BMO Transitioning from AIR MILES to Blue Rewards in Summer 2026

Bank of Montreal has officially confirmed that its consumer credit card portfolio will transition away from the AIR MILES reward program and onto its proprietary Blue Rewards platform beginning in summer 2026. The announcement, made during BMO's Q1 2026 earnings call, marks the end of a partnership that has spanned more than a decade and signals a broader industry shift away from coalition loyalty programs in Canada.

Under the new Blue Rewards structure, BMO cardholders will earn Blue Rewards points on every purchase. The bank has outlined an earn rate of 3 Blue Rewards points per dollar on groceries and dining, 2 points per dollar on recurring bills and transit, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. These rates represent a modest improvement over the current AIR MILES earn structure on most BMO cards, though the real value will depend on redemption options.

BMO says Blue Rewards points will be redeemable for travel bookings through a dedicated BMO travel portal, statement credits, gift cards, and merchandise. The bank has also confirmed partnerships with several hotel chains and airlines, though specific transfer partners have not yet been disclosed. A BMO spokesperson indicated that transfer partner details will be announced in May 2026, roughly one month before the switchover date.

For existing BMO AIR MILES cardholders, the transition will be automatic. Any AIR MILES balances accrued through BMO card spending will remain in the cardholder's AIR MILES account and can still be redeemed through the AIR MILES program. However, new purchases made after the transition date will earn Blue Rewards points instead. BMO has stated that cardholders do not need to apply for new cards or change their card numbers.

The move follows a broader trend in the Canadian market. Scotiabank pulled its cards out of the AIR MILES program in 2022, launching Scene+ as its replacement. American Express Canada has long operated its own Membership Rewards ecosystem. BMO's departure leaves AIR MILES with a significantly reduced roster of major financial institution partners, raising questions about the long-term viability of the coalition model in Canada.

Industry analysts have noted that proprietary loyalty programs give banks greater control over customer data, redemption economics, and the overall cardholder experience. By owning the rewards ecosystem end-to-end, BMO can tailor promotions, adjust earn rates, and negotiate supplier deals without the constraints of a third-party program operator.

BMO has also announced that Blue Rewards will integrate with its existing BMO Rewards program, which currently serves its premium card lineup. The combined platform will create a single points currency across the entire BMO credit card portfolio, simplifying the experience for customers who hold multiple BMO cards. Points pooling across cards within the same household will be available at launch.

The bank is investing heavily in the digital experience around Blue Rewards, including a redesigned BMO app with real-time points tracking, personalized offers, and a marketplace for point redemptions. Early previews suggest a clean, modern interface that puts redemption options front and center.

For the broader Canadian credit card market, BMO's move intensifies competition among the Big Five banks to offer the most compelling proprietary rewards experience. With TD, RBC, CIBC, and Scotiabank all operating their own loyalty currencies, the era of coalition programs dominating the Canadian landscape appears to be drawing to a close.