【September 29, 2025 update】 American Airlines and Porter signed a new codeshare and are now official Porter partners. VIPorter members can earn points on Porter-operated segments going forward.
The airline
Porter Airlines is Canada’s third-largest airline, behind Air Canada and WestJet. Third-largest still means a regional low-cost carrier. It is based in Toronto, with hubs at both YYZ and YTZ, and flies within Canada plus the United States and the Caribbean.
Porter’s mascot is a raccoon named Mr. Porter. Staff uniforms are vintage navy, in the style of 1960s airline fashion.
Destinations
You can also check the live map on the official site 🔗.
Fleet
Porter’s fleet has two types: the Embraer E195-E2 and the De Havilland Dash 8-400. Both are 2-2 seating.
Cabins are PorterReserve, PorterClassic stretch, and PorterClassic. Front-cabin seats have a bit more legroom.
Seat maps are on the official site 🔗
Partner airlines
Porter’s partners fall into two groups: VIPorter Partners and Other Partners.
- VIPorter Partners: you can earn and redeem VIPorter points
These are Air Transat and Alaska Airlines.
- Other Partners: you can earn VIPorter points on Porter-operated segments, but you cannot redeem
These are American Airlines (AA), Aeromexico, Azores Airlines (SATA), British Airways, Delta Air Lines, El Al Israel Airlines, Fiji Airways, Icelandair, Japan Airlines, JetBlue, Pascan Aviation, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines.
Elite status
Porter membership levels are Member, Passport, Venture, Ascent, and First. Anyone above the entry-level Member tier is an Avid Traveller.
Register on the official site 🔗 as a Member and you currently receive 500 points after your first flight.
2.1 Earning status
Status is based on qualifying spend. The minimums for each level are:
| Program benefit | VIPorter Member | VIPorter Passport | VIPorter Venture | VIPorter Ascent | VIPorter First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum qualifying spend per calendar year | 0 | $2,000 | $3,000 | $6,000 | $10,000+ |
Porter qualifying spend includes all related charges except taxes, such as:
- Airfare
- Checked-bag fees
- Seat-selection fees, and similar charges
BMO co-brand cards can also convert card spend into qualifying spend at a set ratio.
2.2 Status benefits
Benefits
When you book
Travel day
Airport and onboard
The VIPorter program
Porter’s frequent-flyer program is VIPorter. Earning and spending points is straightforward.
Keep in mind: if the points balance does not change, they expire after 24 months.
Award tickets: Basic fares cannot be changed; Standard changes cost $50; higher fares change for free.
3.1 Earning points
- Flights and related fees
On Porter, members from the base tier to the top tier earn 5 to 7 points per Canadian dollar. See section 2 for the status-benefit details.
On VIPorter partner airlines (Air Transat and Alaska Airlines), bookings made on Porter’s site earn based on spend. Bookings made on the partner airline’s site earn Porter points based on cabin and distance flown.
VIPorter points earned when booking on alaskaair.com or through a travel agency/third party will be based on the number of miles flown, the fare class of your booking and any qualifying bonus.
Flights booked with Alaska Airlines and operated by Porter
| Cabin | Base points | Avid Traveller bonus |
|---|---|---|
| PorterClassic | 100% | Eligible |
| PorterReserve | 125% | Eligible |
- Redemption bookings made via other airlines are not eligible for accrual
Flights operated by Alaska Airlines
| Cabin | Fare class | Base points | Fare class bonus | Total earnings | Avid Traveller bonus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | J | 100% | 25% | 125% | Eligible |
| First | C, D, I | 100% | 10% | 110% | Eligible |
| Economy | Y, B, H, K, M, L V, S, N, Q, O, G |
100% | 0% | 100% | Eligible |
| Economy | X | 30% | 0% | 30% | Eligible |
| Ineligible* | U, E, Z, T | 0% | 0% | 0% | Ineligible |
- Ineligible fares include, but are not limited to redemption and staff travel bookings.
Plus, as an Avid Traveller, you can earn up to 40% more VIPorter points.
- Co-brand card spend
🇨🇦 BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard
3.2 Using points
You can only redeem on Porter’s site, either all points or points plus cash. Depending on the ticket price, VIPorter points often cash out around 1–3 cents per point.
3.3 Program features
- PorterReserve certificates for a front-cabin seat
Once you reach $3,000 in qualifying spend (equal to the VIPorter Venture level), you’ll receive one certificate to fly in a PorterReserve seat. You’ll earn one more certificate for every additional $2,000 in qualifying spend during that same calendar year. PorterReserve certificates provide you with a confirmed seat that includes premium snacks or a fresh meal, beverages, 2 checked bags, and more leg room! Your effortlessly complete, all-inclusive travel experience is confirmed, only with Porter!
More detail on the certificates is on the official site 🔗
- Head Start for Avid Traveller members
Unused qualifying spend rolls into the next year.
If you’ve already earned enough qualifying spend to experience your current Avid Traveller level, you will carry over any additional spend into the next year. This gives you a head start towards next year’s VIPorter membership goal!
- Membership level extension for parental leave
We know how important it is to have your feet on the ground when you’re welcoming a new addition to the family. If you are an Avid Traveller, you can request an extension on your membership level so you resume flying with the same benefits as before.
Other updates
Porter Airlines status match with Air Canada, until September 6 — move fast!