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Today we see the launch of WestJet Rewards’ first ever reciprocal frequent flyer benefits for their elite tier members. Up until now all of WestJet’s frequent flyer partnerships were limited to the earning and burning of WestJet dollars (or the reciprocal airline’s points or miles) with no recognition of status or benefits with those partnerships. Well that’s changed now as WestJet and Delta have expanded their partnership on the frequent flyer side despite their joint venture being put on hold. They are also introducing reciprocal benefits for non-elite and elite members alike who are fly WestJet Business Class or Delta One (Delta’s business class).
Let’s dive right in to what this expanded reciprocal partnership means. From preferred seating to priority check in and lounge access, the benefits are pretty sweet for elite members across both programs:
There some restrictions and conditions in place however for these benefits so please read on to find details on each benefit as to who it is available to, how to access it etc.:
Complimentary preferred seats:
Available for WestJet Rewards Silver, Gold and Platinum Elite members when flying on Delta
This benefit available to the WestJet Rewards Elite member and up to 8 people on the same reservation (Group bookings excluded)
“Preferred seats are exit row, bulkhead window and aisle, and window and aisle seats in the front of the Main Cabin and are available to the member on all Main Cabin fares, excluding Basic Economy (E). Preferred seats must be selected via Manage Trips following completion of the booking.“
Seat selection waiver fee:
Available for Delta Gold, Platinum & Diamond Medallion members when flying on WestJet
Seat selection fee waiver is applicable to any seat within the Economy cabin (excluding on Basic Economy fares), including preferred seats at the front of the cabin and exit row seats; subject to availability. Seat selection must be selected via My Trips following completion of the booking.
Complimentary baggage allowance:
Available for WestJet Rewards Silver (2 bags), Gold (2 bags) and Platinum Elite members (3 bags)
Available for Delta Silver Medallion (1 bag), Gold Medallion (2 bags) and Platinum & Diamond Medallion (3 bags)
This benefit available to thee elite member and up to 8 people on the same reservation (Group bookings excluded)
Priority check-in:
Available for WestJet Rewards Silver (Silver Medallion), Gold (SkyPriority) and Platinum Elite members (SkyPriority)
Available for all Delta Medallion elite levels
“WestJet Gold and Platinum members are invited to use the SkyPriority® check-in lane. Silver members are eligible to use the Silver Medallion® check-in lane; at airports that do not have a dedicated Silver Medallion® check-in lane, the SkyPriority® check-in lane may be used.”
Priority bag drop-off:
Available for WestJet Rewards Silver (Silver Medallion), Gold (SkyPriority) and Platinum Elite members (SkyPriority)
Available for all Delta Medallion elite levels
This benefit available to the elite member and up to 8 people on the same reservation (Group bookings excluded)
Priority baggage handling & Priority security line access*:
Available for WestJet Rewards Gold and Platinum Elite members
Available for Delta Gold, Platinum & Diamond Medallion members.
This benefit available to the elite member and up to 8 people on the same reservation (Group bookings excluded)
* Security line access only available to the elite member at airports where the service is provided
Delta Sky Club lounge access:
Available for WestJet Rewards Gold and Platinum Elite members
Delta Sky Clubs are Delta’s business class lounges. Access is available to the elite member and one guest that is travelling with the member on the same flight. This only available for Delta Sky Clubs and not third party lounges that Delta may use at airports where they don’t have a Sky Club. Access is granted as follows:
Available with a confirmed boarding pass for a same-day transborder or international itinerary that includes a segment between U.S. and Canada operated by Delta and/or WestJet or any of their respective affiliates (excluding Swoop) or contract carriers; not applicable on a wholly domestic reservation within the United States.
Here’s an example as provided to us by WestJet:
Platinum and Gold members can access a Delta Sky Club® lounge when travelling on a transborder or international itinerary that includes a flight segment between the U.S and Canada operated by either Delta or WestJet. For example:
- Los Angeles (LAX) to Calgary (YYC) on WestJet: you are eligible for access to Delta Sky Club® at LAX
- Toronto (YYZ) to Atlanta (ATL) to Sao Paolo, Brazil (GRU) on Delta: you are eligible for access to Delta Sky Club® at ATL
Access is not available when travelling on wholly domestic reservations within the U.S. For example: Los Angeles (LAX) to Atlanta (ATL). In addition to validating WestJet Rewards top-tier status, boarding passes or flight reservations will be checked upon entry to a Delta Sky Club® to confirm eligibility.
WestJet Elevation Lounge access:
Available for Delta Gold, Platinum & Diamond Medallion members.
Delta Gold and up Medallion members receive access to WestJet’s Elevation lounges. At the time of posting there is only one, in Calgary but we know there are 8 to 9 more planned for sometime in the future.
Available to Delta Medallion member and one additional guest when accompanied by the member and taking the same flight. Applicable to WestJet Elevation Lounges only; no partner or third-party lounges. Available with a confirmed boarding pass for a same-day transborder or international itinerary that includes a segment between U.S. and Canada operated by Delta and/or WestJet or any of their respective affiliates (excluding Swoop) or contract carriers; not applicable on a wholly domestic reservation within Canada.
Priority boarding:
Available for WestJet Rewards Silver (Main Cabin 1), Gold (SkyPriority) and Platinum Elite members (SkyPriority)
Available for all Delta Medallion elite levels – Silver members receive Zone 2 boarding on WestJet while Gold, Platinum and Diamond receive Zone 1.
This benefit available to the Elite member and up to 8 people on the same reservation (Group bookings excluded)
Lounge access for flying WestJet Business Class / Delta One:
Along with reciprocal benefits being launched today the airlines are also launching reciprocal lounge access for any passengers flying in WestJet Business Class or Delta One on eligible itineraries:
Those who book a Business fare with WestJet can access a Delta Sky Club® at airports that are part of the same-day international or transborder itinerary. For example:
- A guest travelling from Los Angeles (LAX) to Calgary (YYC), connecting to WestJet Business from Calgary (YYC) to London Gatwick (LGW) is eligible for access to Delta Sky Club at LAX.
- A guest travelling from Miami (MIA) to Atlanta (ATL), then from Atlanta (ATL) to Toronto (YYZ), connecting to WestJet Business from Toronto (YYZ) to London Gatwick (LGW) is eligible for access to Delta Sky Club at MIA and ATL.
Those who book a Delta One fare with Delta can access WestJet-owned lounges* at airports that are part of the same-day international or transborder itinerary. For example:
- A guest travelling in Delta One from Sydney (SYD) to Los Angeles (LAX), connecting to Los Angeles (LAX) to Calgary (YYC), then Calgary (YYC) to Saskatoon (YXE) is eligible for access to WestJet Elevation Lounge at YYC.
Learn more about these reciprocal benefits on WestJet’s website and/or Delta’s website.
Title image via Delta Airlines
