VIPorter guide: how to earn, redeem and value points in 2026

VIPorter is Porter Airlines’ loyalty program. It primarily rewards travellers who buy Porter flights, but its usefulness has expanded through airline partnerships and BMO VIPorter Mastercards.

The program can be highly relevant for someone who actually uses Porter’s network. It is more specialized than a flexible currency such as Membership Rewards and less extensive than Aeroplan. The important question is therefore not “how many points can I earn?” but will these points book the flights I actually want to take?

VIPorter at a glance

Feature	Current structure
Membership	Free
Earning on eligible Porter purchases	5 to 7 points per dollar, depending on tier
Base-earn exclusions	Taxes and third-party fees
Redemption	Points only or points plus cash
Main use	Eligible base fares
Current redemption partners	Certain flights operated by Air Transat and Alaska Airlines
Tiers	Member, Passport, Venture, Ascent and First

Rules and availability can change. Always check the live points and cash price in your account before directing substantial spending toward the program.

How to earn VIPorter points

Members earn points on eligible Porter spending. The rate depends on the tier reached during the calendar year:

• Member: 5 points per dollar;
• Passport: 6 points per dollar;
• Venture: 6 points per dollar;
• Ascent: 7 points per dollar;
• First: 7 points per dollar.

Points are earned on eligible spending rather than taxes and third-party fees. You should not simply multiply the full ticket price by the advertised earn rate.

Partner flights can also earn points depending on the booking channel, carrier, distance and fare class. An itinerary bought through flyporter.com may not follow the same formula as a ticket bought directly from a partner.

The five VIPorter tiers

Tiers are based on eligible calendar-year spending.

Tier	Annual qualifying spend
Member	$0 to $1,999.99
Passport	$2,000 to $2,999.99
Venture	$3,000 to $5,999.99
Ascent	$6,000 to $9,999.99
First	$10,000 or more

Avid Traveller tiers can improve the earning rate and add travel benefits. Their value depends on actual travel frequency. Priority or baggage benefits that go unused should not receive full theoretical value in a Carte IQ comparison.

How to redeem VIPorter points

VIPorter supports bookings with:

• points only for the eligible portion;
• a combination of points and cash.

Points can generally cover an eligible base fare. Taxes and third-party fees remain payable in cash. Certain fare classes or conditions can be excluded under the terms displayed at booking.

Air Transat and Alaska Airlines expand the program’s reach. This does not mean every flight operated by those airlines will be available with points: availability, eligible itineraries and booking channels still matter.

How to calculate the value of a VIPorter point

Carte IQ recommends measuring each booking instead of applying one universal value.

Use this formula:

(comparable eligible cash fare − cash still required, excluding comparable taxes and fees) ÷ points used

Hypothetical example:

• comparable base fare: $360;
• base-fare portion still paid in cash: $40;
• points used: 20,000.

The value obtained would be:

($360 − $40) ÷ 20,000 = $0.016 per point, or 1.6 cents.

This is not an official valuation or promise. It only illustrates the method. Compare the same flight, fare conditions, baggage and dates.

Do you need a BMO VIPorter Mastercard?

No. You can join VIPorter and earn points by travelling without holding a co-branded card.

BMO VIPorter cards can accelerate everyday earning and provide Porter benefits. The two products currently presented by Porter have different annual fees and features. Their value should be calculated after fees and according to actual use of baggage, seats, vouchers or companion passes.

A card can also contribute toward Avid Traveller status under the applicable terms. This can be valuable for a loyal Porter customer and much less valuable for someone who always chooses the least expensive flight regardless of airline.

Who gets the most value from VIPorter?

VIPorter is especially relevant for someone who:

• lives in a city well served by Porter;
• regularly travels in Eastern Canada, to the United States or on other relevant routes;
• can use Air Transat or Alaska Airlines when eligible redemptions are offered;
• values Avid Traveller benefits;
• prefers to earn directly in the program they will use.

It is less compelling for someone who:

• rarely flies Porter;
• wants to transfer points freely among several airlines;
• mainly wants a rebate against any purchase;
• chooses flights only by price with no network loyalty.

VIPorter or Aeroplan?

Aeroplan provides a much broader airline network and partner ecosystem. VIPorter can be more directly relevant to a regular Porter customer.

The choice depends on geography and routes:

• global network and many airlines: potential Aeroplan advantage;
• frequent Porter flights and associated benefits: potential VIPorter advantage;
• uncertainty about future airlines: a transferable currency may preserve more options.

It can be rational to participate in both programs without pursuing status in both. Concentrating spending only helps when it moves you toward a reward you can actually use.

Mistakes to avoid

Valuing taxes as if points covered them

Compare only the portions genuinely avoided with points.

Giving every benefit its maximum value

A free checked bag is worth zero to a traveller who never checks luggage.

Choosing a card only for its welcome offer

A temporary offer does not guarantee the card will remain worthwhile after year one.

Ignoring account activity

The program’s general rule requires eligible activity within a 24-month period to preserve points. Cardholders may have specific terms; verify your exact situation.

Confusing points earned with value received

Seven points per dollar are not automatically better than two points per dollar in another program. The units do not have the same value.

Frequently asked questions

Do VIPorter points have a fixed value?

No. Value depends on the flight, cash fare, points required and amounts still payable.

Can points cover an entire ticket?

Points can cover the eligible fare portion, but taxes and third-party fees generally remain payable in cash.

Can points be used on Air Transat and Alaska Airlines?

Yes, on certain eligible flights operated by those partners and offered through Porter’s stated channels. Availability is not universal.

Is a BMO VIPorter card required to join?

No. Co-branded cards provide another way to earn points and receive selected benefits.

Is VIPorter the best program in Canada?

It may be the best fit for a frequent Porter traveller. It does not have the broad flexibility of Membership Rewards or Aeroplan’s airline reach.

Bottom line

VIPorter is a specialized program that has become materially stronger through airline partners and BMO credit cards. Its real value still depends primarily on how often you can use Porter’s network.

For a loyal Porter customer, VIPorter can be excellent. For everyone else, flexibility and network reach may matter more than the headline earn rate.

Official sources consulted

• Porter — VIPorter program: https://www.flyporter.com/en-ca/about-porter/viporter
• Porter — Airline partners: https://www.flyporter.com/en-ca/about-porter/our-airline-partners
• Porter — VIPorter FAQ: https://www.flyporter.com/en-ca/about-porter/viporter/viporter-faq
• Porter — VIPorter terms: https://www.flyporter.com/en-ca/viporter/terms-and-conditions
• Porter and BMO — VIPorter Mastercards: https://www.flyporter.com/en-ca/about-porter/viporter/creditcard

Suggested internal links

• How much is a reward point really worth?
• Aeroplan guide
• Should you transfer points or redeem them directly?

Carte IQ CTA

Compare VIPorter cards using your spending, fees and the flights you will actually take.