WestJet Mastercard --- Need help understanding the benefits!

[Donald - my hero]

With the recent updates to the Airmiles programme -- Rexall leaving and starting their own (very unattractive to us) loyalty programme and AMEX increasing their earning rate but doubling their annual fee and reducing the locations that give us a higher ratio of miles (no longer get double the miles at sponsor stores) -- we're seriously reconsidering our credit cards. We're wondering if we'll get better rewards by using the WJ Mastercard??

A few details about our live that might be worth noting:

• We don't shop at any of the PC stores often enough to get one of their cards
• Our banking system doesn't mesh with the whole shell game of redeeming miles/points and telling ourselves the dollar value is found money
• Our preferred Airline is WestJet and most trips we take a checked bag

 

[mort1331]

So I guess this answers your own question. Start a thread about the card.....lol.
We have had the WJMC twice, but it was for the bonus $ and the $99companion fare. 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.
As far as the PCMC the only advantage to that is you will get additional 3% back on shops at there brands, that includes Shoppers.
As detailed in the pcpoints thread there are some amazing points back at shoppers every week, so something to look at.
We do both programs and will continue to do both.

 

[Starwind]

We have the WestJet RBC® World Elite Mastercard and have been quite happy with it.

It is consistently rated one one of if not the best Canadian travel credit cards by various entities that review such things.

As the PP noted, they have a nice promo right now with the $350 welcome WJ dollars; when we joined it was only $250.

We pretty much charge everything that can be to the WJ card, then pay it off in full each month. You can easily calculate how much WJ dollars you can expect to accumulate a month/year based on your normal spending.

When we travel we prefer to fly "Plus" (I guess it is called Premium now?). The annual companion voucher can be used for this. So you pay for one fare at any level, then use the companion voucher for a ticket on the same itinerary at the same class of seat.

The companion voucher is valid for one year. That means that within that year of validity, if you want to use it you have to book tickets, but the travel dates of the tickets themselves do not have to be within that year, just booked within it. So for example, if yout voucher expires November 30, on November 29 you could book tickets for September 15 using the voucher. Westjet releases their seats about 11 months in advance give or take a couple weeks [in December there can be a bit longer delay].

Our last couple trips to WDW our airfare (Plus/Premium class tickets) has been paid through WJ dollars acrued through the WJ MC and the companion voucher, plus using the WJ MC to pay for the taxes/fees for the tickets.

Some downsides:
- While the card includes out of province/country emerency medical insurance, trip interruption insurance, and auto rental collision/loss damage insurance, it does NOT include travel cancellation insurance. Also, make sure you understand the exclusions and conditions of those policies. We purchase separate travel medical insurance and cancellation/interruption insurance.

- when redeeming Westjet dollars toward a Westjet ticket, you can use it to pay towards the base fare, but they can't be used to pay the taxes and fees, which being Canada those can be sizable. Just be forewarned.

- there is a foreign exchange surcharge [as with most Canadian CC] if you use it in the US, but you do acrue WJ dollars


Basic info:

Interest Rate & Fees
Annual Fee: $119
Additional Card: $59
Purchase Rate: 19.99%
Cash Advance Rate: 22.99%


Earn WestJet dollars

1.5% back in WestJet dollars˜ on everyday purchases
2% back in WestJet dollars on flights or packages with WestJet or WestJet Vacations˜
Use WestJet dollars like cash toward all or part of a WestJet flight or WestJet Vacations package



Flight Benefits

First checked bag free for primary cardholder on WestJet flights† [Valid for primary cardholders of the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard and up to eight (8) additional guests travelling on the same reservation; not valid for companions when travelling on a group booking (10+ guests on the same reservation). Eligible member's 9-digit WestJet Rewards ID must be on the reservation at the time of check-in. Valid on itineraries marketed and wholly operated by WestJet; not valid when travelling with WestJet's codeshare or interline partners. Size and weight of baggage must comply with WestJet's standard checked baggage allowance. Any piece of baggage exceeding the size or weight allowance is subject to all applicable oversized weight and size restrictions and fees. May only be used as described and has no monetary or other exchange value.] [note - if you are flying Premium this doesn't really matter, since you get two checked bags free]

Receive an annual round-trip companion voucher that allows you to go anywhere WestJet flies - redeem for your choice of destination:

Canada and the Continental US for $99 (plus taxes, fees and charges)^
Hawaii, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean for $299 (plus taxes, fees and charges)^
Europe for $399 (plus taxes, fees and charges)^



SW

 

[bababear_50]

Good card if:
If the travel group includes 2 people,,, then the yearly fee ($119.00) pays for itself because of the Companion flight and checked baggage fees.

