Westjet Gold Status Match
Nov 1, 2014, 11:00 am
#33
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 6,222
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How soon until AC responds to the WestJet ad with an ad of their own?
Originally Posted by Shareholder
The G&M has two full pages advertising this Status Match, the first page talking about AC's benefits reduction (though not by name)...the second page outlining the status match details (as found on the web site). The battle has begun in the public realm!
Nov 2, 2014, 9:23 am
#34
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan 75K, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,374
Just submitted my status match. Ever since I made Air Canada Elite status (and later E50K) seven years ago, I've only been on WestJet once. Looks like that's about to change in 2015!
Nov 2, 2014, 11:44 am
#35
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: The World
Programs: WS Platinum, Marriott Titanium, DL Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 1,478
After having my cross-border flying Rouged by Air Canada - and after AC making it clear that they no longer give a hoot whether customers even fit in a seat (much less have a pleasant experience), I consider myself to have been fired as a customer by AC. This week's Altitude changes seal the deal.
In the past few months, I've used multiple airlines - no longer loyal to AC and Star Alliance - and all's been perfectly fine. With only a NEXUS card in my wallet (and no FF card or membership) I've had surprisingly good travel experiences. (And none as awful as flying Rouge even with Altitude status!)
To Westjet: thank you for the status match opportunity!! This is awesome, and the almost immediate response to my request blew me away. Unlike AC's typical 30 day turnaround to any inquiry with a form letter, my match was confirmed amazingly fast. With Gold status and with a great selection of nonstops ex YYC, I'm yours.
To my former fellow AC fliers: No, WS has no business class and the Gold status doesn't provide upgrades. But, ahem, unless you're SE status with AC, their freshly gutted Altitude program doesn't either.
And I am THRILLED with the earlier comment here by the WS company rep about their move to slimline seats! Unlike what AC has done, Westjet won't be using slimline to compress legroom. Instead, they plan to use them to improve legroom! Awesome!
My one request: the gap in the program is lack of reciprocal benefits with your partner carriers, specifically AA and DL. My travel takes me places that your partners go to, but that you don't. Are you planning to add earning ability and reciprocal benefits with your partners?
In the past few months, I've used multiple airlines - no longer loyal to AC and Star Alliance - and all's been perfectly fine. With only a NEXUS card in my wallet (and no FF card or membership) I've had surprisingly good travel experiences. (And none as awful as flying Rouge even with Altitude status!)
To Westjet: thank you for the status match opportunity!! This is awesome, and the almost immediate response to my request blew me away. Unlike AC's typical 30 day turnaround to any inquiry with a form letter, my match was confirmed amazingly fast. With Gold status and with a great selection of nonstops ex YYC, I'm yours.
To my former fellow AC fliers: No, WS has no business class and the Gold status doesn't provide upgrades. But, ahem, unless you're SE status with AC, their freshly gutted Altitude program doesn't either.
And I am THRILLED with the earlier comment here by the WS company rep about their move to slimline seats! Unlike what AC has done, Westjet won't be using slimline to compress legroom. Instead, they plan to use them to improve legroom! Awesome!
My one request: the gap in the program is lack of reciprocal benefits with your partner carriers, specifically AA and DL. My travel takes me places that your partners go to, but that you don't. Are you planning to add earning ability and reciprocal benefits with your partners?
Nov 2, 2014, 12:22 pm
#36
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: YXT
Programs: AC*E50, SPG Plat,
Posts: 575
Not to mention that same Amex Platinum will get you 10% off Westjet base fares (reported to still be alive in the Canadian Amex review thread here on FT). The discount may not benefit corporate travelers (depending on their travel booking processes), but it's still something that can deliver value to a cardholder.
Nov 2, 2014, 12:44 pm
#37
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: YYC
Programs: AC*SE100K
Posts: 243
I'm submitting my Status Match today.
Darren - one question - I'm looking at moving to AA's FF program for my international travel (BA/CX/QF mainly), so if I fly on WJ but credit my points to AA do I still get the benefit of Gold on WJ?
Darren - one question - I'm looking at moving to AA's FF program for my international travel (BA/CX/QF mainly), so if I fly on WJ but credit my points to AA do I still get the benefit of Gold on WJ?
