Quick Overview of the WestJet RBC Mastercard
The WestJet RBC Mastercard will appeal to anyone who flies WestJet. It’s essentially a cash back credit card, but with some great travel benefits. Instead of earning points, you get WestJet dollars. Earn 1% back in WestJet dollars on everyday purchases³ you make on your card and 1.5% back in WestJet dollars on WestJet flights or WestJet Vacations packages³. While that earn rate may not seem high, this is an entry-level card and has an annual fee of just $39.
Who can benefit from the RBC WestJet Mastercard?
Clearly, this card is aimed at travellers who frequently fly WestJet. You get an increased earn rate on WestJet purchases and some travel benefits. Overall, it’s a decent entry-level travel credit card that has a low minimum income requirement to be approved. Some of the benefits worth highlighting include:
As the name suggests, the WestJet RBC Mastercard is ideal for anyone who occasionally flies and prefers to book with WestJet, Canada's second-largest carrier. For those travellers the card provides significant value for its modest annual fee.
WestJet RBC Mastercard Pros and Cons
Pros
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Decent welcome offer
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Good earn rate
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Some travel insurance
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Low minimum annual income requirement
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Low $39 annual fee
Cons
RBC WestJet Mastercard welcome bonus
The WestJet RBC Mastercard comes with a very straightforward welcome bonus. New accounts can earn up to 100 WestJet dollars¹ (with $1,000 spend in the first 3 months). While that sign-up bonus isn't a gamechanger it is a nice reward for meeting a very modest spending goal within the first three months of account ownership.
How to earn cash back as WestJet Dollars with the WestJet RBC Mastercard credit card
For many people, the comparison comes down to redemptions. If WestJet is your preferred airline, then earning WestJet dollars makes sense. If you prefer some flexibility with your flights, then Aeroplan might be a better choice since you can use your points with Air Canada and their partners. That said, Aeroplan does have a dynamic pricing model, so redeeming your points for free flights could be tricky.
The WestJet RBC Mastercard offers a simple-yet-lucrative rewards earn rate designed to help WestJet customers get to their next destination quicker with every purchase made with the card. Cardholders earn the following cash back rewards in the form of WestJet Dollars:
- 1.5% back in WestJet dollars on WestJet flights or WestJet Vacations packages
- 1% back in WestJet dollars on everyday purchases
Clearly, this card is aimed at travellers who frequently fly WestJet. You get an increased earn rate on WestJet purchases and some travel benefits. Overall, it’s a decent entry-level travel credit card that has a low minimum income requirement to be approved.
How to Redeem WestJet Dollars
Redeeming WestJet Dollars is simple and straightforward. WestJet dollars can be used to pay for the base fare of eligible WestJet flights and vacation packages, as well as:
- Seat selections and seat upgrades
- Gift cards and merchandise through the WestJet Rewards portal
- Charitable donations to select organizations
You can also use WestJet Dollars towards rewards with WestJet partners, such as hotels, car rentals, and more.
Perhaps the best part about WestJet Dollars is that they never expire as long as your account is open and in good standing. Additionally, there are no blackout dates or periods when redeeming for WestJet flights.
Key benefits of the WestJet Mastercard credit card from RBC
There's plenty to love about the entry-level credit card from WestJet and RBC. Sure the card charges a $39 annual fee but it more than makes up for it with some of the better benefits on offer.
For starters, the card provides an annual companion voucher that can be used anywhere WestJet flies, currently over 100 destinations in more than 20 countries worldwide. The voucher lets a friend or family member fly for a set price depending on where you book your travel, with flights within Canada or the Continental U.S costing just $119 and a charge of $399 for anywhere else in the world.
Even better, you can exchange those companion vouchers for 4 lounge visits through DragonPass, providing you with the ability to visit over 1,300 airport lounges globally.
Additionally, cardholders enjoy the first checked bag free for not only the cardholder, but for up to 8 additional guests travelling on the same reservation when flying with WestJet. Since baggage costs can quickly add up, this is a benefit worth shouting out.
WestJet RBC Mastercard insurance coverage
The card features the typical insurance coverage Canadians have come to expect from an RBC credit card, meaning you can expect the following protections with your card:
- Travel accident insurance¹¹: You’re insured for up to $500,000 with the included travel accident insurance.
- Auto rental collision/loss damage insurance¹⁰: Get up to $65,000 in auto rental collision/loss damage insurance for up to 48 days.
- Hotel/motel burglary insurance⁹: Get up to $2,500 in hotel/motel burglary insurance.
