This blog post is sponsored by BMO. While Borrowell received compensation for publishing this content, all opinions and information are Borrowell’s own and intended to help readers make informed financial decisions.
Whether you frequently commute between major Canadian business hubs or fly across North America for weekend getaways, Porter Airlines has transformed regional air travel in Canada. To reward loyal passengers, BMO offers dedicated co-branded credit cards designed to fast-track your rewards, eliminate travel friction, and maximize points on every dollar spent.
While BMO offers two tier options in this lineup, the flagship BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard takes centre stage for frequent flyers seeking premium travel perks, higher point accumulation, and automatic elite status. For those who don't meet the income requirements or don’t foresee utilizing all the various benefits of the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard, the standard BMO VIPorter Mastercard serves as an accessible entry point to the VIPorter loyalty program.
Whether a BMO VIPorter Mastercard is right for you depends on how often you travel, where you fly, and whether you'll use the benefits that come with it. This review covers everything you need to know to help you decide.
BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard At a Glance
Best For: Regular flyers (1-2 flights per year) between Porter destinations who want travel perks and flight rewards.
Welcome Offer: 70,000 VIPorter points (enough for up to 14 flights), a round-trip companion pass and the annual fee waived in the first year.
VIPorter Points Earn Rate: 3x points on Porter purchases, 2x on gas, groceries, dining, transit, and hotels, and 1x on everything else.
Key Perks: Complimentary checked bag, annual companion pass, free seat selection, priority boarding/check-in options, and no points expiration.
Alternative Cards: Casual Porter flyers or those who don't meet the World Elite income threshold ($80k personal / $150k household) can opt for the standard BMO VIPorter Mastercard
Quick Verdict
If you fly within Porter’s comprehensive network of destinations across North America and the Caribbean even one or two times a year, the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard easily delivers value that far outweighs its $199 annual fee. Features like a free checked bag and carry-on on all fare types (including Porter's Basic fare), priority security access, and 3x points on Porter bookings quickly compensate for the fee.
The standard BMO VIPorter Mastercard remains a solid secondary alternative for lighter spenders, but for true frequent flyers, the World Elite card is the clear winner.
When you browse for either card in the Borrowell app, we’ll tell you your chances of being approved, based on the information in your unique credit profile, so you can take the guesswork out of your application.
If you rarely fly with Porter or to destinations in their network (under 1 flight per year) and value being able to redeem rewards across multiple airlines, you will likely get more value from a more general travel credit card that isn’t tied to a particular airline.
What Is the BMO VIPorter Mastercard Lineup?
The BMO VIPorter lineup consists of two co-branded credit cards tailored to different travel habits and financial profiles.
BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard: BMO’s top-tier Porter credit card packed with premium airline perks, comprehensive travel insurance, and maximum points-earning power.
Annual Fee: $199 (waived in the first year)
Income Requirement: $80,000 personal or $150,000 household
Earn Rates: 3 points per $1 spent on Porter purchases; 2 points per $1 spent on gas, transportation, groceries, dining, and hotel accommodations; 1 point per $1 everywhere else.
BMO VIPorter Mastercard: An accessible, lower-fee alternative for casual Porter travellers looking to build up points without high eligibility thresholds.
Annual Fee: $89
Income Requirement: None
Earn Rates: 2 points per $1 spent on Porter; 1 point per $1 spent on gas, transit, groceries, dining, and hotels; 0.5 points per $1 everywhere else.
