Air Miles Moves to Expedia for Travel, But Redemptions Still Disappoint

Air Miles is transitioning to Blue Rewards this summer, and the biggest question revolves around redemptions. We know 95 Air Miles is worth $10, equivalent to 10.5¢ per mile, when redeeming in-store or for gift cards. However, what will redemption rates be like when redeeming for travel? The new Air Miles travel portal powered by Expedia is live, so let’s take a look for some clues.

In this article, we’ll continue using Air Miles, since that’s the currency name today. However, the transition to Blue Rewards is simple: 95 Air Miles = 1,500 Blue Points, with the $10 value maintained. The good news is that after switching to Blue Rewards, there will be no more Cash Miles or Dream Miles, and all your miles can be used towards any redemption.

Running the Numbers

The move to Expedia means the minimum miles requirement has been eliminated and miles can also now be used towards all taxes and fees. Furthermore, you are able to use Air Miles towards any of Expedia’s offerings, including activities. Cruises are still booked through redtag.ca.

Flights

To beat the value of redeeming for gift cards, travel redemptions need to exceed 10.5¢ per mile.

First, let’s look at flights within a few days of departure.

Here are flights from Montreal to Toronto about two weeks out.

Air Miles flight redemptions just limited to Canada, so you might as well see what redemptions are like from Paris to London.

Here’s Tokyo to Bangkok.

This isn’t a comprehensive search of Air Miles flight redemptions, but you get the idea. All rewards basically redeem for around 10–10.5¢ per mile, usually on the lower end at 10¢.

Hotels

It’s much of the same story when it comes to redeeming for hotels. Here’s an example from downtown Toronto.

We can also look at other, more exotic destinations, like Cape Town. I also checked Accra, Ghana and Nairobi, Kenya. All have similar redemption values, right around 10¢ per mile, sometimes up to 11¢.

Car Rentals, Activities

Redemption rates remain around 10¢ per mile.

It’s nice that we have more options to redeem our Air Miles, but being able to redeem them for less than the value of gift cards makes these new options fairly useless.

So About Blue Rewards

I try not to judge a loyalty program before its official launch, but it’s hard to get excited about one with a fixed redemption value of 10.5¢ per point, no matter what you redeem for. The travel redemption rates looked similar since 2022, and I was hoping to see some changes or outsized value opportunities when the travel portal moved from Air Miles to Expedia.

The timing of the new travel redemption portal also lines up with the launch of Blue Rewards this summer. BMO has already said that all existing Air Miles will convert to Blue Rewards at an equivalent value, so there’s definitely no rush to redeem your Air Miles before the new program arrives.

I’d say the main way to think about Air Miles or Blue Rewards is as a fixed-value program best used for lifestyle redemptions like Lululemon or Cineplex gift cards. While travel redemptions sound appealing, they often yield less than 10.5¢ per point. In most cases, you’re better off redeeming for gift cards and saving the effort.

I am still excited about the upcoming Blue Rewards credit cards and, hopefully, a juicy sign-up bonus to boot. Join the waitlist for an exclusive welcome offer at launch and enter a draw for 1 million Blue Points.

Takeaway

Air Miles has moved its travel redemption portal from in-house to Expedia with little fanfare. Changes include no minimum miles required and being able to use miles for the entire booking, including all taxes and fees. Redemption value for all travel hovers around 10–11¢ per point, usually on the lower end at 10¢.

Unless redemptions change when Blue Rewards launches, the best option is to redeem at partners in-store or for gift cards at 10.5¢ per Air Mile.