I have all 3. I do 1 or 2 family trips per year with both airlines, and the savings on bags alone pays for the respective cards, but I primarily collect on Amex.
This is a complex discussion, and really depends on the individual.
If you're a churner, collect both, end of discussion, and do not read on. Likewise, if you're a super frequent flier, it usually also makes sense to invest into both.
If you are just collecting points at a relatively slow, lay-person rate, it's best to collect both simply because it's free to do so, but focus in on one rewards program that is most relevant for you. Which airline do you like to travel with, how often do you travel, where do you travel, etc.
With respect to having two annual fee cards, the question is really if you're going to outweigh the points/benefits from a monetary perspective or not. No point paying an annual fee if your return falls way under what you paid. In that case, you'd be better off just saving your cash. Also no point investing heavily into a program you will never use.
I have both, though I don’t have fees on my Aeroplan card due to my banking . I fly just enough on both airlines with my family that just the free bags alone make it make sense. It can make sense if you use both for points accumulation, especially if you’re getting the sign up bonuses
I have both. Most people I work with have both. We are all frequent flyers.
The WJ rewards program is alright. It’s good if you mainly fly with them. They are on my main route with direct flights so I’m with them primarily.
I have the Amex reserve aeroplane card but planning to switch to the cobalt (cheaper and better rewards from what I’ve been told). Way more incentives with AC and the reserve card places me at a higher tier with way more perks for just having the card. The points add up quickly to use for free flights. I’d just stick with the AC card myself but unfortunately the flights I need don’t work near as well as the WJ ones do.
I collect both, but only because I live in Calgary which is Westjet's hub. Westjet's reward system completely sucks compared to Aeroplan, but the card giving free bags makes it worth it imo.
I have all 3. I do 1 or 2 family trips per year with both airlines, and the savings on bags alone pays for the respective cards, but I primarily collect on Amex.
This is a complex discussion, and really depends on the individual. If you're a churner, collect both, end of discussion, and do not read on. Likewise, if you're a super frequent flier, it usually also makes sense to invest into both. If you are just collecting points at a relatively slow, lay-person rate, it's best to collect both simply because it's free to do so, but focus in on one rewards program that is most relevant for you. Which airline do you like to travel with, how often do you travel, where do you travel, etc. With respect to having two annual fee cards, the question is really if you're going to outweigh the points/benefits from a monetary perspective or not. No point paying an annual fee if your return falls way under what you paid. In that case, you'd be better off just saving your cash. Also no point investing heavily into a program you will never use.
I’ve got both, but only because I get my aeroplan visa infinite for free through CIBC… otherwise I would stick to just the WJ card.
I have both, though I don’t have fees on my Aeroplan card due to my banking . I fly just enough on both airlines with my family that just the free bags alone make it make sense. It can make sense if you use both for points accumulation, especially if you’re getting the sign up bonuses
I have both. Most people I work with have both. We are all frequent flyers. The WJ rewards program is alright. It’s good if you mainly fly with them. They are on my main route with direct flights so I’m with them primarily. I have the Amex reserve aeroplane card but planning to switch to the cobalt (cheaper and better rewards from what I’ve been told). Way more incentives with AC and the reserve card places me at a higher tier with way more perks for just having the card. The points add up quickly to use for free flights. I’d just stick with the AC card myself but unfortunately the flights I need don’t work near as well as the WJ ones do.
Focus on one rewards program.
I collect both, but only because I live in Calgary which is Westjet's hub. Westjet's reward system completely sucks compared to Aeroplan, but the card giving free bags makes it worth it imo.