A Complete Guide to the VIPorter Companion Pass

VIPorter Companion Pass – How Does It Work?

The VIPorter companion pass is associated with Porter Airlines’ loyalty program, VIPorter, and can be earned through one of the airline’s two co-branded credit cards.

The pass gives you a free base fare for a second traveller on the same flight itinerary when you’ve booked and paid for your first ticket. The companion pass is valid for a round-trip flight on routes operated by Porter Airlines. If you’d prefer, you can use it to book a second one-way ticket, but in doing so, you’ll likely lose out on potential value.

The VIPorter companion pass can be used for any fare type, but both travellers do need to book the same fare type.

After chatting with a Porter Airlines’ customer service representative, we think there’s a reasonable chance that you can use your VIPorter points (or a combination of points + cash) to cover the base fare of your « paid » ticket and then use the companion pass for the second base fare; however, we have not been able to 100% confirm this option at this time. As the companion passes go out into the world and get used, we’ll update our findings.

Conveniently, there are no blackout dates for using your VIPorter companion pass, which gives you lots of opportunities to find great savings.

The companion pass expires 12 months after its issued; however, you can travel after the expiration date as long as there’s availability and the booking was made before the pass expires.

Keep in mind that the pass can’t be transferred, and that your BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard must be active and in good standing in order to have and use the pass. This means that if you were to cancel your credit card or change to a different product, the pass would be cancelled.

Companion passes come with the following restrictions:

• Cannot be used of existing reservations
• Cannot be used for bookings for more than two passengers.
• Only one companion pass can be used per booking

To redeem your companion pass, simply log in to your VIPorter account and choose to apply your pass when you’re making your qualified booking.

VIPorter Companion Pass – How Do I Get One?

The only way to get a VIPorter companion pass is to get the Porter Airlines credit card and meet the spending requirement.

Porter Airlines has two co-branded credit cards, the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard and the BMO VIPorter Mastercard, but only the World Elite version offers the chance to earn a companion pass.

VIPorter Companion Pass – BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard

As a new BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard holder, you likely have the opportunity to earn two companion passes in your first year and then one annual companion pass each year thereafter.

As part of the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard‘s inaugural welcome offer, you can earn a companion pass by spending $9,000 in the first 180 days as a cardholder. According to the fine print (and our chat with Porter Airlines’ customer service), you should then be able to earn your annual companion pass as part of the card’s standard perks and benefits.

To earn this annual companion pass, you need to spend $50,000 within the year, before your card’s anniversary date. Once you reach your card’s anniversary date, the tally resets to zero, and you have to start again for the next 12-month period.

Benefits

In addition to the chance to earn an annual VIPorter companion pass, the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard comes with the following benefits:

• Complimentary PorterClassic seat selection (for you plus up to 8 guests on the same reservaation)
• Complimentary checked bag (for you plus up to 8 guests on the same reservaation)
• Complimentary carry-on on all fare types (for you plus up to 8 guests on the same reservaation)
• Prioritized call centre service, priority re-accommodation, dedicated check-in, priority security, early boarding, and priority airport standby
• Comprehensive travel insurance coverage
• Automatic VIPorter Avid Traveller status
• Earn $1 Qualifying Spend toward your VIPorter Avid Traveller elite status per $25 spent on the card

These benefits are particularly helpful since they let you share perks with multiple people on the same reservation, and they give you the option to book a lower fare type while still receiving all the above comforts for free.

With the card, you also get a complimentary membership in Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass, helping you access airport lounges around the world (for $32 USD per visit), and you get discounts on eligible car rentals and prepaid hotel bookings

Earning rates

Beyond the benefits listed, your BMO VIPorter World Elite Masterard also earns VIPorter points on all your purchaes at the following rates:

• Earn 9 to 10 points per $1 spent on Porter purchases
• Earn 2 points per $1 spent on everyday travel like gas and transportation
• Earn 2 points per $1 spent on groceries and dining
• Earn 2 points per $1 spent on hotel accomodations
• Earn 1 point per $1 spent on everything else

Also, conveniently, your VIPorter points will not expire as long as your Porter Airlines Mastercard is active, so you don’t need to worry about losing your hard earned balance.

