Which Exclusive VIA Rail Coupons to Choose?
As an elite member with VIA Rail’s loyalty program, VIA Preference, you will qualify for either a choice of 2 or 4 coupons, depending on your status. The coupons are valid until April 30 of the following year that you qualify for elite status.
Below are the choices of coupons for each level of elite status.
Privilège Membership
Coupon 1
- Instantly earn 550 VIA Préférence bonus points.
- 20% off the best available Economy class fare in the Corridor
- 20% off the best available Business class fare.
- Spend 50% fewer points on a reward trip in the Corridor.
Coupon 2
- 50% off adult regular fare on the Ocean or the Canadian (valid for Sleeper Plus classes on the Ocean and on the Canadian). 7-day advance purchase required, booked in “Discounted” sleeper class. Limited number of sleepers.
- 50% off the Adult Economy Plus fare, booked in Economy fare. Limited seats available.
- 50% off the Adult Business Plus fare, booked in Business fare. Limited seats available.
- Instantly earn 1125 VIA Préférence bonus points.
Premier Membership
Coupon 1
- 50% off the Adult Economy Plus fare, booked in Economy fare. Limited seats available.
- 50% off the adult regular fare on the Ocean™ or the Canadian® (valid for Sleeper or Sleeper Plus classes on the Ocean, and Sleeper Plus class on the Canadian). 7-day advance purchase required, booked in “Discounted” sleeper class. Limited number of sleepers.
- Instantly earn 1,125 VIA Préférence bonus points.
- 50% off the Adult Business Plus fare, booked in Business fare. Limited seats available.
Coupon 2
- 50% off the Adult Business Plus fare, booked in Business fare. Limited seats available.
- Instantly earn 1,125 VIA Préférence bonus points.
- 50% off the Adult Economy Plus fare, booked in Economy fare. Limited seats available.
- Book an Adult fare ticket, either in Economy Plus or Business Plus, and claim a reward ticket at 50% fewer points. Travel dates must be the same, and you and your companion must travel in the same class of service.
Coupon 3
- 20% off the best available Business class fare.
- Spend 50% fewer points on a reward trip in Economy class, system-wide, or spend 50% fewer points in Sleeper Plus classes between November 1 and April 30 (inclusive).
- 20% off the best available Economy class fare in the Corridor
- Instantly earn 550 VIA Préférence bonus points.
Coupon 4
- Instantly earn 550 VIA Préférence bonus points.
- 20% off the best available Business class fare.
- Spend 50% fewer points on a reward trip in the Corridor.
- 20% off the best available Economy class fare in the Corridor
What I would choose
Hands down I would simply choose the 550 and 1125 bonus points offers. I prefer earning the points and having the freedom and flexibility to redeem whenever I want. I rather not have the headache of worrying about the expiry on the coupon and figuring out the best way to get more value with those discount vouchers to get more value than the bonus points.
That being said, if you are a frequent traveller on VIA Rail, then it may make more sense for you to take one of the discount coupons. Just be ready to do a lot more calculations to beat the value of the instant bonus point options.
Hi Matt,
I take the points as well, for all except Coupon #3. Whenever I can, I take advantage of the 50% fewer points in Sleeper Plus. So far, I have done that trip 4 times and am hoping to use this year’s coupon to go again in April 2017. Although, I do remember a regular discount that seems to come up every year, where you can use 40% fewer points and it is good until the end of May. To go one month later, I’d pay the extra points.
And, as I mentioned before, the entire thing is FIRST CLASS and FREE! Not a single tax or service charge!
Awesome! Yes when you can take advantage of the other coupons you will probably get more value. It’s just about timing it correctly!
Have to agree with Missy on this. such a nice way to travel.
Yes it is! I would third that!
18 Year Preference Member:
Hands down, my 4 annual coupon redemptions for best value would be:
– 1,125 Points Instantly
– 1,125 Points Instantly
– 550 Points Instantly
– 50% Fewer Points in the Corridor >
Meaning that for only 2,425 Points,
I could theoretically travel Business
Class RETURN from Windsor all the
way to Quebec City > provided its
same day travel > which can definitely
done leaving Windsor at 5:30am…
arriving Quebec City at 10:00pm >
Changing trains in Toronto and Montreal
> All meals and cocktails included for
each of the three separate legs!
Price that Biz Class return trip
out on the VIA website!:)
That’s a pretty good strategy. Thanks for sharing with us Dan!