Porter Airlines is relaunching its VIPorter loyalty program with additional membership levels, added benefits, and the enhanced ability for economy travellers to earn perks. The upgrades coincide with Porter’s new Embraer E195-E2 jet service on Feb. 1.

VIPorter members will earn a minimum of five VIPorter points for every dollar they spend with Porter, including on airfares, checked bags, flight changes and seat selection. Points can be redeemed for flights across the growing Porter network using either points-only or a combination of points and cash.

VIPorter also plans to introduce the ability to earn and redeem points on other services and airline partners as the airline grows.

Members may redeem as few as 5,000 VIPorter points for a one-way short-haul flight, and as few as 8,500 VIPorter points for a long-haul flight. A combination of points and cash enables passengers to discount their air fare. There are no capacity limits – if a seat is available for sale, points may be used to purchase the seat.

Once members reach $2,000 in qualifying spend in a calendar year, they become an Avid Traveller, status that provides more benefits, increasing as they move through the four Avid Traveller membership levels. Additional perks include faster points accumulation, dedicated airport services, complimentary seat assignments, complimentary PorterClassic Stretch seats with more legroom, complimentary checked baggage, and travel flexibility.

And Porter claims members will be able to access these perks sooner than with any other Canadian airline.

With the relaunch of the program, VIPorter is adding a number of new member benefits, including:

• Earning a minimum of 5 points per dollar on Basic economy fares, up from 2 points per dollar.

• The expansion to five published membership levels from three, including the introduction of four Avid Traveller categories, with increasing benefits as members move through the levels based on their accumulated annual spend.

• Introduction of Head Start, which enables Avid Travellers to carry over any qualifying spend above the minimum required to qualify for an Avid Traveller level into the next calendar year. This feature gives members a head start on maintaining or growing their valued Avid Traveller perks. Head Start ensures members are fully recognized for every dollar they spend with Porter.

• Members with at least $3,000 in qualifying spend receive a PorterReserve certificate, giving them a confirmed PorterReserve all-inclusive travel experience. Unlike other airlines, the PorterReserve experience is fully confirmed at the time of booking a PorterClassic fare. Members earn more PorterReserve certificates for every additional $2,000 in qualifying spend within the year.

• Extension of Avid Traveller benefits for up to 18 months due to parental leave.

• VIPorter members enjoy Porter’s free, fast WiFi onboard its new E195-E2 fleet without advertising interruption. Members simply login to the onboard WiFi portal with their VIPorter number and password.

A complete overview is available on Porter’s website. Existing members will also receive an email by February 1, confirming the updated program level they qualify for. Registration in VIPorter is free and new members earn a 500 VIPorter point bonus after their first flight.

“Other airline programs make earning points and redeeming benefits overly complex, and typically don’t provide full earning power at lower fares. We value the loyalty of all of our passengers. That’s why our members earn 100% of their points on all Porter fares, including Basic economy,” says Porter executive VP and CCO Kevin Jackson. “VIPorter enables members to earn valuable benefits with fewer flights and less annual spend, further elevating the experience for economy travellers.”