WestJet's New Credit Card and Rewards Program

[balfour]

Check it out at:
www.westjet.com/creditcard

[whiteguy]

Check it out at:
http://www.westjet.com/creditcard

Looks like a pretty good deal!

[The Raven]

Check it out at:
http://www.westjet.com/creditcard

Looks like a pretty good deal!

Maybe not such a great deal.


WestJet begins rewards program


By Lisa Sch Midt, Calgary HeraldMarch 5, 2010

WestJet Airlines Ltd. appears to have finally launched its long-awaited rewards program, but the initiative is already getting mixed reviews from frequent flyers.

Canada's second-largest airline has been planning its own credit-card loyalty program after dropping its previous agreement with BMO/ Air Miles. But the launch suffered setbacks since its original timeline of last June, most recently by problems with the implementation of the Calgary-based airline's new reservation system.
Details of the new program -- called Frequent Guest -- were posted on WestJet's website this week. A WestJet spokesman said the program will be officially launched next week.

Unlike other programs under which travellers collect points for miles flown, WestJet flyers receive credits after accumulating $1,500 in WestJet travel annually. Those credits can be used toward any future WestJet flights, with no blackouts or travel restrictions.

Frequent flyer groups called the program "average," noting it will probably attract travellers not loyal to any one airline.

But it has fewer perks than rival programs, such as Aeroplan, which cater to the business crowd, said Patrick Sojka, head of RewardsCanada.ca,a Calgary-based website.

"You're losing out on business class upgrades, you don't have business class lounge access," he said.

"Those people who get that with Aeroplan won't be making the move."

WestJet has previously announced a partnership with RBC for a branded MasterCard credit card as part of the program.

Loyalty programs are seen as key to attracting corporate travellers, a sector WestJet has aggressively targeted in recent years.

One analyst said WestJet has definitely lost out on traffic to its main competitor, Air Canada, because of the lack of loyalty perks.

"These programs are wildly popular," said Rick Erickson, a Calgarybased independent airline analyst.

"I think WestJet has left a fair amount of incremental revenue on the table at a time when both Canadian carriers are so aggressive fare wise, price wise, in what is still a distressed sector."

But he also noted the airline does appear to be setting a new course by tying the rewards to dollars spent and setting a higher level before credits start to accumulate.

"It's more clever in that sense," Erickson said.

"They're allowing their system to start up without having to pay any rewards right away."

[The Raven]

Another opinion:

A $50 credit for a $1500 spend is pretty lame. Spending $1500 and crediting miles to Aeroplan or to most other FF programs could get you halfway to a free round trip within North America. If there's any advantage to WS' program, it's that the travel credit can (I think) be spent on any flight. Traditional FF programs have capacity controls at most redemption levels.

People who spend more than $6K yearly on AC would likely reach Elite status and would then have unlimited lounge access. Is the 2 lounge pass thing for a $6K spend on Westjet someone's idea of a joke?

[kevinsky18]

I fly commercially twice a month. I want to switch over to WJ. I do hope there is more to their rewards and frequent flier program than what is listed here.

Lounge pass is great I like those . . .

But what most interests me and I haven't seen mentioned here is bulk ticket purchases like AC flight passes (although AC passes are starting to blow as they have raised the rates to the point where buying one at a time is cheaper than buying a bulk of 10 or 20).

Also the ability to book and change flights on short notice without the change fees being more than the original ticket would be a nice perk. Last week I had to change my AC $180 ticket on short notice. The total cost of the change was $170 (break down something like $75 change fee and $100 price difference on the airfare) and when I got on the plane it was still half empty.

just my 2cents

[stickontheice]

I would imagine that the programs are going to evolve over time to include things like Lounge Passes and Short Notice changes. Feedback from people like yourself will help with that process. WJ is very interested in the business person. This is a start not a finish. We'd welcome your switch over to us and your comments.

[whiteguy]

Check it out at:
http://www.westjet.com/creditcard

Looks like a pretty good deal!

Maybe not such a great deal.


WestJet begins rewards program


By Lisa Sch Midt, Calgary HeraldMarch 5, 2010

WestJet Airlines Ltd. appears to have finally launched its long-awaited rewards program, but the initiative is already getting mixed reviews from frequent flyers.

Canada's second-largest airline has been planning its own credit-card loyalty program after dropping its previous agreement with BMO/ Air Miles. But the launch suffered setbacks since its original timeline of last June, most recently by problems with the implementation of the Calgary-based airline's new reservation system.
Details of the new program -- called Frequent Guest -- were posted on WestJet's website this week. A WestJet spokesman said the program will be officially launched next week.

Unlike other programs under which travellers collect points for miles flown, WestJet flyers receive credits after accumulating $1,500 in WestJet travel annually. Those credits can be used toward any future WestJet flights, with no blackouts or travel restrictions.

Frequent flyer groups called the program "average," noting it will probably attract travellers not loyal to any one airline.

But it has fewer perks than rival programs, such as Aeroplan, which cater to the business crowd, said Patrick Sojka, head of RewardsCanada.ca,a Calgary-based website.

