WestJet Seat Upgrade Guide: Cost, Bid Upgrade & Premium Benefits

You've booked your WestJet flight, you're checked in, and somewhere in the back of your mind you're wondering — is there a way to get a bigger seat, more legroom, or a better experience without paying full business class prices? The answer, in many cases, is yes. WestJet's upgrade system offers several paths to a better seat, from submitting a bid days before departure to redeeming points at check-in. This guide covers every option clearly so you can choose the one that works best for your situation.

You Want to Fly Better But Don't Want to Pay Full Price Upfront — What Are Your Options?

This is the question most passengers start with, and the good news is that WestJet gives you more than one way to upgrade without immediately shelling out for a premium fare. Understanding the landscape first helps you decide which approach fits your trip.

WestJet's upgrade system broadly falls into four categories: purchasing an upgrade at the time of booking, submitting a bid upgrade offer after booking, using WestJet Dollars or points toward a seat upgrade, and accepting a complimentary or discounted upgrade offer from WestJet directly. Each route has different timing windows, eligibility rules, and cost structures — and knowing which door to knock on first can make a meaningful difference to your wallet. Before exploring upgrades, it's also worth a quick check that the name on your booking matches your passport exactly — a mismatch can create problems at the gate even on a successfully upgraded ticket. If you spot an error, review the WestJet name change policy first, as corrections are handled separately from fare or seat changes.

You Received a "Place Your Bid" Email From WestJet — Here's Exactly What to Do

One of the more interesting features WestJet offers is the WestJet bid upgrade system, which allows passengers on eligible routes to submit a monetary offer for a higher cabin. If you've received an invitation to bid, it means a better seat may be available and WestJet is giving you the chance to claim it below its retail price.

Here's how the WestJet upgrade bid process works step by step: after booking, eligible passengers receive an email or can find the bid option in their booking management page. You'll be presented with a bid range — a minimum offer and a suggested range — and you submit an amount you're comfortable paying per person. WestJet then evaluates all bids against available westjet upgrade availability closer to departure, typically within 24–72 hours of the flight. If your bid is accepted, your card is charged and your seat is upgraded. If not, no charge is made and you fly in your original seat.

Scenario: Olivia booked an Econo fare from Calgary to London Gatwick six weeks in advance for a solo trip. Three weeks before departure she received a bid invitation for a Premium cabin upgrade. The minimum bid was $320 CAD. She submitted a bid of $410 CAD, estimating that was competitive without overpaying. Five days before departure, she received a confirmation email — her bid was accepted, her seat was upgraded, and she flew to London with a lie-flat experience she paid roughly a third of the retail price for.

The bid system rewards passengers who are strategic rather than impulsive. Bidding at or near the minimum is rarely successful on popular routes, but wildly overbidding isn't necessary either. The goal is to land somewhere in the middle-upper range of what WestJet believes the seat is worth to you.

You're Travelling in Economy and Want More Legroom Without a Full Cabin Upgrade

Not every passenger wants or needs full business class. Sometimes you just want extra legroom for a long haul, a seat away from the galley, or a window seat in an exit row. WestJet's westjet seat upgrade options at the economy level include preferred seating and extra legroom rows that can be purchased during booking or added afterward through Manage My Trips.

These seat-level upgrades are different from a full cabin upgrade — you stay in Economy but get a meaningfully better physical experience. Exit rows and bulkhead seats typically offer 5–7 additional inches of legroom, which on a 5-hour flight from Toronto to Vancouver can be a significant comfort difference, particularly for taller passengers or those with mobility considerations. One important note for parents: if you're travelling with a baby, bulkhead rows are often the preferred choice since they're where bassinet positions are located — but exit rows are completely off-limits for passengers travelling with infants. Make sure you understand the rules around adding a lap infant to your WestJet booking before selecting your seat, as infant assignments can affect which upgrade rows are available to you.

Scenario: Raj is 6'2" and books a last-minute flight from Vancouver to Halifax for work. He notices during seat selection that an exit row seat is available for an additional $45. He pays for the upgrade during check-in and spends the flight comfortably rather than folded into a standard Economy seat. It wasn't a cabin upgrade, but for less than the cost of a restaurant meal, his trip was measurably better.

WestJet seat upgrade price for preferred Economy seating typically ranges from $20 to $80 CAD per segment depending on the route, aircraft type, and how far in advance you select. Prices are lower when booked early and increase as the flight fills.

