VIPorter members simply bought a critical enhance in redemption choices.
Porter Airways has expanded its loyalty program, permitting members to redeem VIPorter factors for flights on Air Transat and Alaska Airways.
This replace unlocks greater than 2,000 new redemption routes, overlaying locations throughout North America, Europe, and the Caribbean, additional enhancing VIPorter’s attraction as a journey rewards program.
VIPorter Expands Past Porter Flights
When Porter Airways launched VIPorter, it was primarily a distinct segment loyalty program designed for its personal rising community.
Nonetheless, 2024 has been a game-changer, as Porter has strategically deepened its partnerships with Air Transat and Alaska Airways, reworking VIPorter right into a extra versatile and worthwhile program.
Right here’s what’s new:
- Redeem VIPorter factors for Air Transat flights to Europe, the Caribbean, and extra
- Redeem VIPorter factors for Alaska Airways flights throughout the U.S. and Canada
- Over 2,000 new routes obtainable by means of Porter’s reserving platform
Redemption charges for accomplice flights begin at:
- 9,500 VIPorter factors for Alaska Airways flights throughout the U.S.
- 21,500 VIPorter factors for Air Transat flights to the Caribbean
- 25,000 VIPorter factors for Air Transat flights to Europe
All redemptions should be made by way of flyporter.com or by means of Porter’s contact centre.
How Effectively Does This Work? Early Observations
Though this enlargement is promising, early searches reveal some limitations.
It looks like Alaska Airways flights can’t be booked as standalone redemptions and should embrace a connecting Porter section.
Which means regardless that Alaska Airways flies direct between Toronto and Seattle, VIPorter redemptions require a connection by way of Vancouver, Los Angeles, or San Francisco earlier than persevering with to Seattle.
Sure Air Transat routes, notably to the Caribbean and South America, don’t seem within the search instrument regardless of the airline working money flights on these routes.
Some European locations, equivalent to Dublin and Rome, return an error stating {that a} accomplice airline isn’t obtainable.
In some circumstances, the system forces a layover in Toronto or Montreal on a Porter flight earlier than persevering with on Air Transat, even when a direct Air Transat flight exists from the origin airport.
This implies an integration difficulty or a deliberate technique to prioritize connections by means of Porter’s community.
Redemptions seem to observe a dynamic pricing mannequin slightly than a hard and fast award chart.
Whereas there appears to be a decrease restrict on the variety of factors required for a redemption, pricing fluctuates based mostly on demand and money fares.
Porter has not launched official particulars on how pricing is set, leaving room for hypothesis on whether or not additional refinements will likely be made.
Instance VIPorter Redemptions
A seek for award flights on flyporter.com gives a glimpse into how VIPorter factors can be utilized on accomplice airways.
Whereas there’s no official award chart, these instance redemptions give an concept of the pricing construction:
Alaska Airways Redemptions (U.S. & Canada)
Toronto (YYZ) – Vancouver (YVR) – Seattle (SEA): 9,500 factors
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Hamilton (YHM) – Vancouver (YVR) – Seattle (SEA): 9,500 factors
It is a notable win for travellers in Hamilton, as they’ll guide an identical itinerary without having to drive to Toronto.
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Montreal (YUL) – Toronto (YYZ) – Los Angeles (LAX): 10,500 factors
Air Transat Redemptions (Europe)
Toronto (YYZ) – London Gatwick (LGW): 25,000 factors
 A stable redemption worth in comparison with money fares.
Thunder Bay (YQT) – London Gatwick (LGW): 30,500 factors
Surprisingly, redemptions can be found from regional airports like Thunder Bay.
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Toronto (YYZ) / Montreal (YUL) – Paris (CDG): 25,000 factors
That is more likely to be the most well-liked redemption possibility.
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Toronto (YYZ) – Amsterdam (AMS): 25,000 factors
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Toronto (YYZ) – Montreal (YUL) – Barcelona (BCN): 32,500 factors
Whereas a few of these redemption charges appear affordable, early searches spotlight inconsistencies.
Flights to the Caribbean and South America are both lacking or priced considerably increased than anticipated.
Some itineraries drive layovers in Toronto or Montreal even when direct flights exist.
Is VIPorter Changing into a True Different to Aeroplan and WestJet Rewards?
With this redemption enlargement, VIPorter is rising as a extra aggressive loyalty program in Canada.
The power to redeem factors for Air Transat flights gives new worldwide choices, whereas the Alaska Airways partnership strengthens cross-border connectivity.
Regardless of its present limitations, this replace makes VIPorter a extra engaging program, notably for travellers who regularly fly inside Canada, the U.S., and Europe.
The upcoming BMO VIPorter Mastercard later this 12 months will additional improve this system’s worth by offering extra methods to earn factors, however till incomes charges and class multipliers are revealed, it’s troublesome to evaluate whether or not these redemptions supply robust worth.
A key issue within the bank card’s worth will likely be whether or not redemptions made utilizing VIPorter factors embrace journey insurance coverage advantages, equivalent to journey delay or cancellation protection, if taxes and charges are paid with the cardboard.
If these protections aren’t included, travellers might wish to contemplate the Nationwide Financial institution World Elite® Mastercard® to cowl sudden journey disruptions.
Now, let’s get into some wishful pondering.
May VIPorter factors in the future be transferable to Alaska Mileage Plan?
If this ever grew to become a actuality, it might be huge information for Canadian travellers.
Proper now, the one approach to earn Alaska miles in Canada is by shopping for factors or by means of transferring Marriott Bonvoy factors, which isn’t precisely an environment friendly technique.
If VIPorter launched a switch choice to Alaska Mileage Plan at a good ratio—say, 2:1 and even 1.5:1—it may unlock unimaginable redemption alternatives on premium airways like Japan Airways and Cathay Pacific.
Whereas nothing has been introduced, it’s value noting that Porter and Alaska Airways have been steadily deepening their partnership, first with interline agreements, then with reciprocal mileage incomes, and now with redemptions.
A factors switch possibility could possibly be the subsequent logical step in making VIPorter a must-use program for Canadian travellers.
After all, that is purely speculative for now, but when VIPorter factors grew to become convertible to Alaska miles, it might immediately make this one of the vital worthwhile loyalty currencies in Canada.
Conclusion
VIPorter’s newest enlargement brings significant worth to its members, however the redemption course of nonetheless has its limitations.
Whereas the power to redeem factors for Air Transat and Alaska Airways flights is a major enchancment, the restrictions on standalone Alaska bookings, pressured layovers, and lacking locations counsel that the system continues to be a piece in progress.
As Porter continues to strengthen its airline partnerships, there may be potential for additional refinements in redemption availability, route choice, and award pricing.
If these enhancements materialize, VIPorter may turn into a extra compelling possibility for Canadian travellers looking for entry to a wider vary of worthwhile loyalty packages.