To take your flying experience with Porter to another level, the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard includes automatic VIPorter Venture status and earns you VIPorter points everywhere you shop. It's one of 2 cards that Porter issues alongside BMO.

Earning VIPorter points with the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard

VIPorter points is the rewards currency of Porter Airlines, and this card will earn you points in spades:

• 3 points per $1 spent on Porter
• 2 point per $1 spent on gas, transit, groceries, restaurants, and hotels
• 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases

Based on a typical $2,000 month spend, you could earn around 36,000 points per year. We value a single point at 1.5 cents each, giving the points a value of $540.

What can you use VIPorter points for?

VIPorter points are purely airline points – you can only use them towards flights. But you're not just limited to Porter, you can also use them for flights on select itineraries with Air Transat or Alaska Airlines. The only catch: you’ll need to book the flights through Porter’s website or contact centre.

BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard pros

There's much more to this card than points – it’s also packed full of perks.

1. Automatic VIPorter Venture status

BMO Porter Mastercards are the only airline cards in Canada that offer automatic advanced frequent flyer status. This card gives you immediate VIPorter Venture Avid Traveller status, which includes basic benefits like priority boarding and check-in, and priority security at select airports. But you also get things like a free checked bag, seat selection, and a PorterReserve upgrade certificate.

2. Annual companion pass

The BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard includes an annual companion voucher (they call it a companion pass). The bad news first: you'll need to spend $50,000 on your card each year to earn it.

But there’s good news: if you earn this voucher, it’s at no additional cost. Book a trip for yourself and take someone else with you for just the taxes and fees. Other companion vouchers require a fee to use them – Porter does not.

3. Plenty of travel insurance

This card includes a good travel insurance package, which also covers you when you redeem Porter points for flights. You’ll get access to 11 types of insurance, and you can see the details in the insurance section above.

4. World Elite Mastercard benefits

All the standard World Elite Mastercard benefits are here, including a Mastercard Travel Pass membership (each visit costs US$32), Priceless cities, and more.

5. Massive sign-up bonus

BMO and Porter aren't messing around when it comes to luring people to their card. You can earn up to 70,000 bonus points worth up to 1,050 as follows.

• 20,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first 110 days
• 20,000 points after spending $9,000 in the first 6 months
• 30,000 points when you spend $18,000 in the first year

You'll get access to a companion pass when you spend $9,000 in the first 6 months. Plus, they're waiving the annual fee for the first year.

BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard cons

Here are 2 downsides to consider with the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard.

1. High annual fee and income requirements

The annual fee of $199 is a little high compared to other World Elite Mastercards. So, too, are the income requirements – you’ll need $80,000 personal or $150,000 household income to be considered for this card.

2. Limited use rewards

Before you start accumulating VIPorter points, make sure Porter, Alaska Airlines, and/or Air Transat have flights that work for your travel plans. These are the only airlines that currently accept VIPorter points – you don’t have everyday redemption options like merchandise or gift cards if you decide not to travel with these airlines.

Comparison to the BMO VIPorter Mastercard

BMO and Porter offer a pair of VIPorter cards, the other being the BMO VIPorter Mastercard, which has a lower annual fee of $89. Both offer an annual flight discount and VIPorter status. Here's how they stack up.

	BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard	BMO VIPorter Mastercard
Welcome bonus	$150 GeniusCash + Up to 70,000 bonus points, companion pass, first year free (terms)	$100 GeniusCash + Up to 40,000 bonus points, 35% flight discount, first year free (terms)
Earn rates	* 3 points per $1 spent on Porter * 2 point per $1 spent on gas, transit, groceries, restaurants, and hotels * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases	* 2 points per $1 spent on Porter * 1 point per $1 spent on gas, transit, groceries, restaurants, and hotels * 0.5 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
Insurance included	11 types	9 types
Automatic VIPorter status	Venture	Passport
Flight discount	* Companion pass for another traveller, just pay the taxes and fees * Earned after spending $50,000 per year	* 35% base airfare savings on one flight booking for up to 4 * Earned after spending $25,000 per year
Annual fee	$199	$89
Income requirements	$80,000 personal or $150,000 household	None

The World Elite version offers higher immediate VIPorter status, which gives you free checked bags and seat selection, among other perks. It’s easy savings if you fly Porter even once per year.

The card also offers more rewards, giving you an average of 36,000 points per year vs. 18,600 for the base version.

But the flight discount isn’t easy to earn with the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard; spending $50,000 per year on a credit card isn’t something many people will do. This is where the BMO VIPorter Mastercard has an advantage – you only have to spend $25,000 to get the 35% discount on a base airfare for up to 4. If you can use it, it more than offsets the lower rewards.

All things considered, these cards are roughly equal – the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard gives you better benefits and the BMO VIPorter Mastercard potentially saves you more money.

Leave a review

Do you have the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard? Leave a user review and share your opinions about it.

FAQ

How many points can you earn with the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard?

The BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard offers Porter points at the following rates:

• 3 points per $1 spent on Porter
• 2 point per $1 spent on gas, transit, groceries, restaurants, and hotels
• 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases

What can VIPorter points be used for?

VIPorter points can only be used towards flights. You can use points towards flights with Porter, Air Transat, and Alaska Airlines as long as they’re booked through the Porter website or contact centre.

What benefits are included with the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard?

The BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard includes a host of benefits, including:

• VIPorter Venture status
• Annual companion pass
• 11 types of insurance