Porter Airlines is shaking up Canada's air travel landscape with the news it is inviting WestJet travellers to its VIPorter loyalty program.
In a release and announcement on its web site, Porter says that until 31MAY, WestJet loyalty program members will be granted Porter Avid Traveller level based on their 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 31DEC 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
The release says that 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.
Details are available on www.flyporter.com.
“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. 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,” said Kevin Jackson, executive vice president and chief commercial officer, Porter Airlines.
“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.”
Porter says it is expanding its service in key Eastern Canada cities - Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax - that 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 in the pipeline, it says.
