Guide to Booking Porter Airlines with Atmos Rewards Points

We often speak highly of redeeming airline miles and points for flights on partner airlines, as that is typically the best value. For example, booking WestJet flights with Delta SkyMiles or booking WestJet Flights with Flying Blue Miles can both present better value than simply using the WestJet Rewards program.

This is a similar situation when it comes to redeeming Atmos Rewards points, formerly Alaska Airline Miles, for flights on Porter Airlines. Let’s get into the finer details and the value you can expect to receive from making a redemption like this.

The Porter Airlines & Atmos Rewards Relationship

Porter Airlines has a comprehensive partnership with the Atmos Rewards program, even though it is not part of the same major airline alliance, Oneworld. Members can redeem and earn Atmos Rewards points for Porter Airlines flights, which present some pretty strong redemption opportunities.

Award pricing for Porter Airlines flights on Atmos Rewards follows the partner award chart for the Americas. Note that PorterReserve tickets fall into the Premium Economy bucket.

The Value of Booking Porter Airlines Flights with Atmos Rewards Points

As we all know, while there is often amazing value when redeeming miles or points, there are also situations where it is not a worthy deal.  It’s no different when it comes to redeeming Atmos Rewards points for Porter Airlines flights. For reference, you should aim to get roughly 2 cents per point CAD from your Atmos points, but this can vary.

I’ve pulled three examples that we will review below to better understand the value that is on offer with this opportunity. I’ve also included both the Porter Airlines Economy fare class and PorterReserve fare class, as both are available to be booked with Atmos Rewards points.

Starting out, I’ve searched for a New Jersey (EWR) to Winnipeg (YWG) ticket with a layover in Ottawa on May 12th:

• Booking Standard Economy Fare
  • Booking with Atmos Rewards points costs 7,500 points plus $19 USD in taxes and fees (~$26 CAD)
  • Paying cash for this fare costs $425 CAD
• Booking PorterReserve Fare
  • Booking with Atmos Rewards points costs 10,000 points plus $19 USD in taxes and fees (~$26 USD)
  • Paying cash for this fare costs $618 CAD

Redeeming Atmos points for this flight in economy would net you 5.3 cents per point CAD, or for PorterReserve class, a redemption would net you 5.9 cents per point CAD. These are excellent redemption values, and either of these tickets would be well worth redeeming for.

Next up, I’ve searched for a direct flight from Ottawa (YOW) to St. Johns (YYT) on May 12th: 

• Booking Standard Economy Fare
  • Booking with Atmos Rewards points costs 7,500 points plus $42 USD in taxes and fees (~$57 CAD)
  • Paying cash for this fare costs $282 CAD
• Booking PorterReserve Fare
  • Booking with Atmos Rewards points costs 17,500 points plus $42 USD in taxes and fees (~$57 CAD)
  • Paying cash for this fare costs $486 CAD

Redeeming Atmos points for this flight in economy would net you 3 cents per point CAD, or for PorterReserve class, a redemption would net you 2.45 cents per point CAD. These are still pretty good redemption options, and for the right person, might make sense.

Finally, I’ve searched for a flight from Edmonton (YEG) to Toronto (YYZ) on May 12th:

• Booking Standard Economy Fare
  • Booking with Atmos Rewards points costs 12,500 points plus $40 USD in taxes and fees (~$55 CAD)
  • Paying cash for this fare costs $215 CAD
• Booking PorterReserve Fare
  • Booking with Atmos Rewards points costs 17,500 points plus $40 USD in taxes and fees (~$55 CAD)
  • Paying cash for this fare costs  $333 CAD

Redeeming Atmos points for this flight in economy would net you 1.28 cents per point CAD, or for PorterReserve class, a redemption would net you 1.59 cents per point CAD. These are poor redemption options based on the value provided, and travelers would most likely be better off paying cash unless they have a hoard of points they are looking to burn.

As you can see, the redemption prices and cents per point valuation can vary greatly, so always run the math before booking to see if it makes sense to redeem Atmos points for a Porter Airlines flight.

Booking a Porter Airlines flight with Atmos points is super simple, as all you need to do is search for your desired route and complete the booking as you would for any other Atmos Rewards booking. No secret tips or tricks required!

The Best Way to Earn Atmos Rewards Points in Canada

Unfortunately, the hard reality for Canadians is that Atmos Rewards points are very hard, if not impossible, to earn in Canada. Previously, when the program was the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, MBNA offered two co-branded credit cards that were a great way to rack up points.

The only real avenue for earning Atmos Rewards points in Canada is transferring Marriott Bonvoy to Atmos Rewards. Marriott Bonvoy points transfer at a ratio of 3:1, meaning that a 3,000 Bonvoy point transfer will receive 1,000 Atmos points. On the plus side, if you transfer 60,000 Bonvoy points at once, you will receive a bonus 5,000 Atmos points, meaning 60,000 Bonvoy points equals 25,000 Atmos Rewards points.

Even for Canadians, the best opportunity to earn Atmos Rewards points is south of the border with US credit cards, thanks to the Bank of America Atmos credit cards. The Bank of America Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Card is the standout, as it is the most premium card and comes with the biggest welcome bonus, plus the ability to waive partner booking fees and share Atmos points with family members.

Bank of America Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Card

Apply Now Learn More Terms & Conditions apply

Bank of America Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Card

The Bank of America Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Card earns 3x Atmos Rewards on Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, dining, and foreign purchases.

OFFER
80,000 Atmos Rewards points

MINSPEND
$4,000

EST. VALUE
$1,840+

ANNUAL FEE
$395

FOREX FEES
No

EXPIRY
–

There are two other Atmos credit cards available from Bank of America that offer fewer benefits, but still solid value in the form of their welcome bonuses:

Credit Card		Welcome Offer
Apply Now Learn More	Bank of America Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature Card	Bank of America Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature Card 60,000 Atmos Rewards points Estimated value: $1,380	Apply Now Learn More
Apply Now Learn More	Bank of America Atmos Rewards Visa Signature Business Card	Bank of America Atmos Rewards Visa Signature Business Card 60,000 Atmos Rewards points Estimated value: $1,380	Apply Now Learn More

Conclusion

Booking Porter Airlines flights with Atmos Rewards points is a neat redemption opportunity that can definitely offer some value on the right routes. I’ve made this redemption personally, as have several members of the Frugal Flyer team, and I expect this to only offer more value as the Porter network continues to expand in the future.