WestJet, Qantas unveil reciprocal frequent flyer agreement

Agreement expands on existing code-share relationship

CALGARY, May 24, 2016 /CNW/ - Today WestJet and Qantas Airways (Qantas) announced a reciprocal frequent flyer agreement where members of the airlines' frequent flyer programs can earn their choice of WestJet dollars or Qantas Points when travelling on flights of either airline. This agreement expands on the existing code-share relationship between Qantas and WestJet announced in 2014.

"We are thrilled to team up with Qantas to bring significant benefit to guests of both airlines," said Bob Cummings, WestJet Executive Vice-President, Commercial. "We are confident that our members are going to love earning WestJet dollars while flying on the Qantas global network, and we are equally excited to welcome Qantas frequent flyers aboard and offer them a new opportunity to earn Qantas Points everywhere WestJet flies.

"This will be a significant improvement to our reward program value proposition," Cummings continued. "Our research showed that global travel is a significant aspirational attribute that our program needs. We have come a long way with our rewards program and airline partnerships since launching in 2010, and will continue to add value to our guests through these vehicles going forward. Adding these capabilities to our rewards program and working with our airline partners are all part of our long-term strategic plan."

Effective May 24, 2016 Qantas Frequent Flyers can also redeem Qantas Points on Qantas code-share flights operated by WestJet, giving Qantas Frequent Flyers access to numerous WestJet destinations throughout Canada and the USA when connecting to or from a Qantas international service. WestJet and Qantas are currently working on plans to introduce fully reciprocal redemption for both airlines in 2017, so WestJet members will be able redeem on Qantas flights and Qantas Frequent Flyers will be able to redeem on WestJet flights. 

"Not surprisingly, travel is the number one interest of Qantas Frequent Flyers so we know our members will be excited about being able to earn and use their points when travelling with WestJet," said Lesley Grant, Qantas Loyalty CEO. "Qantas Frequent Flyer has more than 50 airline partners and affiliates, which gives our members access to over 1,200 destinations and this partnership with WestJet opens up even more new routes for them to fly while earning and using their Qantas Points."

WestJet Rewards members earn WestJet dollars on flights and vacation packages with WestJet, WestJet Vacations, and select partner airlines, as well as on purchases made with the WestJet RBC MasterCard. WestJet dollars act like cash and can be redeemed anywhere WestJet flies, at any time. Full details of the program can be found at westjet.com/rewards.

About Qantas
Founded in regional Queensland in 1920 – as Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services – Qantas is one of Australia's most iconic brands and has played a central role in the development of the Australian and international aviation industry. Today the Qantas Group is a diverse global aviation business, comprising Qantas Domestic, Qantas International, the Jetstar low-cost carrier group and Qantas Loyalty. The Qantas Group operates more than 7,300 flights each week and, together with its code-share and oneworld partners, offers flights to more than 1,200 destinations around the world, carrying over 50 million passengers each year. Qantas is ranked one of the top 10 airlines in the world by Skytrax, and holds many major awards for service, food and wine, technology and innovation. There are more than 11.2 million members in the Qantas Frequent Flyer program. For more information on how to earn and use Qantas Points as a Qantas Frequent Flyer, visit www.qantas.com.

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 150 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:
2015/2011/2010/2008/2007/2006/2005 Canada's Most Admired Corporate Culture (Waterstone Human Capital)
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)
2014/2013/2012/2011 Highest equity score: airline, vacation package supplier brands (Harris/Decima EquiTrend Study)

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SOURCE WestJet

Media contacts: To contact WestJet media relations, please email [email protected]; To contact Qantas media relations, please call [phone] or email [email protected].