Nov 2, 2014, 2:17 pm
#38
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E50K (*G) WS Gold | SPG/Fairmont Plat Hilton/Hyatt Diamond Marriott Silver | National Exec Elite
Posts: 19,284
If you do so, you do not retire your $6k quota to hit Gold for 2016. **Confirmed**
Nov 3, 2014, 9:30 pm
#40
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 1
I'm a rookie here. I flew enough that I will qualify for AC 35k this year, but most of my travel in 2015 is going to be to YYC and the westjet Gold status would be a huge benefit for me.
When are the Altitude membership cards usually issued? AC's website seems to suggest sometime after December 31, but they give no exact date.
Do you guys think it will be possible to status match before the offer ends in January?
When are the Altitude membership cards usually issued? AC's website seems to suggest sometime after December 31, but they give no exact date.
Do you guys think it will be possible to status match before the offer ends in January?
Nov 3, 2014, 10:30 pm
#41
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: YYZ/YUL
Programs: UA 1K, AC nadda, DL, WS-Nadda
Posts: 1,476
We promise we're not trying to make it hard! The yellow call-to-action button is actually just a link to an email account: [email protected]
Just email us with:
1. Your first and last name.
2. Your 9-digit WestJet ID (provided to you upon joining WestJet Rewards). If you’re not already a member you can join now.
3. A scanned copy of your membership card in the other Canadian airline's frequent flyer program showing your name and 2014 or 2015 top tier status. Or, send us a copy of a recent boarding pass from travel taken on the same airline showing your status.
Cheers,
Darren
Also, how nice of you to call me "Mr. WestJet" but I can think of 10,000 others more deserving of the title.
Just email us with:
1. Your first and last name.
2. Your 9-digit WestJet ID (provided to you upon joining WestJet Rewards). If you’re not already a member you can join now.
3. A scanned copy of your membership card in the other Canadian airline's frequent flyer program showing your name and 2014 or 2015 top tier status. Or, send us a copy of a recent boarding pass from travel taken on the same airline showing your status.
Cheers,
Darren
Also, how nice of you to call me "Mr. WestJet" but I can think of 10,000 others more deserving of the title.
My problem is that most of my recent AC flights have been credited to UA.
Will you accept those?
Nov 4, 2014, 4:56 am
#42
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Toronto
Programs: AC*SE100K 1MM, Little Lebowski Urban Achiever
Posts: 735
I will be cross 1MM in the next. Two weeks, so will have AC *G for life. I intend to fly OO for most of my travel, but WJ would be very convenient for some direct flights for me. If they will recognize WJ G but allow me to credit to AA, they will have another customer, but I understand the difficulty of the logistics doing this.
Nov 4, 2014, 8:49 am
#43
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 283
I'm a rookie here. I flew enough that I will qualify for AC 35k this year, but most of my travel in 2015 is going to be to YYC and the westjet Gold status would be a huge benefit for me.
When are the Altitude membership cards usually issued? AC's website seems to suggest sometime after December 31, but they give no exact date.
Do you guys think it will be possible to status match before the offer ends in January?
When are the Altitude membership cards usually issued? AC's website seems to suggest sometime after December 31, but they give no exact date.
Do you guys think it will be possible to status match before the offer ends in January?
Exceptions: If you early qualify for new "higher" status pre Oct 1, then you get early qualificaiton package immediately. If you have qualified for SE already (since you will not gain a higher status), you may get it early - some claimed to have received it as early as the last week of December. For 35k, my personal experience as a E75k is that you are not going to see it until the regular delivery dates of February.
Suggestion: WS is allowing match as long as BP shows status, qualify for E35k then send in a BP instead of the card. Been a long time since I was 25k, WS only requires 25k so if your BP show prestige 25k, send that in.
Nov 4, 2014, 1:02 pm
#44
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: YQR
Programs: AC SE 100K, Marriot Lifetime Platinum Elite
Posts: 76
Nov 4, 2014, 4:35 pm
#45
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SE (*A Gold), Bonvoy Platinum Elite, Hilton Gold, Amex Platinum / AP Reserve, NEXUS, Global Entry
Posts: 5,691