BMO Financial Group Unveils Blue Rewards to Replace Air Miles Program
In a significant shift for Canadian loyalty program members, BMO Financial Group has announced it will be replacing the long-standing Air Miles program with a new initiative called Blue Rewards. This transition marks a major evolution in how customers earn and redeem points through one of the country's most recognized banking institutions.
Automatic Conversion of Existing Air Miles Points
The bank has confirmed that when the Blue Rewards program launches this summer, all Air Miles previously collected by members will be automatically converted to Blue Points at equivalent value. This means loyal collectors won't lose their hard-earned rewards during the transition period.
Leading up to the program's official launch, Air Miles program members can continue using their collector cards without taking any immediate action. Similarly, BMO Air Miles credit and debit card holders will experience uninterrupted service with their existing cards while awaiting full program details in the coming months.
Enhanced Digital Experience and New Partnerships
BMO is positioning Blue Rewards as a substantial upgrade over the previous Air Miles program, promising greater flexibility, enriched benefits, and expanded partnerships. The bank emphasized that the new program will feature a streamlined digital experience through a newly designed Blue Rewards app.
Existing BMO customers will have convenient access to the program through the bank's current mobile banking app and website. According to Mathew Mehrotra, BMO's group head of Canadian Personal and Business Banking, the digitally enabled platform aims to deliver "simpler, flexible, more personalized rewards for members and helping them make real financial progress every day."
Shell Partnership Ending as Gas Station Joins Scene+
One significant change affecting collectors involves the program's partnership with Shell Canada. The bank confirmed that its collaboration with the gas station chain will end as Shell announces its move to join the Scene+ loyalty program.
The transition timeline varies by region:
- Shell will join Scene+ in Alberta effective March 3, 2026
- The rest of Canada will see the change take effect on May 26, 2026
BMO clarified that collectors can continue earning Air Miles at Shell locations using their BMO Air Miles credit card through May 25, 2026, providing a grace period for the partnership transition.
Background: BMO's Acquisition of Air Miles Program
This program overhaul follows BMO's acquisition of the Air Miles program from LoyaltyOne Co. in March 2023. The bank purchased the loyalty program for US$160 million after the U.S.-based company filed for bankruptcy, positioning BMO to revitalize and modernize the popular rewards system.
The introduction of Blue Rewards represents BMO's strategic effort to enhance customer engagement through improved digital capabilities and more flexible reward structures, while maintaining the value customers have accumulated through years of participation in the Air Miles program.
