Friday, March 6, 2026

Air Transat plans recent loyalty program with Desjardins and Visa

Questions in regards to the focus of this system

Barry Choi, who runs the non-public finance and travel website Money We Have, said it isn’t yet clear whether the brand new loyalty program will likely be much like Air Canada’s Aeroplan program or more much like the previously existing BonBon program, which was less consumer-focused and more focused on travel agents.

“I think when they go the consumer-focused route, that’s when things can get really interesting,” he said in an interview. “Because I would compare it to other airlines, if you think about WestJet, Porter and Air Canada, they all already have their own credit cards that consumers can use to earn points on everyday purchases that can then be redeemed for flights, hotels and rental cars.”

Selected travel bank cards

Choi said a loyalty program generally “makes sense” and can assist the corporate leverage consumer data. “It’s kind of weird; you’d think they would have something like this already. Every single brand I know has a loyalty program for this reason, but they seem to be behind,” Choi said.

Consumers can expect more details in the approaching months

The program is a cornerstone of Transat’s business strategy, said Xavier Szwengler, vice chairman of selling and sales at Transat, in a press release on Monday. “It allows us to strengthen relationships with our customers while accelerating sustainable value creation for Transat and its investors.”

More details in regards to the program will likely be released in the approaching months, he said.

Dan Iwachiw, vice chairman and head of product at Visa Canada, said the organization will introduce a “series of cards designed to give Canadians more travel options, meaningful rewards and exceptional payment experiences.”

Air Transat reported its first full-year profit since 2018 in December. For the complete fiscal yr, Transat earned $241.9 million because of a stellar third quarter, in comparison with a lack of $114 million in fiscal 2024.

Air Transat flies primarily to destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe and only two destinations within the United States. With demand for flights to Florida, Las Vegas and other U.S. destinations plummeting, the airline looked to destinations further afield.

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Via Canadian Press

Via Canadian Press

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