Overview
Register
How do you sign up for the VIA Préférence program from VIA RAIL?
To register for VIA RAIL’s VIA Préférence, you must go to this page and enter your information.
Earn Points
How do I earn VIA Préférence points from VIA RAIL?
***Update: The new program will start on November 18, 2023.
With the new VIA Préférence program from VIA RAIL launched on November 18, 2023, you can earn between 1 and 3 points for every dollar spent when travelling with VIA RAIL (before taxes).
The number of points obtained depends:
- your status level
- The fare
The VIA Préférence member only earns VIA Préférence points for their own travel. No points are awarded for someone else’s trips, even if the member paid for the ticket.
You can earn up to 50% more points depending on the rate you choose:
| Classes | Economy | Business | |||
| Rates | Escape | Economy | Economy Plus | Business | Business Plus |
| Total points | 100 % | 125 % | 150 % | 100 % | 150 % |
It’s also possible to earn points on the following fees:
- Additional luggage
- Travel cards
- Travelling with a pet
- Unaccompanied minor
- Packaging products available at the station
- Single-use passes for Business lounges
You can earn points with VIA Préférence on:
- Travel on all trains owned and operated by VIA Rail.
- The Canadian portion of a trip on the Maple Leaf train between Toronto and New York, only when booked through VIA Rail.
- Business class upgrades.
- Purchase of tickets with a CN or CP pass.
- The purchase of a Multi Card, Commuter Card, Leisure Card, Youth Card, Student Card or Canada Card (points are calculated based on the value of the product at purchase, not on the individual tickets it entitles you to).
- Using VIA Rail gift cards.
You cannot earn points with VIA Préférence on:
- Service charges or baggage surcharges.
- Meals and drinks purchased on board.
- Purchase of souvenirs at the VIA Rail boutique.
- The purchase of tickets with a VIA Rail pass.
- The purchase of tickets with an AD75 or AD50 coupon.
- The railway part of a package.
- The purchase of train tickets through a tour operator or sales agent, whether it is a package or not.
- Partial discounts and group rates.
- Buying VIA Rail gift cards.
- The use of promotional travel credits.
- Services offered by VIA Rail partners and intermodal services such as Amtrak, Trentway-Wagar, STM, Pacific Coach Lines, GO Transit and AMT.
- Purchase tickets through Amtrak for travel on the Maple Leaf train between Toronto and New York.
Redeem Points
How do I use VIA Préférence points from VIA RAIL?
As of November 18, 2023, the exchange of points is different. It is based on a dynamic rate that varies according to the place of departure and arrival, the day of the week, the chosen rate, etc.
So, if the cost of the Via Rail train ticket is high, the points required will be higher. And vice versa. You’ll only see the number of points required at checkout.
Check out our article here on How to use your VIA Préférence points for a free VIA Rail train ticket.
With the points, it will now be possible :
- To buy travel cards
- Paying certain fees
- Buy optional products and services
Again, you must have the required number of points, and partial payment with points will not be accepted.
In addition, payment of taxes will be required on a product purchased with points, which was not the case before.
To ensure a smooth transition, VIA Préférence will give members a break. So, from November 18, 2023 until an unknown date, 30% fewer points will be required to book with points.
However, as of July 4, 2024, this temporary 30% discount applied to all points redemptions will end.
For travel in Sleeper Plus or Prestige class
It is also possible to use VIA Préférence points to travel in Sleeper Plus or Prestige class.
Car-Bed Plus Class
Depending on the route and train equipment, single occupancy in Sleeper Plus class may be offered (upper and lower berth or a cabin for one person).
Prestige Sleeper Class
Points redemptions for Prestige class must be made by phone through the VIA Customer Centre (1 888 VIA-PREF). Reward travel is available for trips within 6 months of booking and from November 1st to April 30 only, subject to availability.
