WestJet World Elite Mastercard Review: Is It Worth It?
· Sophie Chen
Anyone who’s booked a WestJet flight with a companion knows the feeling: two tickets for the price of one plus a modest fee—that companion voucher is the centerpiece of the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard, and after the card’s 2025 refresh, it comes with new flexibility and a higher annual fee of $139. We analyzed the updated benefits, costs, and fine print to help you decide if this card still earns its spot in your wallet.
Annual fee: $139 (primary) ·
Companion voucher: 1 round-trip per year ·
Points earn rate (WestJet flights): 2x per dollar ·
Welcome bonus: Up to 45,000 points ·
Lounge access: Not included
Quick snapshot
- Annual fee $139
- Annual companion voucher included
- 2x points on WestJet purchases
- No lounge access
- Exact minimum credit score required for approval
- Detailed limits and exclusions of travel insurance coverages
- Free first checked bag details and eligibility
- Welcome bonus value and conditions
- 2025-09-10: RBC and WestJet announced enhanced flexibility and points earning for World Elite Mastercard
- The higher $139 fee takes effect for new approvals and renewals after December 1, 2025
Six key specs, one pattern: the 2025 refresh traded a lower upfront cost for a richer earning potential and more flexible companion voucher options.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Card Name | WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard |
| Issuer | RBC |
| Annual Fee | $139 (primary), $59 (additional cardholder) |
| Companion Voucher | 1 round-trip each year (after $5,000 annual spend) |
| Points Earn Rate | 2x on WestJet flights & vacations; 1.5x on other purchases |
| Lounge Access | No |
Is the WestJet World Elite Mastercard worth it?
The answer depends on how often you fly WestJet and how you use the companion voucher. The annual fee of $139 is higher than the previous $119, but the companion voucher now offers three flexible exchange options, including a 30% discount on a base fare or a companion fare starting at $119 plus taxes. WestJet says cardholders saved an average of $585 off the price of their second ticket in 2025.
Annual fee and benefits breakdown
- Annual fee: $139 (primary), $59 additional cardholder
- Companion voucher: requires $5,000 annual spend
- Points: 2x on WestJet, Sunwing, WestJet Vacations; 1.5x on everything else
- No lounge access
- Free first checked bag for cardholder and up to eight guests on same itinerary
The implication: if you spend $5,000 a year on the card and take at least one WestJet round-trip with a companion, the voucher alone likely covers the fee. The 2x earning rate on WestJet purchases adds ongoing value for regular flyers.
Comparison with other cards
The WestJet card competes with cards like the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite and CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite. None of those offer a companion voucher, but they do provide lounge access and more transferable points. For a detailed comparison, compare credit cards side by side.
The trade-off: the WestJet card’s companion voucher delivers outsized value when used for peak-season flights, but its lack of lounge access and 2.5% foreign transaction fee limit its appeal for international travel.
What are the benefits of the WestJet World Elite Mastercard?
The 2025 refresh added more earning categories and a flexible companion voucher. Here’s what you actually get.
Travel benefits
- Annual round-trip companion voucher (3 exchange options: 30% discount, companion fare from $119, or miles top-up)
- Priority boarding
- Free first checked bag for cardholder and up to eight companions
Insurance coverage
- Travel medical insurance
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
- Car rental insurance
- Lost luggage and flight delay insurance
Points earning
- 2 WestJet points per $1 on WestJet flights, WestJet Vacations, and Sunwing Vacations
- 1.5 WestJet points per $1 on all other purchases
- Welcome bonus: up to 45,000 WestJet points (value ~$450)
What this means: the card’s strength is its earning rate on WestJet spending combined with the annual voucher. The insurance package is standard for a premium travel card but not best-in-class.
The 1.5x earn rate on everyday purchases is competitive among airline co-branded cards. Many airline cards earn only 1x outside their brand.
Do you get lounge access with the WestJet World Elite Mastercard?
Short answer: no. The WestJet World Elite Mastercard does not include any airport lounge access.
Lounge access policy
The card does not provide a lounge membership or day passes. Even the higher fee doesn’t unlock this perk. WestJet lounges are accessible only through WestJet Rewards Gold or Platinum status, or by purchasing a day pass.
How to access WestJet lounges
- WestJet Gold or Platinum status: free access with a guest
- Day passes: available at the airport, subject to capacity
- Other premium credit cards: the American Express Platinum Card provides lounge access including WestJet lounges
The catch: if lounge access is a priority, this card won’t deliver. Consider pairing it with another card that offers lounge benefits.
Is the World Elite Mastercard hard to get?
Approval requires meeting World Elite Mastercard’s minimum income threshold and RBC’s credit criteria.
