The WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard: How My First Love Became My Biggest Disappointment

The WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard was once a standout in the Canadian travel credit card market. For a reasonable annual fee, it offered meaningful and straightforward benefits: an annual companion voucher, free checked bags, and a structure that genuinely provided value to travellers.

For me, this card was the gateway into the world of travel rewards. It demonstrated that loyalty programs could create real savings, and that credit cards could make air travel more accessible. Over the years, I recommended it to family and friends because it consistently delivered on its promise.

Unfortunately, recent changes announced by WestJet and RBC have altered the value proposition so dramatically that the card no longer occupies the same position it once did. What was once a simple, effective tool for Canadian travellers has now become complicated, restrictive, and less rewarding.

This article outlines the changes, explains why they matter, and explores who—if anyone—should still consider this card.

Quick note: If you decide any cards in this post are right for you, I’d really appreciate it if you use my referral links. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, but it helps support Canadian Jetsetter so I can keep bringing you this kind of analysis.

---

Key Changes to the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard

1. Annual Fee Increase

The annual fee will increase from $119 to $139. While a $20 difference may not appear significant in isolation, it is part of a broader shift where costs are rising without meaningful improvements to the benefits.

2. Companion Voucher Spend Requirement

The most impactful change is the introduction of a $5,000 annual spend requirement to earn the annual companion voucher.

Previously, this voucher was issued automatically each year upon renewal. Now, cardholders must meet the spending threshold before receiving it.

Even once earned, the voucher’s value has diminished. Taxes, fees, and restrictions often reduce the savings to the point where purchasing two separate tickets can be more cost-effective. Personally, I have not used my voucher in several years for this very reason.

There is a grace period for existing cardholders: anyone who holds the card prior to November 5, 2025 will continue receiving the voucher without the spending requirement until their next renewal.

3. Free Checked Bag Restrictions

Cardholders and one companion previously received a free checked bag automatically. Under the new rules, this benefit is only available if the booking is paid for with the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard.

This condition reduces flexibility, particularly for travellers who prefer to use other cards that offer superior points multipliers or more comprehensive insurance.

4. Additions Marketed as “Improvements”

WestJet has presented several changes as enhancements, though in practice, the value is limited:

• Increased earning rates: 2x WestJet dollars on gas, EV charging, public transit, and Sunwing vacations. Competing cards already offer 3–6x earning in these categories.
• Voucher exchange options: Instead of the standard companion voucher, cardholders can opt for:
  • Two lounge passes (down from four previously offered)
  • A $200 Sunwing credit
  • A 30% discount on one economy base fare, subject to restrictive conditions and blackout dates
    These alternatives provide little practical value for most travellers.
• Insurance updates: The addition of trip cancellation and mobile device coverage brings the card in line with mid-tier industry standards, but does not represent a true differentiator.

---

Why These Changes Matter

Loss of Simplicity

The original card was valued for its clarity: pay the annual fee, receive a companion voucher, and enjoy free checked bags. The new conditions—spending thresholds, restrictions, and fine print—make it more complicated and less appealing.

Diminished Value Proposition

At $139 per year and with a $5,000 spending requirement, the companion voucher no longer guarantees worthwhile savings. Competing cards provide stronger rewards and more flexible redemption options with the same or lower spend.

Alienating Casual Travellers

The card is now far less attractive for casual travellers—the very audience it once served best. Meanwhile, frequent WestJet flyers who could easily meet the spending threshold are likely to hold elite status that already covers many of the same benefits.

Disconnect with Customer Needs

The changes reflect a shift away from what cardholders valued most: straightforward perks with practical application. Instead, they now face conditional rewards and exchange options with limited real-world benefit.

---

Who Might Still Benefit

Despite the overall reduction in value, the card may still serve a limited group of travellers:

• Frequent WestJet Flyers: Those based in hub cities such as Calgary, who fly WestJet regularly and can easily meet the $5,000 spend requirement, may still extract value.
• Existing Cardholders: Anyone who holds the card prior to November 5, 2025, will temporarily avoid the spend requirement, allowing more time to assess its usefulness.
• Business Owners: Those who can put significant expenses on the card may find it easier to unlock the voucher, particularly if they also fly WestJet for personal travel.

---

Better Alternatives

For most travellers, alternatives now provide better value with fewer restrictions.

RBC Ion+ Visa

• Annual fee: $48
• Earning rates: 3x points on groceries, dining, rides, gas/EV charging, and streaming services
• Flexibility: Points can be redeemed for travel broadly, transferred 1:1 to WestJet Rewards, or even converted to airline partners such as British Airways or American Airlines.
• Overall: A lower fee with higher earning potential and broader flexibility.

RBC Avion Visa Infinite

• Annual fee: $120
• Benefits: Flexible points, strong insurance coverage, and access to transfer bonuses that unlock high-value redemptions with partners such as British Airways Avios.
• Overall: A stronger premium option for those seeking versatility without the restrictions tied to WestJet.

WestJet RBC World Elite Business Mastercard

For business owners, the newly introduced business version of the card offers a more balanced structure and may deliver better long-term value than the personal version.

---

Final Thoughts

The WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard once stood as a strong entry-level travel credit card for Canadians. Its benefits were clear, its value undeniable, and its structure aligned with WestJet’s customer-first reputation.

The recent changes, however, have eroded much of that value. Higher fees, restrictive conditions, and diminished benefits make it difficult to recommend the card to most travellers today.

Unless you are a frequent WestJet flyer with predictable, high annual spending, other options such as the RBC Ion+ Visa or RBC Avion Visa Infinite are likely to offer better flexibility, higher earning potential, and more consistent long-term rewards.

In the end, choosing the right credit card is about aligning rewards with your travel goals. The WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard may have been an excellent fit in the past, but for many Canadians, that time has passed.