Canadian Travel Hacking

Tag: westjet

  • WestJet – Gold status match with flight – Ends Sept 23, 2016

    Earn Gold with WestJet.
    Status match is back and this time, it’s even easier to experience Gold. If you have top-tier status in another airline OR a travel rewards program, you’re halfway there.

    160915-tiers-status-match-header-EN
    To take part:

    Send in proof of top tier status in another airline’s frequent flyer program, or travel rewards program, before September 23, 2016.* Be sure to include:
    Your first and last name
    Your 9-digit WestJet Rewards ID (provided to you upon joining WestJet Rewards). If you’re not already a member you can join now.
    A photo or scanned copy of your membership card in another airline’s frequent flyer program or travel rewards program showing your name, top-tier status and valid dates.
    Take at least one WestJet flight between now and October 31, 2016 and you’ll be on your way to enjoying Gold flight benefits through December 2017.*

    Get Gold and enjoy these flight benefits:

    Two free checked bags
    Ten airport lounge passes
    No fee for same-day flight changes requested at check-in
    Advance boarding
    Priority screening (at select airports)
    Four advance seat selection vouchers

    Here is a link to register.

  • Flying WestJet’s Vancouver to London, England has no free meal!

    Imagine flying over 9 hours in Economy and not getting a measly meal!

    westjet-boeing-767-300-March5

    Westjet isn’t offering free meals in economy class on its new long-haul route and it’s the first carrier to do this on a direct flight from Vancouver to Europe. It takes nine to nine and a half hours to get to London’s Gatwick airport.

    “Within Canada, we are the only carrier charging for hot meals in the economy section of our aircraft,” WestJet spokesperson Robert Palmer said in an emailed statement.

    The airline started flying to London from Vancouver on May 6 and it’s running the non-stop service six times weekly until mid October.

    “Our guests have always told us that they do not want to pay for things they do not need or want, and that includes expensive meals,” said Palmer.

    WestJet considers itself a low-cost carrier and says its major competitor, Air Canada, is a legacy carrier and uses a different business model.

    “Fares will include more features, but they’re also more expensive. Comparisons between the two types of carriers are problematic because you’re comparing two different business models,” said Palmer.

    WestJet also points to the Norwegian Air flight from New York to London, on which the company does ask for meal payment on certain fares.

    But other low-cost airlines such as Air Transat, with non-stop service from Vancouver to London, do offer free meals on all flights to Europe.

    Transport Canada says there are no rules around providing free meals on flights.

    How much do these meals cost anyways?

    What do you think? Is this is a dealbreaker for you (all things being equal amongst carriers)?

  • WestJet Canada Leap Year Sale: Save on Flights to Canada, the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe

    Westjet has jumped on the bandwagon with a new promo for leap year.WestJet-leap-year

    WestJet Canada has Leap into spring sale valid until Monday, February 29, 2016 at 11:59 pm MT. The offer includes:

    • Save on flights to select destinations in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe.

    To get this WestJet offer:

    • Book by: Monday, February 29, 2016, 11:59 p.m. MT
    • Travel from: April 4 – December 15, 2016 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
    • Blackout dates:May 20-23, 2016, June 23 – September 5, 2016, October 7-10, 2016, November 24-27, 2016

    This WestJet offer is limited and subject to availability. Advance purchase of 21 days before departure date required.

    Click here to book your flights.

  • WestJet Rewards – Fast Track to Silver Elite Status Offer (Ends April 3, 2016)

    Receive WestJet Rewards Silver Elite Status with a minimum $700 qualifying flight spend on flights flown (or minimum 5 WestJet flights flown). Register online (Registration is required), until April 3, 2016.

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    What does Silver Elite Status with WestJet provide:

    • First checked bag free
    • Four airport lounge vouchers
    • Four advance seat selection vouchers

    Normally you don’t hit Silver status until you spend $4,000 with WestJet (before taxes and fees) so this is pretty decent offer in that you only have to spend $700 to get it. Also I like that WestJet has added a flight component as an option so if you fly 5 really cheap WestJet segments you can also get the Silver Elite status.

    Offer details:

    • Guest must register for the offer prior to travel and include their WestJet Rewards ID on their bookings.
    • Both new and existing bookings for flights flown during the promotion period will be eligible, providing other conditions of the promotion are met.
    • Offer includes awarding of flight benefits only; milestone awards, such as companion flights, are not included. In order to receive milestone awards, member must achieve standard qualifying flight spend amounts.

    Source

  • WestJet Canada Offer: Save 25% Off Canada Flights + 20% Off U.S. Flights + 20% Off International Flights

    This offer is valid for 3 days only so you must book your flights by January 22, 2016 11:59pm ET. The discount is applied to the base fare excluding taxes and fees and don’t forget to add you WestJet Rewards ID to your booking so you can earn WestJet dollars!

     

    To get this deal, make sure you book your travel before June 28, 2016!

