The meteoric growth of Canadian airline Porter has already begun to force Air Canada to improve its in-flight experience — and to force all airlines to be more price-competitive. There’s more good news: the effect will start to be seen in the world of travel rewards, too!
Firstly, Porter seems to have finally realized that the most lucrative part of being an airline is issuing credit cards in collaboration with banks: a line of Porter credit cards has just been announced!
Secondly, as partnerships with other airlines are key to offering more value to travelers, the long-awaited reciprocity with a great partner is now in effect and, most importantly, points redemptions for partner flights have been confirmed!
Here are the details of the 2 Porter news stories.
Launch of a line of Porter credit cards
The great news that Flytrippers had learned a while ago — but that we weren’t allowed to share, unfortunately — is now public!
Porter is finally launching credit cards!

Basics of the Porter credit cards launch
Here are the basics for the new Porter credit cards line:
- Issued by BMO (Bank of Montreal)
- On the Mastercard network
- Will earn VIPorter points
- Points of the more lucrative type
- Adding redemptions on partners soon!!!
- Will offer “travel benefits”
- No details
- Free bags probably, at the very least
- Launching “spring” 2025
- No specific date is known
- Exclusive bonus of 10,000 VIPorter points (≈ $150) available
- By joining the waitlist
- No further public details at this time
- Sign up for our free newsletter
- We’ll send them to you as soon as we can
This is phenomenal news!
Analysis of the Porter credit cards launch
More competition is always good for consumers, in any field. Including the airport field; Porter is building a new terminal at Montréal-Metropolitan airport, an upcoming alternative to YUL.
(It’s good for consumers; that’s not debatable. It’s maybe a little less good for the people who bought houses next to that airport — which has been at this spot since 1927, by the way — and aren’t happy… but for travelers, it is!)
So it’s amazing to have more competition in the airline credit card market — and airline rewards programs in general.
It’ll give all of us new welcome bonuses to get — welcome bonuses are the key in the wonderful world of travel rewards (if you don’t know that, read our infographic on the basics).
Air Canada added free beer and wine in Canada and the U.S. and announced completely free onboard Wi-Fi fleetwide in response to Porter’s growth.
I don’t think they’ll improve their line of Aeroplan credit cards in the short term, but it’s clear that this will force the airline to improve the Aeroplan program in general.
Porter promises that their cards are “the first of many loyalty enhancements that will create substantial value and recognition for our VIPorter members.”
That’s great news! Frankly, their VIPorter rewards program is pretty useless right now since there’s no way to earn a lot of points easily.
It will become very interesting with the new credit cards, but also with the confirmation of the possibility of soon being able to use VIPorter points on partners (which almost always gives more value with all programs; I’ll talk about it in the next section).
As for card benefits, it all depends on whether it’s a line of 2 cards (basic-level card with no annual fee and main-level card with fees around $120-$150) or a line of 3 cards (adding a premium-level card).
Air Canada and WestJet’s main-level cards all offer free checked bags, so it seems like a no-brainer for Porter to do the same. A multiplier earn rate for Porter spending is a no-brainer. The TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card (with a huge welcome bonus of $1025) just added 4 annual passes for airport lounges. Porter does differentiate itself as being a more enjoyable and high-end airline.
Will Porter innovate for the rest? That would be great. They have been a very innovative airline so it would be nice to see something unique. Stay tuned!

Now… it really has to be said that, of all the major banks, BMO is generally the one with the least attractive welcome bonus offers. This part of the news is a bit worrying, to be honest.
To give you some context and allow you to compare to the TD deal which gives you a $1025 welcome bonus and 4 airport lounge passes, here are the 8 best BMO deals right now.
Best BMO credit cards | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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BMO Ascend™ World Elite®* MasterCard®* | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Min. income (card): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Min. spend (bonus): $4.5k in 3 mos. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WELCOME BONUS ( ![]() |
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Rewards: $330 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Card fee: $0 $150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Best for: 4 passes for lounges & simple points |
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BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Card | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Min. income (card): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Min. spend (bonus): $3k in 3 mos. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WELCOME BONUS ( ![]() |
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Rewards: $360 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Card fee: $0 $120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Best for: Simple points redeemable for any trip |
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BMO AIR MILES®† World Elite®* MasterCard®* | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Min. income (card): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Min. spend (bonus): $3k in 3 mos. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WELCOME BONUS ( ![]() |
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Rewards: ≈ $249 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Card fee: $0 $120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Best for: AIR MILES Miles & annual discount on flight |
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BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege* Card | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Min. income (card): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Min. spend (bonus): $6k in 3 mos. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WELCOME BONUS ( ![]() |
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Rewards: $853 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Card fee: $599 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Best for: 6 passes for airport lounge |
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BMO CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®* | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Min. income (card): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Min. spend (bonus): $2.3k in 3 mos. (categories) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WELCOME BONUS ( ![]() |
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Rewards: $230 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Card fee: $0 $120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Best for: Simple cash back & 5% earn rate |
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BMO eclipse rise Visa* Card | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Min. income (card): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Min. spend (bonus): $1.5k in 3 mos. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WELCOME BONUS ( ![]() |
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Rewards: $192 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Card fee: $0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Best for: One of the highest bonuses (no-fee cards) |
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BMO CashBack® Mastercard®* | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Min. income (card): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Min. spend (bonus): $2.5k in 3 mos. (categories) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WELCOME BONUS ( ![]() |
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Rewards: $125 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Card fee: $0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Best for: No-fee card & small bonus |
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BMO AIR MILES®† MasterCard®* | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Min. income (card): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Min. spend (bonus): $1k in 3 mos. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WELCOME BONUS ( ![]() |
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Rewards: ≈ $92 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Card fee: $0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Best for: Only no-fee AIR MILES credit card |
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Terms and conditions apply. Flytrippers editorial opinion only. Financial institutions are not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click "See More" to see most up-to-date information. |
Maybe they’ll do better with this new line of Porter cards. But even if the bonuses aren’t huge, a new available welcome bonus is better than no bonus at all, obviously.