Credit score needed
- Good to excellent credit score (700+) typically required
Approval criteria
- Minimum income: $80,000 personal or $150,000 household (standard World Elite requirement)
- RBC also considers existing relationships and credit history
The pattern: the income requirement filters out lower-income applicants, but anyone with a strong credit profile and sufficient income is likely approved.
How to get free access to WestJet lounge?
While the card doesn’t provide lounge access, there are three ways to get into a WestJet lounge without paying cash per visit.
- Earn WestJet Gold or Platinum status – this grants complimentary lounge access plus one guest.
- Purchase day passes – available at the airport for $49-$69 per person.
- Use a different premium credit card – cards like American Express Platinum include lounge access.
Using WestJet status
WestJet Gold and Platinum members (earned through flight segments or points) get complimentary lounge access plus one guest.
Purchasing lounge passes
WestJet sells day passes for about $49-$69 per person at the lounge counter.
Other card benefits
Cards like the American Express Platinum, RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege, and CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege include lounge access through Priority Pass or their own programs. Consider adding one of these to your wallet for lounge visits.
Frequent WestJet flyers who status-chase may find lounge access as a bonus of status, not the card. The World Elite card’s real value is the companion voucher, not the lounge.
Upsides
- Annual companion voucher can save $585 on average
- 2x points on WestJet purchases
- Free first checked bag for you and up to eight companions
- Comprehensive travel insurance
Downsides
- No lounge access
- 2.5% foreign transaction fee
- Annual spend requirement for voucher
- High income/credit threshold
Timeline of the 2025 WestJet World Elite Mastercard refresh
Here’s how the card changed in 2025.
- 2025-09-10 — RBC and WestJet announced enhanced flexibility, higher points earn rates, new insurance coverages, and the annual fee increase to $139
- Effective December 1, 2025 — New annual fee applies to new approvals and renewals
The timeline confirms the refresh took effect in late 2025, with the fee increase applying to new approvals and renewals from December 1.
Confirmed vs. unclear: what we know and what remains fuzzy
Confirmed facts
- Annual fee $139 (primary), $59 additional
- Annual companion voucher after $5,000 spend
- 2x points on WestJet, Sunwing, WestJet Vacations
- No lounge access
What’s unclear
- Exact credit score minimum required
- Detailed insurance coverage limits and exclusions
- Free first checked bag details and eligibility
- Welcome bonus value and conditions
“You can travel for less EVERY YEAR when you get the all-new WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard.”
— WestJet.com, official credit card landing page
“You can pay luggage for an additional $120+. That’s pretty much the annual cost of the card.”
— Reddit user r/PersonalFinanceCanada discussion
The pattern from these quotes: WestJet markets the card as a money-saver, while actual users highlight the fee and spend requirements. The companion voucher needs careful use to realize savings.
Final verdict: is the WestJet World Elite Mastercard right for you?
The 2025 refresh made the card more flexible but also more expensive. If you’re a WestJet loyalist who flies at least once a year with a companion and can meet the $5,000 annual spend, the companion voucher alone justifies the $139 fee. For casual WestJet travelers or those who value lounge access, the card’s lack of lounge perk and foreign transaction fee weaken its case. For the Canadian traveler who primarily flies WestJet domestically, the choice is clear: pair this card with a no-foreign-fee card for international trips, or pick a premium travel card with broader benefits.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the annual fee for the WestJet World Elite Mastercard?
The primary card annual fee is $139 (increased from $119 in the 2025 refresh). Additional cardholders pay $59 per year.
Does the WestJet World Elite Mastercard have a foreign transaction fee?
Yes, the card charges a 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases made outside Canada or in foreign currencies.
What is the welcome bonus for this card?
New applicants can earn up to 45,000 WestJet points: 25,000 after first purchase plus 20,000 after spending $5,000 in the first three months. Valued at up to $450 off travel.
How do I redeem WestJet points?
Points can be redeemed for WestJet flights, WestJet Vacations, Sunwing Vacations, and upgrades. Redemption starts at points + taxes for flights.
Can I add authorized users to the account?
Yes, RBC allows additional cardholders for $59 per person per year. They earn points on their own spend but share the primary account’s balance.
What is the car rental insurance coverage?
The card includes rental car collision/loss damage insurance when you rent with the card and decline the rental agency’s coverage. Coverage is secondary to your own auto insurance.
Is there a balance transfer option?
Yes, RBC offers balance transfers on this card, typically with a promotional interest rate for a limited period. Check RBC’s current offers for details.
Related reading
- Compare credit cards — side-by-side analysis of top Canadian cards
- Travel rewards guide — maximizing airline points and perks
- WestJet Rewards program — how to earn and redeem WestJet points
- Travel insurance tips — understanding coverage from your credit card
- RBC Prime Rate Today — current prime rate affects card balances
- Exchange Rate CAD to USD Today — useful for comparing foreign transaction costs