Confessions of a YYC Travel Junkie

[btimbit]

I don't think it'll be that bad, other airlines that charge for carry-ons seem to have it figured. With the mixed fare I imagine ultra basic boards last too

Edit: I flew flair last fall for the first time and was actually surprised at how well they had that aspect figured out

[Lubicon]

Originally Posted by Mazrim

I agree. If people choose a flight because it's $10 cheaper than a competitor, then this is what you get. The whole "guests checking a carry-on bag at the gate will be charged a checked bag fee and a service fee to check the bag under the aircraft" thing seems like a disaster. You're gonna hold up the boarding line every time a person gets their bag checked and has to pay for it at the gate? Everyone already ignores the "complimentary sky check" pages and chaos ensues during boarding, so what's empowering Westjet employees to make this situation work?

Even worse, what if they won't check anyone and people will try to jam huge bags under the seat. That'll force the flight attendants to sort that mess out in the plane. How much money is this really making Westjet if none of their planes leave on time because of boarding nonsense?

Just need to look at the ULCC's in Europe to see how it can work. People will hate it because we're cheap and want something for nothing, but it can work if executed properly. While I have not had a ton of first hand experience I have had the fortune/misfortune of flying both Ryanair and Vueling recently so have seen how it's done. They are militant about carry on size, if it even looks like your bag may be too big to fit under the seat they will pull you out of the boarding line and check. And when it is invariably too big they have someone to look after the checking of the bag while the rest of the boarding que moves along. If the bag passes the size test they give you a colored sticker for it so there's nothing for the flight attendants to worry about. If they see the tag it's legit and it can go in the overhead. At least that's how it seemed to work as I observed.

Time will tell if this sticks but the concept is interesting. And i think it can work.

[Ironhorse]

Do I need additional travel insurance to go to Iceland? We already have coverage from both of our employer benefits.

Also, what are some fun things to do there? I'm already planning on scuba diving the Silfra fissure.

[Mazrim]

Westjet and Air Canada have occasionally tried to be "militant" about bag checks and it's quickly been stopped after customer backlash. I don't see how that changes now, but I'm open to being surprised. Flair or other ULCCs are way more upfront and committed to dealing with it.

Here's an example of when they tried to "get serious" about checking carry on sizes almost 10 years ago. https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/1.3082753

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

Do I need additional travel insurance to go to Iceland? We already have coverage from both of our employer benefits.

Also, what are some fun things to do there? I'm already planning on scuba diving the Silfra fissure.

We didn’t. Were there a year ago.

[MoneyGuy]

Westjet is being roasted on Twitter for its new UltraBasic fares.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1798016021271601328

[Amethyst]

Okay, I booked an ultrabasic for a one way flight from Saskatoon to Calgary next month. Despite making you agree a ton of times, they still try to sell you everything under the sun, from upgrades to car rentals.

Just let me buy my cheap ticket and leave me alone!

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by btimbit

As long as it remains cheaper than basic was, and the range to jump to econo remains about the same, then to me it checks out.

What'll be interesting is if it stays like that or it's just that way now because they know people will be looking for it

By all accounts it’s not cheaper than basic was. Westjet literally just changed the term on their website. Even people who had basic fares, their bookings now show ultra basic. Although they say they’ll honour it. Ya right.

This is 100% shrinkflation.

I’m actually shocked anyone would think a company would make a decision that helps consumers and makes things cheaper. This is designed to increase profit by making more money from carry ons and seat selection.

[Amethyst]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

By all accounts it’s not cheaper than basic was. Westjet literally just changed the term on their website. Even people who had basic fares, their bookings now show ultra basic. Although they say they’ll honour it. Ya right.

This is 100% shrinkflation.

I’m actually shocked anyone would think a company would make a decision that helps consumers and makes things cheaper. This is designed to increase profit by making more money from carry ons and seat selection.

