In late 2023, Alaska Airlines and Porter Airlines unveiled their plans to work together. Although the partnership had a slow start, it recently achieved full reciprocity for earning miles.

Ever wanted to earn miles flying Porter Airlines but felt stuck without the right program?

That all changed with this partnership, opening up exciting new possibilities for travellers.

Let’s dive into what this means and the best strategies for booking.

Alaska Airlines and Porter Airlines Partnership Now Offers Full Mileage Earning

Alaska Airlines and Porter Airlines have strengthened their partnership, combining Porter’s robust presence in Eastern Canada with Alaska’s extensive US West Coast network to provide passengers with more seamless flight options across North America.

Initially launched as an interline agreement in late 2023, the partnership allowed passengers to book itineraries involving both airlines through Alaska, Porter, or online travel agencies. Over time, this collaboration has evolved, offering passengers more ways to earn miles on both airlines.

At first, reciprocal mileage earning was limited to bookings made directly on the airline’s website where you intended to credit miles. Now, full reciprocity has been introduced, allowing passengers to earn Alaska Mileage Plan miles for all Porter flights, regardless of where the booking is made. Similarly, VIPorter members can earn rewards on all Alaska flights.

However, Alaska miles are likely the more attractive choice, thanks to their extensive roster of partner airlines and the ability to redeem miles for premium experiences like Japan Airlines First Class.

Mileage Earning Details

For those looking to earn Alaska miles, the earning rates depend on whether the booking is made through Alaska’s or Porter’s website. The table below outlines the earning rates for Porter flights booked on Alaska’s website, with PorterClassic fares earning 100% elite qualifying miles and PorterReserve fares earning 150%.

Earning partner flights booked on Alaska

Earning partner flights booked through partner sites (PorterClassic fares earn 50% elite qualifying miles, while PorterReserve fares earn 100% elite qualifying miles).

Since Porter Airlines doesn’t offer traditional business or first-class cabins, the options are limited to economy and premium economy.

When booking a Porter Airlines flight through Alaska, you’ll earn 100% miles in economy (PorterClassic) and 150% miles in premium economy (PorterReserve). However, if you book directly through Porter’s website and choose to credit the miles to Alaska Mileage Plan, you’ll only earn 50% miles in economy and 100% miles in premium economy.

Clearly, booking through Alaska offers a higher mileage-earning potential. But does that mean you should always book on Alaska’s website?

Let’s break it down with an example.

A non-stop Porter Airlines flight from Toronto (YYZ) to Los Angeles (LAX) costs $166 (All figures in USD) in economy (PorterClassic) and $338 in premium economy (PorterReserve) when booked through Alaska’s website.

The exact same Porter Airlines flight is priced at $164 on Porter’s website under the PorterClassic Standard fare, which includes a carry-on bag and a personal item. This fare is equivalent to Alaska’s Main fare. While there is a slight price difference, it’s minor enough to overlook.

For just two dollars more by booking on Alaska’s website, you’ll earn 100% of the miles flown—making it a clear winner compared to booking on Porter’s site, where you’d only earn 50%.

The distance between Toronto (YYZ) and Los Angeles (LAX) is 2,175 miles, meaning you’d earn 2,175 Alaska miles through Alaska. By comparison, booking on Porter would only net you 1,088 miles.

That said, booking directly through Porter does offer more fare options, such as Basic and Flexible. But let’s assume you’re a light packer looking to save $21 by choosing the Basic fare. While that seems like a decent saving upfront, it doesn’t hold up when you factor in the lost miles.

We value Alaska miles at 1.6 cents per mile (USD), meaning 1,088 miles are worth about $17. Essentially, you’d only save $4 by booking the Basic fare on Porter—and for that small amount, it’s probably worth spending the extra $4. Not only will you maximize your miles, but you’ll also enjoy the convenience of not having to cram everything into a tiny backpack.

This Partnership is a Great Start

This partnership is truly exciting, mainly because Porter is now linked to a major frequent flyer program. Personally, I’ve always enjoyed flying with Porter. They’ve been consistently punctual, and their routes from Toronto Billy Bishop Airport (YTZ) are quite convenient.

The airport itself is a gem, with the Aspire Air Canada Café adding to the experience, and the view of the harbour during takeoff is always refreshing. However, the lack of partnerships with major airlines and limited redemption options has been a drawback for me. This collaboration with Alaska is a game-changer, adding great value for travellers.

They’ve also hinted at potential reciprocal redemption opportunities, originally slated for 2024. However, that has yet to materialize. Here’s hoping we’ll see this long-awaited update roll out in 2025.

Conclusion

Alaska Airlines and Porter Airlines introduced their partnership in late 2023, starting with an interline agreement. Since then, the collaboration has expanded to include full reciprocal mileage earning, allowing passengers to earn miles whether booking through Alaska or Porter.

Looking ahead, we can expect reciprocal mileage redemptions and potentially some elite benefits. With Air Canada and WestJet already aligned with major U.S. carriers, and Porter’s rapid growth trajectory, this partnership could be a stepping stone toward deeper integration in the future.