Dollarwise

WestJet RBC MasterCard Review

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Mastercard > WestJet







Advertising disclosure









{{card.name}} Review







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★★★★★











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Apply Now ->



















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Annual Fee







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Annual Rewards







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Intro Offer









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Annual fee







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Annual rewards







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Intro offer
























Pros











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Cons











{{Cons}}













Editorial Note: DollarWise may earn a commission on sales made from partner links on this page.





Performance test results





At DollarWise, for each credit card we test 7 different factors including the rewards, value for money, perks, insurance, strengths and weaknesses of the card.





You can see our full testing methodology here to learn why we're the most trusted source for credit card reviews.





The {{card.name}} has earned a {{ranking}} DollarWise Rating out of 5. This score is based on a weighted average of the two highest scoring factors (excluding acceptance and approval).









{{factor_score_rewards}}

















Rewards











{{factor_score_fee}}

















Fees











{{factor_score_perks}}

















Perks











{{factor_score_interest}}

















Interest rates













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Insurance











{{factor_score_acceptance}}

















Acceptance











{{factor_score_approval}}

















Approval











The highest scoring categories for the {{card.name}} are {{score_1}} and {{score_2}}.





These factors are weighted 70% to the highest scoring factor and 30% to the second highest score to get an overall review score.





This weighting allows us to judge cards on their merits and the customers they are designed for.





For the {{card.name}} the most important factors for scoring this card are its {{score_1}} and {{score_2}}.





Rewards





With the {{card.name}}, here's the rates at which you earn rewards for different spending categories per dollar you spend:





Bills{{reward_bills}}
Pharmacy{{reward_drug}}
Gas{{reward_gas}}
Groceries{{reward_grocery}}
Restaurants{{reward_restaurant}}
Specific Stores{{reward_store}}
Travel{{reward_travel}}
All Other Spend{{reward_other}}




Calculating your annual rewards





We estimate that spending {{monthlyspend}} per month with the {{card.name}} would earn {{card.rewards}} in rewards over the year.





Our performance testing research uses an accurate estimation of the average Canadian households spending patterns to predict the rewards a card will earn.





We found that you'd earn this per category:





Bills{{bills_dollarrewards}}
Pharmacy{{drug_dollarrewards}}
Gas{{gas_dollarrewards}}
Groceries{{grocery_dollarrewards}}
Restaurants{{restaurant_dollarrewards}}
Specific Stores{{store_dollarrewards}}
Travel{{travel_dollarrewards}}
All Other Spend{{other_dollarrewards}}




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Our study investigating the value found that each dollar spent on the {{card.name}} is worth up to {{card.max_reward}}, depending on how you redeem.





This {{card.rewards}} in rewards value puts the {{card.name}} in the {{decile.annual_rewards}} of credit cards in Canada based on rewards earned.





The average credit card in our database earns {{averages.mean_annual_rewards}} in rewards for the same spend that the {{card.name}} earns {{card.rewards}} in rewards value.





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We can compare this card to other options by looking at the earn rate by category.





This earn rate is the percentage return that you would get when you spend on this card, assuming you redeem at the predicted maximum value.





For example, if a card earned 5 points per dollar on gas and each point is worth up to $0.02, then the earn rate is 5 points multiplied by $0.02 each, divided by the dollar you spent.





In this example, that's a 10% earn rate on gas.





SpendThis CardAverage
Bills{{bills_earnrate}}{{averages.mean_bills_earnrate}}
Pharmacy{{drug_earnrate}}{{averages.mean_drug_earnrate}}
Gas{{gas_earnrate}}{{averages.mean_gas_earnrate}}
Groceries{{grocery_earnrate}}{{averages.mean_grocery_earnrate}}
Restaurant{{restaurant_earnrate}}{{averages.mean_restaurant_earnrate}}
Store{{store_earnrate}}{{averages.mean_store_earnrate}}
Travel{{travel_earnrate}}{{averages.mean_travel_earnrate}}
Other{{other_earnrate}}{{averages.mean_other_earnrate}}
Above, we've calculated the earn rate for the {{card.name}} for every spend category and compared it to the average for all Canadian credit cards.




