Competition among Canada's airlines is heating up. For the second time this year, Porter Airlines has poked at its rivals by offering to match their customers' airline loyalty status.
On 23AUG, Porter announced it's giving Air Canada Aeroplan members instant VIPorter loyalty status by matching their current Aeroplan membership level with an equivalent VIPorter Avid Traveller level.
Once approved, members will have access to travel benefits on Porter with the airline.
There are two ways for Aeroplan members to instantly receive Avid Traveller status for the remainder of 2023:
Direct match based on status
- Aeroplan 25K = VIPorter Venture
- Aeroplan 35K = VIPorter Ascent
- Aeroplan 50K, 75K, Super Elite = VIPorter First
Match based on current year flight segments in an Aeroplan account
- 5 segments = VIPorter Passport
- 8 segments = VIPorter Venture
- 17 segments = VIPorter Ascent
- 28+ segments = VIPorter First
Applications are assessed after submission at flyporter.com, with VIPorter account information and screenshots from Aeroplan accounts provided for review. Registration is open until 06SEP, 2023, with full details available online.
Members have until the end of 2023 to reach the following reduced qualifying spend (QS) targets to maintain their membership level through 2024:
- Passport = $500 in QS
- Venture = $750 in QS
- Ascent = $1500 in QS
- First = $2500 in QS
“The significant growth of Porter’s network gives us the ability to serve the needs of even more frequent Canadian travellers, enabling them to enjoy our elevated economy experience to more destinations across North America,” said Kevin Jackson, executive vice president and chief commercial officer, Porter Airlines.
“This status match offer enables Aeroplan members to experience Porter’s uniquely generous approach to loyalty that recognizes 100 percent of every dollar spent with us. Porter is the only Canadian airline that offers full earning on every fare, including basic economy fares, and enables members to earn on optional services such as seat selection, baggage and flight changes. We also reward members with enhanced benefits faster than any other program in Canada.”
Heating up the Competition
Porter's move comes as Air Canada recently increased its presence at Toronto's Billy Bishop City Airport - Porter's signature hub - with the opening of a new premium lounge. When Open Jaw asked Scott O'Leary, Vice President Loyalty and Product, if the new lounge gave Air Canada an advantage over its YTZ rival, O'Leary smiled. "I consider that a collateral benefit."
In addition, in APR, as Open Jaw reported, Porter took a similarly aggressive approach to WestJet customers, offering that airline's loyalty program members VIPorter status level based on their current WestJet rewards level, also for a limited time.
