At least companies like UPS are honest about it. They publicly state how they arrive at their
fuel surcharge is determined.
Unlike the AC execs and their Ouija board guided planning.

Here are some interesting calculations. Some of the numbers are estimated, but I believe they are a fairly accurate representation of the charges:I can see it now, the new AP ad campaign: Book a "free" award ticket on Air Canada, and save more than 5% over the cost of a WestJet ticket.

Well, at least they had the smarts to wait until the OAG awards were over before implementing the new fees.

[This message has been edited by Ken hAAmer (edited 04-12-2003).]

I suppose you mean return in the first example?

Granted, the $111.33 each way fare is a sale fare for WestJet. Regular lowest fare is about $15 more each way.

Whoops. Thanks, it's been fixed.

Not being familiar with other programs, how does the new CAD25.00 fee compare to other programs? I have heard that there are fees that are dependant upon the advance purchase timeline, and can be as high as USD75.00. Is this the case, or am I mistaken?

Alaska Airlines: Non-Partner: 3 weeks or more: Free. Otherwise: USD$60.00. Online: Free. Partner Rewards: 3 weeks or more: Free. Otherwise: USD$60.00.

American Airlines: 21 days or more: Free. 7-20 Days: USD$50.00. 6 days to 2 hours: USD$75.00

Continental AirlinesElite: 15+ Days: Free. 14-4 Days: USD$35.00. 3 Days or Less: USD$50.00. Non Elite: 15+ Days: Free. 14-4 Days: USD$50.00. 3 Days or Less: USD$75.00

Delta: 15 Days or more: Free. 14-3 Days:Medallion Member: USD$25.00 General: USD$50.00. 3 Days or Less: USD$75.00
Ticketing at Airport USD$75.00 Regardless of issue date.

Frontier Airines:14 Days or More: Free. 14 Days or Less: USD$35.00

Northwest Airlines:No Fee for E-tickets. USD$50.00 fee for paper reward tickets. Third Party(not travelling) 10 days or more: Free. 10 days or less: USD$50.00

Southwest Airlines: No Redemption Fees.


Mileage Plus(United Airlines): No fee for Electronic Tickets. USD$20.00 fee for Paper Tickets

US Air : (E-Tickets) Chairman Preferred: Free all the time. Silver and Gold preferred: 14 Days or more: USD$35.00, 3-13 days before: USF$35, Less than 3 hrs $USD75.00. Regular members: 14 days or more: Free. 13 days or less: USD$50.00. Less than three hours: USD$75.00. Online Redemption: Free

[This message has been edited by AlmostThere (edited 04-15-2003).]

[This message has been edited by AlmostThere (edited 04-16-2003).]

Interesting to note that the hard core AC defenders, whom come to the aid of AC whenever there is a hegative post, are staying out of this. What about your precious aeroplan now???? Sure, they have the odd flight with good service, or as SE can book whatever, whenever, regardless so the issues of common plebes such as I aren't related.

Do yourself a favour people, fly WJ, save the cash you would have spent and buy yourself a "free ticket". Fly BA overseas (but credit miles to QF), just don't give AC anymore business.

I am pleased to report that I picked up my wife and child from a WJ flight this morning and they had a blast. Agent at check-in even printed a boarding pass and seat assignment for my infant daughter (with name and a whole bunch of $0.00), who was travelling free, as the plane was near full and they wanted my wife to have one of the remaining seats next to her for baby (and car seat).

It is sick to keep putting yourself out there on AC just to take the abuse.

Jeez, what a bunch of wackos!

This really is pathetic, but I must admit it certainly is consistent with the AC policy of thoroughly annoying their customer base with these kind of money-grab tactics.

As an SE sitting on +600K points, I'm appalled that AC has the nerve to institute a Redemption Charge for LOYALTY.

I've made a point of supporting this airline by exclusively flying AC, despite their antics over the past 2 years, and now this really cheap shot...

Yeah, cry me a river about fending off bankcruptcy, Milton. So now you just up the internal charges to Aeroplan, then put the blade in Rupert's paw and tell him to stick it to the customer. Rupert, you make a great lapdog.

You incompetents deserve all the flak you get.

If the Feds finally decide to throw you a bone, they'd better include a LEASH and yank hard on that chain to bring you to heel.

How many dollars a year is $25 a booking?

Wondering if there may be a reason big enough to be worth causing all this anger?

- Perhaps playing hardball with CIBC over the AC 'request' for extra cash? (RM: "We can decimate your card holder count with a few simple Aeroplan changes").

- RM may be thinking with CCRA I don't need to sell Aeroplan anymore. To avoid a breakup fee a couple of changes may make Onex back out.

- ?

Shareholder please add your business acumen to the discussion. Does any of the above make any sense? Is there another reason that could encourage RM to make these changes?

AC is still hoping to sell 35% of Aeroplan to ONEX when they emerge from CCAA in a six months or so. Another huge protest from Aeroplan members might make AC management change their minds very quickly if they want to keep the sale.

Of course, they won't remove the fees. Instead, they'll compromise and offer us a $10 booking fee on all bookings and a fuel surcharge only on Fridays and Sundays, and we'll go away happy thinking we got a good deal.

AC defenders? I guess that's me. I'm not pleased by this development, but, in fairness, someone just posted that AA charges $75. Is that true?

That's only an option if you happen to be travelling between Yxx airports. Such a need has never come up for me. So WestJet really doesn't exist.

Only if you book an award ticket less than 6 days in advance.

are these charges for REAL??? or are they just floating a trial balloon?

Just booked an award ticket to the U.K. Taxes
and charges came to $107.00. Put a fee and fuel
surcharge on top of that and it is getting very expensive for a "FREE" ticket.

Come back Virgin...Hello B.A.

Biggles.

For me that's 100% of all award flight I've ever booked. I guess there are some people who book further in advance, but it looks to me that, on balance, AC's fee is pretty low. AA is charging 4.5 times as much as AC.