Porter Airways has been steadily increasing its footprint over the previous yr, rolling out new routes and forming strategic partnerships with each Air Transat and Alaska Airways.
As a part of this broader progress, VIPorter members can now redeem VIPorter factors for flights operated by these associate airways, unlocking extra alternatives for journey throughout North America, Europe, and past.
Whereas this can be a welcome growth, this system continues to be evolving—and with that comes just a few quirks and unknowns.
On this information, we’ll stroll by way of the associate airways you may presently redeem VIPorter factors for, spotlight some instance redemptions, and focus on the strengths and rising pains of this new providing.
Which Airways Can You Ebook with VIPorter Factors?
With the brand new redemption choices, VIPorter factors are now not confined to Porter-operated flights. You now have entry to partner-operated routes on each Air Transat and Alaska Airways.
That features worldwide leisure routes to Europe, the Caribbean, and choose locations in South America and North Africa with Air Transat, in addition to transborder and home US flights with Alaska Airways.
Porter advertises beginning redemptions from 9,500 factors for Alaska Airways flights, 21,500 factors for Air Transat flights to the Caribbean, and 25,000 factors for flights to Europe.
All bookings have to be made by way of flyporter.com or through Porter’s contact centre.
How Do Companion Airline Redemptions with VIPorter Factors Work?
Porter hasn’t revealed an official award chart, however primarily based on present searches, redemptions seem to observe a dynamic pricing mannequin with a decrease restrict. Whereas some redemptions supply stable worth, others seem much less compelling, as we’ll discover beneath.
There appears to be an absolute ground that redemptions don’t drop beneath (so-called “Beginning at” costs), although the complete pricing construction stays unclear as this system continues to evolve.
There are a number of restrictions travellers ought to concentrate on when trying to redeem VIPorter factors on associate flights.
Because it stands, Alaska Airways redemptions should embody a Porter-operated leg; you can’t e book a standalone Alaska Airways itinerary utilizing factors.
This reduces flexibility, particularly for travellers who solely desire a quick home hop inside the US.
Moreover, baggage guidelines rely upon which airline operates the primary flight. If the journey begins with Porter, their baggage coverage applies. If the itinerary begins with Alaska Airways, Alaska’s baggage guidelines will apply to all the journey.
Availability on Air Transat seems broader however nonetheless inconsistent. Some routes don’t present up regardless of being accessible for money buy.
Others are solely supplied with additional Porter legs added, even when a continuous Air Transat flight is the extra logical choice. These points could also be the results of system limitations or just early rising pains within the integration.
Whereas Porter’s phrases point out their baggage coverage on Customary fares ought to apply to Air Transat bookings so long as they’re booked on Porter’s web site, some travellers have reported seeing baggage charges at checkout, suggesting there could also be nuances in how baggage advantages are utilized when flying with companions.
It’s additionally value managing expectations for cabin class. Air Transat doesn’t function a conventional enterprise class cabin. Whereas it does supply a premium product referred to as Membership Class, it’s extra similar to a home premium financial system expertise than to long-haul lie-flat seats.
Meaning these redemptions might not enchantment to travellers searching for high-end, aspirational flight experiences.
Examples VIPorter Redemptions with Companion Airways
Primarily based on stay searches, listed below are some pattern redemptions presently accessible on associate airways.
VIPorter Redemptions for Alaska Airways Flights
For Alaska Airways, travellers can e book a Toronto (YYZ) – Vancouver (YVR) – Seattle (SEA) itinerary for 9,500 factors. Though Alaska operates a continuous flight between Toronto and Seattle, VIPorter requires a connecting Porter phase, which means you’ll have to route by way of cities like Vancouver (YVR) or Los Angeles (LAX).
The same itinerary from Hamilton (YHM) to Seattle (SEA) through Vancouver (YVR) additionally costs out at 9,500 factors, which is a helpful choice for these primarily based in Hamilton who need to keep away from driving to Toronto Pearson.
