WestJet Mastercard --- Need help understanding the benefits!

[DnA2010]

Following as need to get a Mastercard for costco purchases which is where we do most of our shopping- I guess I need to estimate the cash back and see which would be better

 

[starvenger]

Following as need to get a Mastercard for costco purchases which is where we do most of our shopping- I guess I need to estimate the cash back and see which would be better

What you could do is get the Gold Star Executive. It does cost an extra $60 but you get 2% cash back like with the Costco M/C. If you get a WestJet or another points card it will be like double dipping.

(edit) This does mean that you'll need to spend $3000 at Costco to "make back" your $60.

 

[Donald - my hero]

THANK you all so much for jumping in and providing both opinions AND such detailed comparisons for me to study. We're seriously considering this card now but I have a few more things that have popped up in my mind and our conversations over the last few days

Regarding Airmiles - we won't stop collecting those little goodies and I'll still work on my threads to help everyone earn the most miles possible BUT our main credit card is, and will continue to be AMEX, the MC is used strictly during big promos

We don't want to carry more than the 2 main credit cards so while some of the others look very enticing with the bigger cash back rewards, for the moment we'll be sticking with one AMEX and one MC (plus the US MC we keep on hand for trips south unless someone has a better suggestion?)

Travel & medical insurance is a great perk for the WJ card but we will continue to get extra insurance. We're creeping up in age, meaning more potential problems AND CAA has now added the ability to add a 7 day pre-existing clause, which is great since we both have several on-going health issues that often require medication tweaking

The one question I have that I want some input on - if we don't end up travelling every year do you think this is a *poor choice* for a card since we'll be leaving the 2 main benefits unused - companion fare & free baggage?

 

[starvenger]

The one question I have that I want some input on - if we don't end up travelling every year do you think this is a *poor choice* for a card since we'll be leaving the 2 main benefits unused - companion fare & free baggage?

In my opinion, it would be. Something like a bank branded M/C with reward points might be more suitable. Maybe even a Crappy Tire M/C?

 

[Donald - my hero]

Maybe even a Crappy Tire

I thought we were the only family that used that term! Then a quick google search for images turned up these gems

 

[DnA2010]

They have a great promo on right now that is $350 plus waive the annual fee for first year. This is a great deal and should cover at least one fare if not one and a bit.

I'm not seeing where for the annual fee is waived, can you point me in the right direction?

 

[DnA2010]

Also, so the $350 West Jet dollars are like cash? aka you spend them dollar for dollar on Westjet flights?

 

[Griffin11]

THANK you all so much for jumping in and providing both opinions AND such detailed comparisons for me to study. We're seriously considering this card now but I have a few more things that have popped up in my mind a

Regarding Airmiles - we won't stop collecting those little goodies and I'll still work on my threads to help everyone earn the most miles possible BUT our main credit card is, and will continue to be AMEX, the MC is used strictly during big promos

We don't want to carry more

THANK you all so much for jumping in and providing both opinions AND such detailed comparisons for me to study. We're seriously considering this card now but I have a few more things that have popped up in my mind and our conversations over the last few days

Regarding Airmiles - we won't stop collecting those little goodies and I'll still work on my threads to help everyone earn the most miles possible BUT our main credit card is, and will continue to be AMEX, the MC is used strictly during big promos

We don't want to carry more than the 2 main credit cards so while some of the others look very enticing with the bigger cash back rewards, for the moment we'll be sticking with one AMEX and one MC (plus the US MC we keep on hand for trips south unless someone has a better suggestion?)

Travel & medical insurance is a great perk for the WJ card but we will continue to get extra insurance. We're creeping up in age, meaning more potential problems AND CAA has now added the ability to add a 7 day pre-existing clause, which is great since we both have several on-going health issues that often require medication tweaking

The one question I have that I want some input on - if we don't end up travelling every year do you think this is a *poor choice* for a card since we'll be leaving the 2 main benefits unused - companion fare & free baggage?

