Calgary to WDW Flights via WestJet or AC

[abirdd]

In light of the PIN code we received last night, I'm now in charge of planning a Grand Gathering. The hubby's brother, wife and kiddos will be traveling out of Calgary to Orlando.

When we ran the fares last night, it's coming up at $4K for all 4. I know it's due to the fact seat sales are not yet listed for December.

So, can anyone out in Calgary give me an estimate on what it normally costs you to fly? His travel party consists of 4 - all "adults" in the air travel world

 

[drag n' fly]

We flew Calgary via Chicago to Tampa December 18 on United. Flights for the five of us including taxes return was 2360.00 CAD

At the time we booked (February 2008) flights were 50% cheaper into Tampa than Orlando and it is a easy one hour drive from Tampa to Orlando.

Things have changed a lot since then. Flight prices have stabilized and are sitting where they will be for quite some time. Sign up for WJ "Get Set" (like ding) and AC email notifications and it will advise you of upcoming seat sales.

 

[bnstiles@telus.net]

We are flying out of Calgary at the end of September for $2050 for the four of us. I'm not sure about December - you really have to watch every day on the sites and be somewhat flexible on the times. There is a discount code for WestJet that helps (I think it must be booked by mid July) for 10% off - use code WJCIS10. Hope this helps.

 

[photomama]

We flew Westjet Calgary direct to Orlando for a family of 3 at spring break and it was $2300 for the flight. I thought this was $$$$ but that direct flight was great, and would do it again.

 

[abirdd]

See, I think the direct flight would be a great option for them - since one daughter is 11 the other is 4. Less stopping makes for an easier day - even if it's an early evening arrival.

I tried the WJCIS10 and WJCIS05 codes, but both are not valid for the flight in question (or they have been used up by the first 15K people). Either way, I'm hoping for the sake of my BIL/SIL the seats go on sale.

I suggested they sign up for the alerts, but me thinks watching the site like a hawk a couple times of day should pay off.

Thanks to all for giving me an idea of what you've been paying - the $2500+ range sounds much better than the $4K at list right now.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Last month my family and I made our flight reservations from Toronto - Orlando on WestJet and for the three of us the total cost was around $2100. However we also took advantage of pre-selecting our seats and because we selected three exit row seats that was an extra $15.00 per person. Also our flight to Orlando was $282.00 and our return flight from Tampa - Toronto was $272.00 and we are flying back from Tampa because after WDW we are then going to Clearwater Beach. That's why our air fare might be different compared to some other people, so hopefully this will be able to help you.

Also another reason we choose WestJet is because unlike Air Canada they don't overbook their flights, so you don't need to worry about getting bumped for other passengers. They even mention on their website that if you purchase a seat then it's 100% yours. Plus we also find their overall service and employees to be a lot better then Air Canada.

 

[crashbb]

Definitely sign up for Websavers on Air Canada and GetSet on WJ.

Also, be prepared to jump on a fare if you see it. On AC (and probably on WJ, I've just never used the option with them) you have 24 hours to cancel any fare you buy online for a full refund (even a non-refundable fare), so you can always book and then confirm with your relatives.

Since CR fan flew from Toronto and not Calgary, his pricing isn't really helpful, but the other fares may give you something of a ballpark (though, of course, there are so many factors for airfare, it is difficult to predict between years/seasons).

If you don't find a direct flight, I always find it better to have an American (rather than Canadian) connecting city (which is only applicable on AC, since WJ doesn't code share with anyone - though they may soon do so with SW, since they sort of partner).

Finally, I know that CR fan loves to mention that WJ won't overbook, but the ONLY airline I've been bumped from in the last 5 years was a WJ flight. So, though they say they don't overbook, I'm not really convinced of it.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Finally, I know that CR fan loves to mention that WJ won't overbook, but the ONLY airline I've been bumped from in the last 5 years was a WJ flight. So, though they say they don't overbook, I'm not really convinced of it.

Well I am not sure why that happened to you, but here is exactly what they state on their website about that.

