OK-check out Air Canada rates!

[mom_rules]

Unfortunately I've just been told I can't make changes to my AC fares - but I just checked online-I could have saved $150 per person if I had had a little faith and waited!!

 

[lisaes]

Don't even talk about it! I could have saved over 700 for our trip in October with Westjet!

 

[minnie56]

I always book fairly close to my departure date. I only booked 3 weeks ago for August and paid $750 or so for 2 of us all taxes in. Air Canada put their fares up and down a hundred times before they seem to settle. It usually pays to wait...but what can you do now? It's done...no point in stewing about it.

 

[ChisJo]

They are still way more than I paid! Was originally going to go with them, but thankfully found a better deal that has still yet to be beat by any other airline.

 

[tigger2on]

We're travelling in Sept. on Air Trasat for ONLY$120 cheaper. Wish I'd waited too!

 

[heat14]

Where are you flying from and when are you going? I am going in Feb 2005 and the cheapest I've found so far out of Halifax is $544 (taxes in) with Canjet (feb 6-13)

 

[mom_rules]

heat14-I just checked AC Tango Fares from YHZ to MCO Feb 6-13 and the fare all fees and taxes included is $398.97 CDN.

 

[mom_rules]

Westjet is showing $391.52 all included same place and dates.

 

[heat14]

Hey Mom_rules! What is the link to that fare>????? I need it! Thats really cheap, is it direct though? We have 3 kids under the age of 8 travelling.

 

[mom_rules]

heat14-do you have email or PM? PM me your email address and I'll send you the link. Not sure of I can post it here.

 

[mom_rules]

Heat14-I'm showing a total of 1957.60 for 5 travellers.
Leaving Halifax @ 7:00am on Feb 6 arr. MCO noon.
Leaving MCO @1:05 on 13th. (Has quite a long connection time in Toronto but in Feb. you might need it).
The airline does not fly direct from Halifax-stops in TO.

 

[heat14]

my email is hyochoff@hotmail.com

 

[mom_rules]

Email is on its way!

 

[totalia]

Can someone explain tango fares? Are they standby fares?

 

[bunnyfoo]

I don't think Tango fares are standby because you have the option of paying $10/each way to select your seat. The only real difference I noticed in Tango fares is that you only get 50% of Aeroplan points and the points are non-status. So from YYZ to MCO, you'd only get 1,057 points instead of 2,114 and they wouldn't help to change your status from basic to prestige, elite, etc.

 

[jaysue]

Tango fares have more change fees and restrictions as well:

TANGO: Changes are permitted for a CA$25/US$20 fee per direction, plus taxes and any fare difference, subject to availability and advance purchase requirements. A higher fare could apply in addition to the change fee. Changes and cancellations can be made up to 2 hours prior to departure. Changes can be done online, while cancellations must be done by calling Air Canada at 1-888-247-2262. Provided the original booking is cancelled prior to the original flight departure, the value of unused ticket, less the CA$25/US$20 change fee (plus taxes) can be applied towards the purchase of a new ticket. The new outbound travel date must commence within a one year period from the original date of ticket issuance. Customers who no-show their flight will forfeit the fare paid. Paid Advance Seat Selection. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Same day stand-by is not permitted for travel within Canada and Canada - USA travel.

FUN: Changes are permitted as follows:
Prior to day of departure — CA$25/US$20 plus fare difference if applicable.
Day of departure:
- At the airport — CA$50/US$40 (no charge for fare difference) for same day flights only
- At Air Canada Reservations or aircanada.com — CA$25/US$20 plus fare difference if applicable
A higher fare could apply in addition to the change fee. Changes and cancellations can be made up to 2 hours prior to departure. Changes can be done online, while cancellations must be done by calling Air Canada at 1-888-247-2262. Provided the original booking is cancelled prior to the original flight departure, the value of unused ticket, less the change fee (plus taxes) can be applied towards the purchase of a new ticket. The new outbound travel date must commence within a one year period from the original date of ticket issuance. Customers who no-show their flight will forfeit the fare paid. Advance Seat Selection permitted at no charge. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Same day stand-by is not permitted for travel within Canada and Canada - USA travel.

