WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard for Business review

How the WestJet business card earns points

The card earns up to 6 WestJet points per dollar on WestJet flights and 3 points on WestJet Vacations and Sunwing Vacations. Telecommunications, shipping and electronics earn 3 points per dollar, and all other purchases earn 1.5 points.

Take an example business that spends $6,000 a year on WestJet flights, $500 a month on telecom, shipping and electronics, and $3,000 a month on other expenses. That earns up to 36,000 points from flights, 18,000 from the 3x categories and 54,000 from everything else, or up to 108,000 WestJet points a year.

Points earned on employee cards pool automatically into the primary cardholder’s account, so the business collects everything in one place instead of spreading points across several individual balances.

The welcome offer

New cardholders can earn up to 45,000 WestJet points, with a first purchase on the card listed as the requirement. Check RBC’s offer terms to see whether any part of the bonus has further conditions before you apply.

Silver status and travel perks

The card gives you WestJet Rewards Silver status right away, which includes lounge passes, priority check-in and boarding, and two free checked bags. To keep Silver, you need to spend $30,000 a year on the card, or about $2,500 a month.

The free checked bags extend to up to 8 guests on the same reservation, which adds up quickly on team or family trips. Status Lift also helps you climb: every $5,000 you spend earns $200 in tier qualifying spend toward Gold or Platinum. The example business above, spending $48,000 a year on the card, would earn $1,800 in tier qualifying spend.

Fees, interest and the fine print

The annual fee is $175, and additional cards cost $75 each. A business with the primary card and three employee cards would pay $400 in annual and additional card fees, so weigh the pooled points against the cost of each extra card.

Foreign currency purchases carry a 2.5% fee, about $25 per $1,000 spent abroad. Purchases are charged 19.99% interest and cash advances 22.99%; paying the statement in full avoids purchase interest.

Insurance coverage

The card includes trip and rental car coverage, along with a high mobile device limit that’s handy for business phones. Check the certificate for eligibility, limits and exclusions.

• Trip cancellation and trip interruption
• Auto rental collision and loss damage waiver
• Mobile device insurance up to $2,000
• Purchase security and extended warranty

Who it suits, and who should look elsewhere

The card suits businesses that fly WestJet regularly, especially with employees or guests, and that put at least $30,000 a year on the card to keep Silver status.

It’s a poor fit for businesses that rarely fly WestJet or want rewards they can use across several airlines, since its value is concentrated in one airline’s program. Light spenders may also struggle to keep Silver status after the first year.

How it compares

The personal WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard costs $139 a year and earns 2x on travel, gas, groceries and transit. It suits individuals who want WestJet points on everyday personal spending rather than business expenses.

For a much lower fee, the WestJet RBC Mastercard costs $39 a year and earns 1.5x on WestJet flights, WestJet Vacations and Sunwing Vacations, with up to 15,000 WestJet points as a welcome offer.

Before you apply

The recommended credit score is 720 or higher, and RBC makes the final decision based on your full credit profile and business details. Confirm the current welcome offer, status requirements and fees on RBC’s website before you apply.