Canada and United States: New Porter Airlines Travel Credit Cards with BMO and Mastercard Redefine Tourism Loyalty Across Toronto, Montreal, and North American Destinations

As of March 24, 2025, a significant development in Canadian travel and financial services is expected to shake up how both domestic and international travelers book and earn rewards. Porter Airlines, in collaboration with BMO and Mastercard, has launched two new co-branded credit cards: the BMO VIPorter Mastercard and the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard. This initiative introduces the first Canadian travel credit card program that automatically grants airline loyalty status and accelerates travel reward accumulation from day one.

A waitlist of over 30,000 signals strong demand for travel-focused credit benefits
Since the program was first announced in January 2025, more than 30,000 Canadians signed up on the pre-launch waitlist, underscoring the public’s eagerness for innovative and high-value travel credit solutions. With the travel rebound in full swing, this offering arrives at an opportune time—addressing growing expectations among travelers for flexible, fast, and rewarding loyalty experiences.

Toronto-based airline driving a national loyalty revolution
Headquartered in Toronto, Porter Airlines is rapidly expanding its footprint in North America. This latest loyalty initiative is closely aligned with the airline’s broader strategy of elevating the economy travel experience for Canadians. The new cards are designed to reward travel-related spending while simplifying the path to elite status within Porter’s VIPorter frequent flyer program. This includes instant recognition as a VIPorter Avid Traveller—a status that traditionally had to be earned through accumulated flying miles or high spend thresholds.

Two cards, two paths to faster flight redemption
The two cards offer tiered benefits tailored to varying levels of travel engagement. For moderate travelers, the BMO VIPorter Mastercard provides:

• 2 points per $1 on Porter flights
• 1 point per $1 on gas, groceries, dining, hotels, and transportation
• 0.5 points per $1 on all other purchases
• A 35% off annual Porter fare voucher after $25,000 in annual spend
• Automatic VIPorter Passport Avid Traveller benefits including early boarding, priority screening, and priority rebooking

Meanwhile, the World Elite Mastercard caters to frequent flyers with:

• 3 points per $1 on Porter flights
• 2 points per $1 on key travel and lifestyle categories
• 1 point per $1 on general purchases
• A round-trip companion pass annually after $50,000 spend
• Enhanced Avid Traveller Venture perks including free checked bag and carry-on upgrades

Both cards grant $1 of qualifying spend toward Avid Traveller status for every $25 in eligible credit card purchases. Notably, these benefits extend to secondary cardholders, increasing value for families and business travelers alike.

An integrated ecosystem across North American and global airline networks
Porter’s loyalty program doesn’t stop at its own flights. Points can be redeemed across an expanding network that includes partner airlines like Air Transat and Alaska Airlines. With over 3,000 eligible flight routes spanning North America and select global destinations, this program connects Canadian travelers to a much broader tourism network—both for leisure and business.

Additional highlights from the VIPorter program:

• No blackout dates on redemptions
• Full point value on Basic Economy fares, excluding taxes and fees
• “Head Start” benefit allowing members to carry over $3,000 in qualifying spend
• Points-only and cash-plus-points redemption options
• Elite-level “PorterReserve” perks unlocked with $3,000+ in annual spend

Waived fees and massive welcome bonuses fuel initial adoption
To entice early adopters, BMO is offering a first-year annual fee waiver for both credit cards. Welcome bonuses include:

• 40,000 VIPorter points and a 35% Porter fare discount for the standard Mastercard
• 70,000 VIPorter points, a free companion flight, and $1,000 in qualifying spend for the World Elite tier

These bonuses could translate into up to $2,400 in value for cardholders within the first year—positioning the cards as some of the most lucrative travel credit tools currently on the Canadian market.

What this means for the Canadian travel and tourism industry
From a tourism perspective, this program may encourage increased air travel among Canadians, particularly across Eastern Canada and major hubs like Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal, where Porter maintains strong operations. The value-driven perks tied to everyday spending are expected to stimulate not just flight bookings, but also hotel stays, car rentals, dining, and other hospitality-related services.

Tourism boards in Canada may also benefit from greater domestic travel movement, as the card’s reward structure encourages bookings for both business and leisure across short-haul and regional routes.

Moreover, the program could attract inbound international travelers with Canadian bank accounts or dual citizenship who seek affordable, elite travel experiences within North America.

A sign of evolving traveler expectations in Canada and beyond
Jennifer Douglas of BMO emphasized the bank’s focus on helping Canadians align financial tools with lifestyle goals, particularly travel. Mastercard’s Diane Miquelon highlighted how the new card lineup delivers secure, streamlined transactions while supporting passion-driven journeys.

Meanwhile, Porter Airlines’ Edmond Eldebs noted that by automatically awarding VIPorter membership, the program bypasses traditional spend requirements and fast-tracks loyalty benefits—something rarely seen in airline credit cards globally.

This strategic collaboration among three powerhouses—Porter Airlines, BMO Financial Group, and Mastercard—suggests a growing shift in how consumers expect to earn, redeem, and benefit from loyalty programs, with instant gratification replacing legacy loyalty ladders.

Where to go next: Travel and follow official sources
To explore the full range of benefits, welcome offers, and eligibility requirements for the BMO VIPorter credit card lineup, Canadians can visit the official BMO website.

With this launch, Canada is now home to a travel rewards program that could reshape frequent flyer culture not just domestically—but globally.