| Feature | BMO VIPorter Mastercard | BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome Offer | Get up to $1,800 in value including 40,000 VIPorter points and 35% off flight voucher | Get up to $2,400 in value including 70,000 VIPorter points, a round-trip companion pass (100% off your plus-one’s bare fare) and $1,000 in Avid Traveller Qualifying Spend |
| Feature Welcome Offer | BMO VIPorter Mastercard Get up to $1,800 in value including 40,000 VIPorter points and 35% off flight voucher | BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard Get up to $2,400 in value including 70,000 VIPorter points, a round-trip companion pass (100% off your plus-one’s bare fare) and $1,000 in Avid Traveller Qualifying Spend |
| Annual Fee | $89 (waived 1st year) | $199 (waived 1st year) |
| Feature Annual Fee | BMO VIPorter Mastercard $89 (waived 1st year) | BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard $199 (waived 1st year) |
| Minimum Income Requirement | None | $80,000 personal / $150,000 household |
| Feature Minimum Income Requirement | BMO VIPorter Mastercard None | BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard $80,000 personal / $150,000 household |
| Porter Purchases | 2 points / $1 | 3 points / $1 |
| Feature Porter Purchases | BMO VIPorter Mastercard 2 points / $1 | BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard 3 points / $1 |
| Everyday Categories (Gas, Groceries, Dining, Transit, Hotels) | 1 point / $1 | 2 points / $1 |
| Feature Everyday Categories (Gas, Groceries, Dining, Transit, Hotels) | BMO VIPorter Mastercard 1 point / $1 | BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard 2 points / $1 |
| All Other Purchases | 0.5 points / $1 | 1 point / $1 |
| Feature All Other Purchases | BMO VIPorter Mastercard 0.5 points / $1 | BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard 1 point / $1 |
| Annual Spend Discount Perk | 35% off flight voucher (after $25k annual spend) | Round-trip companion pass (after $50k annual spend) |
| Feature Annual Spend Discount Perk | BMO VIPorter Mastercard 35% off flight voucher (after $25k annual spend) | BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard Round-trip companion pass (after $50k annual spend) |
| Baggage Allowance | Fare-dependent / VIPorter status-based | 1 complimentary checked bag & 1 carry-on bag |
| Feature Baggage Allowance | BMO VIPorter Mastercard Fare-dependent / VIPorter status-based | BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard 1 complimentary checked bag & 1 carry-on bag |
| Seat Selection | No free advance seat selection | Free PorterClassic seat selection |
| Feature Seat Selection | BMO VIPorter Mastercard No free advance seat selection | BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard Free PorterClassic seat selection |
| Airport Perks | Priority check-in, early boarding & re-accommodation | Priority check-in, security, early boarding & re-accommodation |
| Feature Airport Perks | BMO VIPorter Mastercard Priority check-in, early boarding & re-accommodation | BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard Priority check-in, security, early boarding & re-accommodation |
| Emergency Medical Insurance | Up to 8 days out-of-province coverage | Up to 21 days out-of-province coverage ($5M max) |
| Feature Emergency Medical Insurance | BMO VIPorter Mastercard Up to 8 days out-of-province coverage | BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard Up to 21 days out-of-province coverage ($5M max) |
Who Is the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard Best For?
This card is tailored for Canadians who want targeted airline rewards without the cost of a high-tier travel card. You'll get the most value if you:
Fly with Porter, or plan to fly with Porter, for business or leisure.
Live near a Porter hub like Toronto (YTZ/YYZ), Ottawa (YOW), Montreal (YUL), Halifax (YHZ), Calgary (YYC), Edmonton (YEG), or Vancouver (YVR).
Want travel perks with Porter like priority check-in and early boarding options.
It may be less suitable if you rarely fly with Porter or within Porter’s network, or prefer maximum flexibility to redeem rewards across multiple airlines.
What Can Your VIPorter Points Get You?
You can redeem VIPorter Points toward the purchase of Porter flights, or flights operated by Porter’s partner airlines, Air Transat and Alaska Airlines.
Because VIPorter uses dynamic pricing, there's no fixed number of points required for a flight. The amount you'll need depends on the route, travel dates and the cash price of your ticket. Below are examples of how many VIPorter points you need for different flights.
