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In the Canadian miles & points scene, I often hear of using Delta SkyMiles to book WestJet flights. However, using Air France KLM Flying Blue is often better, especially for international flights.
It goes without saying that redeeming WestJet Rewards points does not offer outsized value, as the fixed redemption rate is 1 cent per point.
WestJet also does not release business class award space to its partners, so this article will focus only on economy. I’m placing little emphasis on the taxes/fees portion of award flights since neither Delta nor Flying Blue passes on any high fuel surcharges for WestJet, and the dollar amounts are usually within $20 of each other.
Earning Points to Fly WestJet
Both Delta SkyMiles and Flying Blue can be earned by transferring Amex Membership Rewards (MR). MR transfers to Flying Blue at a 1:1 ratio, while it transfers to Delta at a worse 1:0.75 ratio. Flying Blue also has its Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard issued by Brim, but there is no signup offer right now.
You can also use Virgin Atlantic points to book WestJet flights, which can be a pretty good deal. Virgin Atlantic points can be earned with most major U.S. banks at a 1:1 transfer ratio, with frequent 40% transfer bonuses.
Within North America
Within North America, the best currency to use depends on how far you’re travelling. Notably, Delta SkyMiles charges a minimum of 15,000 miles one-way.
Short-Haul Flights
Flying Blue is the winner for short-haul flights. Calgary-Vancouver costs 5,500 miles + $55 one-way.
An even shorter flight, like Toronto-Montreal, costs 5,000 miles + $62.
In comparison, Delta charges its floor price of 15,000 SkyMiles.
Transcontinental Flights
For flights across the continent, the math is more nuanced. As SkyMiles maintains its floor rate of 15,000 miles for a flight like Toronto-Vancouver, it represents a decent deal.
For a flight this length, Flying Blue will charge 18,500 miles + $73.51, so the fees are a little lower with Delta as well.
An even longer flight, such as Calgary-Halifax, costs 15,000 SkyMiles or 20,500 Flying Blue miles.
The longer the transcontinental flight, the more likely it is to be a better deal with Delta SkyMiles at just 15,000. If you’re transferring Amex MR from Canada, it’s more of a toss-up given the worse transfer ratio.
Using SkyMiles makes sense if you have a stash of Amex U.S. MR, as that transfers to Delta at a 1:1 ratio.
If we look at flights with a connection, it’s kind of random whether Delta will show the flight at all. I was able to find Vancouver-Calgary-St. John’s for 29,000 Flying Blue, while Delta’s website shows no results.
Another example with a connection is Seattle-Calgary-Ottawa, which costs 21,500 Flying Blue or 17,500 SkyMiles. Taking the transfer ratio into account, Flying Blue is better.
Taking a step back from WestJet, I don’t love paying 20,000+ miles for a one-way economy flight across Canada, and you should also consider other options like Aeroplan.
Caribbean & Mexico
Flying Blue is by far the better option for flights to Mexico and the Caribbean. For short flights like Toronto-Punta Cana, Flying Blue charges 18,500 miles, while SkyMiles charges 35,000 miles (itineraries on Delta metal start at a lower 25,000 miles).
For longer flights like Calgary-Montego Bay, Delta charges 42,000 miles, while Flying Blue charges just 26,500 miles.
Flying Across an Ocean
I must be preaching to the choir by this point, but Flying Blue is the correct option for flying any long-haul WestJet across an ocean. Looking at a direct flight from Calgary to Rome, Delta charges 115,000 SkyMiles, while Flying Blue charges a more reasonable 41,000 miles.
It gets even worse for SkyMiles on international itineraries with a connection on WestJet. Last week, I booked Tokyo-Calgary-Ottawa for 54,500 Flying Blue miles, while the itinerary does not exist on the Delta website at all. I might’ve been able to phone Delta to price this trip, but based on the price of Calgary-Rome above, I figured it wasn’t worth the effort.
Changes, Cancellations, and Other Considerations
When deciding which points to use, it’s important to consider the change and cancellation policy. Delta is better in this regard, with free changes and cancellation. Flying Blue charges €70 per person to change or cancel your award booking.
However, Delta SkyMiles charges more for partner awards booked close to the departure date, and partner award pricing on WestJet increases once you’re within 3 weeks of travel.
Takeaway
If you’re earning SkyMiles and Flying Blue primarily through Canadian Amex MR, then Flying Blue is the best way to book flights on WestJet. The Flying Blue transfer ratio has recently increased to 1:1, while SkyMiles has a 1:0.75 transfer ratio. In many cases, when Delta appears cheaper, it’s actually not once the transfer ratio is baked in.
If you are able to earn Amex MR in the U.S., that does change things, and paying 15,000 SkyMiles over 20,000 Flying Blue with Delta’s more generous change and cancellation policy now makes sense.
On international itineraries, Flying Blue offers substantially cheaper redemptions.