    • 25% off flights in Canada
    • 20% off flights to the US
    • 10% off international flights

    To book with your credit card only use promo code WSR10 and coupon code Q4QMQGM:

    1. Enter your flight details and eligible travel dates into the booking tool.
    2. Enter both the promo and coupon codes provided above for bookings with a credit card only.
    3. Enjoy your savings and have a great trip!

    To book using WestJet dollars use promo code WSR10 and coupon code Q4QMQGM:

    1. Visit westjet.com/redeem-rewards
    2. Sign in to the WestJet dollars redemption site using your WestJet Rewards ID.
    3. Click on ‘book a flight using WestJet dollars’ and enter your flight details.
    4. Enter both the coupon code (web coupon no.) and promo code provided above for bookings with WestJet dollars.
    5. When redeeming WestJet dollars online, only flights originating from Canada can be selected (either one way or round trip).
    6. On the ‘payment information’ step, indicate the amount of WestJet dollars to redeem. There is a minimum 25 WestJet dollars required to redeem†.

    This flight deal ends January 22, 2016 and you must travel before June 28, 2016.

    Click here to book flights at WestJet.

  • WestJet Black Friday Sale

    The WestJet Black Friday sale is ON!

    west-jet

    You’ll have 7 days to save! Over 500,000 seats are on sale now from $99 – $399.

    You can enjoy savings of up to $1000 on vacation packages too.

    Book by: November 30, 2015 (11:59 p.m. MT)

    Travel from: Now – April 30, 2016 (no blackout dates!)

    See more here.

  • WestJet Announces Changes To Charges For Bags, Exit Row Seat Selection

    WestJet has increased fees on checked baggage and advance seat selection in exit rows.

    The new rates apply to bookings made from Nov. 3 onward for travel on or after Jan. 6, 2016. Bookings made prior to Nov. 3 are not affected.

    westjet-boeing-767-300-March5

    First bag fees of $25 now apply ($35 for a second piece of baggage, and $100 for third and fourth pieces) to guests travelling to Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and Europe, as well as guests travelling on domestic and transborder routes. Guests who purchase a WestJet Vacations package or make a group booking to Mexico, Caribbean, Central America or Europe will continue to be able to check a first bag at no charge.

    Guests that are travelling on a Flex or Plus fare get one free checked bag for Flex, and two for Plus. Guests that are either a Silver or Gold Rewards member and WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard holders can check a bag for free.

    Fees for advance booking of an exit row are now $10, $30, $40 or $50, depending on the distance travelled.

  • WestJet Rewards Status Match – Get Gold Status with one flight with other North American programs

    Great move on Westjet’s part.

    westjet-boeing-767-300-March5

    This isn’t an instant status match however as you need to complete one flight on WestJet by the end of the year. Any North American airline includes those based in Canada, U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America.

    Gold Elite with WestJet provides:
    • Two free checked bags
    • Ten airport lounge passes
    • Priority security screening (at select airports)
    • Advance boarding
    • And more

    To take advantage of this offer:

    1. First, submit a request to participate including:
      1. Your first and last name.
      2. Your 9-digit WestJet Rewards ID (provided to you upon joining WestJet Rewards). If you’re not already a member you can join now.
      3. A photo or scanned copy of your membership card in another North American airline’s frequent flyer program showing your name, top-tier status and valid dates.
    2. Then, fly a minimum of one eligible WestJet-marketed flight with your WestJet Rewards ID on the booking between September 24 and December 31, 2015.

    Here is a link to the promotion.

    Source: Rewards Canada

  • Fly WestJet to London for as little as $199

    WestJet today announced it will launch new non-stop service next spring toLondon (Gatwick) a total of four times daily from six Canadian cities: Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto and St. John’s. These new routes represent WestJet’s first non-stop service to London, and the only non-stop service from Winnipeg to the United Kingdom.

    westjet-boeing-767-300-March5

    “Canadians have been paying far too much to fly to Europe for far too long and today, as we have throughout our history, we’re going to fix that,” said Bob Cummings, WestJet Executive Vice-President, Commercial. “We are offering non-stop flights at very low prices and we’re proud to once again lower airfares and make travel more affordable.”

    One-way fares between Canadian cities and London (Gatwick) are available starting at:

    Departing Arriving Air transportation
    charges (ATC)    		 Taxes, fees
    and charges    		 Total one-way price from
    Base
    fare
    from    		 Other
    ATC
    Toronto London $187 $7.50 $54.50 $249.00*CAD
    Vancouver London $244 $7.50 $47.50 $299.00*CAD
    Calgary London $234 $7.50 $57.50 $299.00*CAD
    Edmonton London $234 $7.50 $57.50 $299.00*CAD
    Winnipeg London $219 $7.50 $52.50 $279.00*CAD
    St John’s London $131 $7.50 $60.50 $199.00*CAD

    *Some restrictions apply. Please see westjet.com/londongatwick for details. Advertised taxes and fees for European destinations may fluctuate based on exchange rate.

    WestJet will also be offering introductory pricing that adds only an additional $20 one way to connect from select airports into the six cities serving London (Gatwick). Guests are encouraged to look for these introductory prices from these communities on westjet.com or contact their travel agent.