| Route Type & Example Destinations | Starting Point Cost (One-Way) | Recommended Target Balance (Round-Trip) |
|---|---|---|
| Short-Haul Domestic (e.g., Toronto to Ottawa, Montreal, or Sudbury) | 5,000 – 7,500 VIPorter points | 10,000 – 15,000 points |
| Route Type & Example Destinations Short-Haul Domestic (e.g., Toronto to Ottawa, Montreal, or Sudbury) | Starting Point Cost (One-Way) 5,000 – 7,500 VIPorter points | Recommended Target Balance (Round-Trip) 10,000 – 15,000 points |
| Medium-Haul & U.S. East (e.g., Toronto to Halifax, Chicago, or Boston) | 7,000 – 12,000 VIPorter points | 15,000 – 24,000 points |
| Route Type & Example Destinations Medium-Haul & U.S. East (e.g., Toronto to Halifax, Chicago, or Boston) | Starting Point Cost (One-Way) 7,000 – 12,000 VIPorter points | Recommended Target Balance (Round-Trip) 15,000 – 24,000 points |
| Long-Haul Transcontinental (e.g., Toronto/Ottawa to Vancouver, Calgary, Orlando, or Las Vegas) | 8,000 – 16,000 VIPorter points | 18,000 – 28,000 points |
| Route Type & Example Destinations Long-Haul Transcontinental (e.g., Toronto/Ottawa to Vancouver, Calgary, Orlando, or Las Vegas) | Starting Point Cost (One-Way) 8,000 – 16,000 VIPorter points | Recommended Target Balance (Round-Trip) 18,000 – 28,000 points |
| Peak Season / Holiday Travel (Any route during Christmas, March Break, or Long Weekends) | Dynamic pricing (tracks peak cash fares) | 30,000+ points per person |
| Route Type & Example Destinations Peak Season / Holiday Travel (Any route during Christmas, March Break, or Long Weekends) | Starting Point Cost (One-Way) Dynamic pricing (tracks peak cash fares) | Recommended Target Balance (Round-Trip) 30,000+ points per person |
What Are the Main Benefits of the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard?
One of the biggest advantages of the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard is that it lets you earn VIPorter points both when you travel and on everyday purchases.
1. VIPorter Points Earning Rates
3x Points on Porter Purchases: Earn 3 VIPorter points for every $1 spent directly with Porter Airlines.
2x Points on Everyday Travel & Living: Earn 2 points per $1 spent on gas, transportation/transit, groceries, dining, and hotel accommodations.
1x Point on All Other Purchases: Earn 1 point per $1 on all other eligible card purchases.
No Points Expiration: Your VIPorter points never expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing.
2. Premium Airport Perks & Automatic Elite Status
Cardholders automatically receive VIPorter Venture (Avid Traveller) status, unlocking top-tier travel privileges:
Complimentary Checked & Carry-On Bag: Receive 1 free checked bag and 1 free carry-on bag across all fare types—including Porter's Basic fare.
Priority Airport Treatment: Enjoy dedicated check-in lanes, priority security screening at select airports, early boarding, and priority re-accommodation during flight disruptions.
Free Seat Selection: Enjoy complimentary PorterClassic seat selection on eligible bookings.
3. Shared Travel Perks for Secondary Cardholders
Perks Extended to Authorized Users: Secondary cardholders (authorized users) receive the exact same core travel privileges as the primary cardholder, including priority boarding, check-in, and baggage allowances, even when travelling independently.
Travel Group Coverage: Cardholder baggage and airport perks extend to up to 8 companions travelling on the same booking.
4. Comprehensive Travel & Auto Insurance Coverage
The card comes equipped with 11 robust types of insurance coverage, giving you end-to-end protection:
Trip Cancellation, Interruption & Delay Insurance: Coverage for non-refundable prepaid travel expenses if your trip is unexpectedly cancelled, interrupted, or delayed.
Baggage & Flight Delay Insurance: Protection for lost, stolen, damaged, or delayed luggage, plus reimbursement for essential purchases during flight delays.
Car Rental Collision/Loss & Damage Insurance: Coverage for theft or collision damage when you charge your rental car to the card.
Out-of-Province Emergency Medical: Up to $5,000,000 in emergency medical coverage for up to 21 consecutive days (for cardholders under 65).
5. Annual Flight Companion Pass & Status Boost
Round-Trip Companion Pass: Earn a round-trip companion voucher (allowing a companion to fly with you for $0 base fare, just paying taxes and fees) upon reaching annual spend thresholds ($9,000 in year one; $50,000 in subsequent calendar years).
