VIPorter: How to Book a Flight With Points
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Do you feel like taking your bags to a new destination? Porter Airlines, a rapidly growing Canadian airline, offers a chic and efficient flying experience, even in economy class.
Here’s a complete guide to help you book your next Porter flight with VIPorter points.
Why Choose Porter Airlines?
Before diving into the booking process, here are some advantages of Porter that deserve to be highlighted:
- Superior onboard service with real glassware;
- Complimentary tasty snacks, plus free beer and wine;
- Seats with above average legroom;
- No middle seat;
- No boarding zones (boarding is done from back to front);
- The constant addition of new destinations;
- Free Wi-Fi on flights;
- A fleet of modern, comfortable aircraft;
- 2 BMO VIPorter Mastercard credit cards that earn VIPorter points faster.
Porter Airlines destinations cover all of North America.
In addition, thanks to Porter’s extensive network, resulting from partnerships with Air Transat and Alaska Airlines, it will become increasingly possible to exchange your VIPorter points for a flight ticket to Europe, South America, Africa, and the Caribbean.
For ideas, read our article on several destinations for travelling with 50,000 VIPorter points.
Book Your Flight With VIPorter Points
First, go to the Porter website and log in to your VIPorter account. You can also use the Porter mobile app, on iOS and Android.
If you are not a member, registration is free. You can run search simulations even if you don’t have any points, to check how many VIPorter points you’ll need for your next trip.
In the Book a Flight section at the top right, click on the Points button.
Choose your travel period and your ideal destination, then click on the « Find Flights » button.
The results display various options for a one-way trip for one person, based on the departure time and available fare classes. VIPorter points fares are dynamic, meaning they fluctuate according to the cost in dollars.
In this example, also notice the top navigation bar that presents a fare calendar. They range from 11,000 points to 27,000 points for this week and this destination. It allows you to explore other dates and spot the best prices in points if your date is flexible. Take the time to review it to optimize your savings.
You have 2 fare choices:
- Porter Classic: economy class with options such as carry-on baggage, paid or free checked baggage, paid or free seat selection, available upgrades, and various credit or refund choices in case of cancellation.
- Standard
- Flexible
- Freedom
PorterReserve: a premium all-inclusive economy class that includes free changes, 2 free checked bags, priority service at the airport, a seat with extra legroom, and healthy meals for long flights.
- Navigation
- Ultimate
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | |||
| $0 |
Once your option is selected, click on Continue to Overview.
Follow the procedure to select your return flight, then click on Book your flights. You will be asked to fill in your passenger information.
When you check out, use a credit card that offers even more VIPorter points. For example, the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard gives you 9 to 10 points for every dollar you spend at Porter. So if your purchase is $200, you’ll earn an additional 1,800 to 2,000 VIPorter points.
Once payment is complete, you will receive a booking confirmation by e-mail.
For example, taking this direct flight Montreal to Vancouver at the lowest cost, I’ll need 19,000 VIPorter points, with a fee of $163.
The dollar equivalent is $646, for the same dates and fare class. So the valuation is 2.5 cents per point (646 – 163, divided by 19,000).
This is excellent, because Milesopedia values a point at 1.5 cents. Anything above 1.5 cents is a bargain.
Option Dollars and VIPorter Points
There is also the option to pay partially with a mix of points and dollars.
On the home page, click on the Dollars and points option, then search as usual.
Using the same example as above, it would cost $272 and 9,500 points for a non-stop return flight from Montreal to Vancouver.
Valuation is even better, at 3.9 cents per point (646 – 272, divided by 9,500).
Booking a Flight with Air Transat and Alaska Airlines Using VIPorter Points
The booking principle is the same as above.
At present, not all destinations and seats with Air Transat and Alaska Airlines are available with VIPorter points. What’s more, flights depend on the airlines’ seasonal schedules, as is the case for destinations in the South.
You may need to search a bit more and experiment to find what you’re looking for. Based on our research, try destinations like Faro and Porto (Portugal), Amsterdam, Paris, and London-Gatwick for better success. To learn more about the available destinations, check out our guide on the extended Porter network destinations.
Porter Airlines Destinations in Canada and Its VIPorter Points
Booking with points is a great way to maximize your VIPorter loyalty program rewards points. For more points and more travel benefits, use a BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard or a BMO VIPorter Mastercard.
Whether you’re departing from Montreal, Toronto-Pearson, Billy Bishop Airport, Deer Lake or Halifax, you could get excellent value for your points!
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | |||
| $0 |
Is Porter a reliable airline?
Yes, Porter Airlines is recognized as a reliable airline in the Canadian market. Founded in 2006, this regional airline has built a solid reputation for safety, customer service and strong growth in recent years.
Who owns Porter Airlines?
It is owned by Porter Aviation Holdings Inc. and its founder, Robert J. Deluce, is a former Canadian airline pilot.
