Originally Posted by
FlawlessVictory
Hi guys I'm looking to fly Air Canada from Baltimore to Montreal with my wife, I'm trying to understand if I need to spring for Flex over Standard. We will have 1 checked bag and 1 carry on. As I understand it I would need to pay for the 1 checked bag in Standard. I understand that Standard means no assigned seats, does that mean that we're not guaranteed to sit together unless we pay for the assigned seats? I don't particularly care where we sit, as long as it's together. The price difference seams to be $50 per ticket, so $100 total.
TLDR : Unless you have airline status or are willing to carry on the baggage, then it would make sense to fork over the additional $50 per passenger for the flex fare.
Do you have status with Air Canada or a Star Alliance partner like United? If not, per AC
you're looking to pay $30 CAD/USD + tax each way for bag fees per passenger. If so, then you may be entitled to a checked bag allowance (i.e. United Gold will give you 1 free additional checked bag on AC flights).
As for seats, if you want to purchase them prior to check in you'll be shelling out $10-$15 per passenger each direction so between $40-$60 total. During online check in seat selection for non-preferred seats is free but it may be difficult to find seats together.
One other benefit if you collect frequent flyer miles on United, Air Canada or another * alliance partner is you'll earn more points on the Flex fare.
Hope that helps.
Safe Travels,
James