CALGARY — WestJet’s January traffic results saw a load factor of 80%, based on a 6.2% increase in traffic and a 6.3% increase in capacity. The airline flew a record 1.9 million guests in January, a year-over-year increase of 7.1% or about 123,000 additional guests.

“We continue to be pleased with our strong traffic growth as a record number of guests chose to fly with WestJet in January,” said WestJet President and CEO Gregg Saretsky.

Earlier this week WestJet relaunched its WestJet Rewards program with a simplified user experience and the ability to earn more rewards faster.

The program has dropped its anniversary earn rate resets, and there are no more changing earn rates at different spend levels. Plus there are now three tiers and lower qualification to the Silver tier.

Here’s a look at more highlights:

• WestJet flights and vacation packages earn rates tied to tier status at time of flight date.
• Teal members earn one per cent back on flights flown and 0.5% back on vacation packages.
• Silver members earn 3% back on flights flown and one per cent back on vacation packages.
• Gold members earn 5% back on flights flown and one per cent back on vacation packages.
• A simplified structure for Teal, with one set of earn rates on flights and vacation packages.
• A reduced spend to reach the Silver tier – $1,000 less than the previous requirement.
• A new priority support phone number, available to Gold members exclusively through the WestJet app.
• Milestone awards continue to be tied to qualifying flight spend in any given qualifying year.

Gold flight benefits for eligible WestJet Rewards members include two free checked bags, advance boarding, no fee for same-day flight changes at check-in, 10 airport lounge vouchers, four advance seat selection vouchers, priority security screening at select airports and a priority support number.