What is your favorite reward credit card?

[killramos]

Yea but use that same $400 voucher to fly to Italy or Spain with a 1400 ticket and now you are cooking with fire.

[roopi]

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So an itinerary like this to Mexico, how would it work with the voucher?
Attachment 110914

I would take 1 base fare which is $608.02 and replace it with $399? All other fees stay the same? So something like this would be a $209 savings compared to not having the voucher? I suppose $209 off is decent but it’s not really as lucrative as I would have thought before digging in to the details.

To roopi’s point, with FYF it’s probably worth doing but I did want to avoid a credit check if it wasn’t worth it in the end.

Yes your calculation is correct. The cost of $399 to use to go to Mexico/Caribbean is high. Usually best value is using the voucher in North America. The other option is you use it for premium seating/class.

[bjstare]

Yeah the real play is to use it on business class fares.

Also, why would you want to avoid a credit check? Who cares?

[ExtraSlow]

For sure the value of the companion voucher is different based on the base fare. If you have flexible travel dates and get a great deal on the base fare, it's less of an issue.
But if you are looking for that one direct flight on a busy day, it's very good.

[Euro_Trash]

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Yeah the real play is to use it on business class fares.

Also, why would you want to avoid a credit check? Who cares?

Is the "Westjet-wide companion voucher" different than the annual one you get with the card? We were looking at Europe and I was planning to book Business but it explicitly states Economy and Premium only for this pass.

[bjstare]

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Is the "Westjet-wide companion voucher" different than the annual one you get with the card? We were looking at Europe and I was planning to book Business but it explicitly states Economy and Premium only for this pass.

In years past, the one with the card was better than the one you get when you achieve status milestones (which I believe is the one you mentioned above?). That being said, I've never tried to book trans-atlantic, and things seem to be changing every few months at WJ... so I won't be much help here.

[ThePenIsMightier]

I save the vouchers for long-haul trips within Canada. A $600-$800 ticket becomes $120 + fees/taxes/theft.
Actually, it might even be $0 +tax/etc this year due to the CoVids. I can't recall what they did last year.
Flying to Vancouver is terrible value for the vouchers.

[killramos]

Yea this is a great program For visiting newfies.

[jacky4566]

Anyone know if you can get a AMEX card in US dollar?

Thinking of starting a new side hustle and having a USD credit card is going to be critical for purchasing.

[bjstare]

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Yea this is a great program For visiting newfies.

Indeed, but the best program for visiting newfies is to simply not visit newfies.

[ExtraSlow]

I don't know about Amex, but RBC does USD cards and can give you a "local" US bank account if you need for wire transfers or payments.

[roopi]

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Anyone know if you can get a AMEX card in US dollar?

Thinking of starting a new side hustle and having a USD credit card is going to be critical for purchasing.

I've never seen a USD Amex offered before. The only USD card that offers any rewards in Canada is with RBC. It's only 1% back in points but better than nothing.

Edit * I think CIBC came out with a USD card as well with travel points.

[flipstah]

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Yeah the real play is to use it on business class fares.

Also, why would you want to avoid a credit check? Who cares?

From WJ below:
https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/reward...panion-voucher

Valid on all published Basic, Econo, EconoFlex, Premium, and PremiumFlex fares wholly marketed and operated by WestJet, including seat sales. Not valid on Business, BusinessFlex or Member Exclusive fares, nor combinable with a discount code. The same fare type must be booked for primary cardholder and companion.

[killramos]

Even using it on premium is still a pretty good deal for most WJ flights.

[flipstah]

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Even using it on premium is still a pretty good deal for most WJ flights.

The trick I found so far is just using the voucher for Economy Flex and pay extra for bulk head seating.

Lots of leg room

[killramos]

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The trick I found so far is just using the voucher for Economy Flex and pay extra for bulk head seating.

Lots of leg room

Leg room is the least offensive part of flying cattle class

[flipstah]

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Leg room is the least offensive part of flying cattle class

Moooooo

Premium class is the S-line/M edition of flying

You want business class lie flats

[sabad66]

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The trick I found so far is just using the voucher for Economy Flex and pay extra for bulk head seating.

Lots of leg room

I feel like it’s a waste to book econoflex if you have this card because you get free checked bags anyways. So all you’re paying extra for is free seat selection and full credit back if you cancel.

Anyways lots of good info here, appreciate all the responses.

[littledan]

the premium economy can be pretty nice, especially on the dreamliner for europe flights.

I'm not aware of this $399 fee or anything though? When i recently used companion voucher, I just had to pay the taxes/fees portion as the base fare was covered. Not sure. booked steerage class though since I'm w/ the fam. Last year i was Westjet platinum and it was nice getting upgraded to premium on every single flight except when it was a q400 and makes literally 0 diff except the free boos.

[yipb]

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Anyone know if you can get a AMEX card in US dollar?

Thinking of starting a new side hustle and having a USD credit card is going to be critical for purchasing.

You’ll have to get a USA amex for USD amex