds of partners across Canada, including:
- Grocery: Metro (ON/QC), Sobeys (Atlantic, Western Canada), Safeway, Foodland, IGA (QC/West)
- Gas: Shell, Irving Oil
- Pharmacy: Jean Coutu, Lawtons
- Liquor: LCBO (Ontario), select others
- Retail & Online: Staples, Air Miles Shops (hundreds of online stores including Amazon, Apple, Hudson's Bay, Indigo, Gap, Old Navy, and more)
Note: Retailer participation may vary by province. For a full list, visit the Air Miles partners page.
To earn: Present your Air Miles card or app at checkout, or enter your collector number for online orders. Most partners offer 1 Mile per $10–$20 spent, but bonus events can give much more.
To redeem: Cash Miles: Use in-store or online for instant $10 discounts. Dream Miles: Redeem for flights, hotels, merchandise, and more via the Air Miles website/app. Some partners allow you to redeem Dream Miles at the counter for select rewards.
To redeem: Cash Miles: Use in-store or online for instant $10 discounts. Dream Miles: Redeem for flights, hotels, merchandise, and more via the Air Miles website/app. Some partners allow you to redeem Dream Miles at the counter for select rewards.
- Cash Miles: Flexible, for everyday savings at checkout. Value is fixed: 95 Miles = $10 (=$0.105/mile). Used for groceries, gas, liquor, pharmacy, etc.
- Dream Miles: Used for travel and merchandise rewards. Value varies—can be as high as $0.12–$0.18 per mile for flights, but much less for merchandise/gift cards. Cannot be converted to Cash after earning.
Tip: Set your split based on your goals! Travelers should lean Dream Miles; everyday savers may prefer Cash Miles.
Air Miles continues to evolve—recent years have seen changes in participating partners, program ownership, and redemption options. Always check your account for active partners in your region, and stay tuned to the Air Miles app for special bonus events and partnership updates.
How to Earn Air Miles Fast in 2025: Top Strategies & Earning Table
- Shop During Bonus Events: Look for “10x Miles” or “Spend $100, get 100 Miles” partner promos.
- Use an Air Miles Credit Card: Earn Miles on every purchase, everywhere (even non-partners).
- Stack Offers: Combine credit card Miles, in-store offers, and Air Miles coupons for double or triple rewards.
- Shop Online Through Air Miles Shops: Hundreds of retailers—activate first for extra Miles on every $ spent.
- Redeem for Everyday Purchases: Use Cash Miles for instant discounts—no waiting.
- Watch for “Personalized Offers”: App/email offers targeted to your habits.
- Combine with Coupons: Many stores let you earn Miles and redeem manufacturer/store coupons in the same transaction.
- Link Family Accounts: Pool Miles or earn together with “My Family” (restrictions may apply).
Best Earning Opportunities by Retailer/Category
| Retailer/Category | Base Earning Rate | Bonus Events | Stackable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro (ON/QC) | 1 Mile/$20 | Weekly: 50-100 Bonus Miles offers | Yes |
| Shell | 1 Mile/$20 gas | Frequent: 5x, 10x promos | Yes |
| Air Miles Shops | Varies (1–10 Miles/$) | Up to 20x at select times | Yes |
| Sobeys/Safeway/IGA | 1 Mile/$20 | Weekly in-flyer/receipt bonus coupons | Yes |
| Staples, Rona, LCBO | 1 Mile/$20 | Occasional 5x-10x promos | Yes |
| Credit Card Spend | 0.1–1 Mile/$ (card-dependent) | Sometimes | Yes |
Check each partner for current rates and bonus events! For stacking guide, see Coupon Stacking Guide.
Best Air Miles Redemption Options: Value Comparison & Tips
- Flights: Highest value per Mile (often $0.12–$0.18/Mile), especially on long-haul or last-minute bookings. Book via Air Miles website.
- Gift Cards: Very flexible but lower value ($0.085–$0.10/Mile). Useful for everyday spend.
- Cash Miles: Super convenient—redeem 95 Miles for $10 off at checkout (fixed $0.105/Mile).
- Merchandise: Value varies widely, often $0.08–$0.11/Mile. Always check retail price elsewhere before redeeming.
- Hotels, Car Rentals: Good value possible, but compare to cash price. Sometimes special promos boost value.
- Avoid: Low-value redemption (e.g., merchandise at inflated “points price” or low-value gift cards).
