Air Miles vs Aeroplan: Blue Rewards Compared

Air Miles is now Blue Rewards, but many Canadians still call it Air Miles out of habit.

If you searched “Air Miles vs Aeroplan,” this is the comparison you need: Blue Rewards vs Aeroplan.

I have used both programs, tested Blue Rewards at multiple retailers, linked Journie Rewards to Aeroplan, and compared the same fill-up across both programs. I’ve also priced the same Toronto to Fort Lauderdale trip through both rewards systems and studied the credit card ecosystems that accelerate earning in each program.

My verdict: Aeroplan is my choice for travel, but Blue Rewards makes sense as a secondary program for everyday earning where I live.

Blue Rewards Is the Rebrand of Air Miles

Air Miles transitioned to Blue Rewards, and members now earn Blue Points instead of Miles.

The new program feels more straightforward than the old Air Miles setup because points are presented as one rewards currency rather than being divided between different types of Miles.

That said, understanding the difference between the old Air Miles experience and the new Blue Rewards program matters. I collected Air Miles for years, but the rewards never felt like they got me very far—literally or figuratively. I never booked a flight with them, and I eventually stopped making the program a priority.

Blue Rewards may improve on those weaknesses. So far, I’ve tested it through real gas purchases at multiple retailers, explored the travel portal, and compared redemption options. The program feels slightly more practical than Air Miles was, but it’s still too new for me to say whether it completely fixes the old program’s problems.

How I Earned Blue Rewards at Irving

I tested Blue Rewards during fill-ups at Irving stations.

On one visit, I spent CA$65.51 and purchased approximately 38 litres of gas.

The Irving earning rule was:

• 16 Blue Points for every 20 litres at the pump
• 16 Blue Points for every CA$20 spent in-store

Because I bought 38 litres, I earned only 16 Blue Points.

I missed the next 16-point tier by two litres.

The 20-Litre Threshold Problem

At 38 litres, I earned 16 Blue Points.

At 40 litres, I would have earned 32 Blue Points.

That means buying just two more litres would have doubled my points.

Based on two similar fill-ups earning only 16 points each, it appears Blue Rewards treats each purchase separately rather than carrying over unused litres toward the next threshold. This structure creates a real drawback: you need to plan your fill-ups strategically to hit the 20-litre blocks.

For me, this is a problem because I don’t enjoy driving with a near empty tank just to earn a few more points. Rewards optimization shouldn’t require changing your actual behaviour in ways that aren’t practical.

The Blue Rewards Pay-at-Pump Issue

The earning structure wasn’t my only friction point.

At Irving, the pump required me to insert a physical rewards card. There was no option to scan the digital Blue Rewards card from my phone.

Because I only had the digital card, I had to go inside to earn the points. I normally pay at the pump, so this required a behavioural change. On several occasions, I forgot to go inside and missed the Blue Rewards points entirely.

Note: This appears to be pump-specific. I’ve been able to scan my digital Blue Rewards card at in stores without issue. But if you’re someone who always pays at the pump, be aware that some Irving locations may not support digital card scanning.

This is worth knowing because a program may look seamless in the app while being less convenient during the actual transaction.

How Aeroplan Works With Journie Rewards at the Pump

Aeroplan’s gas partnership works through Journie Rewards at participating stations:

• On the Run
• Pioneer
• Fas Gas
• Ultramar
• Chevron

Linked vs. Unlinked Earning

Linked members (your Journie account connected to Aeroplan) earn:

• 1 Journie point per litre of gas
• 2 Journie points per CA$1 spent in-store

After you reach 300 Journie points, you automatically receive 300 Aeroplan points (the default option, though you can select other rewards like in-store discounts or a gas discount).

Unlinked members earn:

• 1 Aeroplan point per 3 litres of gas
• 1 Aeroplan point per CA$1 spent in-store

Linking is obviously better. But the program is not straightforward—you’re managing a Journie account, an Aeroplan account, Journie points, Aeroplan points, reward cycles, and your selected redemption option. Someone new to the program might assume they receive Aeroplan points directly. In reality, linked members earn Journie points first and convert them to Aeroplan points when they complete a 300-point cycle.

The Biggest Drawback for Me

The biggest problem with Journie is not the earning rate.

It’s that none of the partner stations are conveniently located in my area.

They don’t even have options for me for nearby stores in their app.

