WestJet Rewards Guide: Best Ways to Earn and Redeem WestJet Points in Canada

What is WestJet Rewards?

WestJet Rewards is WestJet’s loyalty program for Canadian travellers. It’s free to join, and it’s built around a simple idea: earn WestJet points when you fly with WestJet and select partners, then use those points to reduce the cost of future travel.

For years, the program used WestJet dollars. WestJet later moved to WestJet points, with 1 WestJet dollar converting into 100 WestJet points. The program still uses a simple value framework, but the exact value depends on what part of the trip you’re redeeming against.

That makes WestJet Rewards one of the easiest airline rewards programs in Canada to understand. Unlike Aeroplan or British Airways Avios, there's no classic award chart you need to memorize for most redemptions. In most cases, your points work much more like a WestJet travel currency.

How much are WestJet points worth?

WestJet points do not have one single flat value across every redemption.

There are really two main redemption rates readers should understand.

Standard booking rate: 100 WestJet points = $1 CAD

At the time of booking, WestJet says:

• 100 WestJet points = $1 CAD savings on:
  • base fare
  • surcharges (other Air Transportation Charges)
  • checked bags
  • seat selection

This is the cleanest and most important redemption rate in the program.

Examples:

• 2,500 WestJet points = $25 off
• 10,000 WestJet points = $100 off
• 25,000 WestJet points = $250 off
• 50,000 WestJet points = $500 off

For most travellers, this is the “main” value of the program.

Taxes and fees at booking: 105–115 WestJet points = $1 CAD

Taxes and fees work differently.

WestJet says that after making a full redemption for everything else on the ticket, if a member still has enough remaining points, they can then choose to redeem against the taxes and fees portion as well.

But the value is weaker:

• 105 to 115 WestJet points = $1 CAD savings on taxes and fees

There’s another catch:

• redemption on taxes and fees is only available in two increments
  • 50% of taxes and fees
  • 100% of taxes and fees

So while you can fully cover a ticket, taxes and fees are not redeemed at the same standard rate as base fare, surcharges, seats, and bags.

Post-booking flight extras: 105–115 WestJet points = $1 CAD

WestJet also says that for post-booking purchases made through Manage Trips and Digital Check-In, the rate is:

• 105 to 115 WestJet points = $1 CAD savings

This applies to flight extras added post-booking.

That means timing matters:

• at booking, certain items redeem at the better 100 points = $1 rate
• after booking, extras are redeemed at the weaker 105–115 points = $1 rate

Practical valuation cheat sheet

A simple rule:

• Treat 1.0 CPP as the best standard WestJet value
• Expect a worse effective value when redeeming against taxes, fees, or extras added after booking

What changed with the new WestJet Rewards program?

WestJet’s refreshed program made the loyalty program more flexible for mainstream travellers.

The biggest practical changes were:

• WestJet dollars became WestJet points
• members can redeem on more parts of the trip
• points can be used on bags, seats, surcharges, and taxes/fees
• members can also redeem on some post-booking extras
• WestJet points do not expire

For Canadian travellers, the most important takeaway is that the program now does a better job covering the real-world cost of a trip — not just the airfare headline number.

The 4 best ways to use WestJet points

1) Redeem WestJet points toward flights

This is the core use case, and for most readers it’s the best one.

At booking, WestJet points can be applied to:

• base fare
• surcharges (other Air Transportation Charges)
• checked bags
• seat selection

For these components, the main rate is:

• 100 WestJet points = $1 CAD savings

You can start redeeming with as few as 2,500 points, equal to $25 CAD off.

This is what makes the program approachable. You don’t need to hunt for a complex award chart or special partner availability. If the WestJet booking is eligible, you can generally apply points directly to reduce the cost.

Why this is good

• easy to understand
• no classic airline award-chart learning curve
• strong for travellers who regularly fly WestJet within Canada, to the U.S., or to sun destinations
• useful for families who want real savings on the types of trips they already book

2) Use WestJet points to cover taxes and fees

This is one of the more appealing features of the newer program, but it has to be described properly.

You can use WestJet points on the taxes and fees portion of a ticket, but only after:

1. you’ve made a full redemption for everything else on the ticket, and
2. you still have enough points left to cover the taxes and fees portion

WestJet then allows redemption in only two steps:

• 50% of taxes and fees
• 100% of taxes and fees

The value here is weaker than the standard rate:

• 105 to 115 WestJet points = $1 CAD savings

So yes, WestJet can help you get much closer to a “fully free flight,” but taxes and fees are not redeemed as efficiently as the base fare and other core booking components.