    During peak periods from early May to early October, Vancouver service will operate six times weekly, Edmonton will operate twice weekly, Calgary five times weekly and Winnipeg once weekly. Flights from Toronto and St. John’s will operate once daily. For details, please visit westjet.com/londongatwick

    WestJet’s non-stop flights from Canada to London all operate as overnight flights leaving late afternoon or evening, which is ideal for travellers connecting to all six airports from other regions in Canada. Some 45 airlines operate fromGatwick airport, offering WestJet guests low fares and easy connections to and from approximately 200 destinations in 90 countries, more destinations than from any other airport in the UK. Located just 30 minutes from all of Central London’s many attractions, Gatwick is also one of the easiest London airports to navigate, with a monorail connecting its two terminals.

    “Non-stop service between Canadian cities and London is a natural next step in the evolution of WestJet and for our transatlantic service in particular,” said Bob Cummings. “With the addition of our 767 aircraft, we will now bring our low fares and fun, friendly, people-driven service to England where we know many Canadians have relatives. This new service will also help connect family and friends on both sides of the Atlantic.”

    With the exception of flights from St. John’s, which will operate on one of the airline’s Boeing Next-Generation 737s, allLondon flights will be operated by one of WestJet’s four 767-300ERW extended range aircraft. Featuring a new teal and blue maple leaf-themed logo, which will eventually appear on all WestJet aircraft, each 767 seats 262 guests and has a range of approximately 11 hours. The aircraft will include a Plus cabin with 24 premium seats in a two-by-two configuration, hot meals and all other amenities associated with Plus. The main cabin has 238 seats, with two seats on either side of the aircraft and three in the middle. By next spring all four 767s will be equipped with WestJet Connect, the airline’s new inflight entertainment and wireless connectivity system.

  • WestJet unveils its new In-Flight Entertainment and Communications system

    I have not been on a WestJet flight in years (been trying to redeem my Aeroplan miles)!

    Flight WS532 from Calgary to Hamilton at 0650 is the first public flight of the new In-Flight Entertainment and Communications system.

    westjet-boeing-767-300-March5

    WestJet Connect

    WestJet Connect brings the internet and the best in entertainment straight to your laptop, tablet or smartphone while you are in the air. Bring your own device and download the WestJet app before your flight and you’ll be ready to go.

    Internet connectivity

    Ever wonder if email travels faster than a plane? Now you can find out with our on-board internet access. Purchase a Flight Pass for $7.99-9.19 (Flight Passes are good for a single flight).

    TV and movies

    Take your pick between complimentary and paid content including new and classic movies, TV episodes and live-streaming TV. During our introductory offer, you can watch all paid programming for free.

    In-seat power

    Keep your devices powered up on our Boeing 737 aircraft equipped with new Slimline seats and a 110-volt AC (compatible with North American, European and British standards) and 5-volt direct DC USB power plug-in at your seat.

    Travelling on one of our 767 aircraft? You’ll have a direct DC USB power plug-in at your seat. Guests in Plus will also receive 110-volt converter for use during the flight.

    Forgot your charging cable? We’ve got your covered. Purchase a WestJet-teal charging cable on board. This single cable includes three connectors: micro-USB, Apple 30-pin and Apple Lightning.

    We are in the process of updating our aircraft, please be aware that not all of our aircraft are currently enabled with WestJet Connect.

    Tablet rental program

    WestJet has introduced tablet rentals as we transition to our new inflight entertainment system. A limited number of tablets will be available on some of our newest aircraft instead of live seatback television for flights over three hours and 20 minutes, not including our red-eye flights. Guests will be able to rent a tablet preloaded with movies and television shows. The rental price is $6.99-8.04.

    Live seatback television, inflight movies and shows

    WestJet is pleased to offer live satellite seatback television provided by Bell TV on some of our Boeing 737 flights within Canada. You’ll get to choose from our channel line-up of the best in sports, news, lifestyle and more. On domestic flights of 2.5 hours or longer you can also watch one of the latest pay‑per‑view Hollywood blockbusters.

    WestJet flights serving great U.S. and international destinations will offer either seatback television with complimentary stored programming or a limited number of tablet rentals, for a fee, on flights without seatback television. We also recommend bringing books, magazines, tablets, portable DVD players or toys for your little WestJetters. For a description of our tablet rental program please see above.

    Earbuds

    Earbuds are available for purchase on all flights that offer inflight entertainment options. They’re yours to keep, so you can use them on all your WestJet flights (they’re also compatible with all your other gadgets). If you have your own earbuds, bring them along. All 3.5 mm (approximately 1/8 in) stereo headphone connections (with one prong) will work with our systems.

    Travelling with WestJet Encore

    As our WestJet Encore turboprop aircraft are not equipped with an inflight entertainment system, we recommend bringing books, magazines, portable DVD players/tablets for yourself and some toys for your little WestJetters. Just remember your carry-on allowance is limited. You can also enjoy WestJet Magazine – our inflight magazine – available in the seatback pockets.