Today we see the launch of WestJet Rewards’ first ever reciprocal frequent flyer benefits for their elite tier members. Up until now all of WestJet’s frequent flyer partnerships were limited to the earning and burning of WestJet dollars (or the reciprocal airline’s points or miles) with no recognition of status or benefits with those partnerships. Well that’s changed now as WestJet and Delta have expanded their partnership on the frequent flyer side despite their joint venture being put on hold. They are also introducing reciprocal benefits for non-elite and elite members alike who are fly WestJet Business Class or Delta One (Delta’s business class).
Let’s dive right in to part of the news most of our Rewards Canada readers will be interested in and that’s the benefits WestJet Rewards elite tier members will receive for flying on Delta Airlines. From preferred seating to priority check in and lounge access, the benefits are pretty sweet for all WestJet elites but especially for Gold and Platinum members.
Here are all the benefits that Silver, Gold and Platinum members can expect to get when flying on Delta:
There some restrictions and conditions in place however for these benefits so please read on to find details on each benefit as to who it is available to, how to access it etc. when you fly on Delta Airlines:
Complimentary preferred seats:
Available for WestJet Rewards Silver, Gold and Platinum Elite members
This benefit available to the WestJet Rewards Elite member and up to 8 people on the same reservation (Group bookings excluded)
“Preferred seats are exit row, bulkhead window and
aisle, and window and aisle seats in the front of the Main Cabin and are
available to the member on all Main Cabin fares, excluding Basic
Economy (E). Preferred seats must be selected via Manage Trips following completion of the booking.“
Complimentary baggage allowance:
Available for WestJet Rewards Silver (2 bags), Gold (2 bags) and Platinum Elite members (3 bags)
This benefit available to the WestJet Rewards Elite member and up to 8
people on the same reservation (Group bookings excluded)
Priority check-in:
Available for WestJet Rewards Silver (Silver Medallion), Gold (SkyPriority) and Platinum Elite members (SkyPriority)
“Gold and Platinum members are invited to use the
SkyPriority® check-in lane. Silver members are eligible to use the
Silver Medallion® check-in lane; at airports that do not have a dedicated Silver Medallion® check-in lane, the SkyPriority® check-in lane may be used.”
Priority bag drop-off
Available for WestJet Rewards Silver (Silver Medallion), Gold (SkyPriority) and Platinum Elite members (SkyPriority)
Priority baggage handling & Priority security line access*:
Available for WestJet Rewards Gold and Platinum Elite members
* Security line access only available to the elite member at airports where the service is provided
Delta Sky Club lounge access:
Available for WestJet Rewards Gold and Platinum Elite members
Delta Sky Clubs are Delta’s business class lounges. Access is available to the elite member and one guest that is travelling with the member on the same flight. This only available for Delta Sky Clubs and not third party lounges that Delta may use at airports where they don’t have a Sky Club. Access is granted as follows:
Available
with a confirmed boarding pass for a same-day transborder or
international itinerary that includes a segment between U.S. and Canada
operated by Delta and/or WestJet or any of their respective affiliates
(excluding Swoop) or contract carriers; not applicable on a wholly
domestic reservation within the United States.
Here’s an example as provided to us by WestJet:
Platinum and Gold members can access a Delta Sky Club® lounge when travelling on a transborder or international itinerary that includes a flight segment between the U.S and Canada operated by either Delta or WestJet. For example:
- Los Angeles (LAX) to Calgary (YYC) on WestJet: you are eligible for access to Delta Sky Club® at LAX
- Toronto (YYZ) to Atlanta (ATL) to Sao Paolo, Brazil (GRU) on Delta: you are eligible for access to Delta Sky Club® at ATL
Access is not available when travelling on wholly domestic reservations within the U.S. For example: Los Angeles (LAX) to Atlanta (ATL). In addition to validating WestJet Rewards top-tier status, boarding passes or flight reservations will be checked upon entry to a Delta Sky Club® to confirm eligibility.
Priority boarding:
Available for WestJet Rewards Silver (Main Cabin 1), Gold (SkyPriority) and Platinum Elite members (SkyPriority)
This benefit available to the WestJet Rewards Elite member and up to 8
people on the same reservation (Group bookings excluded)
Gold and Platinum members will be invited to board
through the Delta SkyPriority® lane with SkyPriority® (SKY). Silver
members are eligible for boarding with Main Cabin 1 (Main1).
Lounge access for flying WestJet Business Class / Delta One:
Along with reciprocal benefits being launched today the airlines are also launching reciprocal lounge access for any passengers flying in WestJet Business Class or Delta One on eligible itineraries:
Those who book a Business fare with WestJet can access a Delta Sky Club® at airports that are part of the same-day international or transborder itinerary. For example:
- A guest travelling from Los Angeles (LAX) to Calgary (YYC), connecting to WestJet Business from Calgary (YYC) to London Gatwick (LGW) is eligible for access to Delta Sky Club at LAX.
- A guest travelling from Miami (MIA) to Atlanta (ATL), then from Atlanta (ATL) to Toronto (YYZ), connecting to WestJet Business from Toronto (YYZ) to London Gatwick (LGW) is eligible for access to Delta Sky Club at MIA and ATL.
Those who book aDelta One fare with Delta can access WestJet-owned lounges* at airports that are part of the same-day international or transborder itinerary. For example:
- A guest travelling in Delta One from Sydney (SYD) to Los Angeles (LAX), connecting to Los Angeles (LAX) to Calgary (YYC), then Calgary (YYC) to Saskatoon (YXE) is eligible for access to WestJet Elevation Lounge at YYC.
What about Delta elite members flying on WestJet?
We’ll follow up with a separate post detailing the benefits Delta Medallion members will receive for flying on WestJet! Read that post here!
Wrapping it up
We here are Rewards Canada are excited for today’s news, this is the next logical step in the progression of WestJet Rewards in becoming a global frequent flyer program – one that can attract the valuable business traveller with benefits beyond earn and burn. With WestJet adding 787 Dreamliners that have amazing business class cabins, to proper 2×2 premium seating on their smaller aircraft and the opening of a flagship business class lounge in Calgary, the airline is making inroads to offering everything that a full service airline needs to offer. It’s way different than when the airline launched 25 years ago – I still remember my first $25 flight ($32 including taxes) with them from YEG to YYC in the 90s and my how they have changed. Now all WestJet has to do is wait for the world to open up for travel again.
Learn more about the WestJet-Delta reciprocal benefits here
What are you thoughts on today’s news? Are you excited for it? Do you think we’ll more reciprocal partnerships like this? Let us know in the comments section below! I for one hope we see something similar reciprocal partnership with Air France/KLM!
Title image via Delta Airlines