You Want to Upgrade to Premium — What Does WestJet's Premium Cabin Actually Include?

Before spending on a WestJet upgrade to premium, it helps to know exactly what you're getting so you can decide whether the experience matches the price for your specific flight.

WestJet's premium economy upgrade sits between standard Economy and full Business on widebody aircraft, particularly on transatlantic routes. On narrowbody domestic aircraft, the premium cabin is often referred to as "Plus," which offers wider seats, more recline, enhanced meal service, priority boarding, and two free checked bags. On international widebody routes operated by WestJet's Dreamliners, Business cabin passengers enjoy lie-flat seats, chef-inspired meals, amenity kits, and dedicated cabin crew.

The westjet upgrade benefits you receive depend heavily on which aircraft is operating your route:

Scenario: Angela is flying from Toronto to London Heathrow for a two-week holiday and is debating whether a WestJet business class upgrade is worth it. She looks up what's included: a lie-flat seat, a three-course meal with wine, an amenity kit, priority security and boarding, and two checked bags included. She calculates that between the bag fees she'd pay in Economy ($65 each way, twice) and the lounge access she'd otherwise pay for ($50 at Pearson), she's effectively saving $180 in ancillaries alone, making the bid upgrade she's considering feel much more justified.

Passengers with mobility needs travelling in premium cabins should also note that WestJet wheelchair service and boarding assistance are available regardless of cabin class — and priority boarding included with Plus and Business makes the process even smoother for those who need extra time

Understanding what's bundled into a premium fare often reveals that the net upgrade cost is lower than it first appears once you account for included services. Priority boarding is also worth considering beyond just comfort — on itineraries with tight connections, getting off the plane first can genuinely matter. If you're flying WestJet with a connection, it's worth familiarising yourself with the WestJet missed connection flight policy so you know your rights and options if a delay puts your onward flight at risk, regardless of which cabin you're seated in.

You're a WestJet Rewards Member — Can You Use Points for a Seat Upgrade?

Yes, and this is often one of the most underused tools WestJet Rewards members have available. The WestJet upgrade with points option allows members to apply WestJet Dollars (the currency earned through WestJet Rewards) toward upgrades at the time of booking or, on eligible flights, at check-in.

WestJet Dollars function essentially like cash on WestJet's platform — one WestJet Dollar equals one Canadian dollar in value toward a flight or upgrade. This means if you've accumulated $150 in WestJet Dollars, you can apply that directly to an upgrade bid or a seat purchase without spending any additional money out of pocket.

Scenario: Tom has been a WestJet Rewards member for four years and has accumulated $340 in WestJet Dollars through credit card spending and past flights. He's flying Edmonton to Cancún for his 10th anniversary trip. He uses his WestJet Dollars to cover the cost of a bid upgrade to Plus on both legs, paying nothing additional from his bank account. The upgrade he effectively paid for with everyday spending made what might have been an ordinary flight feel like a celebration.

Tips for maximizing upgrade value with points:

• Redeem WestJet Dollars for upgrades rather than base fare reductions — the proportional value is often better on premium seats.
• The WestJet World Elite Mastercard earns accelerated WestJet Dollars on all purchases, making it a fast way to build upgrade currency.
• Check your WestJet Dollars balance before booking so you know your upgrade budget going in.

You're Already at the Airport and Wondering If an Upgrade Is Still Possible

The WestJet last minute upgrade window is real, and it's worth checking even if you've never thought about it before your travel day. WestJet sometimes releases unsold premium seats at discounted prices during online check-in (which opens 24 hours before departure) and occasionally at the gate itself.

The process works like this: when you check in online through the WestJet app or website, you may see a prompt offering an upgrade to a better seat at a reduced rate. This is different from the bid process — it's a fixed-price offer available on a first-come, first-served basis for whatever seats haven't been filled. At the airport, gate agents occasionally offer discounted upgrades in the final 30–60 minutes before boarding when premium cabin seats remain empty.

Scenario: Nina arrives at Winnipeg's James Armstrong Richardson International Airport two hours before her flight to Vancouver. She checks in via the WestJet app and sees an offer: upgrade to Plus for $89 CAD. She's flying for a job interview and figures arriving fresh and in a quieter cabin is worth it for a 3-hour flight. She taps to accept, her boarding pass updates, and she boards with priority ahead of the general queue. The whole process took less than two minutes. Learn full breakdown of how online check-in works — including timing, the app process, and what to do if you encounter issues — see the complete WestJet airlines check-in guide.