Tip: Calculate your value per Mile before redeeming—divide the cash value of the reward by the Miles required. Aim for $0.10–$0.15/Mile for best value!
Air Miles Redemption Value Comparison
| Reward Type | Typical Value / Mile |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Flight | $0.13–$0.18 | Best when cash fares are high |
| Cash Miles | $0.105 | Instant, universal value |
| Gift Cards | $0.085–$0.10 | Flexible but lower value |
| Merchandise | $0.08–$0.11 | Varies by item |
| Hotels/Cars | $0.10–$0.13 | Look for sales/promos |
For advanced tips, see Loyalty Program Comparison.
Air Miles vs. PC Optimum, Scene+, CT Money: Program Comparison (2025)
| Program | Main Partners | Earning Rate | Redemption Options | Best Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Miles | Metro, Shell, Sobeys, Safeway, Staples, Air Miles Shops | 1 Mile/$10–$20 (partners); credit card options | Flights, cash, gift cards, merchandise | Flights, instant cash ($0.10+/mile) | Split between Cash/Dream; strong travel value |
| PC Optimum | Loblaws, Shoppers, No Frills, RCSS, Esso | 15 pts/$1 (base); frequent 10x-20x events | Groceries, pharmacy, beauty, gas | Bonus events, redemption events | Personalized offers; best for regular grocery/pharmacy |
| Scene+ | Empire (Sobeys), Cineplex, Expedia, Apple, Home Hardware | 1 pt/$1 (base); promos vary | Groceries, travel, movies, gift cards | Travel, groceries, bonus partners | Rising in value; strong for Empire grocers |
| CT Money | Canadian Tire, Sport Chek, Mark's | 0.4–1.5% (base); bonus offers frequent | Store credit, merchandise, gas | Bonus events, stacking with Triangle cards | No expiry; best for CT/Mark's/Sport Chek loyalists |
For in-depth comparisons, see our full guide or PC Optimum Guide.
Air Miles Value Calculator: What Are Your Miles Worth?
Estimates only. Actual values may vary by reward, partner, and promo. For detailed redemption tips, see redemption section above.
Air Miles FAQ: Common Questions about Air Miles in Canada
Air Miles is a loyalty program where Canadians earn points (“Miles”) by shopping at partner retailers and using Air Miles credit cards. Miles can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, merchandise, or cash discounts. You choose your split between Cash Miles (for instant in-store savings) and Dream Miles (for travel/merchandise). Present your Air Miles card or app at checkout or link online accounts to earn automatically.
The fastest ways: Stack Air Miles-earning credit cards with in-store or online bonus events (e.g., 10x or 20x Miles promos). Always activate bonus offers in the app, and shop through Air Miles Shops for online purchases. Look for “Spend $X, get Y Miles” coupons, and double-dip by using manufacturer/store coupons alongside. If possible, coordinate big shops with major bonus events.
Best value is usually for flights (especially when cash fares are high), or for instant Cash Miles redemptions ($10 off per 95 Miles). Gift cards and merchandise are convenient but often lower in value per Mile. Always compare the cash price of an item to the number of Miles required; aim for $0.10–$0.15 per Mile for maximum value.
No, Air Miles do not expire as long as your account is active. If your account is inactive for 24 consecutive months (no earning or redemption activity), you risk losing your Miles. Set a reminder to use or earn at least once every two years to keep your balance safe.
Yes, but with restrictions. You can add up to 9 family members to a “My Family” account and pool Miles for redemptions. Transferring Miles between unrelated accounts is not typically allowed, except in special circumstances (e.g., estate transfers, account errors). Always check current Air Miles rules before attempting a transfer.
Value varies by redemption. Cash Miles are always $0.105 per Mile (95 Miles = $10). Dream Miles value ranges from $0.08–$0.18 per Mile depending on the reward (flights are best, merchandise/gift cards lower). Use our calculator above to estimate your total value.
Your existing Miles are safe and remain in your account. You will no longer be able to earn new Miles at that retailer, but you can still redeem at other partners or for any reward type. Always watch for news about partner changes and update your shopping habits to maximize earnings elsewhere.
It depends! Air Miles is strong at Metro, Sobeys, Safeway, and IGA. PC Optimum dominates at Loblaws, No Frills, RCSS, and Shoppers Drug Mart. Scene+ is best at Empire banners (Sobeys, Foodland) in some regions. Compare earning rates, bonus events, and redemption options for your main stores—see our full comparison.