.

Yes, a poor choice if you don't have a specific plan to use the Westjet $ and companion fare. For a MC I would suggest Rogers World Elite MasterCard if you qualify. No annual fee, 1.75% cash back, good insurance and extra cash back on foreign currency transactions (so maybe could also replace your US card). Rogers bank is a smaller financial institution, so their customer service is sometimes lacking, but otherwise it's a very good card.

 

[Griffin11]

Also, so the $350 West Jet dollars are like cash? aka you spend them dollar for dollar on Westjet flights?

Yes, but you can only use them on the base fare, not taxes, fees, baggage, etc.

 

[DnA2010]

Yes, but you can only use them on the base fare, not taxes, fees, baggage, etc.

Thank you. Say Flights were $250 each base fare- could I use the other $100 towards the companion ticket cost ?

 

[Griffin11]

Thank you. Say Flights were $250 each base fare- could I use the other $100 towards the companion ticket cost ?

Yup!

 

[Starwind]

For reference, my daughter's companion fare ticket (YYZ-FLL) cost $230 after taxes and fees, whereas my ticket was somewhere around $550 after taxes and fees but before applying WJ $. My wife has her own Westjet card, so we did the same with my other daughter. So about $640 in savings on two seats, against a cost of $240 for two accounts. That's $400 in savings before you even factor in saving $30 per bag (usually worth $120 per round trip for me) or applying earned WestJet dollars. It's worth the cost, IMO.

Our last trip, YOW<>MCO, Plus/Premium seats. My airfare was $850.55 including $166.55 in taxes/fees; WJ Dollars earned via the card paid the base fare of 684. Sister's was $236.30 including the $99 "base fare" of the companion voucher. WJ Dollars paid the $99. The voucher saved us $614.25, WJ dollars earned with the card another $684. Also, FWIW, we purchased the tickets the first day one could, just under 11 months out from the trip when WJ released those dates for sale. By a couple months out from our trip the cost for one ticket had gone up to $1485 including fees and taxes (!!). At that point I stopped checking the crazy prices.

SW

 

[kiford]

While we usually fly Air Canada mostly because DH has tons of points and we have the Aeroplan Amex I also have the WJ MC. It's been worth it for us. Last time we flew to MCO on WJ, I used the $99 companion flight for him and my WJ $ to pay for my flight AND the $99 companion fee (I hadn't realized you could do that), plus the card owner AND your flying companions (regardless of whether you paid for them or not as long as they are with you when you check in) get the first bag free. Even the Aeroplan Amex only gives the card holder one free bag. This is annoying when we travel because, if I check both of us in simultaneously and select baggage and pay using the Amex, only one of those bags is free. DH would have to either check himself in separately and pay for baggage or I would have to check him in, pay for my bag and then he'd have to pay for another bag using his Amex at the airport when we print luggage tags. Stupid considering the cost of the card. But we keep it because it gets us into lounges and gives us Aeroplan points.

I also fly for business and will use WJ when possible thus getting my bag for free and occasionally I get offers to upgrade to premium economy for a reasonable cost or get to pick my seat for lower cost which saves my company money.

Two other advantages that I like about the card are the 3 cents off gas at Petro Can if you connect your Petro-Can points number to the card or I can use it at the Costco gas station. Both get me cheaper gas plus more WJ$.

 

[Mikamarii]

plus the card owner AND your flying companions (regardless of whether you paid for them or not as long as they are with you when you check in) get the first bag free.

That is not entirely true. They have to be on the same reservation

Valid for primary cardholders of the WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard and up to eight (8) additional guests travelling on the same reservation;

The cardholder would have to book the flight with his/her card to get the perk. The person can pay you for the flight afterwords but the cardholder has to book it on their reservation. A westjet agent may have allowed you to do otherwise but it would be the exception and not the norm.