3) Redeem on bags and seats at booking

This is one of the most useful everyday features in the program because these items redeem at the better standard rate when handled at booking:

• 100 WestJet points = $1 CAD on bags and seats

That matters more than it sounds. For many travellers, especially families, checked baggage and seat selection are real trip costs which can be covered with WestJet points.

This makes WestJet Rewards more practical than programs that only let you use points against the base airfare.

4) Redeem on post-booking flight extras

WestJet also allows redemptions on flight extras added after booking through Manage Trips and Digital Check-In.

However, this is where the value gets weaker:

• 105 to 115 WestJet points = $1 CAD savings

So if you know you’re going to need bags or seats, it’s generally better to apply points at booking rather than waiting until after booking.

That’s one of the most useful optimization tips in the whole program:

• book-time redemption is better than post-booking redemption

Member Exclusive fares: one of the best overlooked WestJet Rewards features

One of the more interesting parts of WestJet Rewards is Member Exclusive fares.

These are special fares reserved for WestJet Rewards members. WestJet says members can redeem points to cover the entire base fare on these fares, but there’s a key rule:

• all Member Exclusive fares must be paid entirely with WestJet points, excluding taxes

That means these fares are best for travellers who:

• already have a decent WestJet points balance
• are flexible enough to compare fare options
• want to squeeze more real value out of their balance on WestJet-operated travel

This doesn't turn WestJet Rewards into a classic sweet-spot program like Avios, but it does create extra value opportunities for members who pay attention.

How to earn WestJet points

WestJet points can be earned in several ways.

1) Flying with WestJet

You can earn WestJet points on eligible WestJet flights and travel products.

2) Flying with partners

WestJet has airline partnerships, including Delta, that can matter for some travellers depending on routing and earning rules.

3) Using an RBC WestJet credit card

For many Canadians, this is the most important earning path because co-branded RBC cards let you earn points consistently from everyday spending.

4) Promotions and offers

WestJet periodically runs offers and promotions that can add extra earning opportunities.

Best RBC credit cards for WestJet Rewards

For most readers, there are two personal cards that matter most.

WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard

This is the premium personal card and the strongest option for frequent WestJet travellers.

Core earning rates

• 2 WestJet points per $1 on WestJet flights, WestJet Vacations, and Sunwing Vacations
• 2 WestJet points per $1 at grocery stores and on transportation categories including gas, EV charging, public transit, and rideshare
• 1.5 WestJet points per $1 on all other purchases

Key benefits

• $139 annual fee
• free first checked bag for the primary cardholder and up to 8 guests on the same reservation
• annual World Elite companion voucher after qualifying spend
• Status Lift: earn $200 in tier qualifying spend for every $5,000 charged to the card
• travel insurance coverage

Because this card earns well on grocery and transportation categories, it’s much more useful for everyday spending than many airline cards in Canada.

WestJet RBC Mastercard

This is the lower-fee option and a more casual entry point into the ecosystem.

Core earning rates

• 1.5 WestJet points per $1 on WestJet flights, WestJet Vacations, and Sunwing Vacations
• 1.5 WestJet points per $1 on restaurants, food delivery, digital subscriptions, streaming services, and digital games
• 1 WestJet point per $1 on all other purchases

Key benefits

• $39 annual fee
• annual companion voucher after qualifying spend
• easier long-term keep for casual WestJet flyers
• lower cost entry into the WestJet ecosystem

For a deeper look at how RBC Avion compares, see our RBC Avion Points Guide.

How the WestJet companion voucher works

For many Canadians, the companion voucher is one of the most important reasons to hold a WestJet credit card.

WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard companion voucher

The World Elite companion voucher starts at $119 CAD for the companion’s round-trip base fare on eligible bookings originating in Canada, plus taxes, fees, charges, and other air transportation charges.

Cardholders can also exchange the voucher for:

• a 30% flight discount for one traveller on a WestJet flight
• a $200 credit toward a WestJet Vacations or Sunwing Vacations package
• two lounge vouchers

To earn the annual voucher, the card requires $5,000 in annual spend during the voucher earn year.

WestJet RBC Mastercard companion voucher

The lower-fee card’s companion voucher starts at $199 CAD for the companion’s round-trip base fare on eligible bookings, plus taxes and other charges.

