Air Canada ?

[esulerzy]

For those folks that are familiar with Air Canada, could you help me out?

I am planning a long weekend trip to Edmonton in August - from BWI. Fares are currently outrageous! When does Air Canada usually have sales on their fares (from the US to Canada)? Or, I guess I should ask, do they EVER have sales? Currently, it would cost me $1200 + taxes for two people. I was hoping for something around $600-$7001

TIA!

 

[bavaria]

A few things to be aware of

• flying within Canada and to/from Canada to/from the US is much more expensive that flights within the US
• check www.united.com for fares - often fares codeshared as UA but operated by AC are less expensive when purchased on United's site
• check out Air Canada's websavers for fares (like a weekly sale)
• I routinely pay about $700 for flights to/from IAD from Canada, so those fares are 'normal'. I doubt that you would find anything under $500 per person

 

[declansdad]

Air Canada....sales





Welcome to our world.


Sorry I couldn't resist. Air Canada is always expensive, and we have yet to figuyre out why. Your best bet would be to check their website or try using a US based carrier into Toronto and maybe switching to Westjet from there.

Good Luck!

 

[toesmom]

not very often, however, if you check on their website www.aircanada.ca they will occasionally have specials, I've noticed they are over the weekends and are online and end Sunday nights by midnight.

hope that helps

 

[bavaria]

Does it have to be BWI and does it have to be Air Canada?

United out of IAD is pricing out at a VERY attractive $498 CAD on Travelocity for most dates in summer, which is very low cost for that route.

You won't have as much choice out of BWI whereas out of IAD you can connect in Denver or Chicago. More options means better prices. I work in Maryland quite a bit and usually use IAD - I've only ever used BWI once in 10 years.

 

[bavaria]

Your best bet would be to check their website or try using a US based carrier into Toronto and maybe switching to Westjet from there.

Good Luck!

Actually I disagree.

• AC and WestJet won't interline the luggage and the traveller will need to allow enough time in YYZ to retrieve luggage, clear Customs and Immigration, and check in and drop bags with WestJet
• clearing customs and immigration and transferring is worse in YYZ than any other Canadian airport
• flying through Denver or Chicago means not having to retrieve the luggage midway through the trip, but it gets checked through, and Customs and Immigration is cleared in Edmonton

Using the Denver or Chicago option via IAD is not only cheaper, it is far more convenient to the traveller. I avoid YYZ at any cost.

 

[jen54321]

I agree that sales are very hard to find with Air Canada but with patience and time, it can be done!

We have been able to find "sales" by checking the route whenever we sit at the computer. DH works nights so we get to check the early morning fares a lot. We usually find deals very early Saturday morning and they usually last for only an hour or so.

Good luck!

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

We have a lot of US carriers fly into Edmonton International - have you tried United, Northwest or even Alaska air?

 

[esulerzy]

for all the replies - I have a credit with Air Canada (wedding cancelled at the last minute that was to be held in Toronto), that's why I specifically wanted to use them - to use the credit. I did sign up for any specials from their website and will start checking their website early on the weekends. Thanks for the suggestions!