Flying with WestJet OR AirCanada? PLEASE confirm your flight details!!!!

Donald - my hero · Jul 26, 2016

I had the worst wake up e-mail this morning ... seems WestJet changed the days they fly out of our local airport and did NOT inform us OR Expedia who i booked through. How did i find out?? A daily e-mail I get from my radio station announcing their winter flight schedule ... Tuesdays ONLY and we were booked on a THURSDAY. I had even checked yesterday because i was wanting to find out luggage size before i buy a new carry-on and my flight was still showing as confirmed ???Not only that but service doesn't start till a full week later GOOD GRIEF! I called WestJet and their answer? "sorry we can either refund your ticket or book you on the next flight out of that airport" Expedia's answer?? 90 minutes on the phone and flights the same day out of Pearson and bumped up a level so we get free baggage. The service i received from them was wonderful and i won't ever think twice about using them.

Long story short (or did that boat already sail??)PLEASE check your WestJet itinerary regularly, don't wait till 24 hours ahead when you do your on-line check in. Seems they had no intention of EVER letting us know. To add another example to this .. F-I-L was to fly out of Hamilton in the summer tried to check in only to find they no longer fly out of that airport!!!

JennyT1 · Jul 26, 2016

That's awful? Where were you originally set to fly out of?

mort1331 · Jul 26, 2016

ok so still on westjet? or moved to AC? flying out the same day or did you have to move everything?
SUCKS

Donald - my hero · Jul 26, 2016

JennyT1 said:
That's awful? Where were you originally set to fly out of?

Original airport .. Kitchener/Waterloo --- you know, the one that's 20 minutes from home with only one runway so no need to get there at the "crack of stupid" hour. Also no need for a parknfly hotel and parking was only 59/week

mort1331 said:
ok so still on westjet? or moved to AC? flying out the same day or did you have to move everything?
SUCKS

Still WestJet (unfortunately, i think they just lost my business!) flights are still on same day but only after the wonderful woman from Expedia pleaded with them since it's not my fault they simply dropped the flight. They didn't even want to let us fly from another airport -- thank God for Expedia's muscle on this!! Only a 30 minute difference on each flight BUT we now need to be at Pearson by 6:45 am meaning more than likely stay overnight <sigh>

ottawamom · Jul 26, 2016

That is absolutely dreadful. I guess it's a wake up call to anyone of us with flights booked (regardless of which airline) to regularly check your flights in advance of your trip. My DH thinks I'm crazy for double and triple checking things. I guess this is why I do it.

ottawamom · Jul 26, 2016

Very timely post. I just checked my flights for our upcoming November trip to Orlando. They moved the flights I booked on AM by one full day. We were supposed to fly on the 27th and they moved us back one day to the 26th. My girlfriend is the lead on this booking and we received no notice. Disney is full up on the Saturday. I'm livid and on hold with Air Canada at the moment.

Donald - my hero · Jul 26, 2016

ottawamom said:
Very timely post. I just checked my flights for our upcoming November trip to Orlando. They moved the flights I booked on AM by one full day. We were supposed to fly on the 27th and they moved us back one day to the 26th. My girlfriend is the lead on this booking and we received no notice. Disney is full up on the Saturday. I'm livid and on hold with Air Canada at the moment.

OMG that's awful ... i hear you and feel your pain, I hope you get an acceptable outcome like i did!! Keep us in the loop

mort1331 · Jul 26, 2016

Donald - my hero said:
Original airport .. Kitchener/Waterloo --- you know, the one that's 20 minutes from home with only one runway so no need to get there at the "crack of stupid" hour. Also no need for a parknfly hotel and parking was only 59/week

Still WestJet (unfortunately, i think they just lost my business!) flights are still on same day but only after the wonderful woman from Expedia pleaded with them since it's not my fault they simply dropped the flight. They didn't even want to let us fly from another airport -- thank God for Expedia's muscle on this!! Only a 30 minute difference on each flight BUT we now need to be at Pearson by 6:45 am meaning more than likely stay overnight <sigh>

I understand your disappointment, but 2 things.
Our family wouldnt overnight for 6:45, Traffic at that time would not be that bad, I think your coming from Guelph region? so just add coffee.
2nd I know your upset with Westjet, but still miles above AC, especially Rouge. Unfortunately there is not much choice, so I end up being mad for my 3 hour flight on Rouge each time I take it, but that is what is is.

