Introducing Air Canada Basic Economy
#106
Join Date: May 2014
Location: YYJ/YYT
Programs: AC 75K (*G), NEXUS
Posts: 652
I think it's bad because in the past, comparably priced last minute fares like this were at least low-mid Flex and would yield 100% AQM, free checked bag, etc. Now it's the virtually the same price for a lousy Tango fare that should really be Flex.
#107
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: I'm From Here
Programs: AC*SE & MM/*Wood Gold/HHonors Diamond/Marriott Silver/AirMiles Gold
Posts: 4,567
There is no same day change unless you buy a much more expensive ticket. That is the only downside
#109
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: YEG
Programs: AC*SE, Marriott Plat, Natl Exec, NEXUS
Posts: 437
Just had my first experience with Basic Economy in the booking process. Was looking at a YEG-YVR trip in September, and a couple of the flights during the day had BE available. Decided to follow the booking process. AC has made it pretty clear that there is a difference in this fare. When you select Basic Economy, there is an additional page that loads outlining the differences between this and Tango with all the restrictions. You then have to Accept the Basic Economy or can choose to upgrade to Tango at that time.
It's definitely included in the Branded Fares. The fare I selected ended up being a K fare labelled Economy(K). There's also Tango K available on this flight.
What was interesting was the price, because I've been monitoring this for a few weeks. It's a bit of a split. Tango (K) was $170 on this route and time a few weeks ago. It's now $211 for Tango K while Basic Economy K is $111. However, to be fair, the lowest fare on WS for this day and route is now $211 as well. So, not sure if it's just revenue management playing to the competitor that makes the price adjustment.
Anyway, just my two cents.
It's definitely included in the Branded Fares. The fare I selected ended up being a K fare labelled Economy(K). There's also Tango K available on this flight.
What was interesting was the price, because I've been monitoring this for a few weeks. It's a bit of a split. Tango (K) was $170 on this route and time a few weeks ago. It's now $211 for Tango K while Basic Economy K is $111. However, to be fair, the lowest fare on WS for this day and route is now $211 as well. So, not sure if it's just revenue management playing to the competitor that makes the price adjustment.
Anyway, just my two cents.
#110
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: YVR/YEG/YYZ depending on day
Programs: E35K, FPC Platinum
Posts: 392
Just had my first experience with Basic Economy in the booking process. Was looking at a YEG-YVR trip in September, and a couple of the flights during the day had BE available. Decided to follow the booking process. AC has made it pretty clear that there is a difference in this fare. When you select Basic Economy, there is an additional page that loads outlining the differences between this and Tango with all the restrictions. You then have to Accept the Basic Economy or can choose to upgrade to Tango at that time.
It's definitely included in the Branded Fares. The fare I selected ended up being a K fare labelled Economy(K). There's also Tango K available on this flight.
What was interesting was the price, because I've been monitoring this for a few weeks. It's a bit of a split. Tango (K) was $170 on this route and time a few weeks ago. It's now $211 for Tango K while Basic Economy K is $111. However, to be fair, the lowest fare on WS for this day and route is now $211 as well. So, not sure if it's just revenue management playing to the competitor that makes the price adjustment.
Anyway, just my two cents.
It's definitely included in the Branded Fares. The fare I selected ended up being a K fare labelled Economy(K). There's also Tango K available on this flight.
What was interesting was the price, because I've been monitoring this for a few weeks. It's a bit of a split. Tango (K) was $170 on this route and time a few weeks ago. It's now $211 for Tango K while Basic Economy K is $111. However, to be fair, the lowest fare on WS for this day and route is now $211 as well. So, not sure if it's just revenue management playing to the competitor that makes the price adjustment.
Anyway, just my two cents.
However- for altitude members isn't there an option to choose a minimum mile reward for short haul flights in Tango... does this basic economy fare class mean that even those 250miles or whatever it is are lost??
That price difference is huge though, I wonder if that difference (50% cheaper) applies to TPAC/TATL flights.
#111
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: FOTSG Tangerine Ex E35k (AC)
Posts: 5,612
That is a huge difference in price and makes it more attractive especially for short-haul trips.
However- for altitude members isn't there an option to choose a minimum mile reward for short haul flights in Tango... does this basic economy fare class mean that even those 250miles or whatever it is are lost??
That price difference is huge though, I wonder if that difference (50% cheaper) applies to TPAC/TATL flights.
However- for altitude members isn't there an option to choose a minimum mile reward for short haul flights in Tango... does this basic economy fare class mean that even those 250miles or whatever it is are lost??
That price difference is huge though, I wonder if that difference (50% cheaper) applies to TPAC/TATL flights.
I just found and tried on my phone though and there are no clear details shown up to the enter details page anyway.
For now, BE is only domestic flights. TPAC/TATL will I imagine remain BE free until other carriers start doing it.
#112
Join Date: May 2013
Location: west coast best coast
Programs: TINDER GOLD, STARBUCKS GOLD, COSTCO EXECUTIVE!!
Posts: 3,989
Why anybody would choose Tango over these fares is beyond me. I support BE. What's the point of paying more for a pathetic 25% accrual? Or a fare that has $200 change fees anyways? These fares would look poor if AC didn't gut Tango to the bone. Now they actually look decent in comparison, ironically enough.
