If you travel often and are a loyal WestJet customer, you might want to consider applying for the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard.
It is one of the best travel credit cards in Canada, as it comes with a great welcome bonus plus a few travel benefits like an annual round-trip companion voucher and your first bag checked free.
This card is linked to WestJet Rewards, allowing you to earn WestJet dollars quickly. You can redeem WestJet dollars on flights and vacation packages with no blackout dates.
So, is this credit card for you? This WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard review covers the benefits, how to apply, a few alternative credit cards, and more.
WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard– At a Glance
- $119 annual fee
- $59 annual fee for additional cardholders
- 19.99% interest rate for purchases
- 22.99% interest rate for cash advances
- $80,000 personal or $150,000 household minimum annual income requirement
- Earn 1.5% back in WestJet dollars on everyday purchases
- Earn 2% back in WestJet dollars on WestJet flights or vacation packages
- WestJet dollars never expire
- No blackout periods
- Achieve Status Lift after spending $15,000 in everyday purchases
- Get an annual round-trip companion voucher at a reduced rate
WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard Benefits
The WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard has many travel rewards and benefits with WestJet, including the following.
Earn and Redeem WestJet Dollars
With the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard, you’ll earn WestJet dollars on everyday and travel purchases. You get 1.5% back in WestJet dollars on everyday purchases and 2% back in WestJet dollars on WestJet flights and vacation packages.
After spending $15,000 in everyday purchases, you’ll receive a Status Lift of $500 in tier qualifying spend (up to three lifts annually for a total of $1,500). This gets you closer to Silver, Gold, or Platinum status in the WestJet Rewards program.
With these statuses, you get travel benefits and upgrades like lounge access, advanced seat selection, complimentary upgrades, and more.
You can redeem your WestJet dollars on WestJet flights or vacation packages to destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean, and Europe.
When you book flights in Economy, Premium, and Business class, you may also get exclusive discounts with Member Exclusive fares.
Travel Benefits
As a cardholder, you get an annual World Elite round-trip companion voucher. This allows you to book for yourself, then book a companion fare at a reduced rate. Or, you can exchange this voucher for 4 lounge vouchers.
Your first checked bag is free for the primary cardholder and up to 8 guests on the same reservation. You also get access to free Boingo wi-fi on flights or on the go.
WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard travel insurance is included as well. You get emergency medical insurance, trip interruption insurance, hotel burglary, and car rental insurance with this card. For more details, click here.
Additional Features
A few additional features with the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard Canada include:
- Save on gas at Petro Canada (save 3¢/L when you link your card) and earn 20% more Petro-Points
- Get a free DoorDash DashPass subscription for up to 12 months
- Earn 50 Be Well points for every $1 spent at Rexall
You can also add optional services, like RBC Road Assist, Identity Theft & Credit Protection, and Balance Protector Insurance.
Downsides of the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard
The RBC WestJet World Elite Mastercard only allows you to redeem points for WestJet flights and vacation packages, so you need to ensure you’ll only be taking WestJet flights.
Another downside of this WestJet credit card is the minimum annual income requirement to be eligible – you need to make at least $80,000 in personal income or $150,000 in household income.
Lastly, this credit card does not include trip cancellation or delayed/lost baggage insurance, while most other travel credit cards do.
How To Apply for the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard
To apply for the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard, click here.
To be eligible, you must have either:
- A minimum annual personal income of $80,000
- A minimum annual household income of $150,000
- Minimum total investable assets of $400,000
How To Redeem WestJet Dollars
To redeem WestJet dollars, sign in to your account online and book either flights or vacations through WestJet.
Each WestJet dollar is worth one Canadian dollar when redeemed on the base fare of a flight or vacation package.
Alternatives to the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard
Below are a few alternative top rewards cards for travel.
WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard vs KOHO Premium Prepaid Visa Card
The KOHO Premium Prepaid Visa Card is a free spending and savings account where you get instant cashback and earn interest on your account. Unlike a credit card, KOHO uses funds that are already in your account, so you save more and don’t overspend.
You use the KOHO card either in-person or online, anywhere you would use a credit or debit card and get 0.5% cashback on all purchases.
There are no annual fees, but you can upgrade to KOHO Premium for $84 per year and enjoy further benefits including:
- Up to 2% cash back on purchases
- No FX fees when you make purchases in a foreign currency
- Price matching
- Access to free financial coaching, and more
KOHO Prepaid Mastercard
Rewards: Earn 1% cash back on groceries and transportation; Up to 5% cashback at select partners; Earn interest on your balance*.
Welcome offer: Get a $20 bonus when you load and make your first purchase (use promo code CASHBACK during sign-up).
Interest rate fee: 0%
Annual fee: $0
WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard vs American Express Gold Rewards Card
The American Express Gold Rewards Card has a $250 annual fee. It has an interest rate of 20.99% on purchases and 21.99% on funds advances.
You earn 2 points for every $1 in purchases at eligible gas stations, drugstores, and grocery stores in Canada, as well as eligible travel purchases.
You also get unique travel benefits, such as out-of-province emergency medical insurance, trip interruption and cancellation insurance, lost or stolen bag insurance, and airport lounge access with this card.
American Express Gold Rewards Card
Rewards: Earn 2x the points on travel, gas, drugstore, and grocery purchases; 1x point everywhere else.
Welcome offer: Get up to 60,000 bonus points in the first year.
Interest rates: 20.99% on purchases and 21.99% on cash advances.
Annual fee: $250
WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard vs Tangerine World Mastercard
The Tangerine World Mastercard has a $0 annual fee and a 19.95% interest rate.
You can earn 2% Money-Back rewards in up to three 2% Money-Back Categories of your choice and 0.50% Money-Back Rewards on all other everyday purchases.
Other benefits include rental collision/loss damage insurance, mobile device insurance, and extended warranty and purchase protection.
You also get a complimentary membership to exclusive airport lounges provided by Loungekey, and access to Boingo wi-fi for Mastercard.
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: Get an extra 10% cash back on up to $1,000 in spending in the first 2 months ($100 value).
Interest rates: 19.95% for purchases, balance transfers, and cash advances.
Annual fee: $0
WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard vs WestJet RBC Mastercard
The WestJet RBC Mastercard has a $39 annual fee, with each additional card costing $19. The purchase interest rate is 19.99%, and the cash advance rate is 22.99%.
For every $1 spent on everyday purchases, you’ll earn 1% in WestJet dollars, and for every $1 spent on WestJet purchases, you’ll earn 1.5% in WestJet dollars.
You can redeem your dollars the same as you would for the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard, and you also get an annual round-trip companion voucher for $199 CAD only in Canada and the US.
Is the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard For You?
If you are a frequent flyer of WestJet, love to travel, and earn a high annual income, the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard may be for you.
You can earn WestJet dollars on almost every purchase. If you spend quite a bit, those dollars can rack up fast. This credit card has the added feature of an annual round-trip companion voucher and gets your first bag checked for free.
However, if you use another airline, like Air Canada, or want to get more travel rewards and benefits, consider applying for another travel rewards credit card with better features, like the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card or the American Express Gold Rewards Card.
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