If you have a WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard or WestJet RBC Mastercard you should have received an email that detailed some changes coming to the annual companion voucher.
$100 increase to Premium and PremiumFlex co-pay requirements
The change that is being instituted is a price increase for the companion co-pay when the voucher is used for Premium or Premium Flex fares. Vouchers that are issued on or after June 30, 2024 will see a $100 increase to $219 for Canada/Continental U.S. and $499 for all other flights.
| Premium or PremiumFlex round-trip companion voucher fares | ||
| Voucher issued on or before June 29, 2024 | Voucher issued on or after June 30, 2024 | |
| Within Canada or to/from continental U.S. | $119^ | $219^ |
| To/from the rest of the WestJet network | $399^ | $499^ |
^plus taxes, fees, and other ATC
Any vouchers that you currently have or will receive up until June 29, 2024 will not be affected by this price increase and you’ll still be able pay $119 or $399 for Premium or PremiumFlex fares.
The WestJet RBC Mastercard’s companion voucher is only available for travel in Canada and the continental U.S. for $199, so those that are issued on or after June 30, 2024 will require a $299 co-pay for Premium or PremiumFlex fares.
Is there still value in the vouchers?
No matter how you look at it this is a devaluation of the credit card, albeit a relatively minor one. For most Canadians the voucher they receive from their WestJet credit card is used on fares that are not affected by this change, so no worries at all. F
With premium fare savings that can run into the high hundreds or even over a thousand dollars (think Premium Economy to Asia or Europe or last minute fares – this is what the RWRDS Canada family typically has used them for) the companion voucher still can provide amazing savings, just $100 less than is currently received.
Could this mean we’ll see a business class option for the vouchers?
I would love it if it did! By introducing two price levels for future companion vouchers it means WestJet’s back end system is able to handle separate pricing for vouchers, which means there should be no issue in adding a third price level for business class. Of course I’m just thinking out loud here but it would be amazing if they did add it in the future. It would be a front runner in the “companion voucher” category, I mean it already is ahead of the pack by simply being a perk of the card and not requiring annual spend like the RBC British Airways card or the Ultra Premium Aeroplan cards but by adding business class it would make it that much better.
If they did add a business class option I could see the co-pay for the companion being something like $499 in North America and $799 for rest of the Westjet network. In my mind I see it as a good way to sell at least one business class at the going rate and guaranteeing at least one more seat sold, albeit at a discount but considering WestJet’s “Other ATC” can run as high as $1,000 or more on such fares, the airline will earn more than that seat going empty or upgrading someone for free. (Just thinking out loud here)
Wrapping it up
A minor devaluation has been announced for current and future holders of the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard or WestJet RBC Mastercard. Holders of these card will have to pay $100 more to use their companion voucher benefit when it is redeemed for Premium or PremiumFlex fares on WestJet flights. This change will be applied to all vouchers that are issued on or after June 30, 2024.