Points Pulse for Feb. 23, 2026: EQ Bank checks out PC Financial, WestJet drops U.S. routes
In this edition of NerdWallet Canada’s Points Pulse series:
Fewer flights south as WestJet bets on Canada
WestJet’s playbook is going to look a little different this year, with recent changes announced.
Expanded loyalty benefits with Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
WestJet and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club announced an expansion of loyalty benefits. The updated partnership lets members earn and redeem across both networks, including eligible codeshare flights.
Fewer U.S. routes
The Calgary-headquartered airline has also adjusted its service network and dropped the following U.S. routes:
Calgary–Raleigh-Durham
Edmonton–Atlanta
Edmonton–Nashville
Edmonton–Orlando
Edmonton–San Francisco
Edmonton–Seattle
Halifax–Orlando
Kelowna–Seattle
Toronto–Los Angeles
Vancouver–Boston
Vancouver–Nashville
Vancouver– San Diego
Vancouver–San Francisco
Vancouver–Tampa
Winnipeg–Atlanta
Winnipeg–Nashville
These reductions mean fewer nonstop options to certain American cities for now — especially from Western Canada. Travel demand from Canada to the United States has also cooled amid tariff talks and trade disputes.
More domestic routes
WestJet’s planes won’t be sitting idle. The airline is adding four new domestic routes for summer 2026, with start dates and frequencies that make them relevant for trip-planning now:
Calgary–Campbell River: daily service starting May 15, 2026
Edmonton–Terrace: twice-weekly seasonal service starting May 19, 2026
Calgary–Sault Ste. Marie: twice-weekly service starting June 12, 2026
Calgary–North Bay: twice-weekly service starting June 19, 2026.
As WestJet rides the tide of consumer demand, it’s unclear whether the airline intends to reinstate the eliminated U.S. routes. If Canadians’ appetite for cross-border travel returns, we may see some flights restored, but for now, WestJet is doubling down on domestic travel while also pointing loyalty members toward more partnership-driven options.
Nerdy take: If you’ve been squirreling away WestJet Rewards for a U.S. holiday, the revamped route map means fewer direct redemption options to American cities. Demand for the U.S. routes that remain could rise. Translation: more expensive redemptions. Start mapping your options now, and don’t rule out a domestic destination: your WestJet points may stretch further closer to home.
If you’re eyeing long-haul travel, it’s also worth checking whether expanded Virgin Atlantic loyalty benefits unlock a better-value route for your itinerary.
EQ Bank checks out PC Financial for optimum reach
In Dec. 2025, EQ Bank struck an agreement valued at approximately $800 million to acquire PC Financial — the issuer behind the PC Mastercards lineup. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals expected to close by the end of 2026. Once completed, the PC Money Account, PC Mastercard and PC Insurance services are expected to transition to the EQ Bank brand.
PC Optimum collectors:
PC Financial says the PC Optimum program will remain “at the heart” of its rewards offering after the transition, so your points are safe. You should be able to earn and redeem per usual through the transition and beyond.
PC Financial customers:
PC Financial says there will be no immediate changes to the way its current customers access existing products or services. That said, once EQ Bank is in control, it won’t be obligated to maintain the status quo. Banking products and services may change — including fees, rates and rewards structures — but not before the deal closes (currently expected by the end of 2026).
Nerdy take: For now, it’s business as usual — but this is a story to watch. It would be unusual for a deal of this size to result in a totally unchanged product lineup.
If you earn a lot of PC Optimum points through PC Financial products, keep an eye out for announcements in the coming months. If changes arrive that don’t align with your financial goals, you’re free to take your money elsewhere. There are plenty of other fish in Canada’s digital banking sea.
Why wait? Get a head start with EQ Bank. Earn 2.75% interest on every dollar—even for daily spending. Enjoy no fees, no minimum balance, free ATM withdrawals across Canada, and CDIC-eligible protection. Get the flexibility of a chequing account with an interest rate up to 6× higher than the average savings account when you direct deposit your pay.* Click “Apply now” to for more details.
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Shannon Terrell
Shannon Terrell