WestJet Rewards - Westjet so expensive ex YVR?

I will be in Vancouver for a week in early/mid September and as a avid plane spotter, I wanted to fly somewhere for the day ex YVR, most likely YYC. That was until I looked at the prices. $109 for a 1h25min route for a LCC is just crazy, and I thought that included taxes. So nearly AUD$400 for a return flight on the route, I can fly LAX-SYD for that price.

What are the chances of fares dropping?, dont really want to spend much more than $250rt. Expedia was giving out some cheaper prices but I am not sure if that included taxes.

I always heard that there was airfare gouging ex YVR, but not to this extent!

It isn't pricing ex-YVR that is expensive, it is air travel in Canada that is generally more expensive than other countries. IMHO $109 base fare is a relative steal. I just checked a dummy date of September 15 on westjet.com and they have base fares from $99; this is shown as being a "seat sale" so I wouldn't expect anything lower. Air Canada.com has base fares from $109.

Other destinations may be slightly cheaper as YVR-YYC is basically a hub to hub for both WS and AC.

IMHO WS really isn't a LCC similar to airlines like Ryanair, etc. They often get grouped together with such airlines, however they offer quite a bit more than just bare-bones service.

If you can get $250 RT on expedia that is likely as good as it is going to get; expedia (at least the .ca edition) typically gives all-in pricing.

It isn't pricing ex-YVR that is expensive, it is air travel in Canada that is generally more expensive than other countries. IMHO $109 base fare is a relative steal. I just checked a dummy date of September 15 on westjet.com and they have base fares from $99; this is shown as being a "seat sale" so I wouldn't expect anything lower. Air Canada.com has base fares from $109.

Other destinations may be slightly cheaper as YVR-YYC is basically a hub to hub for both WS and AC.

IMHO WS really isn't a LCC similar to airlines like Ryanair, etc. They often get grouped together with such airlines, however they offer quite a bit more than just bare-bones service.

If you can get $250 RT on expedia that is likely as good as it is going to get; expedia (at least the .ca edition) typically gives all-in pricing.

agreed. $109 is decent YVR-YYC...I just flew back last night for $139. With the exception of "crazy" deals that are very very rare, you won't find much under $99 for that route and also agreed that WS is not a LCC.

agreed. $109 is decent YVR-YYC...I just flew back last night for $139. With the exception of "crazy" deals that are very very rare, you won't find much under $99 for that route and also agreed that WS is not a LCC.

I was recently in Australia. I was amazed at how expensive fares were.

If you want to take a same day return flight from Sydney to Brisbane, 467 miles vs 425 miles for Calgary-Vancouver, ( I picked Sept 9), with the same baggage allowances as any Westjet flight in September, the cost is AUS $570+ a $3.50 credit card surcharge. / C$534.

WJ's fare all in is AUS$344.

Virgin Blue has 180 seats into their 737-800's, including 12 "premium economy" seats at 34". WJ's 737-800's have 166 seats, all at 34"!

Virgin Blue charges $20 for a weird, clunky digiplayer. WJ has free live TV.

Virgin Blue charges $3+ for a soft drink, $2.50 for a cookie, $4 for Pringles. WJ has free non-alcoholic drinks, free cookies and pringles ar AUS$1.75

I'll take Westjet anytime over Australia's low cost carrier!

And BTW, in September, V Australia's lowest one way fare from Sydney to LAX is AUS$746/ C$695! Where did you come up with $400?

:)

You may be able to save a few $$ buying YYC-YVR-YYJ ON AC. Throw away YVR-YYJ.

You may be able to save a few $$ buying YYC-YVR-YYJ ON AC. Throw away YVR-YYJ.

OP wants to depart ex YVR.

YVR-Kelowna is as low as $59 each way plus taxes and fees.

I always heard that there was airfare gouging ex YVR, but not to this extent!

:confused: Heard from whom? Seems a pretty sweeping generalization without anything more than anecdotal evidence and curious expectations.

:confused: Heard from whom? Seems a pretty sweeping generalization without anything more than anecdotal evidence and curious expectations.

If you look at historical airline results that show airlines lose money hand over fist pretty much year after year, it's pretty hard to claim airlines "are ripping consumers off".

It would be a little bit more accurate to say airlines are ripping people off if they made 30% profits day in and day out!

:)

I found Kelowna as someone mentioned to be a cheap run, I just want to experience some Canadian airlines, so not really fussed where I am headed. Would prefer a AC A319/320 over anything.

I found Kelowna as someone mentioned to be a cheap run, I just want to experience some Canadian airlines, so not really fussed where I am headed. Would prefer a AC A319/320 over anything.

If you want to have a selection of Canadian airlines, there is no reason you can't do that (although you'll likely have to pay a bit more than you want to).

AC's Tango fares are typically priced similar to WS's flights. Fly WS to YYC and then Fly AC return. If you fly AC on your return you could try routing via YEG and then sample both Jazz (AC's regional partner) and AC mainline; this way you could sample the 3 main carriers in Canada (actually if you want to do something like this I'd recommend flying into YEG and then connecting in YYC as I believe YEG's airport improvement fee is lower than YYC's). AC and WS do not have an interline ticketing agreement, so you would have to purchase separate one-way fares, but within NA both airlines price their tickets on one-way fares, so you won't be paying any more than if you purchased a return ticket with one airline.

Me thinks the OP is simply ignorant (not intended in an insulting way) of the typical airfares in Canada (and taxes!). Westjet is very similar to AC for the low fares (within about $15 for YVR-YYC for the lowest fares over the next 4 months).

I was more amazed at the high taxes imposed on Canadian domestic flights. I guess coming from Australia were I fly reguarly for $20-70 all inclusive, I am just ignorant lol.

Lucky there is a sale on now and I booked a daytrip to Kelowna, well for 6hrs. Flying Westjet out for $93 total and Jazz back for $90. I didn't pay the $18 for a window, but what the chances of getting a window for free, say online checkin.

Thanks to Altaflyer for mentioning Kelowna too.

Just check-in at T-24 hrs and I am sure a window will be yours, especially on the WS flight.

I secured a window on the WS flight, not fussed about paying a small fee for their seating, but $18 is a bit much on AC, especially for a 50min DCH3 flight.