WestJet, Qantas Frequent Flyer Agreement

CALGARY — WestJet and Qantas have signed a reciprocal agreement whereby members of the airlines’ frequent flyer programs can earn their choice of WestJet dollars or Qantas points when travelling on flights of either airline, it was announced last month. This agreement expands on the existing codeshare relationship between Qantas and WestJet announced in 2014.

“This will be a significant improvement to our reward program value proposition,” said Bob Cummings, WestJet executive vice-president.

Qantas frequent flyers can also redeem Qantas points on Qantas codeshare flights operated by WestJet, giving Qantas frequent flyers access to many WestJet destinations throughout Canada and the U.S. when connecting to or from a Qantas international service.

Currently, WestJet and Qantas are working on plans to introduce fully reciprocal redemption for both airlines in 2017, so WestJet members will be able to 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, with 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.

The Qantas Group comprises Qantas Domestic, Qantas International, the Jetstar low-cost carrier group and Qantas Loyalty. Each week, the Qantas Group operates more than 7,300 flights and, together with its codeshare and oneworld partners, offers flights to more than 1,200 destinations around the world.