Airmiles Seat Availability

[OnMedic]

What is the reward seat availability like on WestJet using Air Miles? What type of fees and surcharges are there?

Has anyone made a reward exchange with a member of an alternative program? (ie. I am looking for a WestJet reward flight and am willing to offer-up Aeroplan or Hilton) Was it successful? Easy?

Thanks!

 

[ronandannette]

We've booked Airmiles flights twice in recent years, most lately 2 seats from Calgary to Ottawa over the Family Day long-weekend (mid-February). Had no problem getting the flights, but be aware that Airmiles cover fares only; taxes and fees on the two seats were over $400.00** We also needed to make a change on the return flight which ended up costing $45.00 each; again availability was not a problem. (ADVICE: Ask the booking agent every possible question you can think of as they will not ask you any. This change could have been avoided if we'd asked availability and scheduling for several different dates instead of just one.)

As for trying to exchange points, both Airmiles and Aeroplan use Air Canada flights, you might consider trying to book seats on the same flight through each one rather than exchanging. Query the flight you want on the AC search engine and then ask for that specific flight when you talk to the booking agents.

Good Luck, let us know how it goes.

Annette

P.S. **We're considering cashing in our Airmiles for hotel and car rental gift certificates which can be applied to the total balance (taxes included) as dollar for dollar it seems like a better deal.

 

[OnMedic]

That is OK about the taxes, I would be paying those anyways with Aeroplan too. I am trying to find YKF-YYJ R/T. Only WestJet flies from YKF (Kitchener) and it is same plane to YYJ (Victoria) w/one stop only at YYC.

I will send you a PM and perhaps I can get you more bang for your mile with some Hilton nights.

 

[lcvb]

I don't know how many seats you are looking for but we needed 5 for our trip in Feb/09. I called mid-April and was only able to get 4 seats per flight, and that was even a challenge. The 5th person is having to travel on completely different flights. I was surprised given how early we booked. We are leaving from Winnipeg. The taxes were $212 pp.

 

[OnMedic]

I only needed 1 and have gotten it in a trade. It was very easy for both parties!

 

[mom_rules]

Have you done the YKF to BC route-very slick!

Love it.

 

[OnMedic]

Have you done the YKF to BC route-very slick!

Love it.

This will be my first of 3-4 trips over the next 2 years. I like the fact that there is no plane change at YYC and then on to YYJ (Victoria).

If only WestJet had a real FF program and was part of an alliance!

 

[mom_rules]

Looks like they are trying!
You can get airmiles.
Only thing I don't like is the not being able to select seats when
you make the reservation.

 

[mrwinky]

I just booked our DL flights from Calgary for Oct, wanted Oct 25th to Nov 1st. Was told there where no seats at this time (using westjet) I got Oct 22nd to Oct 30th on Westjet for 5600 AM (Bmo gold master card holder here) taxes where $196.xx per seat, far cheaper then the $7xx per person if we where to fly with Westjet


Winky