RBC WestJet World Elite Mastercard

Overview

The RBC WestJet World Elite Mastercard is RBC's premium co-branded WestJet travel card, issued on the Mastercard network. It earns WestJet points (the rebranded rewards currency that replaced WestJet dollars in April 2025) — a straightforward currency where 100 WestJet points redeem as approximately $1 CAD toward WestJet flights, vacation packages, and seat upgrades. Unlike Aeroplan or Membership Rewards points, WestJet points don't require you to understand a complex redemption chart; you're essentially accumulating a travel credit specifically for WestJet travel. At $139 CAD annually, it's the entry point for World Elite-level WestJet benefits in Canada.

Who this card is for

This card is for Canadians who fly WestJet regularly enough to justify a dedicated co-branded card. The income requirement is $80,000 CAD individual or $150,000 CAD household. The ideal cardholder books WestJet flights two or more times per year, uses the companion voucher, and values perks like a free first checked bag. It's a poor fit for multi-airline travellers — WestJet points only work within the WestJet ecosystem, and there's no flexibility to transfer or redeem elsewhere.

Key benefits

The earn rate is 2 WestJet points per $1 spent on WestJet flights and vacation packages, plus groceries, gas, EV charging, public transit, and rideshare — and 1.5 WestJet points per $1 on everything else. Spend $2,500 CAD per month on groceries and gas combined and you're generating around 60,000 WestJet points per year from those two categories, worth roughly $600 CAD in WestJet redemption value.

The most tangible perk is the annual round-trip companion voucher. A welcome voucher is issued after your first purchase, then renewed annually (beginning November 2026, the renewal requires a minimum $5,000 CAD in annual card spend). The voucher covers a companion's base fare for $119 CAD in economy on domestic or continental U.S. routes, or $399 CAD on international WestJet routes, plus taxes.

The card also includes a free first checked bag for you and up to eight companions on the same WestJet booking — enough to offset a significant portion of the $139 CAD fee on a single return trip. Recent welcome bonus offers have reached 45,000 WestJet points; check RBC or WestJet's site for the current promotion.

Potential drawbacks

WestJet points are closed-loop — no transfers to other programs, no cross-airline flexibility. If WestJet's network doesn't match your travel patterns (primarily Western Canada and transborder U.S., limited transatlantic), the card's earning loses much of its appeal. The $139 CAD fee requires using the companion voucher or bag benefit to break even for lighter flyers. The incoming spend threshold for the annual voucher (starting November 2026) is worth factoring in if your monthly card spend is modest.

How it compares

The WestJet RBC Mastercard is the no-fee entry point — it includes a companion voucher but at a lower tier and without the 2x earn rate on everyday categories. For travellers who don't want to be locked into WestJet, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite earns Avion points transferable to WestJet Rewards, British Airways Avios, and others — a more flexible option if your flights aren't WestJet-exclusive.

Bottom line

A strong option for WestJet loyalists in Western Canada or frequent transborder travellers who will realistically use both the companion voucher and the free checked bag benefit each year. If your flights are split across airlines or you want points that work anywhere, the WestJet lock-in makes this a harder sell.