We will not overbook your flight.
It's common practice in the airline industry for more seats to be sold on a flight than actually exist. At WestJet, we promise that if you buy a seat on a flight - that seat is yours.

http://c5dsp.westjet.com/guest/spare2.jsp#overbook

 

[crashbb]

Well I am not sure why that happened to you, but here is exactly what they state on their website about that.


http://c5dsp.westjet.com/guest/spare2.jsp#overbook

As a wrote, I KNOW what they say on their website, I just don't know that I fully believe them. Quoting me their website, is not going to change my belief.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

As a wrote, I KNOW what they say on their website, I just don't know that I fully believe them. Quoting me their website, is not going to change my belief.

Well I also posted it for the OP to read incase they did not know that.

 

[photomama]

I have to agree with CR here. My husband has been bumped twice by Air Canada in less than 6 months time frame; never on WestJet..

 

[PurpleEars]

We just booked our airfare for the last week of October (thanks to free dining PIN) - If I remember correctly I think it was <$350pp on the way down (Westjet direct) and ~$240pp on the way back (Air Canada through Toronto). These amount are with taxes and fees included.

But keep in mind that is for the last week of October - December fares will likely be higher.

 

[jerenaud]

I've been looking at one way fares, Edmonton - Orlando. The West Jet flight is currently at $2133 for 4 people, but looking at travelocity, Delta has a similar flight (in terms of time of day) for $1253.

Erica

 

[abirdd]

I'm very familiar with WestJet and AC out of Ottawa/Toronto, and know all about overbooking. While WestJet does say they "do not", we did take them up on some free ticket vouchers a couple years ago as WestJet did overbook. Such is life when it comes to flying. I figure we've only been nailed once with WestJet, and multiple times with AC!

My concern right now is trying to get my BIL/SIL and their kids to MCO at a decent fair. We've looked at flying through the closest US airport, and no better there (at least right now). I've got them signed up for the WestJet alert tool, since in reality the direct flight is worth the extra money (less aggravation when traveling with kids, IMO).

Thanks to all for chiming in - I think they'll end up paying between $2000-$2600. While high to me, for a family doing a once in a lifetime reunion, they feel it's worth every penny.

 

[Jax]

I am going in November. We managed to get an awesome deal, lowest price I have ever had.

Westjet direct flights between Calgary and Orlando (roundtrip) for 4 people came to a total of $2,196 (it was $199 per person per direction before tax).

Direct flights usually drop to $209 per person per direction before tax.

If you are interested in the Westjet flights sign up for their jetmail, they will send you an email any time their flights are going on sale, plus I recommend doing a quick check of their site daily.

 

[canadianjovigirl]

We are going in Nov. Calgary to Orlando and are taking Westjet direct down there as got them on seat sales, (there were more seat sales this am for $209) and returning we are flying an American airline as it is half the price of Westjet or Air Canada and we do not want to clear customs in Toronto and rush to catch a connecting flight with 3 little ones....I am still searching for airfares as my nephews are joining us so i stalk the airfare prices daily...

I use expedia.ca as a base for prices and then go from there to see what i can find....

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

I've been looking at one way fares, Edmonton - Orlando. The West Jet flight is currently at $2133 for 4 people, but looking at travelocity, Delta has a similar flight (in terms of time of day) for $1253.

Erica

... we couldn't agree more -we always fly on a US carrier to Florida - our experience has been they are definitely cheaper than AC or WJ, at least from Edmonton ...

 

[abirdd]

Jax - that was exactly what I needed! If they can get $199/ppew+t, great. Worse case, we know the $209 fare is the norm. Thanks so much!!

 

[Jax]

I made a mistake, the $2196 was for 4 people at $209 per person per direction.

About 30 min after I booked our flights the price dropped to $199 so we ended up paying a total of $2112 (528 per person) for roundtrip direct flights.

Happy flight hunting

 

[Jax]

Oh yeah, the only other advice is to check the website pricing often.

We booked our sale price in May for our November trip. I had checked pricing in the morning and it was the normal fare ($424) and then on a whim I checked in the afternoon and all the flights had gone on Sale.

Jetmail is good but it didn't catch these sale prices so I made it a habit to log on at least once a day.

Also, keep checking for the 24 hours after you book because you can change to a lower price at no additional cost for the first 24 hours.