Microstructural features were comparatively investigated in AZ91 (Mg-9%Al-1%Zn) and AZ91-0.5%Sn alloys, in order to clarify the reason for the enhancement in room temperature tensile properties by the addition of small amount of Sn in Mg-Al-based alloy. In as-cast state, the Sn-containing alloy showed increased YS, UTS and elongation than the Sn-free alloy. The microstructural examination revealed that various factors including finer cell size, reduction of lamellar (${alpha}+{eta}$) phase and morphological change of bulky ${eta}$ phase from partially divorced shape to fully divorced shape, are likely to be responsible for the improvement in tensile properties for the Sn-containing alloy. It is noted that two alloys showed similar tensile properties after solution treatment. This implies that microstructural evolution related to the ${eta}$ phase plays a key role in better tensile properties in the Sn-containing alloy.