Travelling from Montreal (YUL) to Los Angeles (LAX) through Toronto (YYZ) is out there for 10,500 factors.
VIPorter Redemptions for Air Transat Flights
For Air Transat, a continuous flight from Toronto (YYZ) to London Gatwick (LGW) prices 25,000 factors.
Travellers departing from Thunder Bay (YQT) may also redeem 30,500 factors to fly to London Gatwick (LGW), which is notable given the smaller origin metropolis.
Continuous flights to Paris (CDG) from both Toronto (YYZ) or Montreal (YUL) can be found at 25,000 factors.
Amsterdam (AMS) additionally costs at 25,000 factors from Toronto (YYZ), whereas a redemption from Toronto (YYZ) to Barcelona (BCN) through Montreal (YUL) is available in at 32,500 factors.
Toronto (YYZ) to Rome (FCO) is now additionally bookable—a route that wasn’t initially accessible when associate redemptions first launched.
These examples fall broadly inside the marketed beginning factors vary. That mentioned, there are clear inconsistencies in the case of availability.
Flights to the Caribbean and South America are both lacking fully or priced considerably greater than anticipated.
Searches for some cities, like Dublin and Marrakech, return error messages indicating {that a} associate airline isn’t accessible. In a number of instances, itineraries that needs to be accessible as continuous Air Transat flights are solely proven with a pressured Porter connection in Toronto or Montreal.
How Might VIPorter Factors Develop into Even Extra Invaluable?
Now that VIPorter factors can be utilized for flights throughout North America and Europe, a pure subsequent step for Porter’s loyalty program can be including a transpacific airline associate.
This could assist shut a serious hole of their present redemption map and supply members extra long-haul worth.
For instance, partnering with a service like T’method Air, which lately launched flights from Vancouver to Seoul, might supply an reasonably priced choice to East Asia.
One other risk could be Hong Kong Airways, which operates flights between Vancouver and Hong Kong. Both partnership might give VIPorter members entry to Asia utilizing factors—an awesome various, particularly for travellers in Western Canada.
Whereas nothing has been introduced but, including a transpacific associate can be a logical method for Porter to spherical out its worldwide choices and make VIPorter a extra well-rounded loyalty program.
Enhance Your VIPorter Stability & Flight Expertise with a BMO Credit score Card
With the launch of the BMO VIPorter World Elite®* Mastercard®* and the BMO VIPorter Mastercard®* , incomes VIPorter factors has by no means been extra accessible.
BMO VIPorter Credit score Playing cards
The BMO VIPorter World Elite® Mastercard®* earns 3 VIPorter factors per greenback spent on Porter purchases, and a couple of factors per greenback on eligible classes like fuel, transit, eating, groceries, and accommodations.
Cardholders additionally obtain VIPorter Enterprise Avid Traveller standing, which comes with precedence check-in, early boarding, and a free carry-on and checked bag for the cardholder and as much as eight friends on the identical reserving.
For individuals who don’t meet the earnings requirement for the World Elite card, the BMO VIPorter Mastercard®* presents a decrease annual charge and no minimal earnings requirement.
It earns 2 factors per greenback on Porter purchases and 1 level per greenback on different journey, eating, and grocery purchases.
This model comes with VIPorter Passport Avid Traveller standing and related entry to precedence companies.
Insurance coverage protection is one other profit. The BMO VIPorter World Elite®* Mastercard®* presents journey insurance coverage on award redemptions, so long as taxes and costs are charged to the cardboard.
Conclusion
The flexibility to redeem VIPorter factors on Air Transat and Alaska Airways provides significant flexibility to the loyalty program.
It opens up extra locations, significantly throughout Europe and the US, and alerts Porter’s ongoing ambition to develop its community and loyalty enchantment.
That mentioned, the system isn’t excellent. Pressured connections, restricted associate availability, and imprecise pricing guidelines present that there’s nonetheless work to be completed.
If these areas are improved, VIPorter might change into a extra compelling choice for Canadian travellers searching for a broader—and probably extra priceless—vary of redemption alternatives.
