Why you won’t get Air Miles at Metro anymore

What, exactly, is changing?

Metro, Inc. has been an Air Miles Rewards Program partner since 1998, allowing shoppers to collect Air Miles and redeem them for money off their grocery bill. 

With the end of the partnership, the chain is signalling its intention to transition from the Air Miles program to its own loyalty program, called Moi Rewards. 

Once this change is complete, shoppers will no longer be able to collect or redeem Air Miles at stores under the Metro banner. Customers are invited to participate in Moi Rewards, which is expanding to Metro and Food Basics stores later this year. (Food Basics currently does not have a loyalty program.)

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What is Moi?

Moi Rewards is the next step in the metro&moi loyalty program, which was launched in 2023 and quickly became a widely used points program in Quebec. The program allows shoppers to collect and redeem points in-store and online, as well as receive personalized promotions.

In Quebec, with Moi, you get one point for each dollar spent, and you can redeem when you’ve collected 500 points, which are worth $4. Points are awarded on pre-tax amounts. To start collecting, customers can enroll in the program for free and then show their Moi card at checkout.  

Members can manage their accounts online and with the My Metro app. In Ontario, the program will be called Moi Rewards. Metro has yet to release details if the loyalty program will replicate the Quebec version.

Does Metro redeem Air Miles? 

Metro will continue to accept Air Miles until it transitions to Moi Rewards. The chain has no end date for Air Miles yet, but it says it’s aiming for late 2024 to withdraw from the program. Current customers can expect to receive notice of the change through in-store and digital communications. 

The history of Air Miles in Canada

Back in 1992, Air Miles launched in Canada and quickly became a popular loyalty program. Members collected Miles at various retail partners, and they could redeem them for a variety of rewards including merchandise, gift cards and, of course, travel. 

In the mid-2000s, Air Miles devalued its points, making it harder for customers to reach their rewards goals. Then, in 2016, the company announced it would add an expiration date to Miles. Though the decision was reversed after an outcry, the move damaged customer relations. Next, the company split Air Miles into Cash Miles (for in-store redemption and e-vouchers) and Dream Miles (for merchandise, travel, events and attractions), further confusing collectors. 

By 2022, some of Air Miles’ biggest draws had left the program, including Staples, Rexall, the LCBO, Lowe’s and others. Metro stores are the latest mega-partners to sever ties with Air Miles. 

Earning rewards for groceries

All of this might be bad news for Air Miles, but consumers can still find ways to earn rewards on their grocery shopping bills. 

One way is to join the loyalty programs of your grocery chain. Like Metro with its new Moi Rewards program, Loblaws stores give out PC Optimum points, Save-on-Foods and others use More Rewards, and Thrifty Foods uses Scene+ points. 

Unfortunately, Moi Rewards alone won’t get you the value you’re used to with Air Miles. If it takes 500 Moi Rewards points to redeem for $4, the value per point is $0.008. How does that stack up against Air Miles? While the value of an Air Mile will fluctuate depending on what you redeem it for, the average value is $0.121. Luckily, you can use a different strategy to make your food shopping pay dividends.

The best grocery credit cards in Canada

You can earn rewards on your groceries by purchasing them with a rewards credit card. For example, you could use a PC Mastercard to pay for food at Metro, and you’d still earn PC Optimum points—not as many as you’d get shopping at Loblaw banner stores, but you’d still get the base rate. Many other rewards cards are good for groceries, too. The best one for you will depend on where you shop and your shopping habits. 

Here’s a quick look at some of our top picks.

What’s replacing Air Miles at Metro?

So, Air Miles is out and Moi Rewards is in. While it’s true that the advertised Moi Rewards earn rate is underwhelming, the details of the program remain to be seen. In the meantime, Metro shoppers can get their rewards by using a solid rewards credit card at the till.

Read more about rewards programs:

• The best rewards credit cards in Canada
• Simplii and Diljit Dosanjh team up on eve of Dil-Luminati tour—will it help you get tickets?
• BMO to buy Air Miles after the rewards program’s owner filed for bankruptcy
• The best grocery credit cards in Canada

About Keph Senett

Keph Senett writes about personal finance through a community-building lens. She seeks to make clear and actionable knowledge available to everyone.