RBC WestJet World Elite MasterCard

[Nahanni]

Although there is a $99 annual fee, I am thinking about getting this card for the $250 sign up bonus and $99 companion ticket (excluding taxes and fees).

Does anyone use this card and are there any other fees to consider since you need to book companion flights through the WJ call centre?

Thanks.

 

[Maddysdaddy]

Not answering your question, but on a related tangent, you should consider how much you are charging to your credit card on an annual basis.

If you are one of those people (like I am) who gets in the habit of charging every single purchase, no matter how small, you may want to consider whether the RBC Avion card may be a better option, as it does not tie you down to Westjet (as much as I would voluntarily choose WJ over AC 100 times out of 100).

For example, with every $35k you charge, you can purchase a ticket on any airline for anywhere in North America and Avion will cover up to $750 of the ticket price (excluding taxes/fees).

Not saying one is better than the other, but it is likely worth you spending a few minutes to consider all of the options.

 

[Ted in Halifax]

Where are you flying from ... if Toronto you should be okay. Here from Halifax, Ive tried to use mine for a trip to Florida, but the rates are $200 cheaper per person with United. So for a family of four ... it doesn't make sense. I am disappointed with this card.

 

[Nahanni]

Not answering your question, but on a related tangent, you should consider how much you are charging to your credit card on an annual basis.

If you are one of those people (like I am) who gets in the habit of charging every single purchase, no matter how small, you may want to consider whether the RBC Avion card may be a better option, as it does not tie you down to Westjet (as much as I would voluntarily choose WJ over AC 100 times out of 100).

For example, with every $35k you charge, you can purchase a ticket on any airline for anywhere in North America and Avion will cover up to $750 of the ticket price (excluding taxes/fees).

Not saying one is better than the other, but it is likely worth you spending a few minutes to consider all of the options.

I agree that annual spend, typical airline and airfare are important factors to consider and each person will have different results. We generally take one flying vacation per year so the "value" is in the $99 companion ticket.

Here's my math (WJ Dollars are earned at 1.5% and there is an annual $99 companion ticket):
Annual card spend: $35K (35,000 Avion or $525 WJ Dollars)
WestJet flight cost: $750
Avion cardholder cost is $0, second passenger cost is $750 for total of $750
WJ Mastercard cardholder is $225, companion is $99 for total of $324

Ironically, I prefer airline flexibility and don't often fly WJ from Toronto because the schedules are usually okay (but not ideal). An added incentive for me is an opportunity to salvage legacy RBC Rewards points (25% bonus conversion to WJ dollars until 11/30) but I may not proceed if you have to pay additional booking fees through mandatory use of call centre.

 

[Nahanni]

Where are you flying from ... if Toronto you should be okay. Here from Halifax, Ive tried to use mine for a trip to Florida, but the rates are $200 cheaper per person with United. So for a family of four ... it doesn't make sense. I am disappointed with this card.

From Toronto, US carriers are rarely cheaper than AC or WJ. We can drive to US but that's a different topic.

 

[mkmommy]

What type of fare do you have to book to be able to use the $99 companion ticket, is it the lowest discount fare or is it a full fare no restriction fare?

I looked at something similar for British Airways several years ago and to use the companion ticket you had to book a full fare ticket which was twice the price of any of the other fares you could book.

 

[Nahanni]

What type of fare do you have to book to be able to use the $99 companion ticket, is it the lowest discount fare or is it a full fare no restriction fare?

I looked at something similar for British Airways several years ago and to use the companion ticket you had to book a full fare ticket which was twice the price of any of the other fares you could book.

I spoke with WJ and it is supposed to apply to ANY fare published on their website (would not apply to discounted tickets on external sites). But I'd still like to hear someone's actual experience.

To answer my other question, no fees to book through their call centre.

 

[cyberjyd]

I did book 4 flight tickets on a seat sale with Westjet and I was able to use the $99 companion on one of the tickets. Remember that you still have to pay for the taxes and fees on top of the $99.

 

[Ted in Halifax]

I have a companion ticket for Halifax to Vancouver (And Return) . I bought the cheapest fare for me and added the companion fare for 99 plus taxes, no hassles at all.

 

[modegard]

I have the RBC WJ Elite and have had it for a couple of years. I charge everything as well. I have used the $99 companion flight and have had a few 'free' flights with my WJ dollars. I LOVE this card! Paying the taxes and fees is not a big deal when you are saving a pile of money on the flights. I also talked RBC into letting me have this credit card for free - no annual fee - because I have lots of accounts at RBC. Enjoy!

 

[kuhltiffany]

We've tried a few travel credit cards, the one we settled on was the Capital One Aspire Travel World Mastercard. It does have a yearly $120 fee, but we travel a lot and it has a lot of benefits for medical, baggage, travel interruption, rental car etc. so pays for itself easily.

As well you get 2 reward miles for every dollar spent. Then you can use them for whatever travel you want! Simply charge to your card, then use your points after to apply to your balance. It's good for hotel, air, car rental, any expense related to travel, with any company or carrier!!!

 

[Ted in Halifax]

Does anyone know what car rental insurance benefits this card has?

 

[thr33boys]

We've tried a few travel credit cards, the one we settled on was the Capital One Aspire Travel World Mastercard. It does have a yearly $120 fee, but we travel a lot and it has a lot of benefits for medical, baggage, travel interruption, rental car etc. so pays for itself easily.

As well you get 2 reward miles for every dollar spent. Then you can use them for whatever travel you want! Simply charge to your card, then use your points after to apply to your balance. It's good for hotel, air, car rental, any expense related to travel, with any company or carrier!!!

We use this card as well and love the benefits. Just wanted to point out a couple of things you missed. They give you 10,000 anniversary points annually, your points never expire and the amount of points you can collect/redeem are never capped. Finally, it's one of the few cards that does not charge a foreign exchange fee. It really is a great card.

 

[kuhltiffany]

We've also made claims with the car rental insurance (needed to fix the car due to an oops) and emergency medical (doctor's visit), and both were easy and quick

Second cards are also free!

We use this card as well and love the benefits. Just wanted to point out a couple of things you missed. They give you 10,000 anniversary points annually, your points never expire and the amount of points you can collect/redeem are never capped. Finally, it's one of the few cards that does not charge a foreign exchange fee. It really is a great card.