 

[starvenger]

That is not entirely true. They have to be on the same reservation

Valid for primary cardholders of the WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard and up to eight (8) additional guests travelling on the same reservation;

The cardholder would have to book the flight with his/her card to get the perk. The person can pay you for the flight afterwords but the cardholder has to book it on their reservation. A westjet agent may have allowed you to do otherwise but it would be the exception and not the norm.

We do a slight hack when travelling with my parents (usually on cruises). We all book separately but as they don't have a WJ card we will check their luggage in for them.

I will note that this is technically not legal. But as I've known my parents for 46 years I feel like I can trust them not to pack anything stupid in their bags.

 

[bababear_50]

So I actually had the World Elite Westjet mastercard and I wasn't using the companion voucher or the free bags as I use carry on only so I downgraded to the Westjet Mastercard. Annual fee $39.00.
After reviewing my account today I see I do now gain the companion voucher back for US travel....YEAH!!My sons will be happy.
Card benefits

• NEW Annual credit card companion voucher for round-trip travel in Canada and the continental U.S.•
• 50 welcome WestJet dollars•
• No blackouts when redeeming WestJet dollars*
• 1.5% back in WestJet dollars on WestJet travel~
• 1% back in WestJet dollars on everyday purchases~
• Valuable travel insurance options
• Instant Fuel Savings at Petro Canada‡‡‡

 

[tinkerone]

So I actually had the World Elite Westjet mastercard and I wasn't using the companion voucher or the free bags as I use carry on only so I downgraded to the Westjet Mastercard. Annual fee $39.00.
After reviewing my account today I see I do now gain the companion voucher back for US travel....YEAH!!My sons will be happy.
Card benefits

• NEW Annual credit card companion voucher for round-trip travel in Canada and the continental U.S.•
• 50 welcome WestJet dollars•
• No blackouts when redeeming WestJet dollars*
• 1.5% back in WestJet dollars on WestJet travel~
• 1% back in WestJet dollars on everyday purchases~
• Valuable travel insurance options
• Instant Fuel Savings at Petro Canada‡‡‡

Is that for the $99 companion voucher? This looks interesting! I wonder if you get the free luggage as well.

 

[Mikamarii]

We do a slight hack when travelling with my parents (usually on cruises). We all book separately but as they don't have a WJ card we will check their luggage in for them.

I will note that this is technically not legal. But as I've known my parents for 46 years I feel like I can trust them not to pack anything stupid in their bags.

Absolutely. We have done that as well. We went to Mexico one year and between Myself, wife, and 2 kids we only checked 3 bags so we used the 4th for my MIL.

I just wanted to make sure it was clear to anyone looking at getting the card that simply having a WJ card doesn't mean you can go to the counter and get free checked bags for up to 8 people just for owning the card. You get 1 checked bag per person on the same reservation (up to 8.) Someone at the counter may relax the rule from time to time but it is the rule. I imagine it is to stop people from finding 7 other unknown passengers and saying "Hey I'll check you bag for you just pay me 20$"

 

[bababear_50]

Is that for the $99 companion voucher? This looks interesting! I wonder if you get the free luggage as well.

No the companion fare is 199.00
and no bags

Here is the updated site to compare
https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/rewar...CZi7FNrkcBMCH8SG0NRoCUh8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Mel

 

[kiford]

The cardholder would have to book the flight with his/her card to get the perk. The person can pay you for the flight afterwords but the cardholder has to book it on their reservation. A westjet agent may have allowed you to do otherwise but it would be the exception and not the norm.

When travelling with DH, I would have been purchasing the tickets and no agent was involved - it was done at check in so no intervention required. Now, I have travelled for business and had the agent give me the one free bag even though my company had paid for the flight. In fact, last time I had paid it online and when checking in at the airport, the agent noticed that I had used my WJ card and told me that I should have had the bag for free so had the charge reversed. It never occurred to me that it was an exception since I sometimes book the flights myself and just get reimbursement rather than having it booked directly by the company. I'll have to watch that next time.