VIA Rail (VIA Preference)

[TRAIN] Rundown of VIA Preference (updated March 1, 2021)

It has been over 2 years since my last update regarding VIA Rail’s loyalty program: VIA Preference. Also, if you have read my other train related posts, you’ll know that I am a huge fan of trains… yes… even more than the plane when factoring the overall experience. So I always have fun writing about Canada’s primary passenger rail service!

With international travel restrictions tightening up, travel within Canada might be the way to go? Today’s post will update the features and benefits of the VIA Preference program. But also, introduce Rail passes, which I may look into writing an more in-depth post about it in the future. Let’s kick things off with one significant change to VIA Rail’s loyalty program, the expiry policy.

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Positive Messages from Airlines, Hotels and Train!

Airlines and hotels have been putting together some positive videos together on YouTube, so I wanted to give them a shout out for putting these videos together. The videos range from: Thank you message Giving passengers assurance message (e.g. being…

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Loyalty Program COVID-19 Updates

Loyalty programs across the board have implemented temporary solutions to deal with any COVID-19 related matters. Below is a list of hyperlinks to useful information. I also included a small blurb for each company that may be more commonly relevant.

I tried to include companies more relevant to Canadians, but please let us know in the comment section below if you see any other links that we can add to the list (in alphabetical order).

VIA Rail Layoffs Nearly 1,000 Employees Due to Blockades

It has been reported that VIA Rail is going to be laying off almost 1,000 workers due to the continued blockades in several part across the country, which has interrupted service.

Hundreds of regularly scheduled passenger trains have been cancelled due to the protests. VIA Rail’s website has provided continuous updates on its service.

[PROMOTION] VIA Rail Travel with Kids for $15 Kids

VIA Rail is once again running its $15 (one-way) promotion for kids tickets. The last time we saw this was for travel during the summer. This time around, the promotion runs for winter travel. 

Children Ages 2-11

Keep in mind that children under 2 years old are still free. This offers applies to accompanied children (i.e. children cannot travel alone) aged 2-11 travel for $15 on Saturdays, between January 11 and February 8, 2020, up to 5 children per booking. 

High Frequency VIA Rail Project (Québec City to Toronto Corridor)

This summer, VIA Rail announced a proposal to increase high frequency rail in the Québec City to Toronto Corridor. This is going to be a joint project between Canada Infrastructure Bank and VIA Rail Canada.

In 2018, approximately 72% (or 66% of revenue) of VIA Rail Canada traffic runs through the Quebec City to Toronto Corridor, so it does make sense to invest in this region.