Why doesn't WestJet offer a fully refundable fare?
Jun 23, 2020, 7:46 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YYC, Canada
Programs: AC 35k
Posts: 1,898
Why doesn't WestJet offer a fully refundable fare?
I don't fault AC for not giving refunds to passengers in COVID for those who didn't buy refundable fares - but AC is now offering fully refundable fares in Comfort. WS still offers nothing - yes you can avoid change fees with EconoFlex within Canada but it's not refundable and no fare you can buy is. It would sure be nice these days 
Jul 21, 2020, 11:57 am
#4
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 1,204
I don't fault AC for not giving refunds to passengers in COVID for those who didn't buy refundable fares - but AC is now offering fully refundable fares in Comfort. WS still offers nothing - yes you can avoid change fees with EconoFlex within Canada but it's not refundable and no fare you can buy is. It would sure be nice these days
It's like a concert/show tickets. They are generally non-refundable but if the event is cancelled, everyone who bought tickets for it is entitled to a refund.
Jul 21, 2020, 7:42 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YYC, Canada
Programs: AC 35k
Posts: 1,898
I fault AC for not giving refunds to passengers for flights that AC itself cancelled. Passengers in those cases are entitled by law to full refunds for services they paid but the provider failed to provide, regardless of the fare rules of the purchased ticket.
It's like a concert/show tickets. They are generally non-refundable but if the event is cancelled, everyone who bought tickets for it is entitled to a refund.
It's like a concert/show tickets. They are generally non-refundable but if the event is cancelled, everyone who bought tickets for it is entitled to a refund.
Buy refundable fares.
Jul 23, 2020, 8:25 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 1,204
Yeah Garneau is sold to the airlines, that's why he disagrees.
72% of Canadians oppose Transport Minister Marc Garneau’s decision to not force airlines to offer refunds to passengers
I'm not a doormat like some people who support the unscrupulous airline policies. I won't buy refundable fares and pay more just to avoid being screwed and have my rights violated by airlines. I will have the airlines forced to respect my rights because I'm not a pushover.
Service not provided = refunds . No exceptions for any industry or company
72% of Canadians oppose Transport Minister Marc Garneau’s decision to not force airlines to offer refunds to passengers
I'm not a doormat like some people who support the unscrupulous airline policies. I won't buy refundable fares and pay more just to avoid being screwed and have my rights violated by airlines. I will have the airlines forced to respect my rights because I'm not a pushover.
Service not provided = refunds . No exceptions for any industry or company
Last edited by hoipolloi; Jul 23, 2020 at 8:30 pm
Jul 23, 2020, 9:44 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,444
Yeah Garneau is sold to the airlines, that's why he disagrees.
72% of Canadians oppose Transport Minister Marc Garneau’s decision to not force airlines to offer refunds to passengers
I'm not a doormat like some people who support the unscrupulous airline policies. I won't buy refundable fares and pay more just to avoid being screwed and have my rights violated by airlines. I will have the airlines forced to respect my rights because I'm not a pushover.
Service not provided = refunds . No exceptions for any industry or company
72% of Canadians oppose Transport Minister Marc Garneau’s decision to not force airlines to offer refunds to passengers
I'm not a doormat like some people who support the unscrupulous airline policies. I won't buy refundable fares and pay more just to avoid being screwed and have my rights violated by airlines. I will have the airlines forced to respect my rights because I'm not a pushover.
Service not provided = refunds . No exceptions for any industry or company
Jul 24, 2020, 7:32 am
#8
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 1,204
if that’s what consumer’s want and the regulations are changed to enforce it, then effectively consumers will be paying to make it happen. I would anticipate the cost would be almost the same as the cost of cancellation insurance. Likely about 5% increase in ticket costs to cover the airlines’ increased operating costs to escrow the forward booking income of about 15% of annual revenue.
About the trip cancellation insurance: most policies are not paying out. They consider the credit vouchers as refunds https://www.clhia.ca/web/clhia_lp4w_...25853D0063886C
Jul 24, 2020, 12:12 pm
#10
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 1,204
I will actually avoid flying with Canadian airlines. Will use the train or car, or use Aeroplan miles or Westjet dollars accumulated from credit card churning for domestic flights if necessary, but no cash.
For international flights, I will travel only with foreign carriers, who've almost all been refunding clients, even for nonrefundable tickets, for carrier cancelled flights.
You told me earlier to buy refundable tickets, which is contradictory since Westjet doesn't offer refundable economy tickets. So dumb
Jul 24, 2020, 12:46 pm
#11
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: YVR
Programs: WS Nothing, AC Something, AS Gold. Too big for 737Max washrooms
Posts: 893
Econo Flex fares within Canada fully refundable.
Econo Flex fares for flights between Canada and somewhere else, there's a fee.
Jul 24, 2020, 1:14 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 1,204
https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/travel...481724947358-2
Econo Flex fares within Canada fully refundable.
Econo Flex fares for flights between Canada and somewhere else, there's a fee.
Econo Flex fares within Canada fully refundable.
Econo Flex fares for flights between Canada and somewhere else, there's a fee.
Jul 24, 2020, 1:15 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YYC, Canada
Programs: AC 35k
Posts: 1,898
EconoFlex can be cancelled with no fee but they are not refundable - it goes in your travel bank. Your only option is Premium or Business Flex. Most airlines have a full Y option for refunds (AC is doing it now with an even lower fare).
Jul 24, 2020, 3:10 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: YVR
Programs: WS Nothing, AC Something, AS Gold. Too big for 737Max washrooms
Posts: 893
Having no "refundable to original form of payment" fare even at a significantly added cost seems to be quite a long way outside normal industry practice.
Jul 28, 2020, 12:22 am
#15
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: YYJ
Programs: AC SE*MM, Bonvoy LT Plat, HH Gold, National EE, Sixt Plat, Hz 5*
Posts: 2,439
Refundable fares require overbooking. Otherwise seats may go out empty. WestJet doesn't overbook...so no refundable fares.
I want WS to offer a latitude flight pass with complimentary upgrades to J (or at least premium). They don't, so I fly AC.
I want WS to offer a latitude flight pass with complimentary upgrades to J (or at least premium). They don't, so I fly AC.