Westjet Rewards launches Platinum Status
Oct 15, 2018, 1:01 pm
#31
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: YVR
Programs: WS Nothing, AC Something, AS Gold. Too big for 737Max washrooms
Posts: 893
I worded it a incorrectly or too vaguely - should have said voucher or any other special ticket offering is 5x the cost, but there is nothing in the terms and conditions of the program that would restrict usage for WS$ on base J ticket purchase (not including the usual restrictions on taxes and fees). So for example, current voucher costs of $99, $299 & $399 depending on destination may become $499, $1599 and $1999 for J usage.
Not all of us have the WS credit card. I have the "threshold" vouchers - the ones you get for spending $6,000 then $10,000. My understanding is that there is no way to use these for the J product. But now it seems like I can use WS$, so that's something. Still flying AF to CDG though.
Not being able to use the companion vouchers in J (even for example at half value) is a major failing.
Oct 15, 2018, 1:02 pm
#32
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: No single airline or hotel chain is of much use to me anymore.
Posts: 3,278
I wish them well but as I have always said I just don't see what they're offering that would shake anyone with Star Alliance loyalties loose.
Last edited by Error 601; Oct 15, 2018 at 2:50 pm Reason: auto-correct oops
Oct 15, 2018, 1:09 pm
#33
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,444
I think this will evolve in time. WestJet always has a fairly conservative launch to major initiatives, minimising unexpected outcomes and adverse effects on steady earnings. The normal approach is think big but start small, get the data then change as necessary. The fleet plan, destinations expansion, Rewards evolution, revenue growth, etc are all based on this steady growth approach.
Oct 15, 2018, 1:47 pm
#34
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: YVR
Programs: WS Nothing, AC Something, AS Gold. Too big for 737Max washrooms
Posts: 893
I think this will evolve in time. WestJet always has a fairly conservative launch to major initiatives, minimising unexpected outcomes and adverse effects on steady earnings. The normal approach is think big but start small, get the data then change as necessary. The fleet plan, destinations expansion, Rewards evolution, revenue growth, etc are all based on this steady growth approach.
Oct 15, 2018, 1:56 pm
#35
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: Air Canada 50K, Marriott Gold,
Posts: 206
I think this will evolve in time. WestJet always has a fairly conservative launch to major initiatives, minimising unexpected outcomes and adverse effects on steady earnings. The normal approach is think big but start small, get the data then change as necessary. The fleet plan, destinations expansion, Rewards evolution, revenue growth, etc are all based on this steady growth approach.
Oct 15, 2018, 4:11 pm
#36
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,444
You may not fit into the target market the product is aimed at, but many people will. The product will be adjusted over time to make sure the cost / benefit produces the right returns, but it isn't going to fit everyone.
Oct 15, 2018, 5:39 pm
#37
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: No single airline or hotel chain is of much use to me anymore.
Posts: 3,278
Your target market has been an Aeroplan devotee for the last twenty years, how does any of this entice them away?
Oct 15, 2018, 6:25 pm
#38
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,444
The initial Rewards program only targeted Prestige members in 2009, then gradually added E35K and just touched on E50K up until recently. The recent announcements will likely target higher end E50K and perhaps some E75K, but I don't think many E75K or any SE100K will be reachable without more significant changes. Time will tell on who the complete target market will be. There are also other customers who are not business flyers who are targeted with WestJet Business Class, who are spending their own money, not corporate money and don't expect discounts or other loyalty perks, they just want comfortable travel.
Oct 15, 2018, 8:49 pm
#39
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: YVR
Programs: WS Nothing, AC Something, AS Gold. Too big for 737Max washrooms
Posts: 893
To be clear, I retired from WestJet earlier this year, so don't represent the company.
The initial Rewards program only targeted Prestige members in 2009, then gradually added E35K and just touched on E50K up until recently. The recent announcements will likely target higher end E50K and perhaps some E75K, but I don't think many E75K or any SE100K will be reachable without more significant changes. Time will tell on who the complete target market will be. There are also other customers who are not business flyers who are targeted with WestJet Business Class, who are spending their own money, not corporate money and don't expect discounts or other loyalty perks, they just want comfortable travel.
The initial Rewards program only targeted Prestige members in 2009, then gradually added E35K and just touched on E50K up until recently. The recent announcements will likely target higher end E50K and perhaps some E75K, but I don't think many E75K or any SE100K will be reachable without more significant changes. Time will tell on who the complete target market will be. There are also other customers who are not business flyers who are targeted with WestJet Business Class, who are spending their own money, not corporate money and don't expect discounts or other loyalty perks, they just want comfortable travel.
