WestJet Airlines Ltd. revealed lately its credit card and frequent-flyer programs as it competes with rival Air Canada for more profitable business travellers.These programs were initially to be launched last June,but were put on hold.

From now on customers will be able to earn WestJet dollars for purchases they make on a new Royal Bank MasterCard, that can be used for flights or vacation packages.Additonally ,the dollars earned can also be put in the direction of seat sales and will not be a part of blackouts or seat restrictions.



WestJet executive vice-president Bob Cummings stated that travellers who fly between 4 and 20 times a year are looking for a "simple currency" in their journey rewards program.He also added that the system has also been designed keeping this view in mind.The airline is providing two diverse RBC-branded MasterCard reward programs. One proffers rewards of 1.5 per cent in WestJet dollars, as well as travel insurance, hotel discounts and upgrades for a yearly fee of $79. It is available with an opening bonus of 100 WestJet dollars. Another earns cardholders one per cent back in WestJet dollars for a yearly fee of $39. This particular card has 25 WestJet dollars to begin with.

WestJet,which wants to lure business customers from rival Air Canada, is also offering a loyalty program for customers who spend more than $1,500 each year on WestJet flights. For example, at the $6,000 threshold, a regular guest would get a companion fare anywhere WestJet flies.Cummings also conveyed that WestJet is in the process of increasing its fleet from 88 to 134 planes.