- Purchase security: Provides coverage against all risks of direct accidental physical loss or damage, for 90 days from the date of purchase. This applies to personal property and gifts purchased in full using a WestJet RBC Mastercard card and/or WestJet dollars.
- Extended warranty: Purchases made with your WestJet RBC Mastercard automatically get double the original warranty up to an extension of one additional year. Items covered must have been purchased in full using your WestJet RBC Mastercard, your card and WestJet dollars, or with WestJet dollars.
Optional coverage
RBC credit cardholders have the option to add extra coverage to protect their identity, family, and credit card balances. The available options include:
- Add-on travel insurance
- RBC Road Assist
- BalanceProtector max insurance
- Identity theft and credit protection
Extra benefits of the RBC WestJet Mastercard
The WestJet RBC Mastercard is a good travel credit card for people who don’t meet the high-income requirement that premium travel cards often have. In addition, the benefits you get far outweigh the annual fee that you’ll pay. Many people will love the fact that you’re earning dollars instead of points, so there’s no need to navigate complex rewards charts.
Beyond the decent rewards earn rate and essential insurance protections, potential cardholders can anticipate the following additional benefits:
- Companion voucher¹: You get an annual round-trip companion voucher starting from $199.
- Fuel discounts at Petro-Canada: All RBC credit cards, including the RBC Cash Back Mastercard, save their users 3₵ per litre at Petro-Canada, when you connect your RBC credit card to your Petro-Points account, you’ll earn 20% more Petro-Points.
Other security features of the card include:
- Chip and pin technology for an added layer of security
- Mobile wallet compatibility with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and more
- Access to the RBC mobile app
How does the WestJet RBC credit card compare?
If you’re considering the WestJet RBC Mastercard, the assumption is that you fly WestJet regularly. Since Air Canada is WestJet’s biggest competitor when it comes to flights, you should take a look at what the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Platinum* Credit Card offers as a comparison.
The TD® Aeroplan® Visa Platinum* Credit Card has a higher annual fee of $89 but there is a first-year annual fee rebate.† Currently, the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Platinum* Credit Card extends a strong Welcome Bonus to new cardholders. Earn up to $500 in value†, including up to 20,000 Aeroplan points† and no Annual Fee for the first year†. Conditions apply.
When it comes to the earn rate, WestJet is decent for an entry-level card. Earn 1% back in WestJet dollars on everyday purchases³ you make on your card and 1.5% back in WestJet dollars on WestJet flights or WestJet Vacations packages³.
The TD® Aeroplan® Visa Platinum* Credit Card, has a slightly different rewards system. Earn 1 point† for every $1 spent on eligible gas, grocery and direct through Air Canada® purchases (including Air Canada Vacations®) made with your card. Earn 1 point† for every $1.50 spent on all other eligible purchases† made with your card.
For many people, the comparison comes down to redemptions. If WestJet is your preferred airline, then earning WestJet dollars makes sense. If you prefer some flexibility with your flights, then Aeroplan might be a better choice since you can use your points with Air Canada and their partners. That said, Aeroplan does have a dynamic pricing model, so redeeming your points for free flights could be tricky.
†Terms and conditions apply.
The TD® Aeroplan® Visa Platinum* Card offer is not available for residents of Quebec. For Quebec residents, please click here.
Is the WestJet RBC Mastercard worth it?
If you prefer to fly WestJet, don’t want to pay a high annual fee, or don’t meet the high minimum annual income requirement for other cards, then the WestJet RBC Mastercard is a solid choice. The welcome bonus is worth more than the annual fee and WestJet dollars are easy to redeem since they’re similar to cash.
While this card may be lacking in travel insurance, this should be expected since the annual fee is just $39. You still get purchase security and extended warranty insurance as long as you charge the entire cost of your purchases to your WestJet RBC Mastercard and/or with WestJet dollars. If you like to fly WestJet and want to save money, then this card is for you.
Eligibility requirements for the WestJet RBC Mastercard
The RBC WestJet credit card has very minimal requirements which make it a great entry-level card for anyone new to travel rewards credit cards. Applicants are required to be of the age of majority in their province or territory of residence. and must have at least a good credit score.
Refer to RBC page for up to date offer terms and conditions.
Barry Choi is a Toronto-based personal finance and travel expert who makes frequent media appearances. When he's not educating people on how to be smarter with money, he's earning and burning miles and points for luxury travel.
Cory Santos is a finance editor at Money.ca
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