WestJet RBC Mastercard review

How the WestJet RBC Mastercard earns points

The WestJet RBC Mastercard earns 1.5 WestJet points per dollar in three categories: WestJet flights, WestJet Vacations and Sunwing Vacations; restaurants and food delivery; and digital subscriptions, streaming and digital games. All other everyday purchases earn 1 point per dollar.

As an example, a household spending $300 a month on restaurants and delivery, $50 on streaming and subscriptions and $1,200 on everything else would earn 1,725 points a month, or 20,700 a year. Booking $1,000 of WestJet flights in a year adds 1,500 points, for 22,200 in total.

The welcome offer

New cardholders can earn up to 15,000 WestJet points by spending $1,000 in the first three months, about $333 a month. That’s a low target for most households, and the example above would reach it in the first month.

You also receive a welcome companion voucher after your first purchase, so you don’t have to wait a year to use the card’s main perk.

The companion voucher and WestJet points

The card’s headline benefit is an annual round-trip companion voucher, starting from $199. It renews each year when you spend $2,500 on the card, which is about $208 a month. If the voucher doesn’t fit your plans, you can exchange it for a 25% flight discount or 5,000 WestJet points instead. Check RBC’s terms for what’s added on top of the $199 base and which routes qualify.

WestJet points can be redeemed toward flights from as few as 2,500 points, including taxes and fees. That low minimum makes it practical to use small balances rather than saving for years.

Other perks, fees and interest

The card includes up to six months of complimentary DoorDash DashPass, and at Petro-Canada you save 3 cents per litre and earn 20% more Petro-Points.

The annual fee is $39, about $3.25 a month. Purchases in a foreign currency carry a 2.5% foreign transaction fee, so $1,000 spent abroad adds about $25. Purchases are charged 20.99% interest and cash advances 22.99%; paying the full balance by the due date avoids purchase interest.

Insurance coverage

The insurance covers several travel inconveniences and your devices, but there’s no travel emergency medical or trip cancellation coverage, so buy that separately before you fly. Read the certificate for limits and exclusions.

• Travel accident
• Auto rental collision and loss damage waiver
• Delayed baggage
• Hotel and motel burglary
• Mobile device insurance
• Purchase security and extended warranty

Who it suits, and who should look elsewhere

The WestJet RBC Mastercard suits people who fly WestJet once or twice a year with a partner, friend or family member and want the companion voucher without paying a premium fee. The $2,500 renewal threshold is easy to meet if it’s one of your regular cards.

Frequent WestJet flyers who check bags may get more from the World Elite version, and anyone who wants travel medical coverage included will need a different card or separate insurance.

How it compares

The WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard costs $139 a year and earns 2 points per dollar on travel, gas, groceries and transit. It adds the free checked bag this card lacks, so it’s worth the extra $100 a year for people who fly WestJet often.

For Porter flyers, the BMO VIPorter Mastercard costs $89 a year, earns 2 points per dollar on Porter Airlines purchases and offers up to 40,000 VIPorter points as a welcome bonus.

Before you apply

The recommended credit score is 690 or higher, and RBC makes the final decision based on your full credit profile. Confirm the current welcome offer, voucher terms and insurance details on the RBC website before you apply.