This is why I would never choose a gas loyalty program based only on the advertised earn rate. You need to check whether the partners are actually accessible where you live. Other gas stations participate in different programs:

• Shell partners with Scene+
• Petro-Canada uses Petro-Points (and links with Triangle Rewards)
• Esso partners with PC Optimum

If no partners work for you geographically, your other option is to use a credit card with a gas multiplier. A card like the Amex Cobalt (2x points on gas) can transfer points to Aeroplan, giving you a faster earn rate than relying on loyalty programs alone. But that’s a credit card strategy, not a loyalty program comparison.

For this article, I’m focusing on Blue Rewards vs Aeroplan as standalone programs. The real lesson is simple: pick a program connected to the stations you already use. Driving out of your way for points usually defeats the purpose.

The Real Points Comparison: Blue Rewards vs Aeroplan

Here’s what matters: not just how many points you earn, but how much those points are actually worth.

Using my $65.51 gas fill-up (38 litres), here’s what you’d earn with different strategies:

Strategy	Points Earned	Notes
Blue Rewards member card only	16 Blue Points	Missed the 40-litre tier by 2 litres
Blue Rewards + BMO Blue Rewards World Elite Mastercard (10x at Blue Rewards partners)	~671 Blue Points	655 card points + 16 member points
Aeroplan (unlinked)	~12 Aeroplan points	1 point per 3 litres
Aeroplan (linked Journie)	38 Journie points	Counts toward 300-point cycle
Amex Cobalt (2x on gas) transferred to Aeroplan + Blue Rewards tap	131 Membership Rewards + 16 Blue Points	Amex Membership Rewards can transfer to Aeroplan

The takeaway: On a single fill-up, earning rates look very different depending on your setup. But most people don’t rely solely on gas earning—groceries, dining, travel, and credit card bonuses accelerate points much faster.

My personal strategy is to optimize across multiple points programs in tandem—what I call my Triple Alliance Strategy—rather than betting everything on one program. But I want to be clear: this is an advanced approach.

If you’re starting out, I recommend getting proficient with one program first. Find success with a single strategy, see the results, and build momentum. The more programs you juggle early on, the less likely you’ll follow through. But once you’ve mastered one program and you’re seeing results, you’ll have the motivation and knowledge to layer in a second program—and eventually a third.

The Triple Alliance Strategy is specifically designed for travelers focused on premium cabin redemptions. Aeroplan is my primary focus for flight redemptions and business class access, but I also strategically earn through other programs simultaneously. Blue Rewards becomes a passive earner when I’m already shopping at partners like Irving or Sobeys. That way, I’m not changing my spending patterns, but I’m earning across multiple currencies and maximizing my redemption optionality for premium travel.

Learn more about this advanced approach in our guide on the Triple Alliance Strategy and how to progress from single-program mastery to multi-program optimization.

Aeroplan’s earning ecosystem spans airlines, restaurants, and retailers. But accessibility depends on your location.

Blue Rewards partners are expanding, and some offer 10x points earning—significantly higher than the standard rate. Here’s some of their current partners who offer 10x points with BMO Blue Rewards credit cards:

For the most up-to-date 10x partner list, visit BMO’s Blue Rewards page since new retailers are being added regularly.

Redemption Value: How Many Points Does a Reward Cost?

Blue Rewards Gift Cards

A CA$50 Starbucks gift card costs 7,500 Blue Points (no promo).

That gives each Blue Point a value of approximately 0.67 cents per point.

I checked several other retailers:

• Apple: 7,500 points
• Adidas: 7,500 points
• Sephora: 7,500 points
• Lululemon: 7,500 points

Blue Rewards appears to use a consistent 7,500-point rate for CA$50 gift cards. The predictability is one of Blue Rewards’ strengths if you value straightforward redemptions.

(Note: Dollarama had a promo offering 5% off, which would have reduced the cost to 7,125 points, but that was promotional pricing.)

Aeroplan Gift Cards

A CA$50 Starbucks gift card costs 6,400 Aeroplan points (no promo).

However, Aeroplan pricing varies by retailer:

• Starbucks: 6,400 points (lowest)
• Apple: 7,000 points
• Walmart: 7,050 points
• Lululemon: 7,000 points
• Sephora: 7,000 points

Aeroplan required fewer points for this example, but the variation means you need to check each retailer individually.

