Getting the best out of VIA Préférence rewards (2024)

VIA Rail’s rewards program VIA Préférence was already one of the most generous frequent traveller schemes in the industry, and the update to VIA’s reservation system in November 2023 brought with it some major changes to the program.

As advocates for passengers, we believe these changes were almost entirely positive. Passengers can now earn a reward trip sooner and booking one has become easier. The rewards program is also now integrated with your VIA Rail account, so there’s no reason to miss out on these benefits when choosing train travel in Canada.

Here’s how to get the best out of the program:

Earning and Tier Qualification

The earning rates for points are the same as before, with a base rate of 1 point per dollar spent on most fares, 1.25 points for Economy fares and 1.5 points for flexible Economy Plus or Business Plus fares.

Tier qualifications are within reach of many regular travellers, with $1,000 advancing passengers to the Privilège tier, earning double points. An annual spend of $2,000 qualifies passengers for Premier which provides priority boarding at major stations, business lounge access when travelling on a Economy Plus fare, priority meal selection in business class, and triple points. If you’re a Premier member, you can earn up to 4.5 points per dollar spent.

Points are also earned on seat selection, extra baggage, unaccompanied minor, and pet fees. Taxes, group travel, tour packages and on board purchases don’t count towards points accumulation.

Tier qualification is based on a year that starts on May 1 and runs through April 30 of the following year, with tier benefits applying in the following year. However, members who qualify for a tier advancement don’t have to wait until May 1 to benefit. It applies automatically, staring on the day after the qualifying trip and then for the following year as well.

Program details are subject to change, see https://www.viarail.ca/en/offers/via-preference for up to date information.

Redemption rates

The redemption value of each reward point now varies by the route and class of service the reward travel is applied to, with sleeper and longer distance services offering the best deals. The number of points required is calculated based on the cash fare before tax.

Redemptions for travel in Prestige class on the Canadian are also available. Customers must call VIA Rail on 1-888-842-7733.

Getting most travel for your points

Compared with the previous redemption grid, with fixed numbers of points for each type of trip, the new redemption rates make nearly all trips cost fewer points, especially when booked in advance to apply them to the lowest fares. Long corridor trips used to be a great way to use points, but these are the only type of trip that is now harder to earn. Sarnia to Quebec City, which would previously have been the same points redemption as Toronto to Montreal,

With corridor business class redemptions now being the least valuable, the best way to use VIA Préférence is to use trips in the corridor to earn points and – especially now that Business Plus and Economy Plus fares with their points bonuses are more affordable – and then save up those points for long-distance travel, especially if a visit to Churchill to see northern lights, belugas, or polar bears is on your wish list.

Reward travel can also now be combined with discounts for First Nations, for serving members of the military and veterans, or discount codes available to members of organizations like CAA and Hosteling International.

Only the primary contact person on a reservation can redeem their points online, but several passengers can making a reward trip together each using their own points by calling VIA Rail for assistance.

Beware that reward travel is no longer always fully flexible and refundable, all the conditions of the fare type chosen now apply. If you book an Escape fare, which is non-exchangeable and non-refundable, those points are gone even if you can’t travel.

Don’t forget your coupons

If you qualify for Privilège or Premier status, you also receive coupons each year in your account dashboard. These have varied each year in the past, and can include bonus points and fare discounts. Companion fare discounts have also been offered in previous years, but the coupons offered in 2024-25 don’t include any.

If you don’t use your coupons for the year before April 30 each year, they don’t carry over and they’re gone, so don’t forget to call VIA Rail and redeem them.

Passengers enjoy lunch in the dining car aboard a long-distance train.

Photo courtesy of VIA Rail Canada.