WestJet Spending Thresholds For Elite Status Are Increasing

WestJet just announced that status thresholds are increasing, so you’ll need to spend more to reach each current Elite tier. Most will view these changes as negative, although fewer Elite members could mean less competition for complimentary upgrades and other benefits.

Current vs. New Tier Qualifying Spend Requirement

WestJet has always been a revenue-based program, and the last increase was announced in late 2024 for the 2025 qualification year. The status thresholds remained unchanged in 2026, but 2027 will see the increases above, with a higher tier qualifying spend requirement.

As a reminder, the total base fare, plus 20% of the base package price for WestJet Vacations packages, counts as tier qualifying spend. “Other ATC”, baggage fees, and seat selection fees also count while “taxes, fees, and charges” do not.

2027 “Ease the Transition” Incentives

As a way to help ease the transition for Elite members, WestJet is offering two things:

• 50% Tier Qualifying Spend (TQS) bonus on flights booked by December 31 and flown between January 1 and March 31, 2027
• 50% Tier Qualifying Spend (TQS) bonus on the first $50,000 spent on eligible WestJet RBC Mastercard in 2027

Both matter for re-qualification, and small amounts add up. More on this below, but you get $200 in TQS for every $5,000 charged, so $50,000 in spending normally earns $2,000 in TQS. The 50% promotional bonus adds an extra $1,000 TQS, which covers half the increase in Gold TQS requirements.

Both incentives first require registration with WestJet.

Earn Status Faster with WestJet RBC World Elite

The reality of revenue-based programs is that there is no shortcut to Elite status and you will have to spend a significant chunk of cash to qualify for Elite benefits. Of course, the idea is that, as a loyal frequent flyer, you fly the airline a lot and would therefore spend cash booking flights anyway.

The only shortcut WestJet offers is Status Lift, which lets you earn tier qualifying spend through everyday spending on the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard. However, it’s more of a top-up than a real shortcut because you get $200 in tier qualifying spend for every $5,000 charged to your credit card per qualifying year.

Starting in 2027, you’ll be able to earn up to 75 Status Lifts annually, meaning a maximum of $375,000 in spending in exchange for $15,000 in tier qualifying spend. The previous maximum was 50 times, and it’s been raised to 75 with the new TQS requirements.

If solely earning tier qualifying spend through credit card spending, the following spend is required as of 2027 to reach each tier (without taking into account the transition incentive):

• $125,000 for Silver
• $200,000 for Gold
• $375,000 for Platinum

The pro is you can earn Elite status without flying, the con is significant spending on the co-branded card is required. Keep in mind the opportunity cost of spending on this card compared to using a different one, as well as how much you’ll actually take advantage of Elite benefits if you don’t actually fly WestJet often.

The above is mostly an exercise, as most members will qualify primarily through flying with credit card spending as supplementary.

Get WestJet Silver Status with Business Card

If Silver status is enough, the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard for Business offers a more direct route: you get Silver upon approval through December 31 of the following year. After that, you can retain it by spending $30,000 on the card annually.

WestJet Elite Status Benefits

The table below shows that Silver includes 2 free checked bags, priority check-in and boarding, and 6 lounge vouchers.

Gold adds unlimited lounge access with family privileges, along with most “expected” Elite perks like priority baggage, priority support, free same-day changes, and more. Platinum members get Zone 1 boarding and unlimited seat selection. Notably, all WestJet Elite members are eligible for complimentary upgrades (except when flying to/from Europe or Asia) prior to check-in and at the gate, though Silver and Gold members have to book EconoFlex to be eligible while Platinum members are eligible even with Econo fares.

Milestone Award Qualifying Spend Thresholds

Milestone Awards remain unchanged in 2027 and are earned as follows.

Notably, tier qualifying spend earned from credit card spending does not count towards qualifying for Milestone Awards.

I find it particularly interesting how many options are merchandise. At the higher tiers, many selectable items are coffee machines, headphones, and luggage. Having these options does make the WestJet Elite program feel more like a lifestyle loyalty program than an airline one.

The Blue Jays experience is interesting: the first member to reach $50,000 and select this award receives exclusive use of the WestJet suite for the member and up to 17 friends at a Toronto Blue Jays home game.

With The Increased Thresholds, Is WestJet Status Worth It?

Whether WestJet status is worth it comes down to how often you fly the airline and which benefits you actually use. Higher airfares due to rising fuel costs could help some members reach the new thresholds, since qualification is based on spending. Still, taking the same trips won’t necessarily mean spending more, let alone enough to offset a 25–50% increase. I’d look at your actual qualifying spend and travel plans before assuming you’ll retain the same tier.

If you live in Western Canada and your home airport is a WestJet hub, choosing WestJet makes sense for scheduling and mostly direct flights. But if you’re choosing between WestJet and Air Canada, Aeroplan Elite status is likely more rewarding because you get alliance-wide Star Alliance status, providing benefits well beyond Air Canada itself.

If you only fly WestJet a few times a year, picking up a WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard might be enough: it comes with a companion voucher (which you can also exchange for lounge passes) and a free checked bag for your entire party. The WestJet Elevation Lounge in Calgary also participates in Priority Pass and DragonPass, so your other cards that offer these benefits can get you in.

Takeaway

WestJet’s higher status thresholds are disappointing, particularly for Platinum members who will need to earn 50% more tier qualifying spend during 2027 to retain Platinum into 2028.. The silver lining is that Milestone Awards remain unchanged, and fewer members qualifying for Elite status could mean better upgrade opportunities for those who do.

Ultimately, I wouldn’t go out of my way to chase WestJet status unless I already fly the airline frequently. For travellers based in Western Canada, where WestJet offers convenient routes and schedules, Elite status can still provide meaningful value. But if you have a choice between WestJet and Air Canada, I’d lean toward Aeroplan Elite status for its broader Star Alliance benefits.

For occasional WestJet flyers, the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard may be the more practical choice. A free checked bag, companion voucher, and access to lounge benefits through other credit cards can cover many of the perks you’d actually use, without committing thousands of dollars in airfare to earn status.