The next time you fly with WestJet Canada Airlines, it might cost you more than you are used to! Don’t fret though – Richard Bartrem (WestJet’s Vice President Guest Services) has explained that this fee will eventually lead to overall fares for Economy Flights.
Yesterday WestJet Canada announced that they will be starting to charge a $25 fee for your first checked bag. This fee will apply to Econo fares that are traveling within Canada as well as traveling between Canada and the US.
Here is a little breakdown:
- Econo Flights – $25 for First Checked Bag
- Flex Fare – One FREE Checked Bag
- Plus Fare – Two FREE Checked Bags
You can get around the new Econo Flight Checked Bag Fee if you are a WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard holder, or if you are a Gold or Silver tier in the new WestJet Canada reward tier system. Also, flights headed to international destinations like Mexico etc will continue to receive their first checked bag for free.
This new fee has been applied on all new bookings as of now for travel on or after October 29th, 2014. WestJet was one of the remaining airlines that didn’t charge baggage fees – now they just seem like the rest of the airlines.
How do you feel about this?
Read about it in the Global News here!
What this does is make people try to get all of there stuff as carry-on. For those of us that check a bag and bring a small carry-on bag, we often get to our seat and find all of the overhead bins full and are forced to use our leg room, when we should reasonably be entitled to overhead space. This past summer I saw multiple people carrying in 4 bages full as carry-on. They need to seriously crack down on this.
totally agree with you.
That’s too bad they are doing this. We are loyal “WestJetters” and I insist on using them vs Air Canada any day. But this makes them just like any other airline, nothing extra special anymore. Now this family of 3 will have to try to cram everything into 1 large suitcase and the rest in carry-ons.
This should have been included in the price of every ticket to avoid the problems created by carry-on luggage. I am not at all opposed to the increase. I think we should be thankful for reasonable flight prices, especially when airlines that offer low, low, prices often end up going under and leaving ticketholders without a flight.
I’m a WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard holder, and even if I will not be affected, the rest of my family will be. So basically this means that I’m one day closer to cancelling my WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard and going to another travel card and will choose another airline or just drive to Orlando on our yearly family vacation. Won’t really affect me as we’ll see some country side driving for two days to get there, and save on airfare vs gas! Too bad Westjet… Thought you were a friendly company! Guess not!
Freefinger… If you have the WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard you will get your First Bag Checked for Free as well as up to 8 other people booked on the same PNR (booking reference). Therefore as long as you keep the card and travel
with your family this change will not affect you.
For the rest who say WestJet is just like everyone else… Yes the fare structure might be however the way WestJetter’s treat guests and are empowered to make decisions on the spot to go above and beyond for guests is what sets them apart. For those who thing WestJet is the same, I challenge you to travel with some other airlines and you will feel the difference that goes beyond the fare you pay.
I speak first hand as I have worked for another Canadian Carrier and have seen the difference.