This past week, I received an interesting email from WestJet informing me of a status match opportunity. For a limited time, WestJet is currently offering a status match with its frequent flyer program for those who currently have status with Aeroplan, VIPorter or British Airways Executive Club. In order to qualify, an application for the status match must be submitted before September 30, 2022. Once qualified, the status match will last until December 15, 2022.
Obviously WestJet is seeking to entice travellers to try out WestJet on routes in which they compete with Air Canada, Porter Airlines and British Airways. I am intrigued to have an opportunity enjoy the perks of elite status with WestJet for the occasional time that I do fly WestJet.
Let's take a look at the various tiers of status match that are available.
Aeroplan 25K, VIPorter Passport, Executive Club Bronze/Silver
WestJet Silver status will be awarded to those who currently hold Aeroplan 25K, VIPorter Passport or Executive Club Bronze or Silver Status. Normally it would take a tier qualifying spend of $3,000 to reach Silver status with WestJet.
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 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)
Four advance seat selection vouchers
Four member lounge vouchers
Two one time guest vouchers for additional guests.
Aeroplan 35K/50K/75K, VIPorter Priority, Executive Club Gold
WestJet Gold status will be awarded to those who currently hold Aeroplan 35K, Aeroplan 50K, Aeroplan 75K, VIPorter Priority, or Executive Club 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
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 at the gate 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
Aeroplan Super Elite
WestJet Platinum status will be awarded to those who currently hold Aeroplan Super Elite status. 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 at the gate 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
Qualifying for Status through 2023
As noted, the status match with WestJet will only last until December 15, 2022, so you will have just shy of three months to give it a spin. However, WestJet is also offering significantly lower spending requirements to allow you to retain your newly gained status through 2023. For the remainder of 2022, you will only need to spend 20% of the normal required spending to maintain your status:
If you status match to WestJet Silver status, you need to spend $600 on WestJet flights by December 15, 2022, to retain 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 $1,000 on WestJet flights by December 15, 2022, to retain Gold 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 $1,000 on WestJet flights by December 15, 2022, to retain Platinum status to the end of 2023. The normal spend requirement is $8,000.
I occasionally fly WestJet when they have a more convenient flight than Air Canada to a particular destination or if I am paying cash for a ticket rather than points and WestJet happens to be appreciably cheaper than Air Canada. Generally my experience with WestJet have been positive.
The status match is very unlikely to make me switch from Air Canada as my primary carrier as I would rather earn Aeroplan points on flights than WestJet Dollars. Frankly, I don't believe the WestJet frequent flyer program provides much in the way of value compared to many of the other frequent flyer programs out there in terms of earning and redeeming for free flights. However, the status match could sway me to flying WestJet more often in circumstances where I am paying cash for a flight and WestJet's flight is either more convenient or cheaper.
There are certainly some decent perks in having status with WestJet and the status will be nice to have. While you can get Aeroplan credit cards that provide you with many of the same perks as Aeroplan status, there are fewer such options when it comes to WestJet. The RBC WestJet credit cards do provide you with a free first checked bag, but that's about it in terms of perks similar to what you receive with WestJet status. Similarly, if you hold the American Express Platinum card, you can pretty much access all the lounges in Canada that you can access with WestJet status so for many the lounge access might not be a big draw. I would add that if you do not have Priority Pass lounge access with a credit card such as the Amex Platinum then WestJet status is one way to gain access to WestJet's flagship Elevation Lounge at the Calgary International Airport, certainly one of the best business class lounges in Canada.
Conclusion
WestJet is offering a status match to its frequent flyer program if you have status with Air Canada, Porter Airlines or British Airways. While the status only lasts until December 15, 2022, WestJet has significantly reduced the required spend to re-qualify for status through 2023. This is a great opportunity to trial run the perks of having status with WestJet. This is a limited time offer and a WestJet status match must be applied for before September 30, 2022.
The link to match your status can be found here.
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