Companion vouchers, free bags, and lounge access: What the WestJet RBC® World Elite Mastercard‡ actually gets you

This post is sponsored by RBC.

Travel credit cards can offer lots of value, but getting the most from them often means figuring out how to redeem your points. The WestJet RBC^® World Elite Mastercard^‡ takes a different approach, with travel benefits that deliver real value every time you fly.

Of course, those perks come with a $139 annual fee (and a 20.99% interest rate). Are they enough to make the card a worthwhile investment? We’re going to break it all down.

WestJet World Elite benefits worth knowing

The core travel benefits that you get with the WestJet RBC^® World Elite Mastercard^‡ include:

• An annual roundtrip companion voucher⁵
• Free checked bags⁴
• Lounge access¹²

A companion voucher⁵ for travel with someone else

WestJet RBC^® World Elite Mastercard^‡ holders receive a round-trip companion voucher⁵ annually after spending $5,000 on the card. 

The voucher allows you to bring a traveling companion with you wherever WestJet flies at a set fare. Flights within Canada or to/from continental US cost $119–$219 plus taxes and fees, while the rest of the WestJet network is $399–$499 plus taxes and fees.

Couples, families, and friends who regularly travel together will likely get the most value out of the companion voucher perk. But solo travelers have the option to trade the voucher for one of the following:

• A 30% discount code off the base fare for one traveler⁸
• A $200 credit toward a WestJet Vacations or Sunwing Vacations package⁹
• Two airport lounge vouchers¹⁰

Free checked bags can add up

The WestJet RBC^® World Elite Mastercard^‡ includes free first checked bags for the cardholder and up to eight companions on the same reservation⁴. The savings can add up quickly.

A round trip for two people could mean four free checked bags. At $55 to $65 per bag each way for domestic flights, that’s $220 to $260 in potential savings—well above the card’s $139 annual fee.

Lounge access before your flight

Cardholders receive complimentary membership in Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass¹², giving them access to more than 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. Lounge visits are charged at $32 USD per person.

If you want free lounge access, there are a couple of ways to get it:

• Trade your annual round-trip companion voucher in for two lounge passes through the WestJet Lounge Exchange
• Earn WestJet Silver, Gold, or Platinum elite status through credit card spending and/or the card’s status lift

What else does the WestJet RBC^® World Elite Mastercard^‡ offer?

Frequent flyers may get the most value from those headline perks, but the card also includes rewards and insurance coverage that can add to its overall value.

• 2x points on WestJet flights, WestJet Vacations, and Sunwing Vacations²
• 2x points on everyday essentials like groceries, gas, and transit
• 1.5x points on all other qualifying purchases², so you can get to free flights and vacations even faster³

The card also comes with robust insurance coverage¹⁶, including:

• 15 days of emergency medical coverage (for those under 65)
• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
• Flight delay and baggage coverage
• Car rental collision and loss damage waiver
• Up to $1,500 of mobile device coverage

Other perks include savings of 3 cents per litre at Petro-Canada¹³ and a complimentary 12-month subscription to DoorDash DashPass¹⁵.

Is the WestJet RBC^® World Elite Mastercard^‡ worth it?

Whether the WestJet RBC^® World Elite Mastercard^‡ is worth it depends on your spending and travel habits. It may be worth it for you if you:

• Fly with WestJet regularly
• Check baggage on your trips
• Often travel with a companion
• Value airport lounge access

On the other hand, the card might not be your best fit if you:

• Rarely travel with WestJet
• Usually travel by yourself
• Travel only with a carry-on bag
• Value flexibility in which airline you redeem rewards with

To figure out whether this might be the right credit card for you, consider the annual $139 fee against the value of the perks and benefits you’ll regularly use.

WestJet RBC^® World Elite Mastercard^‡ vs. a flexible travel card

So, how does the WestJet RBC^® World Elite Mastercard^‡ compare to a flexible travel credit card like the RBC Avion Visa Infinite? It’s all about the type of travel value you want.

RBC’s WestJet offering is a natural fit if you regularly fly with WestJet and want benefits tied to those trips, like the companion voucher and free checked bags. On the other hand, Avion offers flexibility if you want different options for spending your points. If your travel plans tend to vary from trip to trip, that flexibility can be valuable.

The bottom line

The WestJet RBC^® World Elite Mastercard^‡ may not be the right card for everyone, but its travel benefits can make the annual fee easier to justify for regular WestJet travellers. If you frequently check bags, travel with a companion, or can make use of the card’s other benefits, those perks can add up quickly.

FAQs

What are the main benefits of the WestJet RBC^® World Elite Mastercard^‡?

The main benefits of the WestJet RBC^® World Elite Mastercard^‡ include an annual round-trip companion voucher⁵ ($119 to $399 plus taxes and fees), free first checked bags⁴, lounge access via Mastercard Travel Pass by DragonPass¹², and status lift to earn higher WestJet status faster.

Is the WestJet RBC^® World Elite Mastercard^‡ worth the annual fee?

Whether the WestJet RBC^® World Elite Mastercard^‡ is worth the annual fee depends on the value you get from the card. If you regularly fly WestJet and can make use of benefits like the companion voucher and free checked bags, the card may offer enough value to justify the $139 annual fee.

Does the WestJet RBC^® World Elite Mastercard^‡ include free checked bags?

Yes, the WestJet RBC^® World Elite Mastercard^‡ includes free first checked bags for the cardholder and up to 8 travel companions on the same reservation⁴.