Status
VIA RAIL’s VIA Préférence status levels
There are 3 membership levels in VIA RAIL’s VIA Préférence program:
- Preference
- Premium
- Premier
To reach a higher status level, you must spend a certain amount with VIA Rail during the reference period running from May 1 to April 30:
| Expenses | Status |
| 0 à 999 $ | Preference |
| 1 000 à 1 999 $ | Premium |
| 2,000 or more | Premier |
Since November 18, 2023, you no longer need to wait until the end of the qualification period to enjoy a higher level. Starting the day after you reach a level, your status will be available for the rest of the current period and the following period.
Benefits offered to VIA Préférence members from VIA RAIL
Members of VIA RAIL’s VIA Préférence program enjoy benefits based on their status level:
| Preference | Premium | Premier | |
| Points per dollar | √ | √ | √ |
| Membership card | √ | √ | √ |
| Points according to the chosen rate | √ | √ | √ |
| Points earned through special offers | √ | √ | √ |
| No exclusion period for award trips | √ | √ | √ |
| Exclusive coupons | 2 | 4 | |
| Access to a priority queue | √ | √ | |
| Access to Business lounges | √ | ||
| Priority meal choice | √ | ||
| Priority boarding | √ |
Credit Cards
VIA RAIL is considered travel and/or transportation spending by credit cards in Canada. So you’ll want to use a credit card that earns more points on this type of expense.
For example, with the Cobaltᵐᶜ American ExpressMD Card:
- you earn 2 points per dollar for your VIA Rail purchases
- you can use your points on your VIA RAIL purchases at a rate of 1,000 points = $10
This is one of the best cards to use for VIA RAIL. Here are a few other suggestions:
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $191.88 | |||
| $150 | |||
| $250 |
Frequently Asked Questions about VIA Préférence
VIA Préférence is the official loyalty program of VIA Rail Canada. Here are the frequently asked questions to help you understand how to earn and redeem your points.
How do I sign up for the VIA Préférence program?
Signing up for the VIA Préférence program is completely free and can be done directly on the VIA Rail Canada website. You can also create your account when making your first online booking. Once registered, your membership number will be assigned automatically and you can start earning VIA Préférence points on your next train trip, regardless of the service class chosen (Economy, Business, Plus, Sleeper).
How do you earn VIA Préférence points?
You earn VIA Préférence points on every train ticket purchased from VIA Rail Canada. The number of points depends on the service class, the fare paid and the distance travelled. Business and Sleeper class trips earn more points than Economy class. VIA Rail promotions often offer bonus points on certain routes. Onboard purchases (meals, drinks) and partner purchases do not earn points: only train tickets count in the program.
What are the VIA Préférence program status levels?
VIA Préférence includes three status levels based on your cumulative spending with VIA Rail during the reference period from May 1 to April 30: Préférence ($0 to $999), Privilège ($1,000 to $1,999) and Premier ($2,000 and up). Since November 18, 2023, the new status is available starting the day after it’s reached, for the rest of the current period and the entire following period. Privilège and Premier members enjoy benefits such as exclusive coupons and access to a priority line, and Premier status also includes access to Business lounges and priority boarding.
Can you transfer TD Aeroplan points to VIA Préférence?
There is no direct transfer between Aeroplan and VIA Préférence. However, some TD credit cards allow you to use TD points for VIA Rail tickets through the TD Travel portal. Aeroplan members can also take advantage of occasional offers with VIA Rail. To optimize your train travel in Canada, check out our comparison of the best travel credit cards that offer points that can be converted or used for VIA Rail trips.
How do you redeem VIA Préférence points?
VIA Préférence points can be redeemed for free train tickets on the VIA Rail Canada network. Booking is done directly on the VIA Rail website by selecting the “Pay with VIA Préférence points” option. The number of points required varies depending on class, date and availability. Points can also be used for upgrades to Business or Sleeper class. Contrary to a common belief, taxes must be paid on VIA Préférence reward tickets since the program overhaul that came into effect on November 18, 2023 (they are not included in the points redemption).
Point values
| Redemption type | ¢ / point | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| otherdefault | 6.00 | medium |
