WestJet has once again launched a status match opportunity. For a limited time, if you have status with either Aeroplan or VIPorter you can apply for a status match with WestJet. An application for status match must be submitted by April 30, 2023. The link to apply for the status match can be found here. Once matched, the WestJet status will be effective until June 30, 2023, unless you meet the spend requirements to extend your status through to the end of 2023.
What Status will you Receive with WestJet?
Status in Aeroplan or VIPorter, will be matched as follows:
Aeroplan 25K or VIP Venture will receive WestJet Silver status;
Aeroplan 35K, 50K, 75K or VIPorter Ascent will receive WestJet Gold status;
Aeroplan Super Elite or VIPorter First will receive WestJet Platinum status.
WestJet Status Benefits
Below are the benefits that come with each of the WestJet status levels:
WestJet Silver
The benefits of WestJet Silver Status include:
3% earn rate on WestJet flights
1% earn rate on WestJet Vacations packages
1% earn rate on car rentals, hotel stays, meal plans, attractions and transfers
Earn on partner flights
Two free checked bags
Priority check-in
Zone 2 boarding
Complimentary upgrades at the gate on eligible fares (only on single guest reservations and after available upgrades have been handed out to Platinum and Gold members first)
Complimentary upgrades prior to check-in on eligible fares (only on single guest reservations and after available upgrades have been handed out to Platinum and Gold members first)
Four advance seat selection vouchers
Four member lounge vouchers
Two one time guest vouchers for additional guests.
WestJet Gold
The benefits of WestJet Gold status include:
5% earn rate on WestJet flights
1.5% earn rate on WestJet Vacations packages
1% earn rate on car rentals, hotel stays, meal plans, attractions and transfers
Earn on partner flights
priority check-in
Two free checked bags
Priority baggage
No fee for same day flight changes
Unlimited airport lounge access with family privileges (bring in up to five immediate family members), plus two guest vouchers (when accompanied by member)
priority security screening (at select airports)
Priority boarding - Zone 1
Complimentary upgrades at the gate on eligible fares (only on single guest reservations and after available upgrades have been handed out to Platinum members first)
Complimentary upgrades prior to check-in on eligible fares (only on single guest reservations and after available upgrades have been handed out to Platinum members first)
Early access to purchase an upgrade up to 48 hours prior to departure
Six advance seat selection vouchers
Priority support number
WestJet Platinum
The benefits of WestJet Platinum status include:
8% earn rate on WestJet flights
2% earn rate on WestJet Vacations packages
1% earn rate on car rentals, hotel stays, meal plans, attractions and transfers
Earn on partner flights
priority check-in
Three free checked bags
Priority baggage
Unlimited airport lounge access with family privileges (bring in up to five immediate family members), plus two guest vouchers (when accompanied by member)
priority security screening (at select airports)
Priority boarding - Zone 1
Complimentary upgrades at the gate on eligible fares (highest priority)
Complimentary upgrades prior to check-in on eligible fares (highest priority)
Early access to purchase an upgrade up to 48 hours prior to departure
Unlimited advance seat selection, plus six guest vouchers
Priority support number
No fee for same day flight changes
Requirements to Extend Status to the End of 2023
In order to keep your newly minted WestJet status for the remainder of 2023, you must achieve 25% of the annual tier qualifying spend amount normally required to retain status through the purchase of eligible base fares on WestJet marketed flights flown between the date of your status upgrade and June 30, 2023.
The last time WestJet offered a status match opportunity was in September 2022. As with the current matching opportunity, previously the status bump lasted around three months unless you qualified for an extension during that period. However, in some respects the previous status match was slightly more attractive. First, last time the minimum spend requirements to extend your status were reduced to 20% of the normal annual tier qualifying spend. This time, as noted, it requires 25% of the normal spend requirements:
If you status match to WestJet Silver status, you need to spend $750 (previous status match only required $600) on WestJet flights by June 30, 2023, to extend Silver status to the end of 2023. The normal spend requirement is $3,000.
If you status match to WestJet Gold status, you need to spend $1,250 (previous status match only required $1,000) on WestJet flights by June 30, 2023, to extend Silver status to the end of 2023. The normal spend requirement is $5,000.
If you status match to WestJet Platinum status, you need to spend $2,000 (previous status match only required $16,00) on WestJet flights by June 30, 2023, to retain Platinum status to the end of 2023. The normal spend requirement is $8,000.
In addition, with last year's status match promotion, if you met the reduced tier qualifying spend requirement you kept your newly minted WestJet status for the entire next year, 2023, so you could essentially fast track your way to 12 months of WestJet status. This time around, if you satisfy the reduced tier qualifying spend requirements to keep your WestJet status, it only extends your status until the end of 2023, so essentially a six month extension. As a result, the current promotion requires more spend and if you qualify for a status extension, you only receive about half of the status time as the last promotion provided.
The Fine Print
It's always important to review the terms and conditions of any promotion and I encourage you to review terms of this status match offer, particularly if you intend to attempt to mee the required Tier Qualifying Spend to extend your status to the end of 2023.
Note that the terms provide that the Tier Qualifying Spend must be on the purchase of "eligible fares" on WestJet marketed flights flown between the date of your status upgrade and June 30, 2023. As such, purchasing flights that depart after June 30th would not count toward the minimum tier qualifying spend requirement to extend status. As well, "eligible fares" do NOT include Basic fares, Member Exclusive fares or WestJet vacation packages. In addition, any portion of the base fare that is paid with WestJet dollars does not count as Tier Qualifying Spend. There are various other exclusions in the terms and conditions.
Should you Bother to Match Status?
If you hold Aeroplan or VIPorter status and are planning to fly WestJet even one time prior to June 30, 2023, then applying for the status match is a no brainer, even if you know for certain you won't ultimately be able to qualify to extend the status to the end of 2023. At a minimum you could save some money by having some free checked bags, board the plane earlier, enjoy free seat selection and lounge access. Speaking of lounges, I still consider WestJet's Elevation Lounge in YYC (Calgary) to be the best domestic lounge in Canada, so free entry is not a bad perk for a simple status match.
Even if you don't have any plans to fly WestJet, I would be inclined to complete the status match. You never know when an unexpected trip might come up and you find yourself needing to book a WestJet flight. In addition, I typically status match whenever the opportunity arises even if I am fairly certain I won't be able to actually use the status just in case the temporary status match opens up another opportunity for me to status match with another airline, hotel or car rental company.
Conclusion
For the first time this year, WestJet is offering a status match similar to last year's promotion. While not quite as generous as last year's promotion (in both required spend to extend status and the length of the status extension) this is a great opportunity to obtain status with WestJet particularly if you plan to fly with them prior to June 30, 2023, or want to have a fast track to WestJet status for the remainder of 2023 through reduced Tier Qualifying spend.
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