Redemption methodAnnual rewards
Transfer to partner airlines{{transfer_airlines}}
Fixed points travel{{fixed_points_travel}}
Transfer to partner hotels{{transfer_hotel}}
Redeem for travel{{redeem_travel}}
Apply to statement credit{{statement_credit}}
Ticketmaster{{ticketmaster}}
Charity{{charity}}
Gift cards{{gift_cards}}
Amazon.ca{{amazon}}
Merchandise{{merchandise}}
Make investments{{investments}}
Enjoy experiences{{experiences}}
Car rentals{{car_rental}}
Vacations{{vacation}}
Attractions{{attractions}}
Cash rewards{{cash_rewards}}
Grocery rewards{{grocery_rewards}}
Restaurant rewards{{restaurant_rewards}}
Movie rewards{{movie_rewards}}
Apple / BestBuy{{apple_bestbuy}}
Flight rewards{{flight_rewards}}
Airlines Rewards (Charts){{airlines_rewards_chart}}
CIBC financial products{{cibc_financial_products}}
Air travel - redemptions (scheduled){{air_travel_redemptions_schedule}}
RBC travel{{rbc_travel}}
Transfer to WestJet{{transfer_westjet}}
Transfer to Hudson Bay{{transfer_bay}}
RBC financial products{{rbc_financial_products_rewards}}
Air Canada gift cards{{aircanada_gift_card}}
Air Canada vactions{{air_canada_vacations}}
Electronics gift cards{{electronics_gift_cards}}
Cash - World Elite{{cash_worldelite}}
Cash - Platinum Plus{{cash_platinumplus}}
Banking plans{{banking_plans}}
Desjardins financial products{{desjardins_financial_products}}
Expedia travel{{expedia_td}}
Educational rewards{{education_rewards}}
HSBC financial products{{hsbc_financial_products}}
Walmart{{walmart_rewards}}
Triangle (Canadian Tire){{triangle_rewards}}
Meridian travel{{meridian_travel}}
Direct deposit{{direct_deposit_rewards}}
Costco gift cards{{costco_gift_cards}}
Wireless Rogers rewards{{wireless_rogers_rewards}}
1 Rogers rewards{{1_roger_rewards}}
Other Rogers rewards{{other_roger_rewards}}
Other 1 Rogers rewards{{other_1_roger_rewards}}




For an annual spend of {{annualspend}}, we estimated annual rewards value at up to {{total_net_rewards}}.





That's equivalent to a {{total_earn_rate}} return on spending.





The {{card.name}} has an annual fee of {{card.annualFee}}. After deducting this, we predicted net annual rewards of {{net_after_fee}}.





This puts it in the {{decile.net_annual_rewards}} of credit cards for net rewards after fees.





In comparison, the average card earns net annual rewards of {{averages.mean_net_annual_rewards}}.





Fees





The {{card.name}} has a {{card.annualFee}} annual fee.





The average card charges {{averages.mean_annual_fee}}. So, the {{card.name}} is in the {{decile.annual_fee}} of cards based on the cost of the annual fee.





Perks





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We manually review the perks of each credit card to determine how they compare to other cards.





The {{card.name}} scored a {{factor_score_perks}} out of 5 for perks, putting it in the {{decile.factor_score_perks}} of cards.





The average card scores {{averages.mean_factor_score_perks}} out of 5 for perks.





Interest Rates





Purchase{{purchase_interest_rate}}%
Cash Advance{{cash_advance_interest_rate}}%
Balance Transfer{{balance_transfer_interest_rate}}%




The average (median) credit card has a purchase interest rate of {{averages.median_purchase_interest_rate}} and so the {{card.name}} charges {{purchase_interest_diff}} than the average.





For cash advances it costs {{cash_advance_interest_rate}}% compared to the average of {{averages.mean_cash_advance_interest_rate}}.





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Testing the {{card.name}} with a $2,000 starting balance, you can see in the graph how the {{purchase_interest_diff}} in interest rates impacts the interest over a year, compared to the average card.





Insurance coverage





InsuranceThis CardAverage
Extended Warranty{{warranty}}{{averages.median_warranty}}
Purchase Protection{{purchase_protection}}{{averages.median_purchase_protection}}
Travel Accident{{travel_accident}}{{averages.median_travel_accident}}
Emergency Medical Term{{emergency_medical_term}}{{averages.median_emergency_medical_term}}
Emergency Medical over 65{{emergency_medical_65}}{{averages.median_emergency_medical_65}}
Trip Cancellation{{trip_cancellation}}{{averages.median_trip_cancellation}}
Trip Interruption{{trip_interruption}}{{averages.median_trip_interruption}}
Flight Delay{{flight_delay}}{{averages.median_flight_delay}}
Baggage Delay{{baggage_delay_insurance}}{{averages.median_baggage_delay_insurance}}
Lost or Stolen Baggage{{stolen_baggage}}{{averages.median_stolen_baggage}}
Event Cancellation{{event_cancel}}{{averages.median_event_cancel}}
Rental Car Theft & Damage{{rental_theft_damage}}No
Rental Car Personal Effects{{rental_personal}}{{averages.median_rental_personal}}
Rental Car Accident{{rental_accident}}{{averages.median_rental_accident}}
Hotel Burglary{{hotel_burglary}}{{averages.median_hotel_burglary}}
Mobile Phone Insurance{{mobile_insurance}}{{averages.median_mobile_insurance}}
Personal Effects Insurance{{personal_effects}}{{averages.median_personal_effects}}
Price Protection Insurance{{price_protection}}{{averages.median_price_protection}}




We scored it {{factor_score_insurance}} out of 5 for insurance.





