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WestJet is launching a stopover program in Calgary, similar to what Icelandair has long offered in Iceland, TAP Air Portugal in Lisbon, or Air France KLM in Paris and Amsterdam via Flying Blue.
Specifically, you can now add up to 7 days in Calgary on an international itinerary, at no additional cost and under a single booking. Already transiting through YYC airport? Why not turn that layover into a real vacation.
In this article, we review the program rules, the differences between itineraries to Europe and Asia, and the booking process. Additionally, we show you how to pay for everything with your WestJet Rewards points and which travel credit cards accelerate point accumulation.
The principle is simple: instead of a two-hour layover at YYC, you stay in Calgary for a few days before continuing your journey. Furthermore, WestJet does not add any stopover fees. You pay for your flight segments, nothing more.
Here’s what the program allows:
The program applies to flights marketed and operated by WestJet to all its destinations. However, codeshare, interline, or exclusively domestic itineraries are not eligible. A booking can include a maximum of five one-way segments.
Other details to know:
For an itinerary to or from Europe, the stopover can last up to 7 days. However, it must take place in the Canadian “gateway” city: the last Canadian city before leaving the country, or the first upon your return from Europe. For many itineraries, this will be Calgary. However, a traveller departing from Toronto or Halifax could, depending on their routing, make their stop in one of those cities.
The rules are more generous for Asia. You can book up to two stopovers in each direction, in any city on the network, for a maximum duration of 21 days each. In both cases, the stopover must correspond to a valid connection offered by WestJet: it is not possible to build a stop on a connection that does not exist in the schedule.
Booking is done directly on westjet.com, using the multi-destination booking tool. Here are the three steps:
A concrete example: you are traveling from Montreal to Tokyo. Instead of a simple connection at YYC, you insert four days in Calgary on the outbound journey. The price of the stopover itself? Zero dollars. You only pay for your accommodation and activities on site.
By the way, WestJet isn’t inventing anything here: several carriers have offered this type of product for years. To compare options, consult our guide on airlines that allow stopover bookings.
WestJet points can be used for full or partial payment on these multi-destination bookings. Consequently, a good reserve of points can cover the entire itinerary, including the stopover.
To accumulate points faster, two credit cards stand out: the WestJet RBC® World Elite Mastercard‡ and the WestJet RBC Mastercard. The World Elite version adds an annual companion voucher and the first checked bag free. In addition, bookings made via WestJet Hotels earn points on your accommodation, which is convenient for a stay in Calgary.
Finally, if you fly frequently with the Alberta-based carrier, our complete guide to WestJet Rewards elite status will help you get the most out of each segment.
Calgary is easy to explore on foot: trails along the Bow River, farm-to-table restaurants, gourmet food halls, and lively neighborhoods like Kensington or Inglewood. Moreover, the city serves as a gateway to the Rockies. Banff is about a 90-minute drive away, Jasper a little further. Four or five days are enough to combine the city and the mountains.
Before departure, eligible travelers can also enjoy the WestJet Elevation lounge at Calgary Airport, accessible notably to certain credit card holders.
For travelers already transiting through Calgary on an international itinerary, this program adds flexibility without major inconvenience. A few days in Alberta, zero stopover fees, a single booking: it’s hard to make it simpler. Especially, the rules for Asia, with two stops per direction and 21 days per stopover, open the door to creative itineraries.
However, keep the exclusions in mind: no domestic flights only, no codeshares, and modifications that must go through the contact center. To follow news from WestJet and other programs, subscribe to our newsletter. You can also compare all options on our best credit cards page.
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