BMO VIPorter Mastercard^®*

The tiered structure rewards long-term holders, but you'll pay two annual fees before capturing the full 40,000 points – making this a portfolio play, not a quick bonus grab.

Without a first-year waiver, the upfront cost demands confidence in BMO Rewards' transfer partners from day one. If you're primarily focused on Aeroplan or hotel programs with better ratios elsewhere, this becomes a harder sell even with the bonus.

Porter flyers should frontload airline purchases early in the year to maximize the 2× rate before hitting the $10,000 cap. Once you've saturated the bonus categories, this card becomes a weak daily driver – rotate to a higher-earning option for non-category spend.

The secondary 1× categories (dining, groceries, gas, hotels) all carry modest caps that make this better as a Porter-specific tool than a true all-around earner.

VIPorter doesn't publish an award chart, so pricing fluctuates with demand – and you can't redeem against taxes and fees. Before booking, compare the cash price to ensure you're comfortable with the value you're extracting.

The Points + Cash option can stretch your points further by letting you pay more in cash for a better redemption rate. Always compare your options before committing.

Priority rebooking when flights are cancelled or delayed is the standout travel benefit here – it cuts through the chaos when you actually need help, putting you ahead of the queue for alternative flights. Combined with priority airport services, these perks target the pain points of modern air travel rather than just offering lounge access.

The monthly Instacart credit effectively reduces your net annual fee if you're already using grocery delivery, but set a reminder to use it each month or the value evaporates.

Emergency medical coverage here is best-in-class for a points-earning travel card, extending to cardholders and their families up to age 64 – a threshold that unfortunately excludes many active travellers in their retirement years. The 180-day pre-existing condition stability period is reasonably generous, but as always, read the certificate carefully if you're managing any chronic health issues.

Rental car collision coverage applies to vehicles with an MSRP at or below $65,000, which comfortably covers most economy and mid-size rentals but falls short if you're upgrading to a luxury SUV in Europe or booking a premium sedan for a special occasion. This insurance suite is strong enough to serve as your primary coverage for most leisure trips, but it's not a substitute for comprehensive annual travel insurance if you're a snowbird, have complex medical needs, or fall outside the age bands.