Use it like Debit card and pay every other day and don't incur interest charges.

Proof of yearly income when applying....
Eligibility. You will need to either have a minimum personal income of $80,000 or a minimum household income of $150,000 to be eligible for the card.

Good to cover checked baggage cost..however I now travel carry-on only.


Greedy Rates reviews it here
https://www.greedyrates.ca/blog/westjet-mastercard-world-elite-credit-card-review/
Banked Westjet dollars expire after one year.(they are put here when you cancel a flight).
Westjet Dollars do not expire.
So if you have to cancel a flight ask to see if they can be placed in your Westjet Dollar account.

You can link the card to Petro Canada and get 3 cents per litre off.
https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/credit-cards/travel/westjet-rbc-world-elite-mastercard.html
You can download the app and lock the card from your phone.
https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/dms/mobile/lock-card/Hugs
Mel

 

[deedubb]

If you use WJ a lot, it's a no brainer. The companion voucher more than pays for the annual fee.

I will add that the medical coverage is excellent. Unfortunately, we had to use it over our recent Xmas/NYE WDW trip. Had to call a housecall Dr to Boardwalk one night, then had to take my son to the ER the next night. The WJ card paid for everything, including medications and the Uber. The medical $ coverage is also unlimited!

 

[Cfiiitz]

We love our WJ MC. I will be honest, the last few years we haven’t used our companion flight. We have been booking WJ Vacation packages and have found that the package prices with the discounted hotel are less than booking a flight with the companion ticket and hotel separately. But we still use our WJ $ toward the vacation package and use the baggage benefits and it is still well worth the annual fee. I am shocked when people (who travel) don’t have it!

 

[alohamom]

If you use WJ a lot, it's a no brainer. The companion voucher more than pays for the annual fee.

I will add that the medical coverage is excellent. Unfortunately, we had to use it over our recent Xmas/NYE WDW trip. Had to call a housecall Dr to Boardwalk one night, then had to take my son to the ER the next night. The WJ card paid for everything, including medications and the Uber. The medical $ coverage is also unlimited!

Wow, sorry that happened to you but thanks so much for posting the info, that is an excellent perk

 

[EastCoastCdn]

I have the WestJet MasterCard and when I was at the bank last week making a payment on it, the teller told me the companion ticket is going to be $119 in a few months. I know it’s “only” $20, but you have to spend a lot to earn 20 WestJet dollars. I may be reconsidering this card.

 

[cdnSpinalTap]

For me I structure all of my credit cards around maximizing my percentage of cash back. I currently hold the Meridian Infinite Visa for gas and groceries (4%), the Scotia Bank Infinite Visa for reoccurring transactions (4%) and the Rogers MasterCard for daily cash back (1.75%) and Foreign Exchange purchases (Net 1.5%) back.

My wife and I each have our own WestJet MasterCards accounts to get the two companion flights per year and free checked bags. We also use these to purchase our flight tickets to get the insurance and the 2% net cash back (in WJ $).

So with all of that being said - the WJ MasterCard is not my daily card as it does not maximize my cash back percentages - it literally sits in the drawer and we use it once a year. Our fees are covered by our bank, so it's free - but I would still do it, even if we had to pay as the companion flights would more than cover that cost.

 

[Griffin11]

If you can plan ahead a bit and take advantage of the promos, you can get some great deals. I haven't bought tickets yet, but I'm estimating it will be $650-800 out of pocket for 4 tickets that would otherwise cost me $2,200. This is with both my husband and I having our own cards for about 6 months. I expect we'll cancel them before the year is up to avoid the annual fee unless we have another trip planned by then.

 

[jcourtney]

We find for us that as long as we can take advantage of that companion flight and free luggage every year then it pays for itself. If we don't then we can get better cash back deals on other credit cards. So, it depends on how much you travel.

