BMO AIR MILES Mastercard Review

30-second take

• Think about this card if you collect AIR MILES but don’t want to pay an annual fee.

• Choose something else if you’d rather get more travel benefits or a low interest rate.

• There’s no minimum annual income required to qualify for this card.

The basics

Whether you’re a frequent flyer or an avid AIR MILES collector, chances are you could benefit from the BMO AIR MILES Mastercard.

• No annual fee. Save money with no annual fee.
• Collect AIR MILES. Get 2 AIR MILES for every $20 spent at eligible AIR MILES partners, and get 1 AIR MILE for every $20 spent elsewhere. Get 5x the Miles at Shell until December 31, 2020.
• Signup bonus. Get 950 AIR MILES Bonus Miles (enough for $100 towards purchases with AIR MILES Cash).
• Flexible redemption. Redeem your miles for travel and merchandise.
• Purchase protection. Take advantage of extended warranty and insurance coverage on products you buy with your card.
• Balance transfer offer. Get a rate of 1.99% on balance transfers for 9 months. A 1% transfer fee will be charged for each transferred balance.

The perks

• Zero liability. Rest easy knowing that you won’t have to pay if there are fraudulent charges on your account.
• 24/7 support. Talk to customer service at any time of day to troubleshoot issues you might have with your card.
• Optional benefits. Pay more for added benefits like roadside assistance, balance protection or credit card alerts.
• No fee for additional cards. Get as many cards as you want without having to pay an extra fee.

What to watch out for

• Low return. Since the card has no annual fee, the AIR MILES earn rate is much lower per $1 spent.
• High interest. You’ll pay around 19.99% interest on outstanding balances and 22.99% for cash advances.
• No travel perks. Unlike the World Elite version of this card, you won’t get travel benefits like medical insurance, airport lounge access or flight discounts.

What should I know before I apply

• Eligibility requirements

  To apply for a BMO AIR MILES Mastercard, you need to meet the following criteria:

  • Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is at least 18 years old (19 in some provinces).

• Required documents and information

  • Your name, residential status and contact information.
  • Your social insurance number and date of birth.
  • Your email address and phone number.

How to apply

1. Click “Go to site” on this page to be directed to the BMO AIR MILES Mastercard application.
2. Complete the application, which includes providing your name, email address, social insurance number and birth date.
3. Review and submit your application.

Bottom line

The BMO AIR MILES Mastercard is a good fit for AIR MILES members who want to collect more miles but don’t want to pay an annual fee. This card comes with a welcome offer, basic insurance and an introductory balance transfer rate.

Frequently asked questions about the BMO AIR MILES Mastercard

• Does the BMO AIR MILES MasterCard offer a welcome bonus?

  Yes, depending on when you sign up. Get 950 AIR MILES Bonus Miles (enough for $100 towards purchases with AIR MILES Cash). Plus, get 5x the Miles at Shell until December 31, 2020. Get a rate of 1.99% on balance transfers for 9 months. A 1% fee applies to transferred balances.

• Will my AIR MILES expire?

  No. As long as your account is active and in good standing, your points won’t expire.

• Can I apply online?

  Yes, you can apply by visiting the BMO bank website, or you can simply click “Go to Site” in the table above to be redirected to the application.