BMO VIPorter Mastercard

While Porter Airlines’ second co-branded credit card, the BMO VIPorter Mastercard, doesn’t include the ability to earn a companion pass, it still provides a handful of solid perks and benefits, so let’s take a look.

First, instead of offering a companion pass, the BMO VIPorter Mastercard lets you earn an annual voucher worth 35% off the base fare of up to 3 travel companions. As part of the inaugural welcome bonus for this card, you can earn this voucher after spending $6,000 in the first 180 days as a cardholder.

After this, to earn the voucher annually, you will need spend $25,000 before your card anniversary date.

With this card, you can also enjoy dedicated check-in, early boarding, and priority re-accommodations for flight delays for you and up to 8 guests on the same reservation.

You will also get automatic Avid Traveller status and earn $1 in Qualifying Spend per $25 spent on the card.

On top of these benefits, the BMO VIPorter Mastercard also lets you earn VIPorter points on all your purchases. It’s earning rates are as follows:

• Earn 8 to 9 points per $1 spent on Porter purchases
• Earn 1 points per $1 spent on everyday travel like gas and transportation
• Earn 1 points per $1 spent on groceries and dining
• Earn 1 points per $1 spent on hotel accomodations
• Earn 0.5 point per $1 spent on everything else

Finally, your VIPorter points won’t expire as long as you keep using the credit card.

VIPorter Companion Pass – Cost

The VIPorter companion pass gives you 100% free base fare for the companion ticket as long as you follow the program guidelines.

You do, however, have to pay all taxes, fee, and other charges associated with the second ticket.

Saving 100% off the base fare of your flight is pretty great, especially when you compare it to the Air Canada Annual Worldwide Companion Pass or the WestJet Companion Voucher, both of which only provide discounted base fares.

VIPorter Companion Pass – Tips for Maximizing Value

Since the VIPorter companion pass offers a 100% free base fare, the best way to maximize its value is to use the pass for when you’re booking flights with higher base fares. These flights tend to show up in the following situations:

• Peak season: Ticket prices tend to be higher around popular travel times since more people are travelling, leaving fewer tickets available for purchase. By using your companion pass during March break, Christmas, Thanksgiving, holiday weekends, and even just the summer season, you could save significantly.
• Last minute flights: When booking last minute, flight prices can often be elevated due to a scarcity of availability. This can be a good opportunity to use your companion pass to lessen your travel costs.
• Premium fares: Use your companion pass to save more while enjoying seats with extra leg room and better amenities. Granted, you will need to pay full price for the first ticket, but if you’re looking for some added comfort on your travels, this is a nice way to go.
• Further distances/unique destinations: Choosing to use your companion pass for longer flights or flights to unique destinations can help bring new and exciting adventures to life. Since prices are often higher on these types of flights, so this is a great way to save.

Now, of course, since you do need to pay for the first traveller in full, you’ll want to consider your travel and financial priorities when using your companion pass. It’s always a good idea to do a little bit of math to see where the best savings lie.

Bottom Line

VIPorter companion passes can be a great way to save money when you and another person travel together. Whether you use your pass to travel last minute without breaking the bank or to enjoy a more premium flight experience for less, you’re sure to appreciate its benefits.

If the VIPorter companion pass appeals to you, don’t forget that there are three other airlines in Canada that also offer companion passes: Air Canada, WestJet, and British Airways. Check out our guides to these other companions passes to take your savings even further!

FAQs

How do I get a VIPorter companion pass?

The only way to get a VIPorter companion pass is to sign up for BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard and meet the spending requirements.

Will I lose my VIPorter companion pass if I cancel my credit card.

Yes. If you cancel your BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard, your VIPorter companion pass will be cancelled/removed from your account.

Can I use my VIPorter companion pass with partner airlines?

No. The VIPorter companion pass can only be used for flights operated by Porter Airlines.

Can I transfer my VIPorter companion pass to another person?

No. The VIPorter companion pass is not transferable and expires 12 months after it is issued.

How do I contact Porter Airlines’ customer service?

Porter Airlines’ customer service can be reached at 1-888-619-8622.