VIPorter members just got a serious boost in redemption options.
Porter Airlines has expanded its loyalty program, allowing members to redeem VIPorter points for flights on Air Transat and Alaska Airlines.
This update unlocks more than 2,000 new redemption routes, covering destinations across North America, Europe, and the Caribbean, further enhancing VIPorter’s appeal as a travel rewards program.
VIPorter Expands Beyond Porter Flights
When Porter Airlines launched VIPorter, it was primarily a niche loyalty program designed for its own growing network.
However, 2024 has been a game-changer, as Porter has strategically deepened its partnerships with Air Transat and Alaska Airlines, transforming VIPorter into a more versatile and valuable program.
Here’s what’s new:
- Redeem VIPorter points for Air Transat flights to Europe, the Caribbean, and more
- Redeem VIPorter points for Alaska Airlines flights within the U.S. and Canada
- Over 2,000 new routes available through Porter’s booking platform
Redemption rates for partner flights start at:
- 9,500 VIPorter points for Alaska Airlines flights within the U.S.
- 21,500 VIPorter points for Air Transat flights to the Caribbean
- 25,000 VIPorter points for Air Transat flights to Europe
All redemptions must be made via flyporter.com or through Porter’s contact centre.
How Well Does This Work? Early Observations
Although this expansion is promising, early searches reveal some limitations.
It seems like Alaska Airlines flights cannot be booked as standalone redemptions and must include a connecting Porter segment.
This means that even though Alaska Airlines flies direct between Toronto and Seattle, VIPorter redemptions require a connection via Vancouver, Los Angeles, or San Francisco before continuing to Seattle.
Certain Air Transat routes, particularly to the Caribbean and South America, do not appear in the search tool despite the airline operating cash flights on those routes.
Some European destinations, such as Dublin and Rome, return an error stating that a partner airline isn’t available.
In some cases, the system forces a layover in Toronto or Montreal on a Porter flight before continuing on Air Transat, even when a direct Air Transat flight exists from the origin airport.
This suggests an integration issue or a deliberate strategy to prioritize connections through Porter’s network.
Redemptions appear to follow a dynamic pricing model rather than a fixed award chart.
While there seems to be a lower limit on the number of points required for a redemption, pricing fluctuates based on demand and cash fares.
Porter has not released official details on how pricing is determined, leaving room for speculation on whether further refinements will be made.
Example VIPorter Redemptions
A search for award flights on flyporter.com provides a glimpse into how VIPorter points can be used on partner airlines.
While there’s no official award chart, these example redemptions give an idea of the pricing structure:
Alaska Airlines Redemptions (U.S. & Canada)
Toronto (YYZ) – Vancouver (YVR) – Seattle (SEA): 9,500 points
Hamilton (YHM) – Vancouver (YVR) – Seattle (SEA): 9,500 points
This is a notable win for travellers in Hamilton, as they can book a similar itinerary without needing to drive to Toronto.
Montreal (YUL) – Toronto (YYZ) – Los Angeles (LAX): 10,500 points
Air Transat Redemptions (Europe)
Toronto (YYZ) – London Gatwick (LGW): 25,000 points
A solid redemption value compared to cash fares.
Thunder Bay (YQT) – London Gatwick (LGW): 30,500 points
Surprisingly, redemptions are available from regional airports like Thunder Bay.
Toronto (YYZ) / Montreal (YUL) – Paris (CDG): 25,000 points
This is likely to be the most popular redemption option.
Toronto (YYZ) – Amsterdam (AMS): 25,000 points
Toronto (YYZ) – Montreal (YUL) – Barcelona (BCN): 32,500 points
While some of these redemption rates seem reasonable, early searches highlight inconsistencies.
Flights to the Caribbean and South America are either missing or priced significantly higher than expected.
Some itineraries force layovers in Toronto or Montreal even when direct flights exist.
Is VIPorter Becoming a True Alternative to Aeroplan and WestJet Rewards?
With this redemption expansion, VIPorter is emerging as a more competitive loyalty program in Canada.
The ability to redeem points for Air Transat flights provides new international options, while the Alaska Airlines partnership strengthens cross-border connectivity.
Despite its current limitations, this update makes VIPorter a more attractive program, particularly for travellers who frequently fly within Canada, the U.S., and Europe.
The upcoming BMO VIPorter Mastercard later this year will further enhance the program’s value by providing more ways to earn points, but until earning rates and category multipliers are revealed, it’s difficult to assess whether these redemptions offer strong value.
A key factor in the credit card’s value will be whether redemptions made using VIPorter points include travel insurance benefits, such as trip delay or cancellation coverage, if taxes and fees are paid with the card.
If these protections aren’t included, travellers may want to consider the National Bank World Elite® Mastercard® to cover unexpected travel disruptions.
Now, let’s get into some wishful thinking.
Could VIPorter points one day be transferable to Alaska Mileage Plan?
If this ever became a reality, it would be massive news for Canadian travellers.
Right now, the only way to earn Alaska miles in Canada is by buying points or through transferring Marriott Bonvoy points, which isn’t exactly an efficient method.
If VIPorter introduced a transfer option to Alaska Mileage Plan at a fair ratio—say, 2:1 or even 1.5:1—it could unlock incredible redemption opportunities on premium airlines like Japan Airlines and Cathay Pacific.
While nothing has been announced, it’s worth noting that Porter and Alaska Airlines have been steadily deepening their partnership, first with interline agreements, then with reciprocal mileage earning, and now with redemptions.
A points transfer option could be the next logical step in making VIPorter a must-use program for Canadian travellers.
Of course, this is purely speculative for now, but if VIPorter points became convertible to Alaska miles, it would instantly make this one of the most valuable loyalty currencies in Canada.
Conclusion
VIPorter’s latest expansion brings meaningful value to its members, but the redemption process still has its limitations.
While the ability to redeem points for Air Transat and Alaska Airlines flights is a significant improvement, the restrictions on standalone Alaska bookings, forced layovers, and missing destinations suggest that the system is still a work in progress.
As Porter continues to strengthen its airline partnerships, there is potential for further refinements in redemption availability, route selection, and award pricing.
If these improvements materialize, VIPorter could become a more compelling option for Canadian travellers seeking access to a wider range of valuable loyalty programs.
This story originally appeared on princeoftravel
