VIPorter members simply acquired a severe increase 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 enchantment 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.
Nevertheless, 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 invaluable 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 inside the U.S. and Canada
- Over 2,000 new routes accessible via Porter’s reserving platform
Redemption charges for accomplice flights begin at:
- 9,500 VIPorter factors for Alaska Airways flights inside 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 through flyporter.com or via Porter’s contact centre.
How Effectively Does This Work? Early Observations
Though this growth is promising, early searches reveal some limitations.
It looks as if Alaska Airways flights can’t be booked as standalone redemptions and should embody a connecting Porter phase.
Because of this although Alaska Airways flies direct between Toronto and Seattle, VIPorter redemptions require a connection through Vancouver, Los Angeles, or San Francisco earlier than persevering with to Seattle.
Sure Air Transat routes, significantly to the Caribbean and South America, don’t seem within the search device regardless of the airline working money flights on these routes.
Some European locations, akin to Dublin and Rome, return an error stating {that a} accomplice airline isn’t accessible.
In some instances, 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 via Porter’s community.
Redemptions seem to comply with a dynamic pricing mannequin somewhat 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 decided, leaving room for hypothesis on whether or not additional refinements can 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 thought of the pricing construction:
Alaska Airways Redemptions (U.S. & Canada)
Toronto (YYZ) – Vancouver (YVR) – Seattle (SEA): 9,500 factors
Hamilton (YHM) – Vancouver (YVR) – Seattle (SEA): 9,500 factors
This can be a notable win for travellers in Hamilton, as they will e book an identical itinerary with no need to drive to Toronto.
Montreal (YUL) – Toronto (YYZ) – Los Angeles (LAX): 10,500 factors
Air Transat Redemptions (Europe)
Toronto (YYZ) – London Gatwick (LGW): 25,000 factors
A strong 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.
Toronto (YYZ) / Montreal (YUL) – Paris (CDG): 25,000 factors
That is more likely to be the most well-liked redemption possibility.
Toronto (YYZ) – Amsterdam (AMS): 25,000 factors
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 power layovers in Toronto or Montreal even when direct flights exist.
Is VIPorter Turning into a True Various to Aeroplan and WestJet Rewards?
With this redemption growth, VIPorter is rising as a extra aggressive loyalty program in Canada.
The flexibility 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 enticing program, significantly for travellers who steadily fly inside Canada, the U.S., and Europe.
The upcoming BMO VIPorter Mastercard later this yr 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 tough to evaluate whether or not these redemptions provide sturdy worth.
A key issue within the bank card’s worth can be whether or not redemptions made utilizing VIPorter factors embody journey insurance coverage advantages, akin to journey delay or cancellation protection, if taxes and charges are paid with the cardboard.
If these protections aren’t included, travellers could wish to contemplate the Nationwide Financial institution World Elite® Mastercard® to cowl sudden journey disruptions.
Now, let’s get into some wishful pondering.
Might VIPorter factors someday be transferable to Alaska Mileage Plan?
If this ever turned a actuality, it could be huge information for Canadian travellers.
Proper now, the one approach to earn Alaska miles in Canada is by shopping for factors or via 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 price 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 may very well be the following logical step in making VIPorter a must-use program for Canadian travellers.
After all, that is purely speculative for now, but when VIPorter factors turned convertible to Alaska miles, it could immediately make this one of the crucial invaluable loyalty currencies in Canada.
Conclusion
VIPorter’s newest growth 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 big enchancment, the restrictions on standalone Alaska bookings, compelled layovers, and lacking locations counsel that the system remains 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 develop into a extra compelling possibility for Canadian travellers looking for entry to a wider vary of invaluable loyalty packages.