If WS were to join Skyteam, that would be a significant inducement. Being able to access the priciest/nicest seats would be another.
Oct 16, 2018, 7:04 am
#40
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 609
Providing additional benefits over time is a great approach but where Westjet makes a misstep is in not offering enough incentive right from the start. As many have already mentioned this new program isn't enticing enough for loyal customers of the competition to switch and that is the business that Westjet is really targeting with recent changes.
No one likes when programs erode benefits but it is common place and expected over time. That is why I think it would be better now to offer more and try to build a new customer base faster as opposed to a slow build and offering more rewards over time.
No one likes when programs erode benefits but it is common place and expected over time. That is why I think it would be better now to offer more and try to build a new customer base faster as opposed to a slow build and offering more rewards over time.
Oct 16, 2018, 2:01 pm
#41
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: YYC
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Fairmont Plat, IHG Spire, SPG Gold, WS Gold, Hertz PC, National E Elite,
Posts: 2,764
Oct 16, 2018, 2:54 pm
#42
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: No single airline or hotel chain is of much use to me anymore.
Posts: 3,278
I honestly think where this is coming from is a desire not to set themselves up as a poor man's transatlantic J right out of the gate and obviously the 787 represents too great an investment to launch a race to the bottom with it. But how they connect with the premium traveler with what they're offering today is unclear to me.
I am personally spread too thin between three or four airlines in a given year to be valuable to any of them, but I know a lot of people who are way up there in Aeroplan and MileagePlus land and their attitude towards WestJet is generally positive but they will only fly WestJet if it is a non-stop flight at a better time and I don't think any of them are going to pay the fares WestJet is advertising today just to try out WestJet business class.
Nov 3, 2018, 11:49 am
#43
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Canada
Programs: Marriott Plat; Air Canada E75K; Westjet Platinum
Posts: 1,161
Talked to Gold line rep and was told Platinum benefits not officially in effect. What if you qualify for Platinum prior to official start date? Not sure if it will be retroactively applied. Hard to spend more money with them with so many unknown.
Nov 3, 2018, 6:40 pm
#44
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: BGI (ex-YYC, YYZ)
Programs: AC*G-E100K (once again)
Posts: 1,701
As someone who spends a lot on flights a year and values a good program, still a waste and not attractive. I am currently gold with Air Canada and Silver with Delta. Why do i need WestJet?
WestJet needs to:
1. Join SkyTeam
2. Enter into more codeshares with Delta
3. Enter into more international codeshares with Air France/KLM. Ben Smith is there, should help.
WestJet needs to:
1. Join SkyTeam
2. Enter into more codeshares with Delta
3. Enter into more international codeshares with Air France/KLM. Ben Smith is there, should help.
Nov 11, 2018, 1:48 pm
#45
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 336
The initial Rewards program only targeted Prestige members in 2009, then gradually added E35K and just touched on E50K up until recently. The recent announcements will likely target higher end E50K and perhaps some E75K, but I don't think many E75K or any SE100K will be reachable without more significant changes. Time will tell on who the complete target market will be.
There is a significant rewards program void for frequent short hauler, and WS could help fill this. Make upgrades and lounge passes transferable, at least some of them. I have 20 PPL passes a year from various sources - last year I was able to use 3. (Most of the MLL’s are mediocre, a weak benefit) I also have about 40 AC upgrade credits, of which I was able to use about 5. If I could wholly transfer my privileges to another person, this would make me feel infinitely better about my time away from home. A number of *A partners allow family accrual, so there is president, and it is doable.
I just learned above about the now defunct free drink for WS Golds... that’s a little on the right track. How about free seat selection on booking, free upgrades on availability 72hrs out (as above), free changes, etc. To be fair my experience has been pretty good, but is up to the discretion of the agent. Add in some better earning ratios, and we’re getting somewhere.
The void I speak of is real, and it’s tiresome to hear about SE’s which spent a fraction of the time and $ I do to/from/on AC planes, upgrading and sipping their champagne. Meanwhile I slog it out in segments and end up with *G I mostly can’t use. To put another way, in AC land, if they recognized me as a SE-short hopper, I would probably have less “cost” to them as an average E50K benefits, but I would feel better actually being able to gift away a low membership, and not pay ripoff rates for occasional redemptions. There are lessons for WS in this.
