Do westjet dollars still expire after five years?
Jan 4, 2017, 12:38 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: YOW/HBA
Programs: Qantas Silver, MileagePlus Silver
Posts: 418
If you live in Ontario, your Westjet dollars will not expire because of the date it was earned.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/repor...ticle33211454/
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/repor...ticle33211454/
Jan 4, 2017, 3:42 pm
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 56,443
I was awaiting some clarification on this one as it wouldn't make any sense to have one rule for Ontario and another for everywhere else so expect they will just issue a notice saying banked miles do not expire. Maybe our resident WestJet lurker can help address this matter.
Jan 9, 2017, 4:45 pm
#5
Company Representative: WestJet
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Calgary
Programs: WestJet Rewards
Posts: 292
I was awaiting some clarification on this one as it wouldn't make any sense to have one rule for Ontario and another for everywhere else so expect they will just issue a notice saying banked miles do not expire. Maybe our resident WestJet lurker can help address this matter.
At this time, expiry dates continue to apply to all WestJet dollars. The Ontario government passed Bill 47 on December 5, 2016, however there are still many steps to be taken before it becomes law. The Ontario government issued a news release stating that the new law will not come into force until later in 2017 after the government talks with consumers and businesses about how best to implement the change.
We will, of course, ensure that we comply with all applicable laws. Until we have all the details, however, we won’t be able to provide more information about precisely how we will proceed.
Mandy
WestJet
Jan 9, 2017, 9:56 pm
#6
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I appreciate the update Mandy and it's always good to see how things will shake out but how many ways can there be to remove loyalty program expiry dates?
Jan 9, 2017, 10:13 pm
#7
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Off the top of my head, at least
- No expiration for anyone.
- Expiration based on registered address.
- Redefine the program to work around the law.
- Cancel the program for Ontario residents.
- Cancel the program for everyone.
Jan 10, 2017, 8:51 pm
#9
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I think that's the least likely option, and that (b) and (d) are most likely not just for WestJet, but for every other airline and hotel program in the world. Airlines and hotels would lose too much money if they couldn't rely on breakage. There are precedents for (d), as many promotions and offers are already not available to residents of Quebec.
Jan 10, 2017, 9:36 pm
#10
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I think that's the least likely option, and that (b) and (d) are most likely not just for WestJet, but for every other airline and hotel program in the world. Airlines and hotels would lose too much money if they couldn't rely on breakage. There are precedents for (d), as many promotions and offers are already not available to residents of Quebec.
Ending WJ Rewards would involve many things including the CC deal with RBC. And with the introduction of Plus and wooing away the business traveller from AC ending a loyalty program that rewards those high flyers would also seem a poor strategy.
Just MHO and YMMV.
Jan 12, 2017, 2:27 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 227
Further clarification request
Hi all,
At this time, expiry dates continue to apply to all WestJet dollars. The Ontario government passed Bill 47 on December 5, 2016, however there are still many steps to be taken before it becomes law. The Ontario government issued a news release stating that the new law will not come into force until later in 2017 after the government talks with consumers and businesses about how best to implement the change.
We will, of course, ensure that we comply with all applicable laws. Until we have all the details, however, we won’t be able to provide more information about precisely how we will proceed.
Mandy
WestJet
At this time, expiry dates continue to apply to all WestJet dollars. The Ontario government passed Bill 47 on December 5, 2016, however there are still many steps to be taken before it becomes law. The Ontario government issued a news release stating that the new law will not come into force until later in 2017 after the government talks with consumers and businesses about how best to implement the change.
We will, of course, ensure that we comply with all applicable laws. Until we have all the details, however, we won’t be able to provide more information about precisely how we will proceed.
Mandy
WestJet
Hi Mandy,
I may be wrong, but I believe that it is a law, since that is what an act becomes once it is passed by the legislature.
My understanding is also that the law says that any points put to death after October 1 2016 will need to be restored.
The government can consult as much as it likes, and compose regulations, but the law is the law and has already been passed .If that is the case , I would hope that westjet could get in front of this and provide some clarification soon, not wait until (perhaps only a few) customers are inconvenienced, and the man is at their door. So hopefully you can relay this opinion to your colleagues as well. Thank you
Last edited by Jared Ito; Jan 12, 2017 at 2:33 am
Jan 12, 2017, 7:15 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,444
This is the current state of Bill 47: "The new law was approved by the legislature on December 5, 2016 and will come into force in 2017 after we talk with consumers and businesses about how best to implement the change." https://www.ontario.ca/page/reward-points
Jun 17, 2017, 5:07 pm
#14
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