RBy Rez · 2 min read
Overview
The BMO Blue Rewards Mastercard is BMO's no-annual-fee card on the Mastercard network and the no-fee replacement for the former BMO Air Miles Mastercard. It earns Blue Points — BMO's loyalty currency launched in 2026 — at 5 points per $1 at participating Blue Rewards partners, 1 point per $1 on groceries, gas, EV charging, wholesale and alcohol purchases, and 0.5 points per $1 on everything else. Blue Points redeem for travel, brand-name merchandise and more, at a base value of roughly 1,500 points to $10.
Who this card is for
This card suits Canadians who want a free everyday card and shop regularly at Blue Rewards partners — which include Blue Rewards Travel (powered by Expedia), Pharmasave, Global Pet Foods and a growing list of brands. It is the natural landing spot for former BMO Air Miles Mastercard holders, whose cards and balances moved to Blue Rewards in 2026. With no annual fee and no minimum income, it is also an easy companion to hold alongside a higher-earning primary card.
Key benefits
The headline rate is 5 Blue Points per $1 at participating Blue Rewards partners — strong earning when your spending lines up with the partner network. Groceries, gas, EV charging, wholesale-club and alcohol purchases earn 1 point per $1, and everything else earns 0.5 points per $1. There is no annual fee, so any rewards are pure upside. Tapping your Blue Rewards Member Card at checkout can layer extra points on top of what the credit card already earns.
Potential drawbacks
The base rate of 0.5 points per $1 is low, so the card favours spending that fits the partner and bonus categories rather than general spending. Blue Points are worth roughly two-thirds of a cent each at the base redemption rate (about 1,500 points for $10), so the everyday return outside partners is modest. Blue Rewards is a new program, and its long-term value and partner list are still settling in.
How it compares
If your goal is straightforward grocery cashback rather than a points program, the no-fee BMO Cashback Mastercard returns 3% on groceries (on the first $500 per month) and may be the simpler choice. Against the premium BMO Blue Rewards World Elite Mastercard, this card trades the higher 10-points-per-$1 partner rate, lounge access and travel insurance for a $0 fee — sensible if you don't spend enough at partners to justify the World Elite's $150 fee.
Bottom line
A reasonable no-fee card for Blue Rewards collectors and former Air Miles cardholders, strongest when your spending matches the Blue Rewards partner network. As a free card, it earns its place as a complement to a primary rewards card.
