WestJet is shaking up its loyalty program, and major changes are coming for all WestJet Rewards members starting on April 30. The airline recently announced a comprehensive revamp that aims to offer even more value for frequent flyers, credit card holders, and casual travelers alike. This marks the most significant improvement to the program in its 15-year history, with changes designed to make it easier for members to earn, redeem, and achieve status.
Steve McClelland, Vice President of Loyalty at WestJet, stated that the revamped rewards program is designed to bring more value to Canadians across the board. “We are improving WestJet Rewards to bring more value to all Canadians, whether that’s our frequent flyers, credit card holders or the casual traveler,” McClelland explained. “We’ve introduced changes across both flights and everyday partnerships, providing members with more opportunities to earn points and save on flights, vacations, and enhanced travel experiences.”
The new program introduces five key changes that promise to streamline how members interact with WestJet’s rewards. Let’s dive into what these changes mean for you.
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1. WestJet Dollars Are Now Points
One of the most significant changes is the shift from WestJet Dollars to points. Starting April 30, the program’s currency will change, with one WestJet dollar being equivalent to 100 points. This means members will now have the flexibility of accumulating points that will never expire, making the program more straightforward.
While the switch to points is a positive move for many, loyalty expert Patrick Sojka raised a concern about the potential volatility of points compared to fixed-dollar amounts. “When issuing dollars, a dollar is a dollar is a dollar. But with points, not only can the earn rate be altered, but so can the redemption rate,” Sojka pointed out in his blog post on Rewards Canada.
Nonetheless, this change should offer members more versatile redemption options, especially when integrating everyday partnerships.
2. Earn and Redeem Points on Your Entire Ticket
WestJet has gone a step further by allowing members to earn and redeem points not only on the base fare but also on carrier surcharges and extras, including seat selection, checked baggage, and upgrades. The only exclusions will be government taxes and fees. This is a major win for travelers who often pay extra fees on their tickets, as they can now earn and use points for these additional costs.
Entry-level Teal members will see a boost, earning double the points on flights—one point per dollar spent. Plus, members will now have the ability to use points for their entire ticket, including extras and taxes. This added flexibility gives travelers more options to save money and maximize their rewards.
3. Reach Elite Status Without Flying
For those who prefer not to fly as often but still want to achieve top-tier status, WestJet has introduced a new way to earn elite status through credit card spending. Members with the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard can now qualify for any status level, including Platinum, without having to travel. This is made possible through the newly revamped Status Lift feature, which allows cardholders to earn $200 worth of tier-qualifying spending for every $5,000 spent on the credit card.
For frequent credit card spenders, this means that you can achieve elite status entirely through purchases made with the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard. The Status Lift benefit has an annual cap of 50 per year per cardholder, meaning you can spend up to $250,000 annually to earn elite status without flying.
4. Introducing the WestJet Rewards eStore
A major update to the program is the launch of the WestJet Rewards eStore, where members can earn even more points by shopping online. Purchases made at participating retailers like Amazon, Apple, Sephora, and Sport Chek will now allow members to earn points, with up to five points per dollar spent depending on the retailer and any limited-time promotions.
This eStore provides a new and easy way to boost your points balance, whether you’re buying electronics, beauty products, or sporting gear. It’s a win for those who want to accumulate points even when not flying.
5. New Partnerships to Boost Earning Potential
WestJet is expanding its loyalty program with new partnerships that will benefit members in their day-to-day life. Soon, members will be able to link their WestJet Rewards accounts to their Telus Rewards and Skip accounts. This opens up opportunities for point transfers, bonus offers, and the ability to earn and redeem WestJet points for Telus services and Skip orders.
For WestJet members who already use these services, this means you can earn points more easily and enjoy even more flexibility when it comes to redeeming rewards.
6. Access to Free Wi-Fi for Rewards Members
In addition to all these new features, WestJet is also rolling out an exciting new perk: free Wi-Fi for all Rewards members. While this is not part of the official loyalty program update, it’s an added bonus that will be available as early as next month. This is sure to enhance the travel experience for those who need to stay connected while flying.
WestJet’s revamped loyalty program is designed to reward all types of travelers, from frequent flyers to those who prefer to earn points through everyday purchases. With the introduction of points instead of dollars, the ability to earn on a wider range of ticket costs, and the new eStore and partnership integrations, the changes are set to provide a more flexible and rewarding experience.
Whether you’re looking to save on flights, climb the status ladder without flying, or shop to earn more points, the new WestJet Rewards program has something for everyone. Stay tuned for more updates and take full advantage of the revamped program once it goes live on April 30.
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