New frequent flyer pact: Alaska Airlines links up with Canada's fast-growing Porter
Alaska Airlines has new partner, and it’s an airline that’s quickly expanding its footprint across North America.
Alaska this week announced a new interline agreement with Canada-based Porter Airlines. It’s the Seattle-based carrier’s 30th airline partner.
From the outset, the arrangement will be fairly simple: Alaska Airlines customers will be able to book itineraries aboard certain Porter flights through Alaska’s booking channels. Mileage Plan members will also be able to earn miles on those flights.
Customers booking through Porter's website will be able to book itineraries featuring connections to a slew of cities in Alaska's West Coast network.
Sometime early next year, customers will also be able to make connections at shared Canadian airports.
Later in 2024, the two carriers plan to expand their partnership with fully reciprocal mileage earning and redemption opportunities for loyalty members.
The move figures to give Mileage Plan members new connections to Canada, and adds to Alaska's robust list of airline partners, which includes airlines that are part of the Oneworld alliance and a handful of other international carriers that aren't.
The deal may be of increasing value to Alaska loyalists as Porter continues to take delivery of a fast-expanding fleet of Embraer E195-E2 jets and, in the process, grows its U.S. route map.
Recent months have seen Porter beef up its East Coast service, and the airline has plans to continue expanding westward with its 132-seat economy-only jets that don’t have any middle seats.
Notably, in the context of this partnership, Porter will begin service from Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Jan. 16, and to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) on Jan. 25. Both West Coast hubs are key Alaska operating bases.
“Porter Airlines opens new opportunities for our guests to travel to Canada in style,” Alaska’s Vice President of Loyalty, Alliances and Sales Brett Catlin said in a statement announcing the news. “We’re thrilled to partner with a vibrant and growing airline that offers a refined experience including top-notch inflight service and terrific onboard amenities.”
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How the Alaska-Porter partnership will work
It appears the Alaska-Porter partnership will evolve over the course of 2024.
Early in the year: Earn partnership
Starting in January, the arrangement will be a bit limited.
Porter will be an “earn partner” with Alaska, which means customers can book flights on Porter aircraft through Alaska’s website and earn Mileage Plan miles — which will count toward elite status.
Here’s an example: a nonstop February flight from Los Angeles to Toronto, available through Alaska’s website but aboard Porter Airlines, for $161.
VIPorter loyalty members will be able to do the same on Alaska flights booked through Porter’s website.
This January itinerary from Toronto to Portland International Airport (PDX) features one leg on Porter and a connection to a second leg aboard Alaska to reach the final destination.
As shown above, this deal will allow customers to book single itineraries featuring seamless connections between the two carriers. This will allow passengers to travel on one itinerary without having to check back in or recheck luggage.
This option will also be available for customers booking flights via third-party online travel agencies.
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Expanded partnership to come
This partnership will expand later in 2024, the airlines revealed. Customers will then be able to earn or redeem miles with either airline, regardless of which booking channels they use.
The carriers “will continue to strengthen their partnership in 2024,” a statement said, perhaps teasing some sort of reciprocal benefits arrangement for elite members of the two airlines’ loyalty programs.
Bottom line
Though this deal falls short of a full-scale codeshare agreement like Alaska has, for instance, with American Airlines, it’s an additional option for Mileage Plan members to gain increased access to Canada on a fast-growing airline.
Combined with Alaska’s partner airlines in Europe, Asia and Latin America, and its larger network of Oneworld partners, there’s certainly a growing list of connectivity options for Alaska loyalists.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.