 

[MyPrince&Princess]

Is it free baggage for all parties or just the cardholder?

 

[jcourtney]

Is it free baggage for all parties or just the cardholder?

The Cardholder and up to 8 other people travelling with them

 

[mkmommy]

I still think Airmiles will be hard to beat. I looked at my spending . In 2019 I earned 15000 Airmiles , 3600 came came from my BMO World Elite MC which means 11400 came from bonus type Airmiles, either through big promos or other double dipping. I just don’t see another credit card that can give me that 3 times extra .

I must say we don’t book WestJet much prefer to fly from the US.

 

[cdnSpinalTap]

The Cardholder and up to 8 other people travelling with them

Technically they all have to be on the same reservation, so just be careful. Since we have 5 people and 2 WJ MasterCards, we end up with 3 reservations. I always ask the WJ agent if the odd person out can be added to the party so they too can get free bag check, and have only been told no once. The time the phone agent told me that, I just asked at the check in desk and they allowed it.

 

[Susie63]

I couldn't use the companion fare on a seat sale price. Only the higher flight price.

 

[Mikamarii]

We have 2 kids so the checked bags alone is worth it. It saves us 100$ on the way down and 100$US on the way home.
If you bank with RBC and have a vip checking account you get up to 120$ towards a credit card and 60$ towards and additional card. Wife and I each have a wj card and the annual fee is covered.

 

[Griffin11]

Just a heads up that the price for the companion fares is increasing as of April 1st:

Primary cardholder may use the companion voucher only once on their choice of either:
A) round-trip travel in Canada and the continental U.S. for a $99 CAD base fare (Effective April 1, 2020 will change to $119 CAD);
B) round-trip travel to/from Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and Hawaii for a $299 CAD base fare (Effective April 1, 2020, will change to $399); or
C) round-trip travel to/from the rest of the WestJet network for a $399 CAD base fare.

 

[starvenger]

While the card includes out of province/country emerency medical insurance, trip interruption insurance, and auto rental collision/loss damage insurance

I know this insurance is pretty common with credit cards now, and it amazes me that rental companies still try and pressure you to buy their insurance. I know it's more convenient and all, but still.

when redeeming Westjet dollars toward a Westjet ticket, you can use it to pay towards the base fare, but they can't be used to pay the taxes and fees, which being Canada those can be sizable. Just be forewarned.

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.

Completely optional, but seat assignment cost $115 for me, and nothing for her. My wife likes to sit in the front so I bite the bullet on prepurchasing seats. Wouldn't be worth it if we wanted to sit in the back but to get one of the first non-premium rows with a little more pitch, ok it's fine.

Also, happy wife, happy life. But I think we all know that.

I have the WestJet MasterCard and when I was at the bank last week making a payment on it, the teller told me the companion ticket is going to be $119 in a few months. I know it’s “only” $20, but you have to spend a lot to earn 20 WestJet dollars. I may be reconsidering this card.

I remember back when I was working at Continental that our one perk - free (standby) flights in the US and Canada was being changed to $10 one way and it was a Big Deal (remember this was basically the one perk we had. Medical in the US at the time was (and probably still is) a real nickel and dime operation). It can add up over time, but to be honest it ended up being a bit of nothing - I probably cut down on one or two trips and was no worse for wear.

======
Just a final note here. There is a $39 WJ Mastercard BUT the companion fare (recently expanded to include the lower 48) is $199 and you don't get baggage fees waived.

So if you used my example above the companion fare would cost about $345 vs $550 for about $205 in savings. $410 in savings against a cost of $80 for two cards, for $330 net. But you still have to pay for your checked bags at $60 per bag per round trip.

So just my opinion, there are savings here, but you're better off not even considering this cheaper option.

 

[alohamom]

Just a heads up that the price for the companion fares is increasing as of April 1st:

Primary cardholder may use the companion voucher only once on their choice of either:
A) round-trip travel in Canada and the continental U.S. for a $99 CAD base fare (Effective April 1, 2020 will change to $119 CAD);
B) round-trip travel to/from Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and Hawaii for a $299 CAD base fare (Effective April 1, 2020, will change to $399); or
C) round-trip travel to/from the rest of the WestJet network for a $399 CAD base fare.

Thank you so much for posting this!

The jump in price for Hawaii is enough to make me think twice