The cards will be available in “spring” 2025.
As soon as we can tell you more, we will. Sign up for our free newsletter specifically on travel rewards to receive everything!
Porter’s airline partnerships
I won’t go into all the details here; I will do a separate post soon. However, partnerships with other airlines are the foundation of airline rewards programs, which are the most lucrative that exist.
(A basic reminder for the most important airline program, Aeroplan: you can get so much more value with your points on Aeroplan’s 40+ partner airlines! Not on Air Canada!!!)
A long-awaited part of Porter’s partnerships is now in effect, and the most important part has been confirmed officially!
Basics of Porter’s airline partnerships
Here are the basics of airline partnerships:
- There are 2 aspects to rewards
- Earning rewards
- Redeeming rewards
- Partnerships usually involve both aspects of rewards
- But it can also be just 1
- Partnerships are usually reciprocal
- You can earn/redeem both airlines’ rewards
- On both airlines’ flights
Porter has partnerships with 12 airlines, but for a long time, they have been frankly pretty useless.
Here’s what just changed:
- Full reciprocity for earning with Alaska Airlines
- 1 of the most important partners
- You can now earn points no matter where the flight was booked
- Before, it was more limited
- You can therefore earn the rewards of your choice
- You can earn VIPorter points on Alaska Airlines flights
- You can earn Alaska miles on Porter flights
- You need to compare booking sites if you want Alaska miles
- Booking Porter flights on the Alaska website is better (if the price is the same)
- It gives you double the miles (!!!)
- But the Alaska website doesn’t sell the basic economy fare classe
- Alaska miles are a lot better currently
- If you want maximum value
- And more destination options
- But maybe that will change…
Here’s what was officially confirmed at the same time as the Porter credit cards announcement:
- Redeeming VIPorter points on partners will be possible
- Will likely be better than on Porter if you want maximum value
- To be continued as more details are announced
The redemption part in particular is very interesting. Using airline points for flights can give you outsized value and unlimited value!
Analysis of Porter’s airline partnerships
Currently, Porter’s 2 most important partnerships are:
- Alaska Airlines
- Air Transat
Alaska Airlines is the 5th biggest U.S. airline, and its rewards program is one of the best in the world. It has many sweet spots that are very interesting.
Air Transat has a very developed network from Eastern Canada but has not yet understood that having a rewards program is what’s profitable for an airline — and it shows with their 114 million dollars in net losses in 2024 (for a 6th consecutive year of losses).
Let’s start with these.
As for Alaska Airlines, you can now earn Alaska miles instead of VIPorter points on your Porter flights. This is definitely better if you want points that can have unlimited value. Especially for business class travel, but not only.
For example, this fall I had to get to Chicago for a travel rewards conference where I was speaking. The flight was $400 one-way because I had to book at the last minute (because I ended up going back home instead of staying in the U.S. after my previous trip). I was able to book the Montreal-Chicago flight on American Airlines, even if it was not available with Avios points! I paid just 7,500 Alaska Airlines miles and US$76! A phenomenal value of 3.9¢/pt!
If you choose to earn Alaska miles on your Porter flights, the amount you earn depends on where you book:
- 100% of distance: Alaska website
- 50% of distance: Porter website
It’s therefore obvious that you should book on the Alaska site, at least if the price is similar (which seems to be often the case). On the other hand, if you want to travel ultra-light by choosing the basic economy fare class that doesn’t include full-size carry-on bags, you can’t book that on the Alaska site. Sometimes, the Alaska miles you earn offset a good chunk of the extra cost of upgrading to standard economy class!
Anyway, that full reciprocity that allows us to earn valuable Alaska Airlines miles more easily is now in effect. I’ll soon be posting about earning points on flights — there are still plenty of people who don’t know that you can earn Air Canada Aeroplan points on your flights with United, Lufthansa, etc.
As for Air Transat, Porter confirmed that VIPorter points would be available to redeem for flights on partners soon. If it’s like almost all airline rewards programs (like Aeroplan), the value potential will be better this way than for flights on Porter.
It gives us hope that we’ll finally be able to use airline points on an airline that offers plenty of flights, especially from Montreal and Toronto.
Let’s hope prices on partner flights are attractive with the VIPorter program!
Among the 10 other partners, there are 3 that stand out and would be very interesting if redeeming VIPorter points is allowed for their flights (and at a good price):
- Icelandair
- Azores Airlines (SATA)
- jetBlue
Why? Because they’re not bookable with the airline points currencies that are easy to earn in huge quantities in Canada. With Aeroplan points and Avios points, along with Amex points and RBC Avion points transferable to airline programs, you can book flights on almost 100 airlines… but not those 3!
And having more airlines available is very vital, because seats are limited when you want to get the best value with airline points. So more airlines means more seats available in points and more choice!
Don’t miss our detailed guide to the VIPorter program soon!
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Summary
Porter, the fast-growing Canadian airline, is also growing its partners and rewards program. They announced that a line of credit cards issued by BMO on the Mastercard network will be launched this spring. They also confirmed that VIPorter points would be redeemable for flights on partner airlines and launched full reciprocity for earning miles with one of their most important partners, Alaska Airlines.
What would you like to know about Porter partners? Tell us in the comments below.
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