It's a three-peat!

MoneySense magazine ranks WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard top travel rewards card for the third consecutive year

CALGARY, Sept. 22, 2015 /CNW/ - The WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard has done it again. Following top marks in 2013 and 2014, it is once again rated first in the travel rewards category.

"The WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard remains Canada's top travel rewards card because of its high value, flexibility, premium features and connection to WestJet Rewards," said Marshall Wilmot, WestJet Senior Vice-President, Marketing and Digital. "With $250 WestJet dollars as a welcome bonus, an annual $99 round-trip companion flight and the first checked bag free for the primary cardholder and up to eight additional guests on the same reservation, this card delivers exactly what travel rewards cardholders are looking for."

"For the third consecutive year, the MoneySense ranking has reinforced our shared commitment with WestJet to provide Canadians with the benefits they value in a travel rewards card," said Linda Mantia, Executive Vice-President, Cards and Payment Solutions, RBC. "The WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard offers our clients a suite of premium benefits unmatched in Canada. Clients enjoy being part of a flexible rewards program that makes it easy to travel where, when and how they want with WestJet."

According to MoneySense.ca, the magazine examined more than 200 credit cards issued by more than a dozen lending institutions and retail outlets. Its ranking is based on each card's rewards program offerings including cash-back, travel and retail rewards for consumers, businesses and students. The data is current as of July 2015. For more information on the methodology, please visit moneysense.ca.

WestJet is the only national airline in Canada that still owns and operates its rewards program, offering members online, direct and immediate access to seats like cash toward any WestJet flight without any restrictions or blackout periods. The number-one-ranked WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard allows cardholders to earn WestJet dollars for every purchase made that can be redeemed in any amount, to anywhere WestJet flies, at any time. The primary cardholder also receives a welcome bonus of $250 WestJet dollars, a yearly companion flight for $99 in Canada and the continental US (excludes Hawaii and Puerto Rico), plus applicable taxes, fees and charges and their first checked bag free for themselves and up to eight additional guests travelling on the same reservation.

About WestJet
We are proud to be Canada's highest-rated airline for customer service, powered by an award-winning culture of care and recognized as one of the country's top employers. We offer scheduled service to 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe. Through our regional airline, WestJet Encore, and with partnerships with airlines representing every major region of the world, we offer our guests more than 120 destinations in more than 20 countries. Leveraging WestJet's extensive network, flight schedule and remarkable guest experience, WestJet Vacations delivers affordable, flexible travel experiences with a variety of accommodation options for every guest. Members of our WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more. Our members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of WestJet flights and vacations packages on any day, at any time, to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods ̶  even on seat sales. For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.

Recent recognition includes:
2015 Best Employers in Canada (Aon Hewitt)
2015/2014/2013 WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard ranked #1 in Canada (MoneySense magazine)
2014/2013 WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard ranked #1 in the Canada's Choice ranking (RewardsCanada.ca)
2014 Interbrand Canada's Best Canadian Brands (Rank #20)
2014 Brands of the Year (Strategy magazine)
2014 Canada's Most Preferred Airline (Ipsos)
2014 Value Airline of the Year (Air Transport World magazine)
2014/2013/2012 Canada's Most Attractive Employer (Randstad)
and
2014/2013/2012/2011 Highest equity score: airline, vacation package supplier brands (Harris/Decima EquiTrend Study)

Connect with WestJet on Facebook at facebook.com/westjet
Follow WestJet on Twitter at twitter.com/westjet
Subscribe to WestJet on YouTube at youtube.com/westjet
Read the WestJet blog at blog.westjet.com

About RBC:
Royal Bank of Canada is Canada's largest bank, and one of the largest banks in the world, based on market capitalization. We are one of North America's leading diversified financial services companies, and provide personal and commercial banking, wealth management, insurance, investor services and capital markets products and services on a global basis. We employ approximately 79,000 full- and part-time employees who serve more than 16 million personal, business, public sector and institutional clients through offices in Canada, the U.S. and 38 other countries. For more information, please visit rbc.com.

RBC supports a broad range of community initiatives through donations, sponsorships and employee volunteer activities. In 2014, we contributed more than $111 million to causes worldwide, including donations and community investments of more than $76 million and $35 million in sponsorships.

SOURCE WestJet

Media contacts:
Media Relations, 1-888-WJ-4-NEWS (1-888-954-6397), [email protected].

Heather Colquhoun, RBC, 416-974-3283, [email protected]