{"id":11822,"date":"2024-03-19T17:35:43","date_gmt":"2024-03-19T10:35:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vietpearltravel.com\/?p=11822"},"modified":"2024-03-19T17:35:43","modified_gmt":"2024-03-19T10:35:43","slug":"how-to-book-westjet-flights-using-points-and-miles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vietpearltravel.com\/?p=11822","title":{"rendered":"How to book WestJet flights using points and miles"},"content":{"rendered":"

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While frequent travelers are most likely familiar with Air Canada<\/a> and its loyalty program, Aeroplan<\/a>, one under-the-radar carrier that you may want to become acquainted with is WestJet<\/a>. Though WestJet is not affiliated with any airline alliance, Canada’s second-largest airline currently has 20 codeshare partners. With WestJet’s partnerships, you can easily earn the airline’s currency, WestJet dollars (equivalent to 1 Canadian dollar), when flying on partner airlines. WestJet dollars can then be used to book flights or vacation packages through the airline.<\/p>\n

So, why would you want to fly with this particular carrier?<\/p>\n

As some may deem WestJet a “budget” Canadian airline, the carrier soars above U.S.-based carriers Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines. Operating routes within the U.S., Canada, South America and Europe, WestJet may be a good (and sometimes cheaper) airline alternative.<\/p>\n

Aside from finding great deals \u2014 like the round-trip, nonstop flight I booked from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)<\/a> to Calgary International Airport (YYC) in Alberta for just $292 \u2014 you can also use your points and miles<\/a> to book WestJet flights. Keep reading to learn more about how you can book WestJet flights using your points and miles.<\/p>\n

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Book WestJet flights using a travel portal<\/h2>\n

Unlike other airline loyalty programs, you cannot transfer your transferable credit card rewards<\/a> to your WestJet account and book flights using points and miles. However, there are a few ways to use your hard-earned rewards on WestJet flights.<\/p>\n

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GABRIELLE BERNARDINI\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Book WestJet flights using the Chase Travel portal<\/h3>\n

Though it will not get you the best redemption on your Chase Ultimate Rewards<\/a> points, you can book WestJet flights through the Chase Travel\u2120 portal<\/a>. TPG values<\/a> Chase points at 2.05 cents apiece when transferring to partner airline and hotel programs. When you redeem through the travel portal, you get a fixed value of 1.25 or 1.5 cents per point, depending on which Chase credit card<\/a> you have.<\/p>\n

Since I have the Chase Sapphire Reserve\u00ae<\/a>, I can book WestJet flights through the travel portal at 1.5 cents apiece.<\/p>\n

For example, this round-trip flight from FLL to YYC is currently $593 in basic economy when booking through the Chase Travel portal. Since my Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed at a fixed value of 1.5 cents per point, it will cost me 39,501 points.<\/p>\n

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CHASE.COM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With WestJet’s dynamic pricing model and this trip being nonrefundable, I suggest you shop around and\/or wait for a better redemption (i.e., the price of the ticket decreasing) if you want to save money.<\/p>\n

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Related: Who are the Chase transfer partners? Everything to know<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Book WestJet flights using the American Express Travel portal<\/h3>\n

Similar to booking with the Chase Travel portal, you can book WestJet flights using the Amex Travel portal<\/a>. TPG values Amex points at 2.0 cents per point when transferring the points to partner hotels and airlines. When you redeem your points through the Amex portal, you get a fixed value of 1 cent per point. Therefore, you may not be maximizing your Amex points by booking via the travel portal.<\/p>\n

For example, if I wanted to book this round-trip WestJet flight, it would cost me $719.50 or 71,950 Membership Rewards<\/a> points.<\/p>\n

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AMEXTRAVEL.COM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Related: Best American Express credit cards<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Book WestJet flights using Delta SkyMiles<\/h2>\n

One potentially valuable way to book WestJet flights using points and miles is through the Delta SkyMiles program<\/a>. While most partner airlines booked with SkyMiles price dynamically, WestJet itineraries still follow a fixed price: 12,500 miles each way for flights from the U.S. to Canada (or vice versa).<\/p>\n

Even better? Availability tends to be quite good.<\/p>\n

For example, here’s a one-way search for four passengers from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) from mid-July to mid-August.<\/p>\n

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DELTA.COM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And here’s the same date range in the opposite direction.<\/p>\n

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DELTA.COM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

These flights can be quite pricey, so you may see redemption values significantly higher than our current valuation of Delta miles at 1.2 cents apiece.<\/p>\n

This weeklong trip from Orlando to Toronto in June would set you back 25,000 SkyMiles plus $62.18 per passenger. The same flights through WestJet would be $681.91, giving you a redemption value of nearly 2.5 cents per mile.<\/p>\n

These prices even hold for connecting flights \u2014 like this one from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Kelowna International Airport (YLW) in British Columbia’s wine country.<\/p>\n

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DELTA.COM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You can also use Delta miles on WestJet’s international flights, but they’re priced significantly higher than itineraries within North America. For example, round-trip flights from Toronto to the United Kingdom are priced at 84,000 miles plus $200, while round-trip, nonstop flights from Calgary International Airport (YYC) to Seoul, South Korea’s Incheon International Airport (ICN) start at 140,000 miles.<\/p>\n

Remember that, as of Jan. 1, partner award tickets booked with Delta SkyMiles count toward earning elite status<\/a>. You’ll receive 1 Medallion Qualification Dollar for every 100 miles redeemed \u2014 so a round-trip flight from the U.S. to Canada on WestJet would earn 250 MQDs. Sadly, these reservations aren’t eligible for the TakeOff 15 discount<\/a> for booking Delta-operated award flights if you have certain Delta credit cards<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you already have Medallion status, you’re eligible for several perks when traveling on WestJet, including priority check-in and extra baggage allowance. Gold, Platinum and Diamond Medallion members can even select preferred seats at no additional cost.<\/p>\n

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Use Capital One miles to cover your WestJet flight<\/h2>\n

Capital One has more than 15 airline and hotel partners, and one perk of holding a Capital One credit card<\/a> is the option to redeem your miles to cover your recent travel purchases. Yes, you can book a flight with your Capital One credit card and then redeem your miles at a fixed value<\/a> of 1 cent per mile.<\/p>\n

If you want to redeem your Capital One miles for recent travel, click on “Cover travel purchases,” and you’ll be taken to a screen with all of your eligible travel purchases made within the last 90 days. Then, decide which travel expenses you would like to offset with your miles.<\/p>\n

You can choose to either approve the redemption entirely or edit the amount of miles you would like to use to cover part of your travel.<\/p>\n

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Best credit cards to book WestJet flights<\/h2>\n

If you’re not a Canadian citizen, you cannot open a cobranded WestJet credit card. However, there are transferable rewards credit cards<\/a> that you can use to book a WestJet flight. Here are a few of our favorite cards:<\/p>\n

Chase Sapphire Reserve\u00ae<\/a><\/strong> ($550 annual fee):<\/p>\n