This voucher can also be exchanged for:

• a 25% flight discount for one traveller
• or 5,000 WestJet points

To earn the annual voucher, the card requires $2,500 in annual spend during the voucher earn year.

When the companion voucher is worth it

The voucher is usually strongest when:

• you travel as a couple or family
• you book round-trip travel
• fares are elevated
• you fly routes where saving on the second traveller’s base fare makes a meaningful difference

When it’s less useful

The voucher is less compelling when:

• you mostly travel solo
• you find very cheap sale fares
• taxes and fees make up a large share of the final cost
• your travel habits don’t line up with WestJet’s route network

WestJet Rewards tiers: Teal, Silver, Gold, Platinum

WestJet Rewards also has an elite status layer.

Current thresholds are:

• Teal: up to $3,999 in tier qualifying spend
• Silver: $4,000 to $5,999
• Gold: $6,000 to $9,999
• Platinum: $10,000+

This matters because the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard can help cardholders move toward status through Status Lift, even if they’re not flying constantly.

Do WestJet points expire?

No — WestJet points do not expire.

That’s one of the program’s biggest strengths. It makes the program easy to live with for casual travellers who earn slowly through occasional flights and card spending.

Can you transfer WestJet points to someone else?

Yes, but it’s not free.

WestJet says members can transfer any amount of WestJet points to another account holder for a fee of $50–$59 CAD per transfer, and the transfer must be arranged by phone.

That means WestJet points are shareable, but not in the same easy household-pooling style you see with some other programs.

Who should care most about WestJet Rewards?

WestJet Rewards is especially relevant for people who are:

• based in Western Canada or frequently choose WestJet (see our Calgary flight deals and Vancouver flight deals)
• looking for a simple airline rewards program
• more interested in straightforward flight savings than in complicated premium-cabin redemptions
• travelling as a couple or family who can make good use of a companion voucher
• already paying for bags and seats and want to reduce those costs with points

It’s less compelling for travellers who:

• mainly chase international premium-cabin sweet spots
• want broad alliance-style flexibility
• rarely fly WestJet

WestJet Rewards vs. other Canadian points programs

WestJet Rewards vs Aeroplan

• Aeroplan is stronger for partner awards and premium-cabin travel
• WestJet Rewards is much simpler for direct savings on WestJet trips

WestJet Rewards vs RBC Avion

• Avion offers more flexibility and transfer-partner optionality
• WestJet Rewards is better for travellers who already know they want WestJet flights

WestJet Rewards vs Scene+

• Scene+ is broader as an everyday flexible rewards currency
• WestJet Rewards is better if you specifically want airline-linked value on WestJet travel

WestJet Rewards vs TD Rewards

• TD Rewards is primarily a travel-portal currency
• WestJet Rewards is more useful for people committed to the WestJet ecosystem

Pro tips to get more value from WestJet Rewards

• Use WestJet points primarily for WestJet travel, not as a generic backup rewards currency.
• Remember that base fare, surcharges, bags, and seats at booking redeem at the best standard rate.
• If you plan to use points on bags or seats, try to do it at booking, not after booking.
• Only treat taxes and fees as a “bonus use case,” since they redeem at a weaker rate and only after a full redemption.
• Compare Member Exclusive fares whenever you have enough points to pay the full base fare.
• If you hold a co-branded RBC card, check whether the companion voucher or one of its exchange options gives you more value on your trip.

Quick decision checklist

• Want a simple airline rewards program in Canada?

  • WestJet Rewards is one of the easiest to use

• Want maximum flexibility across multiple airlines and alliances?

  • You may prefer Aeroplan or Avion

• Fly WestJet regularly and travel with a partner?

  • The WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard is usually the strongest fit

• Want a lower-cost way into the ecosystem?

  • The WestJet RBC Mastercard is the easier entry point

Bottom line

WestJet Rewards is one of the most practical airline loyalty programs in Canada because it keeps the math simple while still covering real travel costs.

The most important thing to understand is that not all WestJet redemptions are equal:

• best standard value: base fare, surcharges, bags, and seats at booking
• weaker value: taxes and fees
• also weaker: post-booking extras

For Canadians who regularly fly WestJet, especially couples and families who can also make use of an RBC WestJet card and companion voucher, WestJet Rewards can deliver very solid real-world value without the complexity of a traditional airline award chart.

Already planning a WestJet trip? Check out our WestJet seat configuration guide to pick the best seat, and browse the latest Calgary, Vancouver, and Winnipeg flight deals.