#113
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: YEG
Programs: AC*SE, Marriott Plat, Natl Exec, NEXUS
Posts: 437
Why anybody would choose Tango over these fares is beyond me. I support BE. What's the point of paying more for a pathetic 25% accrual? Or a fare that has $200 change fees anyways? These fares would look poor if AC didn't gut Tango to the bone. Now they actually look decent in comparison, ironically enough.
#114
Join Date: May 2014
Location: YYJ/YYT
Programs: AC 75K (*G), NEXUS
Posts: 652
Why anybody would choose Tango over these fares is beyond me. I support BE. What's the point of paying more for a pathetic 25% accrual? Or a fare that has $200 change fees anyways? These fares would look poor if AC didn't gut Tango to the bone. Now they actually look decent in comparison, ironically enough.
#115
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYC / random hotel in YYZ
Programs: Back of the bus
Posts: 922
Just had my first experience with Basic Economy in the booking process. Was looking at a YEG-YVR trip in September, and a couple of the flights during the day had BE available. Decided to follow the booking process. AC has made it pretty clear that there is a difference in this fare. When you select Basic Economy, there is an additional page that loads outlining the differences between this and Tango with all the restrictions. You then have to Accept the Basic Economy or can choose to upgrade to Tango at that time.
It's definitely included in the Branded Fares. The fare I selected ended up being a K fare labelled Economy(K). There's also Tango K available on this flight.
What was interesting was the price, because I've been monitoring this for a few weeks. It's a bit of a split. Tango (K) was $170 on this route and time a few weeks ago. It's now $211 for Tango K while Basic Economy K is $111. However, to be fair, the lowest fare on WS for this day and route is now $211 as well. So, not sure if it's just revenue management playing to the competitor that makes the price adjustment.
Anyway, just my two cents.
It's definitely included in the Branded Fares. The fare I selected ended up being a K fare labelled Economy(K). There's also Tango K available on this flight.
What was interesting was the price, because I've been monitoring this for a few weeks. It's a bit of a split. Tango (K) was $170 on this route and time a few weeks ago. It's now $211 for Tango K while Basic Economy K is $111. However, to be fair, the lowest fare on WS for this day and route is now $211 as well. So, not sure if it's just revenue management playing to the competitor that makes the price adjustment.
Anyway, just my two cents.
#116
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: YVR
Posts: 304
Just had my first experience with Basic Economy in the booking process. Was looking at a YEG-YVR trip in September, and a couple of the flights during the day had BE available. Decided to follow the booking process. AC has made it pretty clear that there is a difference in this fare. When you select Basic Economy, there is an additional page that loads outlining the differences between this and Tango with all the restrictions. You then have to Accept the Basic Economy or can choose to upgrade to Tango at that time.
It's definitely included in the Branded Fares. The fare I selected ended up being a K fare labelled Economy(K). There's also Tango K available on this flight.
What was interesting was the price, because I've been monitoring this for a few weeks. It's a bit of a split. Tango (K) was $170 on this route and time a few weeks ago. It's now $211 for Tango K while Basic Economy K is $111. However, to be fair, the lowest fare on WS for this day and route is now $211 as well. So, not sure if it's just revenue management playing to the competitor that makes the price adjustment.
Anyway, just my two cents.
It's definitely included in the Branded Fares. The fare I selected ended up being a K fare labelled Economy(K). There's also Tango K available on this flight.
What was interesting was the price, because I've been monitoring this for a few weeks. It's a bit of a split. Tango (K) was $170 on this route and time a few weeks ago. It's now $211 for Tango K while Basic Economy K is $111. However, to be fair, the lowest fare on WS for this day and route is now $211 as well. So, not sure if it's just revenue management playing to the competitor that makes the price adjustment.
Anyway, just my two cents.
#117
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Halifax
Programs: AC SE100K, Marriott Lifetime Platinum Elite. NEXUS
Posts: 4,569
This whole new thing throws a wrench in booking via Google Flights. Prior to BE, you'd click from Google Flights directly to the screen where the chosen flights are prepopulated, then all you have to do is review the fare details and proceed to booking. Now, from Google Flights, you land essentially one screen prior where you have to choose from the various fares offered. I assume that's to allow for the various warning and disclaimers to pop up. It could make booking various mileage/segment runs directly from Google Flights a lot trickier.
Google has some smart people. It'll get fixed.
#118
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: Bonvoy LT Plat, Current Titanium, AC SE, x-SPG fanatic
Posts: 42
With our company policy of "pick the most logical fare" I might be SOL ....that means sharing more with WS (yuk) and loosing status all together in 2019.
ohh the horror
#119
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: YQB
Programs: AC SE
Posts: 2,139
Here we go! WS is joining the parade:
WestJet is the Latest Carrier to Introduce Basic Economy Airfares
WestJet is the Latest Carrier to Introduce Basic Economy Airfares
#120
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: AC SE100k, Marriott Titanium, UA Silver
Posts: 2,648
Here we go! WS is joining the parade:
WestJet is the Latest Carrier to Introduce Basic Economy Airfares
WestJet is the Latest Carrier to Introduce Basic Economy Airfares