It offers {{insurance_count}} types of insurance, whereas the average card has {{averages.insurance_count}} types of coverage.





Approval and qualifying







Do I qualify?
Estimated Credit Score{{credit_score_low}} - {{credit_score_high}}
Personal Income{{personal_income}}
Household Income{{household_income}}






Fees
Annual Fee{{card.annualFee}}
Extra Card Fee$0
Card type{{card_type}}






We scored it {{factor_score_approval}} out of 5 for approval.





We predict that you will require a credit score of at least {{credit_score_low}} to qualify for the {{card.name}}, while the average card requires {{averages.mean_credit_score_low}} to qualify.





This puts it in the top {{decile.credit_score_low}} of cards by approval difficulty.





The personal income requirements are {{personal_income}}, while the average card requires {{averages.mean_personal_income}}.





This puts it in the {{decile.personal_income}} of cards by the income required to qualify.





The WestJet RBC MasterCard credit card offers users a multitude of earning potentials and benefits tailored towards frequent WestJet users. However, it does come with a couple of drawbacks that should also be considered in deciding if it’s the right option for you.





Earning potential with the card 





Cardholders can earn 1.5% in WestJet dollars on all purchases made, and earn 2% back in WestJet dollars on WestJet flights or WestJet vacation packages. WestJet dollars can be used towards future WestJet flights or vacation packages. There is no specific earning structure for different spending categories, such as dining, travel, or groceries.





Benefits






  1. Welcome Bonus: The first major advantage of the WestJet RBC MasterCard credit card is the welcome bonus offered. New cardholders receive a sign-up bonus of 50 WestJet dollars after their first purchase, as well as an ongoing annual anniversary bonus of 50 WestJet dollars.




  2. Comprehensive Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is the second major advantage of this card. The card offers comprehensive travel insurance which includes out-of-province/country emergency medical coverage, trip cancellation, and travel accident coverage. This can provide peace of mind for frequent travelers.




  3. Save-the-Date Seat Sales: Cardholders have the advantage of save-the-date seat sales. This card grants exclusive access to WestJet seat sales to help you save on flights, ensuring a better chance of finding good deals before they sell out.




  4. Complimentary First Checked Bag: The fourth benefit is the complimentary first checked bag for cardholders and up to eight guests on the same reservation when flying with WestJet. This can save a significant amount in baggage fees if you frequently travel with checked bags.





Drawback






  1. Drawback: A notable drawback of the WestJet RBC MasterCard credit card is its limited redemption options. WestJet dollars can only be redeemed for future WestJet flights or vacation packages, providing less flexibility compared to other cards that might offer a wide range of redemption options.




  2. Drawback: Another significant drawback is the annual fee of $39. While it is relatively low for a travel rewards credit card, it might not be a suitable option for those looking for a no-fee card.





Additional information





The WestJet RBC MasterCard credit card is an excellent option for those who frequently fly with WestJet and can take advantage of its exclusive benefits. However, if you don’t often travel with WestJet, you might find better value in a different travel rewards credit card that offers more flexibility and varied reward options.





Interested in other credit cards? If the WestJet RBC MasterCard credit card isn’t perfect for you, you might want to consider the RBC Cash Back Preferred World Elite MasterCard. Plus, many Canadian’s that like the WestJet RBC MasterCard like the RBC Cash Back Mastercard, and the RBC Visa Platinum.





FAQ







The WestJet RBC MasterCard allows cardholders to redeem their points, known as WestJet dollars, towards the purchase of flights and vacation packages available through WestJet Airlines.





WestJet dollars can be used to cover the base fare of the flights, with no blackout dates or restrictions. Please note that taxes, fees and charges imposed by the airline and extra travel services are not covered by WestJet dollars and require separate payment.







The WestJet RBC MasterCard credit card does charge foreign transaction fees for transactions made outside of Canada or in a foreign currency. For this particular card, the foreign transaction fee is 2.5% of the converted transaction amount, which is fairly standard among Canadian credit cards.







The WestJet RBC MasterCard does not have a minimum income requirement. This means that applicants with various income levels may be eligible for this card, although other factors will be considered during the application process, such as credit history.







Key benefits






  • 1.5% return on WestJet purchases, 1% on everyday transactions




  • Round-trip companion voucher annually, accessible for Canada/continental U.S. routes




  • Checked baggage perk, covering primary user and 8 additional travelers




  • Unrestricted reward redemption, devoid of blackout periods




  • Vast lounge network with WestJet/RBC World Elite Concierge access




  • Supplementary cardholders gain shared advantages




  • Provided travel insurance features




  • Recurring fee at $119 per annum




  • Limited scope of rewards for non-WestJet-associated travel




  • Potentially insufficient perks for infrequent WestJet customers




  • Eligibility governed by $80K (single income) or $150K (family earnings) prerequisites




  • Some competing cards offer increased returns for daily expenses




  • Restricted travel insurance benefits, in relation to other high-end offerings



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