The WestJet RBC Mastercard is a top travel rewards credit card in Canada. It has a low annual fee and allows you to earn WestJet dollars on almost every purchase, which can be used on flights and vacation packages.
To a frequent traveller who flies with WestJet, this card may sound like a dream. But is it for you?
This WestJet RBC Mastercard review covers the benefits, downsides, how to apply, and a few alternatives.
WestJet RBC Mastercard – At a Glance
- $39 annual fee
- $19 annual fee for additional cards
- 19.99% purchase interest rate
- 22.99% cash advance interest rate
- Earn 1% in WestJet dollars for all qualifying purchases
- Earn 1.5% in WestJet dollars when you buy WestJet flights or vacation packages
- Redeem WestJet dollars for flights, vacations, and more
- Save 3¢/L on fuel and earn 20% more points at Petro-Canada
- Get a 3-month complimentary DashPass subscription
WestJet RBC Mastercard Benefits
The WestJet RBC Mastercard in Canada offers an array of benefits, including the following:
Earn & Redeem WestJet Dollars
With the RBC WestJet Mastercard, you earn WestJet dollars on every eligible purchase. The earning structure is as follows:
- Earn 1.5% in West Jet dollars on WestJet flights or vacation packages
- Earn 1% in WestJet dollars for every qualifying purchase
On your first purchase, you’ll get 50 welcome WestJet dollars.
You can redeem your WestJet dollars for WestJet flights or vacation packages. WestJet dollars never expire, and there are no blackout periods for booking flights.
Savings At Partner Brands
The WestJet RBC Mastercard unlocks savings at a few different brands.
Petro Canada: By linking your card, you’ll save 3¢/L on fuel and earn 20% more Petro-Points at Petro-Canada.
Rexall: For every $1 spent on eligible purchases at Rexall, you can earn 50 Be Well points.
DoorDash: Get a complimentary 3-month DashPass subscription, which gives you free delivery on orders over $15 through DoorDash.
Travel Insurance & Other Perks
WestJet RBC Mastercard insurance includes:
- Travel Accident Insurance (up to $500,000)
- Auto Rental Collision/Loss Damage Insurance
- Emergency Purchases Insurance (up to $500 for each covered person, up to $2,500 per occurrence for all covered persons)
- Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance (up to $2,500 per occurrence)
- Purchase Security & Extended Warranty Insurance (up to $50,000)
View the full insurance details and certificate here.
With this travel credit card, you also get an annual round-trip companion voucher for just $199 for travel within Canada and the continental US.
Downsides of the WestJet RBC Mastercard
Although the WestJet RBC Mastercard is a great all-around travel credit card, there are a few downsides.
First, you can only earn and redeem WestJet dollars, meaning you are limited to WestJet flights and vacation packages. WestJet flies to the Caribbean, Canada, the US, Central America, and only some European countries.
If you want to travel to any of the countries not listed here, you’ll need to take a different airline, and you cannot redeem your WestJet dollars for it.
Second, there isn’t much travel and medical insurance included with this card. You can add optional travel insurance to your card at a fee.
How To Apply for the WestJet RBC Mastercard
No minimum income requirement is needed to apply for this RBC WestJet Mastercard. As with all other credit card applications, you should be a Canadian resident with a Canadian credit file and the age of majority in your province or territory.
You can apply for the WestJet RBC Mastercard here.
How To Redeem WestJet Dollars
You can redeem WestJet dollars on WestJet flights or vacation packages on their website.
You need to sign in to your account on the WestJet Rewards portal, then simply book the flight or vacation you desire. You can either pay in partial or full WestJet dollars.
Alternatives to the WestJet RBC Mastercard
If you’re looking for an alternate travel rewards card, consider the following travel credit cards in Canada:
WestJet RBC Mastercard vs Tangerine World Mastercard
The Tangerine World Mastercard is a top cash-back rewards credit card in Canada. It has no annual fee and an interest rate of 19.95%. It has a low introductory balance transfer rate of only 1.95% for the first six months.
You can earn unlimited 2% cash back in up to 3 categories of your choice and 0.5% cash back on all other purchases.
The Tangerine World Mastercard has a few travel benefits, including Boingo Wi-Fi, Mastercard Travel Rewards, Mastercard Travel Pass by DragonPass, and car rental collision/loss damage insurance.
Tangerine World Mastercard
Rewards: Earn up to 2% unlimited cash back in up to 3 spending categories and 0.50% on all other purchases; VIP perks.
Welcome offer: na
Interest rates: 19.95% for purchases, balance transfers, and cash advances.
Annual fee: $0
WestJet RBC Mastercard vs WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard
The WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard is a supercharged version of the regular WestJet RBC Mastercard. It has a $119 annual fee, with supplementary cards costing $59.
Everyday purchases get you closer to achieving Status Lift, and you earn 0.5% to 1% more WestJet dollars on every purchase.
You get an upgraded World Elite round-trip companion voucher and a free first checked bag for the primary cardholder and eight guests.
WestJet RBC Mastercard vs American Express Cobalt Card
The American Express Cobalt Card has a $12.99 monthly fee with a 20.99% purchase interest rate and a 21.99% cash advance interest rate.
You can earn up to 5 American Express Membership Rewards points on every purchase, which can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, merchandise, statement credits, and more.
This card includes a $100 USD hotel voucher, mobile device insurance, and a few different types of travel insurance.
Shopping coverage and American Express experiences and events are also included.
Is the WestJet RBC Mastercard For You?
If you are a loyal WestJet customer and travel often, this card may be for you. However, remember that you are only limited to earning and redeeming WestJet dollars and cannot use them on anything else.
If you want more travel insurance and benefits, consider applying for another top travel rewards card, like the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card (which saves on FX fees) or the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card.
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