WestJet Rewards - Beware: WS codeshare flights on AA/DL will be subject to baggage fees!

WS's stand on baggage fees
FOLLOWING Air Canada’s announcement Friday on their decision to start charging C$25 for the first bag for economy passengers travelling to the U.S. Westjet Airlines followed with a statement via their Facebook page indicating that their team had a chance to “quickly review the situation” over the weekend and they say that they are comfortable continuing with not charging for the first bag.

Although they say that the airline business is one of a “never say never”, they stated that things could change. But based on what they know now, they say they have no plans of changing their baggage rules.

To read Air Canada’s changes in their baggage policy refer to the Airline Advisories.

Sheila Aue
(need2know@travelinfo.ca)

Travelinfo.ca

WS will soon realise what the biggest problem AC faced all this time by not charging the one baggage fee while all the other U.S. *A carriers were. It gave everyone a rude surprise when flying one travelled on an AC codeshare on UA/CO/US and the check-in agent asked for $25. At least now, you know exactly where you stand and whether you have to fork over some cash or not.

So, just wait when a WestJetter boards a codeshare flight on AA or DL
and the check-in agent holds out her hand asking for $25. That'll be a
rude awakening for them. Let's see how WS handles this one!

At the end of the day, while WS says that they will not charge the one
baggage fee right now, let's be honest, it'll just be a matter of time
before they say, "we are levying fees to increase our competitiveness
on the transborder market".

Where does it say the flights will be subject to AA's baggage fees?

Where does it say the flights will be subject to AA's baggage fees?

I think the OP means codeshares on AA (e.g. the "return" flights to Canada).

Might be a shock to people who aren't prepared, but it's hardly new. Find me an airline in the US that flies to Canada, especially geared towards VBITs, that doesn't charge baggage fees -- so people SHOULD be prepared, but undoubtedly people will get upset with it. However, WS still is ahead of the game by not charging on WS metal flights, unlike AC. It's only $25 but I'd be curious to see how many VBITs will avoid AC like the plague now.

FWIW I've been warning pax for months I've booked on AA codeshares operated by WS inbound they face this charge. WS advise they wouldn't charge it outbound but know it'll be charged when pax check in for the AA operated inbound flight.

FWIW I've been warning pax for months I've booked on AA codeshares operated by WS inbound they face this charge. WS advise they wouldn't charge it outbound but know it'll be charged when pax check in for the AA operated inbound flight.

As you've booked some of these codeshares, have you noticed any of the fares being even remotely competitive with UA/CO, AC, or DL?

I've been checking some destinations, like FAT and ABQ, out of YQR and find that WS is significantly higher than UA most of the time, and often much higher than AC too (AC codeshares, of course, to those destinations). Generally, the routing and travel times are worse on WS + AA than on DL or UA so I tend to rule them out (worse on AC most of the time too since UA brought in the DEN flights for us--love 'em).

Since I've given up on getting AC E back this year, I'm booking the lowest fare + best routing/travel time combos I can find, so I'm doing much more shopping around. WS has disappointed on that score mostly so far this year, other than LAS for which they have a great non-stop from YQR.

As you've booked some of these codeshares, have you noticed any of the fares being even remotely competitive with UA/CO, AC, or DL?

I've been checking some destinations, like FAT and ABQ, out of YQR and find that WS is significantly higher than UA most of the time, and often much higher than AC too (AC codeshares, of course, to those destinations). Generally, the routing and travel times are worse on WS + AA than on DL or UA so I tend to rule them out (worse on AC most of the time too since UA brought in the DEN flights for us--love 'em).

Since I've given up on getting AC E back this year, I'm booking the lowest fare + best routing/travel time combos I can find, so I'm doing much more shopping around. WS has disappointed on that score mostly so far this year, other than LAS for which they have a great non-stop from YQR.

Can't say for all routes but have recently ticketed YEG-YYZ-LGA and LAS-LAX-YEG using WS/AA codeshares and it was better than all other combinations including UA/CO.

I will admit to often temprarily forgetting this codeshare deal and will see something pop up in the CRS like a AA flight number YEG-YYZ and think huh? what the __ before the bulb goes on.