TORONTO — Porter Airlines is matching a competing airline’s loyalty status on its own VIPorter program.
The limited-time offer, which expires May 31, 2023, extends to all frequent WestJet travellers, providing them immediate access to Porter’s ‘VIPorter loyalty program Avid Traveller membership.
VIPorter Avid Travellers receive perks including faster points accumulation, dedicated airport services, complimentary seat assignments, PorterClassic Stretch seats with more legroom, checked baggage travel flexibility and confirmed PorterReserve upgrade certificates.
The Avid Traveller level granted will be based on the current WestJet rewards level.
Travellers interested in matching their status will receive a trial VIPorter Avid Traveller membership for 120 days with the ability to maintain that level through Dec. 31, 2024, based on achieving a reduced qualifying spend threshold. Every dollar spent on Porter, excluding taxes and fees, is applied to the spend goal.
- VIPorter Venture – earn $750 in qualifying spend
- VIPorter Ascent – earn $1,500 in qualifying spend
- VIPorter First – earn $2,500 in qualifying spend
“This offer is especially appealing to loyal WestJet customers throughout Eastern Canada who either no longer have access to flights or have greatly reduced flight options in their communities,” said Kevin Jackson, executive vice president and chief commercial officer, Porter Airlines. “Porter has an extensive and expanding Eastern Canada network with a high-frequency schedule on many routes. We’re growing our service across Canada and North America, and only Porter provides every passenger an elevated economy experience.”
He added: “Other airline programs make earning points and redeeming benefits overly complex. VIPorter members earn 100% of their points on all Porter fares, including Basic, the lowest fare option. Travellers earn valuable benefits with fewer flights and less annual spend than with any other Canadian airline.”
In June 2022, WestJet unveiled a new growth strategy that focused largely on future investments in Western Canada. This would mean deploying more aircraft to the west and removing routes from the Toronto-Montreal-Ottawa triangle. However, in an update last week, WestJet doubled-down on its commitment to Eastern Canada, with WestJet Group CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech saying that the airline’s position in the east will be “further strengthened once the acquisition of Sunwing is concluded.”
The federal government officially approved WestJet’s acquisition of Sunwing Vacations and Sunwing Airlines last month.
Porter is expanding its service in key Eastern Canada cities (Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax), which will eventually connect across the continent to the west coast, southern U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean.
The airline has already added a number of new routes this year, from Charlottetown in the east to Vancouver in the west, with more to come.
For more information on the loyalty offer go to www.flyporter.com.