Fast-Track Status: Earn $1 of Avid Traveller Qualifying Spend for every $25 spent on the card to help you reach even higher VIPorter tiers faster.
6. Everyday Lifestyle Perks & Lounge Access
Complimentary Instacart+ Membership: Get 6 months of free Instacart+, which gives you unlimited $0 delivery fees on eligible grocery orders, plus a $10 monthly Instacart credit (on orders of $50+).
Airport Lounge Access: Includes a complimentary membership to Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass, granting access to airport lounges worldwide for US$32 per visit.
7. Mastercard Benefits
The BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard also includes several built-in protections that can provide added peace of mind when shopping or travelling.
These include:
Purchase Protection, which covers eligible new purchases against theft or accidental damage for a limited period.
Extended Warranty, which can double the manufacturer's original warranty on eligible purchases, up to the card's maximum coverage period.
Shell fuel savings when you link your eligible BMO Mastercard with Air Miles at participating Shell locations.
These additional benefits can help you get more value from the card beyond the VIPorter rewards program.
What Are the Potential Drawbacks?
Limited Redemption Flexibility: VIPorter points are primarily redeemed through Porter Airlines (and partner flights available through Porter's booking engine). If you frequently fly with Air Canada, WestJet, or international carriers outside Porter's network, a flexible transferable points card may be better suited.
Annual Fee: While modest (and often waived in the first year as part of welcome promotions), there is an annual fee you'll need to offset through rewards.
Final Thoughts
The BMO VIPorter Mastercard offers a compelling option for Canadians who regularly fly, or plan to fly, with Porter Airlines or within Porter’s network of destinations and want to earn rewards through both travel and everyday spending.
It delivers its strongest value when paired with regular Porter flights. If that's already how you travel, the combination of VIPorter points, airline-specific perks, and travel protections can make it a practical addition to your wallet.
For travellers looking for even more rewards and premium benefits, the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard may be worth considering if you meet the eligibility requirements and expect to use its enhanced features.
When you browse for either card in the Borrowell app, we’ll tell you your chances of being approved, based on the information in your unique credit profile, so you can take the guesswork out of your application.
Borrowell is a leading financial technology company dedicated to helping Canadians feel confident about money. With over 4 million members, Borrowell empowers Canadians to understand their credit, build credit through Rent Advantage and Credit Builder, and make better financial product choices with personalized recommendations for credit cards, loans, mortgages and more. Sign up for your free Borrowell account on borrowell.com or download the Android or iOS mobile app.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, provided you fly with Porter Airlines at least 1-2 times a year. The combination of accelerated earning on daily categories like groceries and gas, paired with Porter flight perks, helps regular customers derive strong value from the card.
No. VIPorter points do not expire as long as your VIPorter account remains open and in good standing.
Generally, applicants with a good to excellent credit score have the strongest chance of approval. In the Borrowell app, we show your chances of approval before you apply, based on your unique credit profile.
You earn VIPorter points on eligible purchases made with your BMO VIPorter Mastercard, with the number of points depending on the type of purchase:
2 VIPorter points per $1 spent on eligible Porter purchases.
1 VIPorter point per $1 spent on eligible grocery, dining, hotel, gas, and transportation purchases (up to the applicable annual spending caps).
0.5 VIPorter points per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.
You can redeem the VIPorter points you earn for eligible Porter flights and other rewards available through the VIPorter program. If you regularly use the card for everyday spending and fly with Porter, you can build your points balance even when you're not travelling.
It depends on your travel habits. If Porter is your preferred airline or if you plan to fly to destinations that Porter covers, the BMO VIPorter Mastercard and the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard offer airline-specific rewards and benefits that can provide excellent value. However, if you frequently fly with multiple airlines or want maximum flexibility when redeeming rewards, a general travel rewards credit card may be a better choice.
The main differences are the annual fee, eligibility requirements, rewards-earning potential, and travel benefits. The standard BMO VIPorter Mastercard is designed for everyday travellers who want to earn Porter rewards at a lower cost, while the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard offers enhanced rewards, more comprehensive travel benefits, and stronger insurance coverage for those who qualify.