Air Transat to Launch Loyalty Program with Desjardins and Visa

Air Transat is set to join the loyalty program space later this year, giving Canadians another way to earn and redeem rewards while travelling. The leisure airline announced a partnership with Desjardins Group and Visa Canada to create a program that promises exclusive perks and a more seamless travel experience.

The launch is expected in the second half of 2026, though for now, details are limited. Here’s what we know so far.

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What We Know About the Program

Air Transat says the new loyalty program will offer enriched benefits “at every stage of the journey.” While specifics are still under wraps, it’s safe to assume travellers could potentially see perks like:

• Free seat selection at booking
• Priority check-in and boarding
• Potential for complimentary checked bags
• Possibility of upgrades

The airline has also confirmed a partnership with Desjardins and Visa, so a co-branded Air Transat Visa credit card seems very likely. Questions remain about whether the program will have multiple tiers or elite status levels, and what benefits credit card holders might enjoy.

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Why This Makes Sense

Air Transat’s move into the loyalty space aligns the airline with other Canadian carriers like Air Canada, WestJet, and Porter, which already offer credit cards and loyalty programs for earning points on everyday spending. For travellers, this opens up new ways to accumulate rewards and enjoy added benefits on flights.

The program will be particularly relevant for travellers in Quebec and Ontario, where most of Air Transat’s flights originate. Outside of these provinces, its appeal may be more limited, similar to other regionally-focused airline loyalty programs in Canada.

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Air Transat’s Strategy

Air Transat currently participates in Porter Airlines’ VIPorter program, which allows reciprocal earning and redemption on select flights.

Whether this partnership will continue under the new loyalty program remains to be seen, but the collaboration with Desjardins and Visa signals a strong focus on creating tangible benefits for travellers across the airline’s network.

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Looking Ahead

Air Transat is taking a major step forward with this new loyalty program. While we’re still waiting for the full details, the partnership with Desjardins and Visa hints at a program designed for modern travellers looking for flexibility and rewards.

For Canadian leisure travellers, especially those in Quebec and Ontario, this could become a program worth watching. We’ll be keeping an eye out for updates as the launch date approaches later this year.