Porter Airlines is renowned for its excellent onboard service, but its baggage fees can sometimes be expensive. Here are some tips to save money on your next flights with Porter, whether you’re paying in points or dollars!
The cost of a checked bag depends on:
For example, if you have a flight from Montreal to Vancouver, the rates may vary per bag and per person, for a one-way trip:
When you make a reservation, the fee details will be displayed during the process. Of course, if you have a bag to check in, it is more cost-effective to pay for it at that time.
If you have already made your reservation with Porter, click on My reservations in your profile. Then, under the Flight Options tab, go to the Add Baggage option. You’ll see all the necessary information on whether or not there is a charge.
Remember that baggage policies may change at any time.
It is always recommended to check the current conditions on the official Porter Airlines website before your trip and in your booking documents.
Porter offers various fare classes, some of which already include one or two checked bags at no extra charge:
If you plan to check a bag, compare the additional cost of a bag with a Standard fare (without included baggage) to a Flexible fare, which already includes one for free.
The VIPorter loyalty program offers several VIPorter status levels, each with its own baggage benefits:
For example, if a VIPorter Venture member books a ticket in Basic fare class (where no baggage is included), he or she will automatically be entitled to a free checked bag, thanks to their status.
To find out more, read our complete guide to VIPorter’s Avid Traveller Elite Status.
One of the easiest ways to get a free checked bag with Porter Airlines is by holding the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard. This card offers its holder and their travelling companions (up to 8 people travelling on the same reservation) a first checked bag free on all Porter flights.
The annual fee for this card is $199 (and even waived for the first year, thanks to the welcome offer). This can represent significant savings for an individual, a family, or a pack of raccoon friends who frequently travel with Porter with bags to check.
There is another credit card that offers an annual travel credit, which can be used to offset various travel expenses, including checked baggage fees.
Although not specifically linked to Porter Airlines, the National Bank World Elite Mastercard offers great flexibility, thanks to its $150 Annual Travel Credit. Additionally, the reimbursement process is very easy!
If you travel once or twice a year with Porter, the simplest strategy is to choose a fare class that already includes a checked bag. Alternatively, pay for it during booking and get reimbursed using the $150 annual credit from the National Bank World Elite Mastercard.
For more frequent travelers (3-5 flights per year), the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard offers excellent value. The $199 annual fee is quickly offset if you check bags on each flight, especially if you are travelling with family or in a group.
The optimal solution for frequent travelers (more than 5 Porter flights per year) is to aim for a VIPorter status in combination with the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard. This card not only offers the renowned free checked bag benefit but also other privileges like earning 3 points per dollar spent with Porter and $1 in eligible spend for every $25 spent, helping you accelerate achieving your next Porter status!
Ready to plan your next trip? Discover 15 destinations accessible with 50,000 VIPorter points, from Europe to Canada!
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