Now that countries are opening up, dropping restrictions on tourists on the need to be vaccinated and/or do tests pre/post arrival, airlines are now scrambling to fill their seats and get passengers to fly with them.
WestJet is now offering to status match if you hold elite status with their competitors. With proof of status in select frequent flyer programs you can receive top-tier status with WestJet Rewards. As a result you will enjoy benefits such as lounge access, complimentary upgrades and priority services until December 15, 2022.
Additionally, they are making it easier to qualify and will extend your status for all of 2023 if you travel on WestJet between when you are approved and December 15, 2022. With this promo, you only need to spend 20% of the normal qualifying spend.
The programs you can match from include Aeroplan, VIPorter or British Airways Executive Club and you can me matched anywhere from Silver, Gold or Platinum status with WestJet Rewards.
- Silver will be awarded with proof of Aeroplan 25K, VIPorter Passport, Executive Club Bronze or Executive Club Silver
- Gold will be awarded with proof of Aeroplan 35K, Aeroplan 50K, Aeroplan 75K, VIPorter Priority or Executive Club Gold
- Platinum will be awarded with proof of Aeroplan Super Elite.
As mentioned above,
Your required tier qualifying spend during this timeframe will be 20% of what you would normally need.
| Tier status | Yearly tier qualifying spend amount | Tier qualifying spend earn required onflights flown to extend status for 2023: |
| Silver | $3,000 | $600 |
| Gold | $5,000 | $1,000 |
| Platinum | $8,000 | $1,600 |
Steps:
1. To take advantage of this, you will need to create a WS Rewards if you don’t have one already.
2. Then, head over to this link, and enter your details as below:
3. Then, enter the details of the program where you want to be matched from and add a screenshot of your status
4. You will then get a confirmation as below
5. Additionally, you will also get an email, confirming your submission.
And, thats it. However, I feel, 10 business days is quite a long time to process the request and it should have been 2-3 business days so one can book flights rather quickly. Lets hope they are planning on under promising and over delivering as I guess its hard to predict how many will take up this offer.
Update:
I received an email on September 17 to confirm that my WestJet Rewards status match has been accepted.
(Request was submitted on September 14.)
Now, lets look at what the benefits are of the various levels:
Teal
This is the base level when you join Westjet Rewards and no status match is needed here.
At this entry level tier, all you can do is earn WestJet dollars when you fly on both WestJet and the partner airlines.
Silver
Here are some of the main benefits
- Eligibility for complimentary upgrades to Premium or Business with eligible fares
- Advance seat selection vouchers
- Airport lounge access
- First and second checked bags free
- Priority check-in
Gold
Here are some of the main benefits
- Higher priority for complimentary upgrades to Premium or Business with eligible fares
- Early access to purchase upgrades to Premium or Business
- Advance seat selection vouchers
- Unlimited airport lounge access
- No fee for same-day flight changes
- First and second checked bags free
- A range of priority services
Platinum
Here are some of the main benefits
- Highest priority for complimentary upgrades to Premium or Business with eligible fares
- Early access to purchase upgrades to Premium or Business
- Unlimited advance seat selection
- Unlimited airport lounge access
- No fee for same-day flight changes
- First, second and third checked bags free
- A range of priority services
So, the Silver tier is where you can start seeing some benefits. The free bags are helpful in case you are travelling when you are in the middle of churning between the RBC Westjet World Elite MasterCard and WestJet RBC Mastercard or doing a product switch and want the free bags.
Will you be taking up WestJet on this offer? Comment below, why and what perk makes you go for it or why not.
Written by Dominic Fernandes aka CanadaPointsGuy.
Image courtesy of westjet.com