It's a bad idea to convert RBC Avion points to Westjet Dollars
Jan 13, 2024, 8:33 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2024
Posts: 4
It's a bad idea to convert RBC Avion points to Westjet Dollars
Being a WestJet rewards holder, I thought it would be a good idea to exchange my Avion points for WestJet dollars. Bad idea. You can only use WJD on the base fare. In my case about 60% of the total cost of my trip. There's no way to reverse this process. My flights have now been cancelled (bad weather) with no replacements. Now, I can't change airlines either without significant cash outlay.
Never again!
Never again!
Jan 13, 2024, 12:41 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: YVR
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Plat (earned as Starwood), Canadian Amex Plat & resulting statuses, WestJet Silver
Posts: 663
Being a WestJet rewards holder, I thought it would be a good idea to exchange my Avion points for WestJet dollars. Bad idea. You can only use WJD on the base fare. In my case about 60% of the total cost of my trip. There's no way to reverse this process. My flights have now been cancelled (bad weather) with no replacements. Now, I can't change airlines either without significant cash outlay.
Never again!
Never again!
Jan 13, 2024, 9:27 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: YVR
Programs: Erstwhile Accidental AC E35K
Posts: 2,918
I did this about 8 or 10 years ago. It was good at first and I scored a few trips to LHR in business and first, but then the availability of flights from Canada became almost zero. I finally burned the last of my BA points on a hotel last year.
Jan 14, 2024, 10:33 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: YVR
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Plat (earned as Starwood), Canadian Amex Plat & resulting statuses, WestJet Silver
Posts: 663
You're not wrong about BA's award booking availability problems lately. Avios points were useful to have back when Cathay Pacific connected through YVR on its former HKG - JFK route. There was usually lots of availability for award bookings in Business and First and it was great to fly within North America on a wide body plane with an international class cabin configuration. Funnily enough, I've been using my Avios points for hotels too. I used some in Dublin in September for a completely cashless award stay (the hotel didn't even ask for a cc at check-in).
Jan 22, 2024, 10:46 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: YVR
Posts: 1,847
You're not wrong about BA's award booking availability problems lately. Avios points were useful to have back when Cathay Pacific connected through YVR on its former HKG - JFK route. There was usually lots of availability for award bookings in Business and First and it was great to fly within North America on a wide body plane with an international class cabin configuration. Funnily enough, I've been using my Avios points for hotels too. I used some in Dublin in September for a completely cashless award stay (the hotel didn't even ask for a cc at check-in).
Now I use my Avios to fly direct (one segment only!) from SEA on AS. Availability is still decent. It's a long drive from YVR, but I like to make a fun trip of it and leave the day before and go shopping on my way down. But time constraints lately have me wanting to fly out of YVR again, and the value isn't there with Avios when you have to connect.