In This Issue: 

🔮 Shape the Future of Chexy!

​​🚀 New WestJet Loyalty Program Revamp

✈️ Aeroplan Family Sharing is Back!

🗺️ Chexy Deals: Amsterdam, London and Paris (Business Class)

🚀 We’re Hiring!

At Chexy, we believe in creating opportunities for our community 💙. We love hiring from our audience because who better to join our team than the people who understand our mission best?

If you’re passionate, driven, and want to be part of a team that’s making a difference, we’d love to hear from you!

Explore our open roles and apply today: chexy.applytojobs.ca 🧑‍💻✨

 🔮 Shape the future of Chexy!

We’ve been working on some exciting updates to make Chexy even better. 💡 But before we roll them out, we want to hear from you!

What would make Chexy work even harder for you? Take a quick survey and let us know! 📢

✈️ WestJet Rewards 2.0: The Biggest Changes Yet!

WestJet has just announced the biggest loyalty program revamp in its history, and this time, the changes are actually beneficial for travelers. With new earning structures, redemption flexibility, and easier elite status qualification, this is a serious upgrade—especially for those who optimize rewards like pros. 

Let's break it down.

🆕 WestJet Dollars Are Now WestJet Points

One of the biggest shifts is the transition from WestJet Dollars to WestJet Points. Previously, WestJet Dollars worked like cash, meaning $1 WestJet Dollar was always worth $1 toward a base fare redemption. Now, you’ll earn 100 points for every $1 in WestJet Dollars, with the same value (100 points = $1) when redeeming for base fares. ✅

At first glance, this doesn’t seem like much, but switching to a points system allows WestJet to introduce different redemption tiers for add-ons like taxes, fees, and seat selections. While base fares maintain their value, using points for extras will require more points per dollar—which could lead to a future devaluation.

Key Takeaway: If you typically redeemed WestJet Dollars for base fares, this change won’t affect you. However, if you want to use points for seat selection, baggage fees, or surcharges, be aware that your redemption rate might not be 1:1 anymore. 🤝

📈 More Ways to Earn Points

Previously, WestJet Rewards members only earned on the base fare of their ticket, meaning if you booked a cheap fare, you earned almost nothing. That’s changing in a big way.

Starting April 30, you’ll earn points on almost all parts of your ticket, including surcharges and seat selection fees. 

Here’s a side-by-side comparison:

Why This Matters: Under the old system, basic fare travelers barely earned anything since base fares were often extremely low. Now, every dollar spent on extras contributes to your points balance, making it easier to rack up rewards—even on discounted tickets.

👀 Elite Status is Now Easier to Achieve

Previously, qualifying for elite status was entirely based on Tier Qualifying Spend (TQS), but only base fares counted. That meant you had to spend thousands on flights alone to reach Silver, Gold, or Platinum.

With the new system, everything except taxes counts towards TQS, including paid upgrades, seat selection fees, and surcharges. This makes it significantly easier to climb the status ladder.

Comparison: If you previously spent $6,000 on flights alone to reach Gold status, you can now qualify by spending across multiple categories, making status more accessible for frequent travelers.

🤑 Earn Elite Status with Credit Card Spend

Another game-changing feature is that you can now earn Platinum status just by using the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard. Previously, credit card spend only contributed to a small status boost, but now big spenders can qualify for top-tier elite status without flying at all.

Here’s how the new Status Lift benefit works:

• Every $5K spent on the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard earns 200 TQS

• Spend $250K annually and you hit Platinum status automatically

Who This Benefits: If you own a business or put large expenses on your credit card, you can now enjoy perks like priority boarding, lounge access, and free checked bags—without ever stepping on a plane.

🔗 Redeem for 100% of Your Flight (Including Taxes!)

Previously, WestJet Dollars could only be applied to base fares, meaning you still had to pay taxes and surcharges in cash. The new system allows you to cover the entire ticket cost, including extras—but with a slight catch.

• Base fares still redeem at 100 points = $1

• Extras like seat selection, surcharges, and taxes require ~105-110 points per $1

Best Redemption Strategy: Use WestJet Points for base fares first, since they maintain their full value, and pay for extras with cash to avoid overpaying in points.

🛍 WestJet’s New eStore & Everyday Earning Partners

WestJet is expanding ways to earn points beyond flights, launching a new Aeroplan-style shopping portal where members can:

• Earn 1-5 points per $1 shopping online at retailers like Amazon, Apple, Sephora, and Sport Chek

• Redeem points for gift cards and merchandise

They’re also adding new everyday partners like TELUS and SkipTheDishes, allowing you to earn and redeem points on food delivery and phone bills.

📢 Final Verdict: A Genuine Loyalty Upgrade?

✅ More ways to earn & redeem
✅ Full flight redemptions (taxes included!)
✅ Elite status via credit card spend
⚠️ Possible future devaluations (watch those redemption rates!)
⚠️ Milestone Awards require more spend (but offer better perks)

If you frequently fly within Canada or WestJet’s North American routes, this is a serious upgrade. But if you're looking for global long-haul redemptions, Aeroplan still reigns supreme.

🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Aeroplan Family Sharing Reopens!

After 18 months, Aeroplan has reopened enrollment for new Family Sharing accounts, allowing members to pool points with up to 8 verified family members.

🔹 All points (including existing balances) contribute to a shared pool
🔹 Redemption privileges allow designated members to use points for flights
🔹 If someone in the pool has an Aeroplan credit card, everyone gets preferred pricing

💳 New Identity Verification Requirement

To prevent fraud, Aeroplan now requires identity verification for new Family Sharing accounts. You must be a Verified Aeroplan Member before creating or joining a pool.

✅ Verification Steps:

1. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) on your account

2. Verify your identity through one of these methods:

   • Have flown on two separate Air Canada bookings in the last five years

   • Be a primary cardholder of an Aeroplan credit card with a matching name

   • Verify in-person at select airports (YUL, ORD, CDG)

   • Use Instant Verification, which requires a government-issued ID and facial biometrics

💡 Key Benefit: Aeroplan Family Sharing lets households pool points, making redemptions easier and maximizing elite benefits for all members.

Credit Card Spotlight 🔦

Welcome to Chexy Credit Card Spotlight! 👀 Each month we’ll recommend a credit card that everyone should have! This time, we’ve got the Scotiabank Gold American Express—perfect for everyday buys and travel. Let's jump in. ✅

Scotiabank Gold American Express Card

Earn up to 6X the Scene+TM points on every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible grocery, dining, and entertainment purchases.

Earn Rates:

6X on every $1 CAD you spend in Canada at Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo, Foodland, and more.

5X for every $1 CAD you spend on Dining, Food Delivery, and other eligible grocery stores.

5X for every $1 CAD you spend on eligible entertainment purchases. Includes movies, theatre, and ticket agencies.

3X for every $1 CAD you spend on gas and daily transit options. Includes rideshare, buses, taxis, subway, and more.

3X for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible select streaming services.

1X on Everything Else

Annual Fee:

The card has a $120 annual fee.

Check out these awesome deals you definitely don't want to miss if you're thinking about travelling in the next few months!

1. Toronto (YYZ) ➡️ Frankfurt (FRA) ➡️ Amsterdam (AMS)

   • Cost: 70,000 (Business Class)

     

   • Dates: March 24th, 2025

   • Book: Here

2. Montreal (YUL) ➡️ Paris (CDG)

   • Cost: 64,700 (Business Class)

     

   • Dates: March 25th, 2025

   • Book: Here

3. Toronto (YYZ) ➡️ London (LHR)

   • Cost: 60,000 (Business Class)

     

   • Dates: March 12th, 2025

   • Book: Here