WestJet is making its elite tiers harder to reach. Starting Jan. 1, 2027, members of WestJet Rewards will need to spend more to earn Silver, Gold and Platinum status. The change hits the Tier Qualifying Spend, or TQS, that members earn on WestJet flights.
The changes were reported by Daily Hive, which quoted a statement from WestJet, and by Prince of Travel. WestJet's own tiers page still lists the current thresholds as of Oct. 28, 2026.
The new thresholds
Here is how the spending targets change for status earned in 2027, according to the reports. All amounts are in Canadian dollars of TQS.
- Silver rises from $4,000 to $5,000.
- Gold rises from $6,000 to $8,000.
- Platinum rises from $10,000 to $15,000.
Platinum takes the biggest jump. It goes up by half. WestJet's current tiers page lists Silver at $4,000 to $5,999, Gold at $6,000 to $9,999 and Platinum at $10,000 and up.
The timing gives members some breathing room. Members who meet the 2026 requirements keep their tier through 2027. The higher thresholds apply to spending in 2027, which sets status for 2028.
Why WestJet says it is doing this
WestJet told Daily Hive that too many members are reaching the top. "As we see a higher volume of members reaching top-tier status, this impacts our ability to deliver benefits at experience levels our members would expect, especially for priority services and lounge access," the airline said.
WestJet also said members told it they would rather see higher requirements than cuts to benefits. Prince of Travel reported that WestJet says Platinum membership has doubled since early 2025.
This is the second increase in a short time. Prince of Travel noted that the thresholds were $3,000, $5,000 and $8,000 before an increase in 2025.
Status Lifts get bigger
There is some good news in the package. Status Lifts let members earn TQS through spending on WestJet co-branded credit cards. WestJet's tiers page says members currently earn $200 TQS per $5,000 in spend, up to 50 Status Lifts per year.
Under the changes, the cap rises from 50 to 75 Status Lifts in 2027. Prince of Travel also reported that the first 10 Status Lifts in 2027 will earn $300 TQS instead of $200. For heavy card spenders, that softens the blow.
A bonus to start 2027
Prince of Travel reported one more offer. Members can earn a 50% TQS bonus on eligible flights booked by the end of 2026 for travel in the first quarter of 2027. Registration is required. Check the terms on WestJet's site before you book.
How members are reacting
The news spread quickly among Canadian points accounts on X.
Not everyone is happy. Some members posted complaints about the higher bar.
What to do now
If you are close to a tier for 2026, finish the job this year. Hitting the 2026 target locks in your status through 2027 at today's lower bar.
If you hold a WestJet credit card, plan your 2027 spending around the bigger Status Lift cap. And if you have Q1 2027 trips in mind, look at the 50% TQS bonus before Dec. 31.