AC or WJ?

[minnie56]

I am torn...

Booking flights for FLL next Jan..pre cruise...I know the Westjet cancellation policy is a little better than AC but there's the Aeroplan miles? Not sure which one to go for!?!?

 

[SAGE]

I really like West Jet but am flying AC for our upcoming trip. Prices were far better with AC. $100 pp more each way with WJ.

Have flown with SW but this spring there wasn't much of a difference in price to make it worth going to Buffalo.

Best fares offered win my vote.

 

[minnie56]

They are almost to the dollar, the same That adds to the dilemma!
I like them both..hmmmmm...

 

[photomama]

We prefer Westjet and if you go to Buffalo JetBlue - Happy planning....

 

[Mickey's Best Girl]

I will always go with WestJet! Never had a problem, and always the best flight service IMO.
Good luck!

 

[minnie56]

I prefer Jetblue out of Buffalo as well, tho again, not as flexible with the cancellation policy.

I don't want to fly from Buffalo in the Winter...so will choose between AC and WJ. I am leaning towards AC only for the Aeroplan miles.

Thanks for the tips..

 

[crashbb]

I think I'm a fluke, but I have had fairly bad experience with WJ (including being bumped from an oversold flight, even though they promise that they do not overbook). I tend to stick to AC because, in the past few years, I fly enough to have status with them and I really haven't had the nasty experiences that others have had (even before I had status - I recongnise that, in some cases, having status "protects" me).

If the AP miles are enough to give you status, I'd use that as a deciding factor, otherwise, most flights within Canada/US don't give you enough points to really make a difference (i.e. a flight that gives you 2000 AP miles isn't going to really help you get an AP flight, unless you are doing a number of 2000 mile flights). Plus, if you are looking at a cheap fare, you are likely looking at a Tango fare (depending on your routing) which only gives you 25% of the miles (and they don't count for status).

 

[mkmommy]

I have flown both and which ever one has the best times gets my business.

A little OT but we live underneath the incoming flight path for the Kitchener/Waterloo airport and last night I thinking 1) boy is that 5:20 WJ flight from Calgary on time, everyday within a minute or 2 I see it come in and 2) why is that 30 minute commute from TO taking me 50 minutes.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would go with WestJet because I find their employees to be more friendly, their check-in lines at Pearson are a lot faster, the fact you have the option to pre-pay for your seats which my family and I think is worth the extra money and because they don't overbook their flights.

 

[tmli]

I have used Westjet within Canada without issue. I have had terrible experiences when using them outside the country. Our recent flight to MCO was brutal, there was very limited space (think old charter seats), I couldn't hold a magazine in my lap flat because it hit the seat in front of me. I also prefer AC's onboard entertainment as the satellite system on Westjet works only half the time!

I have had colleagues use Westjet to other US sun spots as well as Jamaica and they had the exact same complaints....not sure what is up with that!!

 

[Leafsgirl36]

I prefer Westjet over AC as everytime I have flown AC the flight always gets delayed or cancelled and I find the employees are not near as helpful or friendly as the employees of WJ.

 

[mermaid&cinderella]

Both are good. I prefer AC b/c the seats are roomier and you get Aeroplan points which is a big positive. So if the price is about the same I say AC!

 

[minnie56]

Well, I ended up booking Westjet.
Air Canada play the 'lets hike the fare game' one day to the next, heck--one morning to the night! Soooo..the fare jumped from $159 o/w yesterday to $284 o/w today and I am sure it will drop again, but I didn't feel like supporting them this time.

I thought about using Aeroplan but really hate parting with all those miles...lol

Sooo--we'll get Air Miles and I will choose our seats and I am happy!

Thanks everyone!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Well, I ended up booking Westjet.
Air Canada play the 'lets hike the fare game' one day to the next, heck--one morning to the night! Soooo..the fare jumped from $159 o/w yesterday to $284 o/w today and I am sure it will drop again, but I didn't feel like supporting them this time.

I thought about using Aeroplan but really hate parting with all those miles...lol

Sooo--we'll get Air Miles and I will choose our seats and I am happy!

Thanks everyone!

I think you made a great choice going with WestJet, so have a great time flying with them.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

I know I'm jumping in here a bit late, but have you ever considered an American carrier rather than WJ or AC?? We fly down to Florida twice a year and have always gotten a much better deal with the American carriers. Our past two January trips we paid between $630-$700 CDN return for the both of us.

 

[minnie56]

I know I'm jumping in here a bit late, but have you ever considered an American carrier rather than WJ or AC?? We fly down to Florida twice a year and have always gotten a much better deal with the American carriers. Our past two January trips we paid between $630-$700 CDN return for the both of us.

I have flown the US carriers many times..but I swore after last winter trip, never again, at least in the winter. My car was encased in ice upon our return to Buffalo and it took ages to get inside. Then the wipers snapped off so it was not a great ride home. All this and I have auto start - so that started & warmed the car so we COULD get inside and heated washer fluid to help melt the windshield! It was awful...

We paid under $1,700 for all 4 of us YYZ-FLL non stop, taxes incl so I am pretty happy with that.

 

[yxe dad]

Northwest from Saskatoon has been the cheapest for us for my last 3 trips to the US. Often beating AC/WJ by $200/flight. The planes are older or smaller, they have no TV's, and the service is just alright, but it saved us money!

I used to be a big Westjet supporter until they did away with the BMO/WJ credit card. They need a points program other than Airmiles if they are not going to heavily discount the miles needed to travel.

AirCanada has been the fall back plan for points collecting. In just over a year I've earned enough points for 2 flights for a Saskatoon-Ottawa, Ottawa-Orlando, Orlando-Saskatoon itinerary. Also have enough for 1 flight to Hawaii and will pay cash for the other seat.

You really can't go wrong with WJ/AC, it's all personal preference! Our airlines are great compared to the US airlines.

 

[OntFamily]

I have flown the US carriers many times..but I swore after last winter trip, never again, at least in the winter. My car was encased in ice upon our return to Buffalo and it took ages to get inside. Then the wipers snapped off so it was not a great ride home. All this and I have auto start - so that started & warmed the car so we COULD get inside and heated washer fluid to help melt the windshield! It was awful...

We paid under $1,700 for all 4 of us YYZ-FLL non stop, taxes incl so I am pretty happy with that.

Sometimes the American carriers have good fares, on their flights out of Toronto (YYZ).

I've seen, at times, comparables air fares to Buffalo (+ airport, USA/Canada gov't fees).