Donald - my hero · Jul 26, 2016

mort1331 said:
I understand your disappointment, but 2 things.
Our family wouldnt overnight for 6:45, Traffic at that time would not be that bad, I think your coming from Guelph region? so just add coffee.
2nd I know your upset with Westjet, but still miles above AC, especially Rouge. Unfortunately there is not much choice, so I end up being mad for my 3 hour flight on Rouge each time I take it, but that is what is is.

Yup on both those things, I would prefer to just drive in but the final decision rests on hubby's shoulder since he will be doing the drive! Just need to decide which parking option to use ... Parknfly valet or the Value Garage because who wants to shovel out the car after 2 weeks in Disney???
2nd- I hear you on Rouge .. nope hate it ... i would rather take WestJet and call daily to make sure they don't leave me stranded

My blood pressure has almost settled now, things will be ok because heck, i'm still gonna see DONALD (ok ok Mickey too)

ottawamom · Jul 26, 2016

On the phone waiting to speak with Disney to see if they can change my reservation. The one nice thing about waiting is the music. Air Canada apparently made the change to cancel the flight July 13 and they sent word to Airmiles. Airmiles has yet to inform me or my travel companion. They will get an earful from me soon especially if I can't get Disney to move us back on day

mort1331 · Jul 26, 2016

Donald - my hero said:
Yup on both those things, I would prefer to just drive in but the final decision rests on hubby's shoulder since he will be doing the drive! Just need to decide which parking option to use ... Parknfly valet or the Value Garage because who wants to shovel out the car after 2 weeks in Disney???
2nd- I hear you on Rouge .. nope hate it ... i would rather take WestJet and call daily to make sure they don't leave me stranded

My blood pressure has almost settled now, things will be ok because heck, i'm still gonna see DONALD (ok ok Mickey too)

What time of year are you going, |I was disappointed with the valet, as its not real valet still need a shuttle. So I always go the value lot and ride the tram. Its my little feeling before and after the trip. If you close your eyes on it and picture your on the monorail.

ottawamom · Jul 26, 2016

Good news, I called Disney, only had to wait 15 min. They were able to move our reservation (with UOC) forward to Nov 26th to Dec 3. No change to amount being paid or anything. Nov 26 is a level 9 crowd level but I'll make it work. The Disney agent also changed our Magic Express reservation (all still to be confirmed in MDE). I am starting to calm down now. Airmiles is still going to get an earful for not having notified either of us. I might see if they will comp us reserved seats or free luggage for my stress. I doubt it but if you don't ask you'll never receive.

Jacqueline can you change your title to include Air Canada. Others should be made aware of possible problems ahead.

allybabba98 · Jul 26, 2016

If you decide to stay overnight do any of the hotels close to the airport offer cheap/free parking and shuttle you to the airport? I know Buffalo offers this. Would that be a better option?

ottawamom · Jul 26, 2016

Thanks Jacqueline, I hope others don't find themselves in the same boat we've been in today. The flight I was on seemed like it was full. There was very limited seat availability. I think next time I fly to Florida I will drive to the States and go with Southwest. They don't change their flights once they are released. (subject to weather and computer failures of course).

Donald - my hero · Jul 26, 2016

mort1331 said:
What time of year are you going, |I was disappointed with the valet, as its not real valet still need a shuttle. So I always go the value lot and ride the tram. Its my little feeling before and after the trip. If you close your eyes on it and picture your on the monorail.

Last 2 weeks of January and that's exactly why i LOVE the Link train ... even better? The UP! Thanks for the heads up about Valet level, I'd rather not need to worry about a shuttle.

ottawamom said:
Good news, I called Disney, only had to wait 15 min. They were able to move our reservation (with UOC) forward to Nov 26th to Dec 3. No change to amount being paid or anything. Nov 26 is a level 9 crowd level but I'll make it work. The Disney agent also changed our Magic Express reservation (all still to be confirmed in MDE). I am starting to calm down now. Airmiles is still going to get an earful for not having notified either of us. I might see if they will comp us reserved seats or free luggage for my stress. I doubt it but if you don't ask you'll never receive.

Jacqueline can you change your title to include Air Canada. Others should be made aware of possible problems ahead.

That's great news!! So happy you were able to work things out, I'll keep my fingers crossed for your possible "extras" free baggage for us is HUGE I changed the title of the thread to reflect AC's woes!

allybabba98 said:
If you decide to stay overnight do any of the hotels close to the airport offer cheap/free parking and shuttle you to the airport? I know Buffalo offers this. Would that be a better option?