The Important Caveat

I would not automatically redeem Aeroplan points for gift cards. The reason I collect Aeroplan is its potential value for flights. Using those points for a gift card may sacrifice a better future travel redemption.

Blue Rewards is more naturally suited to fixed-value redemptions because the program is designed around them. Aeroplan’s strength is elsewhere—in flexible travel awards.

Fixed Value vs Outsized Value

The chart above shows why fixed-value gift cards pale in comparison to airline award potential. Don’t just collect points. Collect the right points for the trip you want. To maximize your Aeroplan redemptions, read our guide on how to book Aeroplan awards strategically.

How Long Does It Take to Earn a Redemption?

Let’s use gas alone (gas only, no other spending) to show how slow these programs actually are for single-category earning.

I fill my tank approximately once every two weeks, which means about 26 similar fill-ups per year.

Blue Rewards Member Card Only (16 points per fill-up)

Reward	Points Needed	Fill-ups Required	Time
CA$10 reward	1,500	94	3.6 years
CA$20 Irving gift card	3,000	188	7.2 years
CA$50 gift card	7,500	469	18 years

Obviously, no one should fund a flight counting only on points earned through gas purchases. The point is that using the program card alone is extremely slow.

If you consistently bought at least 40 litres and earned 32 points per visit, the time would be cut roughly in half.

Blue Rewards + BMO Blue Rewards World Elite Mastercard (671 points per fill-up)

The card earns 10x points at participating Blue Rewards partners, including Irving.

On a $65.51 fill-up:

• $65.51 × 10 = approximately 655 Blue Points
• Plus 16 member points = approximately 671 total

Reward	Fill-ups Required	Time
CA$10 reward	3	6 weeks
CA$20 Irving gift card	5	10 weeks
CA$50 gift card	12	24 weeks

That’s much more realistic, especially when combined with groceries, travel, and other partners. To accelerate your earning even further, check out our guide on the best business credit cards for Aeroplan.

Aeroplan (Linked Journie at 38 points per fill-up)

At 38 Journie points per fill-up, it takes approximately eight fill-ups to complete a 300-point cycle, which is about 16 weeks (just under four months).

Reward	Points Needed	Fill-ups Required	Approximate Time
CA$5 On the Run reward (promotion)	300	8	4 months
CA$25 Fas Gas gift card (promotion)	3,000	79	3 years
CA$50 Starbucks gift card	6,400	169	6.5 years

Again, this is gas-only earning. Many Aeroplan collectors earn through credit cards, flights, shopping portals, promotions, and transferable-points programs. Gas is just one component.

Blue Rewards vs Aeroplan for Economy Flights

I compared round-trip economy flights from Toronto to Fort Lauderdale for a seven-day trip using comparable search parameters: similar itineraries, nonstop flights, and economy fares.

I didn’t use one exact set of dates because that could unfairly favour one airline or program. Instead, I searched comparable round-trip itineraries and seven-day trips. People usually have some flexibility with travel dates.

Why the Cheapest Advertised Fare Isn’t the Cheapest Real Fare

The lowest cash fare I initially found was with Flair at approximately CA$249 round-trip. But that price only included a personal item.

I have curly hair, and my products alone take up a meaningful amount of space. I’m also quite honestly terrible at packing light.

For a short Florida trip, I can probably manage with a carry-on. But I normally check a bag for a week-long trip. This is important because it changes the entire comparison.

Once I added Flair’s Lite bundle for a carry-on, the total increased to CA$407.21. That’s far above the cheap headline fare that first appeared in the search results.

This is why I never compare flights using only the first price Google shows. Context matters.

Blue Rewards Flight Costs

Blue Rewards initially displayed an Air Canada Basic fare for:

• CA$319 or 50,369 Blue Points

But Basic only included a personal item. Not realistic for how I travel.

When I continued to checkout with the full fare I needed (carry-on included), the final total became:

• CA$481.73 or 76,063 Blue Points
• Personal item included
• Carry-on included
• First checked bag available for CA$45

That’s a massive jump from the initial 50,369-point search result. But it reflects what I would actually book.

Aeroplan Flight Costs

Aeroplan showed a points-only option for 36,603 Aeroplan points.

It also offered several points-and-cash combinations, including lower point totals with larger cash contributions. That flexibility matters because not everyone wants to drain their entire Aeroplan balance for one economy booking.

I also hold a TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite card. On eligible Air Canada bookings, that can include a free first checked bag when the benefit requirements are met.

