WestJet operates Canada’s second-largest airline network, serving destinations across Canada, the US, Caribbean, and Europe. Its co-branded credit cards with RBC earn WestJet dollars — a fixed-value currency worth $1 each — alongside travel perks for WestJet’s most loyal customers.
WestJet Credit Cards at a Glance
| Card | Annual Fee | Earn Rate | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| RBC WestJet World Elite Mastercard | $119 | 2% WestJet dollars everywhere | Companion voucher + free checked bag |
| RBC WestJet Mastercard | $0 | 1.5% WestJet dollars everywhere | Free checked bag (cardholder only) |
RBC WestJet World Elite Mastercard — Best for Regular WestJet Flyers
Annual fee: $119 | Network: Mastercard World Elite | Income: $80,000 personal / $150,000 household
Earn Rates
- 2% in WestJet dollars on all WestJet purchases (flights, vacations)
- 1.5% in WestJet dollars on all other everyday purchases
- No category caps — flat-rate earn on everything
Key Benefits
Annual Companion Voucher Each year on your card anniversary, receive a companion voucher allowing a second passenger to fly for a base fare starting at $119 CAD one-way on eligible WestJet flights. For a round trip, this means a companion can join you for $238 base fare + taxes and fees. On a Calgary–Toronto–London routing, the base fare alone could be worth $400–$800+ in savings.
First Checked Bag Free The primary cardholder and up to eight companions on the same booking each get their first checked bag free on WestJet-operated flights. At $35–$60 per bag each way, a family of four on a round trip saves $280–$480 in baggage fees — more than doubling the annual fee in a single trip.
Premium Cabin Discounts Cardholders receive discounted access to WestJet Plus upgrades at the airport, subject to availability.
Travel Insurance Includes emergency medical insurance, trip cancellation/interruption, flight delay, baggage delay and loss, and rental car collision/loss damage waiver — a comprehensive suite appropriate for the price point.
Is the $119 annual fee worth it? For WestJet flyers travelling 2+ times per year with checked baggage, yes — typically by a significant margin. The companion voucher value alone can justify the fee on a single long-haul booking.
Full RBC WestJet World Elite Mastercard Review →
RBC WestJet Mastercard — Best for Occasional WestJet Flyers
Annual fee: $0 | Network: Mastercard | Income: None stated
Earn Rates
- 1.5% in WestJet dollars on all WestJet purchases
- 0.5% in WestJet dollars on all other purchases
Key Benefits
First Checked Bag Free The cardholder gets one free checked bag on WestJet-operated flights — but unlike the World Elite, the benefit does not extend to companions. For solo travellers and couples where only one person uses the card, this is still a meaningful saving.
No Annual Fee The $0 fee makes this a straightforward WestJet card for budget-conscious Canadians or occasional flyers who want some loyalty currency without committing to a fee card.
Who it’s best for: Canadians who fly WestJet once a year or less and want to accumulate WestJet dollars passively.
Full RBC WestJet Mastercard Review →
Understanding WestJet Dollars
WestJet dollars are the simplest airline loyalty currency in Canada:
- Fixed value: 1 WestJet dollar = $1 CAD — always
- No award chart: Apply any amount toward any WestJet booking at checkout
- No blackout dates: Redeem on any available WestJet seat
- Expiry: 24 months from last account activity
- Earning sources: RBC WestJet co-branded cards + WestJet Rewards programme
The fixed-value structure means no strategy is required — you accumulate dollars and spend them like cash on WestJet. The tradeoff is that there is no aspirational upside: 1 WestJet dollar will never be worth more than $1 on any redemption, unlike Aeroplan miles that can be worth 2–5 cents on premium cabin redemptions.
WestJet vs Aeroplan: Which Should You Choose?
| Factor | WestJet Dollars (RBC WestJet) | Aeroplan Miles (TD/CIBC Aeroplan) |
|---|---|---|
| Currency value | Fixed at $1 each | Variable: 1.5¢–5¢/mile |
| Airline network | WestJet + codeshares | Air Canada + 40 Star Alliance partners |
| Premium cabin upside | None (1:1 value) | Significant (3–5¢/mile) |
| Simplicity | Excellent | Moderate to complex |
| Companion voucher | Yes (World Elite) | No (Aeroplan cards) |
| Free checked bag | Yes (both cards) | Yes (TD/CIBC Aeroplan) |
| Annual fee (top card) | $119 | $139 |
Choose WestJet if: You fly WestJet regularly, travel domestically or to the Caribbean/US, and want simple, no-strategy rewards.
Choose Aeroplan if: You fly Air Canada or Star Alliance, travel internationally, and are willing to learn redemption strategies to maximise point value — particularly for premium cabin awards.
WestJet Routes and Network
WestJet serves 100+ destinations and operates:
- Canada-wide domestic routes
- Transborder routes to the US (major cities + leisure destinations)
- Caribbean and Mexico (Cancún, Montego Bay, Nassau, Punta Cana, and others)
- Transatlantic routes (London Gatwick, Dublin, Edinburgh, and others)
- Sunwing vacation packages (WestJet subsidiary)
WestJet’s membership in the Global Airline Alliance and codeshare agreements with Delta, KLM, Air France, and others extends effective reach — though WestJet dollars only apply to WestJet-operated and marketed flights, not codeshare partners.
Best Strategy for WestJet Card Holders
Use the companion voucher on a long-haul route — The $119 base fare is the same whether flying Toronto–Halifax or Toronto–London. The savings on long-haul routes are dramatically greater.
Book family travel to maximise the free bag benefit — The World Elite’s 9-person bag coverage means a family of four saves $280–$480 on checked bags in a single round trip.
Pair with a no-FX fee card for international travel — The WestJet cards charge 2.5% on foreign currency. Use a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite or Scotiabank Gold Amex for purchases abroad; use the WestJet card for WestJet bookings.
Redeem during WestJet promotions — WestJet occasionally offers bonus WestJet dollar promotions; using your balance during these periods can stretch value beyond the standard 1:1.
Card benefits, earn rates, and annual fees are subject to change. Verify current terms with RBC and WestJet Rewards before applying.