"You're losing out on business class upgrades, you don't have business class lounge access," he said.

"Those people who get that with Aeroplan won't be making the move."

WestJet has previously announced a partnership with RBC for a branded MasterCard credit card as part of the program.

Loyalty programs are seen as key to attracting corporate travellers, a sector WestJet has aggressively targeted in recent years.

One analyst said WestJet has definitely lost out on traffic to its main competitor, Air Canada, because of the lack of loyalty perks.

"These programs are wildly popular," said Rick Erickson, a Calgarybased independent airline analyst.

"I think WestJet has left a fair amount of incremental revenue on the table at a time when both Canadian carriers are so aggressive fare wise, price wise, in what is still a distressed sector."

But he also noted the airline does appear to be setting a new course by tying the rewards to dollars spent and setting a higher level before credits start to accumulate.

"It's more clever in that sense," Erickson said.

"They're allowing their system to start up without having to pay any rewards right away."

Actually went through it again a bit more indepth. Your right its not that great!

[Maurice]

Another opinion:

A $50 credit for a $1500 spend is pretty lame. Spending $1500 and crediting miles to Aeroplan or to most other FF programs could get you halfway to a free round trip within North America. If there's any advantage to WS' program, it's that the travel credit can (I think) be spent on any flight. Traditional FF programs have capacity controls at most redemption levels.

People who spend more than $6K yearly on AC would likely reach Elite status and would then have unlimited lounge access. Is the 2 lounge pass thing for a $6K spend on Westjet someone's idea of a joke?

And who would that quote be from? Someone with the pseudonym FA@AC on another forum, they wouldn't have a built in bias would they?

[DanJ]

Another opinion:

A $50 credit for a $1500 spend is pretty lame. Spending $1500 and crediting miles to Aeroplan or to most other FF programs could get you halfway to a free round trip within North America. If there's any advantage to WS' program, it's that the travel credit can (I think) be spent on any flight. Traditional FF programs have capacity controls at most redemption levels.

People who spend more than $6K yearly on AC would likely reach Elite status and would then have unlimited lounge access. Is the 2 lounge pass thing for a $6K spend on Westjet someone's idea of a joke?

And who would that quote be from? Someone with the pseudonym FA@AC on another forum, they wouldn't have a built in bias would they?

Biased or not, it's still true. $6k spent on AC gets you E, and sometimes SE depending where you look, and enough miles for a free flight or 2. Plus lounge access, and upgrade certificates. Spend $6 with WS and get a couple lounge passes and about a hundred bucks off a flight.

And the WS program doesn't recognize your spend unless you hit $1500/year. At least if I spend $1000 on AC, my miles accumulate over the years.

[The Raven]

Maurice,

You're right. That poster probably was biased. If I could figure out how to delete it, I would.

The Raven




Totally useless!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wow. I am totally underwhelmed. This program is completely worthless. They did all that work on their res system just to release a sub-par FFP?

[Rotten Apple #1]

Raven, didn't you make a promise not long ago?

[CanadaEH]

Biased or not, it's still true. $6k spent on AC gets you E, and sometimes SE depending where you look, and enough miles for a free flight or 2. Plus lounge access, and upgrade certificates. Spend $6 with WS and get a couple lounge passes and about a hundred bucks off a flight.

And the WS program doesn't recognize your spend unless you hit $1500/year. At least if I spend $1000 on AC, my miles accumulate over the years.

If you spend $6000 on WS, you get:
$445 in WestJet dollars
$120 in WestJet dollars**
1 Companion Ticket within Canada, 4 advance seat selection vouchers and two lounge passes
1 Companion Ticket anywhere WestJet flies, 4 advance seat selection vouchers and two lounge passes

**if you used your WestJet World Mastercard to purchase flighs on WestJet or WestJet Vacations.

This excludes any special offers that would come throughout the year (increased rewards, higher %, etc).

The caveat of the companion passes is that you still need to purchase a flight to fly with said companion, or, you could use your WestJet dollars to purchase those flights.

If you spent an additional $10,000 on day-to-day spending, for example, on your World card, you could also earn $150 extra WestJet dollars (excluding any special offers).

[The Raven]

Raven, didn't you make a promise not long ago?

Sorry jd...only trying to help

Group cant get west jet $$$$$

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is totally ridiculous. Contrarely to the other airlines West Jet gives groups the exact same fare that is published on the web. Further more, 1 reservation agent books 20 people in 1 phone call...In fact, it is faster per person to book a group then it is to book an individual customer ...I guess they want to encourage people to book groups individually by calling 20 times the call center ..Way to go !!! lolll

Dont have to take 25 phone numbers if 25 people in the booking. You take 1phone contact for the whole group. Frequently, you will have 1 form of pmt for 25 people instead of 25 booking individual+their respective form of pmt...

The worse thing is they havnt posted that information on their website...it s only when trying to put the west jet ID of my daughter on a group file that I was told about it ...

Oh...they dont want me to give her west jet ID (I said I was the mother...instead of lying and say that I was my daughter) because of privacy policy. I just think it is over doing it ...Good sense should apply. I wasnt asking THEM to give me information on the file...I wanted to ask them to put something on the file...What wrong does it to put a stupid West Jet ID on a file ? that, if their system is wise, will link it to the profile of my daughter ?

