Rundown of Porter Airlines’ VIPorter (updated February 4, 2023)
It has been a 4 years since I last wrote about Porter Airlines’ loyalty program ,VIPorter. As such, we are way overdue for an update, especially with all the major changes that kicked in this month.
The way these posts work is that we do a rundown of the key factors of its loyalty program to determine whether it is worthwhile to stockpile points with them.
Expiry Policy
VIPorter has a very straightforward expiry policy. Points never expire as long as the member either earns or redeems points at least once within 24 consecutive months.
This is a fairly standard expiry policy and reasonable enough time frame to keep an account active. If someone does not fly at least once every 24 months with Porter, then it’s probably not worth it to put much time into VIPorter anyway.
Elite Status
Since our last post, VIPorter has expanded the number of elite status levels from two to four. Porter is calling their elite status members an “Avid Traveller”. With the added number of levels, you will probably notice that there is an expansion of its features and benefits.
Below is a breakdown of each level.
VIPoter Member (Member)
- Spend up to $1,999 per calendar year
- Earn 5 points for every $1 spent on all Porter related spending (excluding taxes and third party fees)
- Receive 500 points on the first flight as a Member
- Receive members only offers
The 500 points is a nice sign up bonus to be a member.
VIPoter Passport (Passport)
- Spend between $2,000 and $2,999 per calendar year
- Earn 6 points for every $1 spent on all Porter related purchases (except taxes and fees)
- Receive all the benefits of a Member
- Carry over qualifying spending above membership level to get a head start the following year
- Extend elite status benefits to a child
- Share benefits with passengers on the same booking (up to 9 people)
- Dedicated call centre
- Receive priority re-accommodation for flight delays
- Receive dedicated check-in, priority security, and early boarding
- Receive priority airport standby
The main additional benefits are really the bottom three items listed above.
VIPorter Venture (Venture)
- Spend between $3,000 and $5,999 per calendar year
- Earn 6 points for every $1 spent on eligible Porter purchases (see above)
- Receive all the benefits of a Passport member
- Complimentary seat selection
- Receive one PorterReserve certificate at $3,000 in qualifying spend, and another for every $2,000 in spending thereafter
- Receive 1 complimentary carry-on bag
- Receive 1 complimentary checked bag
This level is where things get interesting with complimentary bags.
VIPorter Ascend (Ascend)
- Spend between $6,000 and $9,999 per calendar year
- Earn 7 points for every $1 spent on eligible Porter purchases (see above)
- Receive all the benefits of a Venture member
- Receive a complimentary PorterClassic Stretch seat selection
- Receive 2 complimentary checked bags
- Allowed free same-day changes
This level gives more cash savings if you end up inccuring these costs, such as additional checked or last minute flight change.
VIPorter First (First)
- Spend more than $10,000 per calendar year
- Earn 7 points for every $1 spent on eligible Porter purchases (see above)
- Receive all the benefits of an Ascend member
- Receive guaranteed seat on a sold-out flight with the purchase of a PorterClassic Freedom fare
- Receive 3 complimentary checked bags
- Receive guaranteed next flight re-accommodation
The main benefit at the highest level is priority getting into a plan so that you have less chance of being stranded somewhere.
Elite Status Qualifying Period
When a member cross the spending threshold in a given year, on or before December 31, the new status is effective immediately until December 31 of the following year. For example, if you qualify for Passport status today, February 4, 2023, this status will be effective until December 31, 2024.
If you qualify for a higher level later in the current year, the same principle applies. For example, if by May 6, 2023, a member qualifies for Venture status, it will be valid until December 31, 2024, and so on.
The idea is to aim to qualify to elite status earlier in the year so that you can enjoy the benefits longer.
Points Redemption
Points can be redeemed towards the purchase of Porter Airlines flights. There are 2 reward redemption options:
- Points only – use points to pay for 100% of the base fare (excluding tax and third-party fees)
- Cash and points – use points to pay for a portion of the base fare (the balance of the fare must be paid by credit card)
The number of points needed to redeem for a flight depends to the cost of the base fare, but not necessarily at a 1 point to 1 cent ratio. It will depend on which flight the member is redeeming for, so it will be a case by case basis.
Thoughts
Porter Airlines have really tried to upped their game with their frequent flyer program by adding more levels. I look at it this way. If I were to play a video game with only 3 levels, it would probably feel boring than if the game had 10 levels to complete.
Having more levels makes a frequent flyer program much more attractive. This allows them to get more creative with a wide variety of perks and benefits that are being unlocked bit by bit as members move their way up. In a way, I find it more fun this way!
What are your thoughts on the new VIPorter program? Please let us know in the comment section below!