WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard Review 2024: Is It Worth It?
May 22, 2024Cardholders earn up to 1.5% back in WestJet dollars with accelerated earn rates on WestJet flights or vacation packages.
This travel rewards card earns WestJet dollars and comes with numerous travel perks. Cardholders earn 1.5% back in WestJet dollars on eligible purchases with accelerated earn rates on WestJet flights or vacation packages.
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WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard full review
The WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard is a travel rewards card that earns WestJet dollars. Points can be redeemed for WestJet flights or vacation packages.
Benefits of the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard
This co-branded WestJet Mastercard has many of the perks and features you’d expect from a travel card, like travel vouchers, free checked bags, free global Wi-Fi and travel insurance.
Drawbacks of the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard
The WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard has a lot going for it. However, its high annual household income requirements could be a barrier to entry, and its rewards are limited to WestJet flights, as well as WestJet Vacation and Sunwing Vacation packages.
Who should get the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard?
Jet-setters who frequently fly with WestJet stand to gain the most from the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard. The card offers its highest earn rate on dollars spent booking WestJet flights and vacation packages. WestJet dollars can be redeemed for WestJet flights, and WestJet Vacation and Sunwing Vacation packages.
Is the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard worth it?
The WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard may be worthwhile for those who like to fly with WestJet, as the card’s reward redemptions are limited to travel booked through WestJet. One WestJet dollar is worth $1 CAD, according to WestJet. So, you’d need to earn at least 119 WestJet dollars to recoup the card’s $119 annual fee.
What Reddit has to say
NerdWallet’s credit card experts rigorously review every detail of a card to determine its rating. But our Nerds know it can also be helpful to hear what everyday cardholders think. So, we took to Reddit to find out what users are saying about the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard across multiple threads.
Redditors mostly agree with NerdWallet’s review.
As of this writing, Redditors largely agree that the WestJet RBC World Elite is a good choice for regular WestJet flyers. Multiple users say the companion travel voucher alone makes the card worth it, as it more than offsets the annual fee. For those looking for a general travel card, one Redditor recommends the Scotiabank Gold Amex, and NerdWallet seconds that pick.
RBC customer ratings
Below average customer satisfaction: The Royal Bank of Canada ranks 11th out of 13 issuers in overall customer satisfaction according to J.D. Power’s 2024 Canada Credit Card Satisfaction Study.
Poor Trustpilot rating: 1.2 out of 5 possible stars based on over 1,300 customer reviews, as of this writing.
Unfavourable Better Business Bureau rating: 1.25 out of 5 possible stars based on over 100 customer reviews, as of this writing.
WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard eligibility
Who qualifies for the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard?
To qualify for the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard, you must:
Be a Canadian resident.
Be at least the age of majority for your province or territory.
Have a personal annual income of at least $80,000 or an annual household income of at least $150,000.
Don’t meet the income requirements? You could consider cards like the TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum Credit Card or the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card that have low or no income requirements but still offer travel perks and rewards.
Approximate credit score needed for approval
Canadian credit card issuers rarely disclose required credit scores, which makes it hard to know your chances of approval when comparing credit cards. However, higher scores generally mean better chances of approval, and that’s true regardless of the type of credit you’re applying for.Want to learn more? Visit our “What Credit Score is Needed for a Credit Card?” page.
WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard rewards
Earn up to $450 in WestJet dollars¹ with the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard:
Get $250 in WestJet dollars upon your first purchase.¹
Get $200 in WestJet dollars when you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months.¹
In addition, get $100 in WestJet dollars as a one-time anniversary bonus.¹
Earn WestJet dollars at the following rates:
2% back in WestJet dollars when you book WestJet flights or vacation packages.
1.5% back in WestJet dollars on all other purchases.
WestJet dollars can be redeemed for WestJet flights or vacation packages.
The WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard’s welcome offer includes up to $450 in WestJet dollars, worth $450, according to WestJet.
Beyond its welcome offer, the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard earns up to 2% back in WestJet dollars on eligible purchases. It also comes with a number of benefits that provide additional value, including annual round-trip travel vouchers, free checked bags, free global Wi-Fi, Petro-Canada discounts, a complimentary 12-month DoorDash subscription and more.
Plus, additional value can be squeezed from the card’s insurance protection, should it ever need to be put to use.
Point value breakdown
According to WestJet, 1 WestJet dollar is worth $1 CAD when redeemed for the base fare of eligible flights and vacation packages.
How to apply for the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard
The application process for the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard can be completed online by visiting RBC’s website:
From the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard webpage, select Apply Now.
Review the card’s terms and conditions. Select Continue.
Enter your full name, email address, phone number, date of birth, residential address, monthly housing expenses and employment status.
Review your information and submit your application.
You may also be able to fill out an application for the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard in person at an RBC bank branch.
WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard vs TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card
For those interested in a travel card but want to participate in a larger, more robust rewards program, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card may be worth a look. Despite offering fewer travel-related perks, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card is the more accessible of the two cards thanks to its lower annual income requirement.
Rewards breakdown
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NerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's take
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Card detailsReasons you might want a different card
The WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard may not be a practical fit if:
You don’t travel often.
You want a card that earns Aeroplan points, like the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card or the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card.
You want a card that earns Air Miles, like the BMO Air Miles Mastercard or the BMO Air Miles World Elite Mastercard.
You want a card that earns cash back, like the Tangerine World Mastercard or the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card.
WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard facts
WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard | |
|---|---|
Card type | |
Fees and interest rates | |
Annual fee | $119. |
Regular/purchase APR | 20.99%. |
Penalty APR | 25.99% if you miss two payments within 12 months as of March 2024. This penalty APR will stay in place until you’ve made 12 consecutive payments on time. |
Cash advance APR | 22.99% (21.99% for Quebec residents). |
Cash advance fee | $5 per transaction. |
Balance transfer fee | Up to 3% of the transaction amount. |
Foreign transaction fee | 2.5% of the transaction amount. |
Rewards and benefits | |
Intro offer | Get up to $450 in WestJet dollars¹ with the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard: $250 in WestJet dollars upon your first purchase.¹ $200 in WestJet dollars when you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months.¹ In addition, receive $100 in WestJet dollars as a one-time anniversary bonus.¹ Plus a Round-Trip Companion Voucher Every Year² |
Reward earn rates |
|
Other perks |
|
Insurance coverage | |
Travel accident | Up to $500,000. |
Trip interruption | Up to $5,000 per insured person per trip. |
Flight delay | Up to $250 per day, per covered person for necessary accommodations, restaurant expenses and sundries. |
Baggage delay | Up to $2,500 for essential clothing and sundry items. |
Hotel burglary | Up to $2,500 of coverage for personal items. |
Rental car theft/damage | For up to 48 days. |
Extended warranty | Up to one additional year. |
Purchase protection | 90 days. |
Methodology
BACK TO TOPNerdWallet Canada rates credit cards according to overall consumer value and their suitability for specific kinds of consumers. Factors in our evaluation methodology include annual and other fees, rewards rates, the earning structure (for example, flat-rate rewards versus bonus categories), redemption options, bonus offers for new cardholders, introductory and ongoing APRs, and other noteworthy features such as airline or hotel perks or the ability to transfer points.
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