- Two new credit cards grant cardholders immediate recognition
into Porter's loyalty program as a VIPorter Avid Traveller and
accelerate travel rewards with industry-leading earn rates on
travel and everyday spending
- More than 30,000 applicants on pre-launch waitlist
TORONTO, March 24,
2025 /CNW/ - Porter Airlines, BMO and Mastercard are
announcing the launch of two new BMO VIPorter Mastercard credit
cards – creating the first and only travel credit card program in
Canada that grants immediate
frequent flyer benefits for cardholders in an airline's loyalty
program, while enabling accelerated travel rewards. More than
30,000 people have joined the pre-launch waitlist since the program
was announced in January 2025 as
Canadians seek more choice and benefits from their travel credit
cards.
The new BMO VIPorter Mastercard credit card lineup enhances
customers' ability to earn VIPorter points and redeem for flights
through everyday purchases, while automatically granting VIPorter
Avid Traveller benefits to both the primary cardholder and any
secondary cardholders on the account. Card benefits, along with the
welcome offer, include waived annual fees for the first year and up
to 70,000 VIPorter points – giving cardholders as much as
$2,400 of total value in their first
year. Cardholders can experience greater earning rates for points
and personal travel benefits, including:
BMO VIPorter Mastercard
- Offering more value and opportunities to earn rewards and
flights, cardholders earn 2 points for every $1 spent on Porter flights, 1 point for every
$1 spent on transportation, gas,
groceries, dining and hotel accommodations, and 0.5 points for
every $1 spent on all other
purchases.
- Cardholders are automatically granted VIPorter Passport Avid
Traveller membership benefits, including earning 6 points per
dollar on Porter flights, dedicated airport check in, priority
security screening, early boarding and priority re-accommodation
for flight delays.
- All cardholders also earn $1 of
Avid Traveller Qualifying Spend for every $25 in eligible credit card spend, unlocking even
more earning and travel benefits over time.
- This card features an annual voucher for 35% off the base fare
on any Porter flights for up to four people when spending at least
$25,000 annually on the card.
BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard
- Offering elevated rewards and travel experiences, cardholders
earn 3 points for every $1 spent on
Porter flights, 2 points for every $1
spent on transportation, gas, groceries, dining and hotel
accommodations, and 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
- Cardholders are automatically granted VIPorter Avid Traveller
Venture membership benefits, where they can enjoy earning 6 points
per dollar on Porter flights, dedicated airport check-in, priority
security screening, early boarding, priority re-accommodation for
flight delays, one complimentary checked bag, a carry-on bag when
purchasing a Basic economy fare, and complimentary PorterClassic
seat selection.
- All cardholders will also earn $1
of Avid Traveller Qualifying Spend for every $25 in eligible credit card spend, unlocking even
more earning and travel benefits over time.
- This card features an annual round-trip Porter companion pass
that gives an additional passenger flying on the same booking 100%
off the base fare of any Porter flight when spending at least
$50,000 annually on the card.
"Porter elevates economy travel for all of our passengers and
VIPorter enables loyal customers to enjoy complimentary benefits
that enhance their journey even more," said Edmond Eldebs, Senior Vice President and Chief
Commercial Officer, Porter Airlines.
"While other programs let you reach frequent flyer membership
levels based on how much is spent on their cards, the BMO VIPorter
Mastercard lineup grants it automatically. By partnering with BMO
and Mastercard to enable cardholders to access Avid Traveller
benefits immediately and earn VIPorter points even faster, our
members can redeem for even more flights on Porter and our partner
airlines. Porter is growing faster than any Canadian airline and
opportunities to use points for meaningful travel experiences are
growing along with us."
"We are excited to collaborate with Porter and Mastercard to
reimagine the travel rewards experience and deliver innovative and
convenient ways for Canadians to achieve their personal and
financial goals simultaneously," said Jennifer Douglas, Head, North American Retail
& Small Business Payments, BMO. "The BMO VIPorter Mastercard
program empowers Canadians through a lineup of new credit cards
that provides compelling value and rewards for everyday purchases
helping them make real financial progress."
"We are dedicated to providing Canadians with opportunities to
enhance their everyday experiences and pursue their passions,
especially travel. That's why we are thrilled to introduce the new
BMO VIPorter Mastercard credit card lineup in partnership with BMO
and Porter," said Diane Miquelon,
Senior Vice President, Financial Institutions, Mastercard,
Canada. "This new offering will
allow Canadians to expedite their travel rewards journeys with
everyday purchases, while always ensuring each transaction is
secure, simple and seamless."
The new cards enable VIPorter members to build points quickly
for redemption across Porter's expanding North American network, as
well as Porter's growing list of global airline partners, currently
featuring flights operated by Air Transat and Alaska
Airlines.
Highlights of Porter's VIPorter program include:
- All members receive 100% of their eligible points for every
flight purchased, including Basic economy fares, exclusive of taxes
and fees. VIPorter is the only airline loyalty program in
Canada to give members full value
for every dollar they spend on flights
- Accelerated earning and additional travel benefits for VIPorter
Avid Travellers
- Redeem for any seat across Porter's expanding network,
including points-only and cash-plus-points redemption options, with
no blackout dates
- Earn confirmed PorterReserve flight certificates, starting at
$3,000 in annual Qualifying
Spend
- Head Start allows members to carry over up to $3,000 in Qualifying Spend into the next year to
accelerate their Avid Traveller benefits
- Over 3,000 flight routings available for redemption with
Porter, Air Transat and Alaska Airlines to North American and
global destinations
Embark on Your Next Journey with Exclusive Welcome
Offers
To help Canadians get started on their travel rewards journey,
the annual fee for all BMO VIPorter Mastercards will be waived in
the first year. BMO VIPorter Mastercard customers are eligible to
earn 40,000 points and a 35% base fare discount Porter flight
voucher during the first year. BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard
cardholders can receive 70,000 points, a companion pass for 100%
off a Porter base fare, and $1,000 in
Qualifying Spend during their first year.
To learn more about the BMO VIPorter Mastercard lineup,
including other important terms and features, please visit:
https://www.bmo.com/VIPorter.
About Porter
Since 2006, Porter Airlines has been
elevating the experience of economy air travel for every passenger,
providing genuine hospitality with style, care and charm. Porter's
fleet of Embraer E195-E2 and De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft
serves a North American network from Eastern Canada. Headquartered in Toronto, Porter is an Official 4 Star Airline®
in the World Airline Star Rating®. Visit www.flyporter.com or
follow @porterairlines on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
About BMO Financial Group
BMO Financial Group is the
eighth largest bank in North America by assets, with total assets
of $1.5 trillion as of January 31, 2025. Serving customers for 200
years and counting, BMO is a diverse team of highly engaged
employees providing a broad range of personal and commercial
banking, wealth management, global markets and investment banking
products and services to 13 million customers across Canada, the
United States, and in select
markets globally. Driven by a single purpose, to Boldly Grow the
Good in business and life, BMO is committed to driving
positive change in the world, and making progress for a thriving
economy, sustainable future, and inclusive society.
About Mastercard (NYSE: MA)
Mastercard powers
economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories
worldwide. Together with our customers, we're building a
sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide
range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure,
simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation,
partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of
products and services that help people, businesses and governments
realize their greatest potential.
SOURCE BMO Financial Group