So...very bad experience for me at my first try with their new frequent flyer program....

[stickontheice]

It’s the same Douche who used the earthquake in Haiti to promote his anti-WestJet propaganda. Why would anybody think he'd keep any sort of promise? At least he is making some friends on other forums. Raven your Momma is so fat they won't let her fly on Southwest.

[DanJ]

If you spend $6000 on WS, you get:
$445 in WestJet dollars
$120 in WestJet dollars**
1 Companion Ticket within Canada, 4 advance seat selection vouchers and two lounge passes
1 Companion Ticket anywhere WestJet flies, 4 advance seat selection vouchers and two lounge passes

**if you used your WestJet World Mastercard to purchase flighs on WestJet or WestJet Vacations.

You get $230 at $6000, not $445. You don't add the $50 and $165 to the $230. You get the bonus miles at 1500, 3000, 4500, 6000 and 7500, and add those to the 2.5% of the total spend. http://www.westjet.com/guest/en/busines ... s.shtml#33

[The Raven]

It’s the same Douche who used the earthquake in Haiti to promote his anti-WestJet propaganda. Why would anybody think he'd keep any sort of promise? At least he is making some friends on other forums. Raven your Momma is so fat they won't let her fly on Southwest.

I see you haven't graduated from public school yet.

[CanadaEH]

Sorry Dan, I misunderstood the bonuses.

[balfour]

It’s the same Douche who used the earthquake in Haiti to promote his anti-WestJet propaganda. Why would anybody think he'd keep any sort of promise? At least he is making some friends on other forums. Raven your Momma is so fat they won't let her fly on Southwest.

I see you haven't graduated from public school yet.

I find your posts just as childish Raven.

[The Raven]

balfour,

You were the one that started this thread with your link to the Westjet FF site. You added clapping hands as if it was such a great deal.

I have been posting comments from the frequent flyers that Westjet is trying to attract with the program. It appears they are mostly underwhelmed. Instead of calling me names, why not do something positive and take the advice of a frequent flyer. Send a copy of the thread to your marketing department.

The Raven

Wow, what an underwhelming FF program. I'll keep flying Westjet for my occassional YXX-YEG flights, but I won't be signing up for the credit card or changing any of my other traffic to Westjet as a result. For YVR-YYZ I'll stay on AC where at least I'll get some Aeroplan points, and for my flights to the US I'll stick with Alaska. Too bad, WS could have grabbed some more business from me if they'd actually come up with something decent. Maybe they'll have another go at it if they ever manage to join one of the aliances.

So maybe it's time to dump my WJA stock. It had a good run, but it's been trading in a range for the last few years and I don't see WS doing anything that will spur significant growth in the next couple. I had hoped that a good FF program might let them take some business away from AC, but this one isn't going to do it.



And after numerous complaints from frequent flyers on the forum, this one wrote:

The link to this thread needs to be sent to WestJets Marketing department.

[stickontheice]

Raven why don't you go and "help" out AC with Aeroplan?

Same website you troll around on: No, Aeroplan does not care. No, we are not their customers but mere suckers. Yes they are happy to take your fee when their crap does not work.

or

Gosh, I have been spending 3 hours trying to book a ticket via aeroplan website. After I submitted all details, it shows that error message.. could not process your request. It´s very frustrating. Shall I wait for a few days and try again or what can I do??? I live in Europe and my mom who´s the aeroplan cardholder live in another continent.

Maybe you should send these suggestions to the Federal Gov't, GE, ACE, and (Lol) Aeroplan who loaned AC a billion dollars to stave off bankruptcy. Here's a comment from a CBC website reader:

Gave up flying Air Canada years ago. Lost luggage, incompetent rude employees and ridiculiously over priced fares is the best 3 things that airline was ever able to offer. Only makes sense government is bailing them out. They are as unfeasible to operate as GM and Crysler are. For the yearly trips to go visit my In-laws in Thailand for my wife and I, we can fly on other airlines for $1800/person with no lost luggage, great service.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2009/07/2 ... z0hq2t3BYo

Why not help out your airline and leave our 19 quarters in a row with profitability airline alone?? We're doing just fine without you.

[balfour]

Raven, as someone else pointed out..... Flyer Talk is the dork clubhouse where they go to talk about bloody air miles! Logically, can you imagine something so stupid? Chatting online about something worth $0.025? The only reason that I can see why you post that shit is because misery loves company. Here's a hug

[The Raven]

stickontheice and balfour,

Flyer Talk may indeed be the "dork clubhouse", but it's membership brings a lot of money to the airlines.

Anyway, I am starting to tire of you two little playthings. Time to take a little break. Going somewhere warm for a few weeks.

Have fun.

The Raven

[stickontheice]

Best news I've heard all week. Here's hoping they don't have internet service where you're going.

[balfour]

Good riddance!

[airceo]

I was pretty underwhelmed by the offering but it is a step in the right direction. Let's see how it evolves.

@airceo