For me, that changes the real value of the booking because baggage is not optional in how I travel.

The Realistic Flight Comparison for My Travel Style

Option	Cost
Flair with carry-on	CA$407.21
Blue Rewards with carry-on	CA$481.73 or 76,063 points
Aeroplan points-only	36,603 points
Aeroplan points and cash	19,600 points + $170.03

Blue Rewards required more than twice as many points as Aeroplan once I selected a realistic fare for my travel style.

Flair was cheaper in cash, but only after adding the baggage bundle. Aeroplan still came out ahead for me because:

1. It required fewer points (36,603 vs 76,063)
2. It offered points-and-cash options
3. My TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite card can cover my checked bag on eligible Air Canada itineraries

How Long Would It Take to Earn These Flights?

Using only biweekly gas purchases:

Blue Rewards member card only (16 points per fill-up):

• 76,063 ÷ 16 = approximately 4,754 fill-ups
• At 26 fill-ups per year = approximately 183 years

(Clearly not a realistic flight strategy.)

Blue Rewards + BMO card (671 points per fill-up):

• 76,063 ÷ 671 = approximately 114 fill-ups
• Approximately 4.4 years

(Much more realistic, especially when combined with groceries, travel bookings, and other partners.)

Aeroplan (linked Journie at 38 Journie points per fill-up, converting to Aeroplan):

• To reach 36,603 Aeroplan points through 300-point cycles would require approximately 122 completed cycles
• That’s roughly 964 fill-ups, or about 37 years

(Again, no serious Aeroplan strategy relies only on gas. Most earning comes from credit cards and other sources. Read more about strategic aeroplan earning tactics to learn faster ways to accumulate points.)

Air Miles vs Aeroplan – The Real Difference

Here’s a quick visual summary of how these programs differ.

Who Should Choose Blue Rewards?

Blue Rewards may be a better fit if you:

• Shop regularly with participating partners (Irving etc.) in your area
• Want simple gift-card or everyday redemptions
• Prefer a predictable point value
• Rarely book airline award travel
• Don’t want to learn complicated travel-rewards mechanics
• Value earning through minimal effort

Blue Rewards also works well as a secondary program. You don’t need to make it your entire strategy to benefit from scanning the card at places you already shop.

For a deeper comparison of specific cards that maximize Blue Rewards earning, check out our analysis of the best Blue Rewards credit cards.

Who Should Choose Aeroplan?

Aeroplan may be a better fit if you:

• Want to redeem for flights
• Travel with Air Canada or its airline partners
• Want points-and-cash redemption options
• Hold a co-branded credit card with useful Air Canada benefits (like free checked bags)
• Are willing to compare dates and fares to find flights bookable with points
• Want international or premium-cabin travel
• Value travel potential more than straightforward gift cards

Aeroplan requires more knowledge. Point prices can vary, and the cheapest redemption may not be available on your exact date or flight. But the program offers more upside if premium travel is your goal.

For a strategic roadmap, learn about the Triple Alliance Strategy that maximizes Aeroplan earning and redemption value.

Which Program Should You Choose?

Use the decision tree above to figure out which program aligns with your travel goals. The right loyalty program depends on your travel goal, not which one is most familiar.

My Strategy Moving Forward

Aeroplan is still my winner.

It better matches my goal of using points for travel, and it required fewer points in my Toronto-to-Fort Lauderdale comparison.

But Blue Rewards is more practical for everyday earning where I live.

I plan to be more intentional about collecting Blue Points at retailers I already use, including Irving and regular grocery store. I’m not going to make it my primary travel program, but I also don’t see a reason to ignore points I can earn without changing my normal spending.

My strategy is:

• Optimize for Aeroplan (my primary program for travel)
• Intentionally collect Blue Rewards on top (without changing my spending patterns)

This may mean:

• Remembering to go inside at Irving (rather than paying at the pump) to scan my Blue Rewards card
• Scanning at the grocery store when I’m already there shopping
• Checking offers before purchases I was already planning to make

I will not drive farther, spend more, or wait until my gas tank is dangerously low just to earn a few extra points.

The best rewards strategy is not the one that earns the largest number on paper. It is the one that fits your life and helps you reach a reward you actually want.

To start implementing this dual-program approach, read our guide on how to combine Aeroplan and Air Miles earning for maximum flexibility.

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