LATITUDE: Changes are permitted and a change fee does not apply. However, when the original booking code is not available, the ticket will require an upgrade resulting in a higher fare. Changes can be done online, while cancellations must be done by calling Air Canada at 1-888-247-2262 at least 2 hours prior to departure. Advance Seat Selection permitted at no charge. Tickets are fully refundable and non-transferable.

FREEDOM: Changes are permitted free of charge, subject to availability, and tickets are refundable. Changes can be done online, while cancellations must be done by calling Air Canada at 1-888-247-2262 at least 2 hours prior to departure. For travel between Canada and the USA, a higher fare may apply given that advance purchase may apply. Advance Seat Selection permitted at no charge. Tickets are fully refundable and non-transferable.

ECONO: Changes are permitted as follows:
Prior to day of departure — CA$75/US$50 plus fare difference if applicable.
Day of departure:
- At the airport — CA$50/US$40 (no charge for fare difference) for same-day flights only
- At Air Canada Reservations or aircanada.com — CA$75/US$50 plus fare difference if applicable
Changes to both outbound and inbound are subject to availability. Advance purchase, minimum/maximum stay, and other conditions may apply. A higher fare could apply in addition to the change fee. Changes and cancellations must be done by calling Air Canada at 1-888-247-2262 at least 2 hours prior to departure. Provided the original booking is cancelled prior to the original flight departure, the value of unused ticket, less the change fee (plus taxes) can be applied towards the purchase of a new ticket. The new outbound travel date must commence within a one year period from the original date of ticket issuance. Customers who no-show their flight will forfeit the fare paid. Advance Seat Selection permitted at no charge. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Same day stand-by is not permitted for travel within Canada and Canada - USA travel.

EXECUTIVE: Changes are permitted and a change fee does not apply. However, when the original booking code is not available, the ticket may require an upgrade resulting in a higher fare. For travel between Canada and the USA, a higher fare may apply given that advance purchase may apply. Changes can be done online, while cancellations must be done by calling Air Canada at 1-888-247-2262 at least 2 hours prior to departure. Advance Seat Selection permitted at no charge. Tickets are fully refundable and non-transferable.

 

[mom_rules]

But don't book your airfare through AC Vacations. No changes or refunds are permitted. You will lose your $200 per person deposit or forfeit the entire cost if you paid in full. Learned the hard way this time. Our airfare went down $600 but to make the change I would lose my $1000 deposit.

Read an article in the paper just last night about Westjet and how well they are doing. Their terms and conditions appear to be alot less stringent than AC with respect to changes and fare reductions etc., comfort of passengers (they call them guests) etc.

Too bad for AC-I'll definitely consider Westjet next time.

 

[DutchsMommy]

I am in the wait and see mode for airfare. I just got the Westjet Mosaik Mastercard so that gives me a $70 credit when I book with them - also triple airmiles. So far Westjet has been my best bet - around $1100 for 3 people travelling YYZ - MCO in Feb '05. I also, however, have enough Airmiles to buy my tickets through them, BUT you have to pay taxes on the tickets - approx $140 each, so I think I will buy my PHs through Airmiles and wait for a good Westjet deal. HOWEVER, just ot make my life complicated, when I was going over my situation with a rep at Airmiles she advised that because Westjet just started flying MCO through Airmiles they might have a sale on around end of July when purchasing Westjet using airmiles. Currently Westjet has a deal in Canada using airmiles nothing over 1600 airmiles or something like that. The going rate per ticket is 1950 currently, but if they reduce that to similar to the Candian deal it may be worth my while to book there. It is driving me a bit insane trying to figure out what my best bet is - but oh well, it gives me something to do while I count down to my big trip!