Not every flight will have last-minute upgrade availability — popular routes on busy travel days tend to sell premium seats earlier. But on quieter travel days, mid-week departures, or off-peak seasons, the chance of a discounted gate upgrade is meaningfully higher.

How to Check Your Upgrade Eligibility Before You Even Try

Not every passenger on every fare is eligible for every type of upgrade, and understanding WestJet upgrade eligibility before you start the process saves time and disappointment.

Here's a practical breakdown of who qualifies for what:

• Bid upgrade eligibility is determined by WestJet and communicated via email or the booking management portal. It's generally available to Economy passengers on medium-to-long-haul routes where a premium cabin exists. It is not available on all routes — shorter domestic segments often don't have bid opportunities.
• Points-based upgrades require an active WestJet Rewards account with sufficient WestJet Dollars balance. The upgrade must be to a fare class that WestJet makes available for redemption.
• Last-minute and gate upgrades are open to any passenger regardless of fare type, subject to availability and WestJet's discretion.
• Complimentary upgrades are rare but may be offered to top-tier WestJet Rewards members (WestJet Rewards Silver and above) or as a goodwill gesture when service disruptions occur.

Scenario: Greg booked a Basic fare (WestJet's most restrictive tier) for a flight from Halifax to Calgary. He receives no bid invitation because Basic fares are often excluded from the upgrade bid pool. Had he booked an Econo fare on the same route, he likely would have received the invitation. The lesson: if you're hoping to upgrade later, starting with an Econo or higher fare keeps that door open.

You Want to Know the Actual Cost — What Does a WestJet Upgrade Really Run?

Passengers often approach upgrades with uncertainty because WestJet upgrade cost varies significantly depending on route, timing, cabin, and how you're paying. There's no single number — but there are realistic ranges that help you budget and decide.

Understanding westjet seat upgrade price in context means thinking about cost per hour of flight rather than just the total number. A $200 upgrade on a 1-hour domestic hop is a very different proposition than a $200 upgrade on a 9-hour transatlantic crossing.

Note that these are general benchmarks — actual pricing is dynamic and changes based on demand, remaining availability, and your specific departure date. Checking the upgrade option both at the time of booking and again during online check-in gives you two natural comparison points.

You Got a WestJet Upgrade Offer Email — Should You Take It or Wait?

WestJet occasionally sends targeted WestJet upgrade offers to passengers in the days leading up to departure. These arrive by email and typically offer a fixed-price upgrade — not a bid, but a take-it-or-leave-it price — for a limited window.

These offers can represent genuine value, especially when the fixed price is below what the bid minimum would be for the same seat. The key risk is hesitating — these offers often expire within 24–48 hours and the price won't be offered again at the gate. If you're on the fence about committing to an upgrade because you're unsure about the trip itself, keep in mind that WestJet's 24-hour cancellation policy may still give you a window to cancel the entire booking fee-free — but only within 24 hours of the original purchase and when your departure is at least 7 days out. Upgrading and then cancelling within that window is handled under the same cancellation terms as any other booking change.

Scenario: Sandra receives an email four days before her Kelowna-to-Toronto flight offering a Plus upgrade for $115 CAD. She's flying back from a week of hiking and would genuinely appreciate the extra comfort. She compares it to what she'd spend on airport food and lounge access if she didn't upgrade ($60 at minimum) and decides the net difference of $55 is worth the significantly better experience. She accepts the offer in the email, her seat is instantly changed, and she boards with priority when she arrives at the airport tired from her trip.

The general advice: if the email offer falls within your budget and the upgrade would meaningfully improve your experience, take it. WestJet sends these offers because seats are available — meaning the alternative is likely that the cabin departs with empty seats, which helps no one.

Comparing All Your Upgrade Options Side by Side

If you've read this far, you now understand every path available for a WestJet seat upgrade. Here's a final summary table to help you match your situation to the right method:

The most important thing to remember: upgrade options tend to shrink as departure approaches on popular routes, and expand on quieter ones. Checking your upgrade options at three distinct moments — booking, one week before departure, and online check-in — gives you the broadest view of what's available and at what price.

Whether you're a frequent flyer with a wallet full of WestJet Dollars or a first-time traveller who just wants to arrive in London rested, there's an upgrade path in WestJet's system that's worth knowing about. The key is knowing where to look and when to act.