The one I bought was definitely cheaper by about $40-$50. Definitely don't think they're doing me any favours, but it's a fare that works for me in certain situations (basically day trips that involve one hour flights) when I don't need to take anything.

[Johnny199r]

Is anyone surprised? There’s 2 airlines (usually) people can fly with in Canada and for many western Canadians, Air Canada reduced their flight schedule in the last year or two. People can complain as much as they want, but they’ll still fly.

My only question is how long will it take for Air Canada to make similar changes if WestJet sees increased revenue?

[puffnstuff]

Next month Westjet announces a discount for your carry on bag...if you get out and help push the plane away from the gate.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Amethyst

The one I bought was definitely cheaper by about $40-$50. Definitely don't think they're doing me any favours, but it's a fare that works for me in certain situations (basically day trips that involve one hour flights) when I don't need to take anything.

Cheaper for now but it's just going to slowly adjust to be the same cost that basic was.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by puffnstuff

Next month Westjet announces a discount for your carry on bag...if you get out and help push the plane away from the gate.

If I offer to go down onto the tarmac and put my checked bag on the belt to load the plane can they waive that baggage fee as well?

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Johnny199r

Is anyone surprised? There’s 2 airlines (usually) people can fly with in Canada and for many western Canadians, Air Canada reduced their flight schedule in the last year or two. People can complain as much as they want, but they’ll still fly.

My only question is how long will it take for Air Canada to make similar changes if WestJet sees increased revenue?

Imo this isn't targeted at Air Canada it's targeted at Flair. I've been hearing more and more people say they're just going to get a cheap Flair ticket. This will help westjet match Flair prices because people who buy this will end up paying for bags/seat selection way more often.

Unfortunately air travel has been a race to the bottom for years.

[wpgflamesfan]

The best part is how you can’t even pay for a carryon with these fares

[Engine09]

Wait, the new no frills ultra dog####, whatever they call it, has no option or way to pay for a carryon at all? Basically just purses or items you carry in your hands?

Keep walking until you smell piss then sit down and shut up.

[rohara66]

Got the email from Westjet the other morning about the dog #### cheap fares and figured at first glance its was dog ####. Can confirm. I'm cancelling my RBC Westjet CC. Screw it, #### em.



They also upped the cost to use the annual companion voucher (for most ticket levels) last week as well.



Just shrinkflation on top of shrinkflation.

[Sainters7]

Also, with how many random deals airlines seem to have, as long as you have lots of ahead time to book it, I'd rather just wait for a sale on regular West Jet, than this restricted, shrinkflation stuff. Google Flights alerts for the win.

But also I'm single and usually fly alone, I guess it's different if you're trying to book for an entire family and just want the peace of mind without risks waiting it out for a price drop.

[fotze2]

On a flight back to YYC in a bit. Texting my best bud about dinner later, he’s on the same flight a row behind me. I didn’t know he was out here.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

By all accounts it’s not cheaper than basic was. Westjet literally just changed the term on their website. Even people who had basic fares, their bookings now show ultra basic. Although they say they’ll honour it. Ya right.

This is 100% shrinkflation.

I’m actually shocked anyone would think a company would make a decision that helps consumers and makes things cheaper. This is designed to increase profit by making more money from carry ons and seat selection.

Plenty are cheaper, at least the ones I looked at. Flights to Vancouver just $20 more than Flair, Toronto flights the same as Flair, my Halifax flight looked like it's $100 cheaper than it was when I booked it. To me this just seems like their way of competing with the ULCC's without keeping Swoop around

Were that many people using the basic fare on WJ or AC to begin with? I must just have a poor perspective here since I just assumed most people used the next level at a minimum to get rewards and the ability to cancel/make changes. To me this just gives the ULCC travel crowd a option at WJ, while everyone else still has the same fare options they had before. Maybe that's why I dismissed most of the criticism, I didn't realize how many people only looked at the cheapest ticket.

I often read here people say they would gladly pay a little more for an airline with better service, but you can already do that with the existing airlines by just buying a better ticket.