Lots of the hotels do, hard to find one that offers for 2 full weeks BUT the hotel that basically on property does and the rate isn't terrible. Hubby will decide that though, he's not sure if he wants to drive into the city during rush hour or spend the money and stay overnight.

momof2gr8kids · Jul 26, 2016

Omg how frustrating. Thank goodness you got that other email. This is why we've flown from the US other times. Never any issues.

Now I'm nervous for our Jan flights. There always seems to be an issue with AC or WJ flights lately.

pigletto · Jul 27, 2016

That is beyond frustrating and atrocious customer service. Thank goodness Expedia was willing to work with you. I am worried about the same kind of mess with AirTransat with our trip in October because they only run a few flights per week. That being said, I've heard more terrible stories about Air Canada service than any other airline, and considering what they charge, it's inexcusable.
You aren't immune flying out of Buffalo either. My father booked us on an annual Christmas cruise and 13 of us were flying out of Buffalo. We got to the airport to find out our connection was cancelled. Just cancelled as we were checking in our luggage. This was Delta. We were given zero options. It was Boxing day and they basically said "Oh well." We got 13 people out of line, booked something out of Toronto, called the private shuttle back, and rushed to Toronto. We flew out the next day, missed the sailing, had to pay for new flights DAY OF into our first port in Peurto Rico to meet the ship. 13 filights on a holiday to Peurto Rico, Private shuttle called back, Toronto airport hotels for one night for 13, and a night in Puerto Rico to meet the ship the next day. The cost was staggering. (WELL over $15,000) for this mess and a year for my dad to be even partially compensated by travel insurance.

So I don't ever completely trust an airline with my travel plans and I always try to have a plan B. Sometimes though there really isn't a plan B is there? We had to learn the hard way.

Thank you for the warning. Be wary and top of your reservation with any airline.

Skjhjb · Jul 27, 2016

Donald - my hero said:
I had the worst wake up e-mail this morning ... seems WestJet changed the days they fly out of our local airport and did NOT inform us OR Expedia who i booked through. How did i find out?? A daily e-mail I get from my radio station announcing their winter flight schedule ... Tuesdays ONLY and we were booked on a THURSDAY. I had even checked yesterday because i was wanting to find out luggage size before i buy a new carry-on and my flight was still showing as confirmed ???Not only that but service doesn't start till a full week later GOOD GRIEF! I called WestJet and their answer? "sorry we can either refund your ticket or book you on the next flight out of that airport" Expedia's answer?? 90 minutes on the phone and flights the same day out of Pearson and bumped up a level so we get free baggage. The service i received from them was wonderful and i won't ever think twice about using them.

Long story short (or did that boat already sail??)PLEASE check your WestJet itinerary regularly, don't wait till 24 hours ahead when you do your on-line check in. Seems they had no intention of EVER letting us know. To add another example to this .. F-I-L was to fly out of Hamilton in the summer tried to check in only to find they no longer fly out of that airport!!!

So the Thursday flights out of Kitchener to Orlando have changed to Tuesdays? And still only December to April for Orlando, correct?

I mean, my trip with my girls isn't for two years yet, so a LOT can change....but that just sucks that they gave you no warning!

Donald - my hero · Jul 27, 2016

Skjhjb said:
So the Thursday flights out of Kitchener to Orlando have changed to Tuesdays? And still only December to April for Orlando, correct?

I mean, my trip with my girls isn't for two years yet, so a LOT can change....but that just sucks that they gave you no warning!

Yes, only Tuesday flights but the first flight this year isn't until JANUARY 24th thru to April 25th.
They were still selling the Thursday flights when i looked on Monday night to confirm carry-on sizes but when i tried on Tuesday after getting the e-mail from the radio station ... nope not there and my itinerary # gave the message "this itinerary has been cancelled" Not only the change in days but the cost is now almost 600.00 pp ... there's no way that the convenience of flying out of that airport is worth paying more than out of Pearson!

dis_guy · Jul 27, 2016

I think a lot of these changes are the result of Westjet's new winter schedule. My nonstop flights changed by a couple of hours, too, but nothing like the day changes described here.

Flying with WestJet OR AirCanada? PLEASE confirm your flight details!!!!

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<font color=blue>Aww yes. The dreaded "mouse hand"

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<font color=blue>Aww yes. The dreaded "mouse hand"

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<font color=blue>Aww yes. The dreaded "mouse hand"

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