Westjet change fee policy? (for making return flight date changes, in particular.)

[axelz]

I'm planning to take another trip very soon (from Toronto to the Caribbean) and I have a feeling I'll be needing to make return schedule changes, yet again, since I'm assuming there will be a good chance that I'll want to stay longer than the 3 months I have set my stay (return date) for at this point

Canadians are allowed up to 3 months via the visa waiver program there, but after that, it's not a sure thing that they'll grant you a visa extension if you apply for one, so that' why I need to schedule my flight to have me return after ~ 3 months, only, instead of returning at a later date.

So far, I've found that Westjet has decent prices from Toronto to Barbados (and from there I'd have to use Liat airlines to get me to the island I want to end up.) But I'm not sure what Westjet's Change Fee policy is, in regard to changing return flight schedule dates... if they charge anything at all, or what?

Could anyone tell me what Westjet's change fee policy is at the moment, and if possible maybe people could list other airline(s) they know of that offer low cost /cost free/ hassle free schedule change options to their customers (I had used All Nippon Airways (ANA) last year to go to Thailand, and they allowed me to change my return flight date as many times as I wanted to- free of charge. So if I could find another airline like that, that flies to the Caribbean from Toronto - that would be great.)

Thanks

[asdfvcx]

They allow you to cancel your flight (or just the return) for $50 and then get a credit for the remainder, which is good for one year.

So if the return portion of your flight was $400, you can cancel it and get a credit of $350 good for a year. You can then book a new return and use the credit to cover all or most of the cost. (It depends on how much the new return flight costs.)

[axelz]

Thanks for the reply.

I have decided that all of the different airline changes and additional layover waits and potential baggage issues are probably not worth the slightly lower costs by going with the smaller carriers like Westjet (even with their relatively low change fees), etc.

It seems that American Airlines is the only airline that has their own aircraft that will fly to Dominica (from Toronto), and not having to worry about rechecking luggage and changing baggage allowances from flight to flight, and not having different carriers to have to call for schedule changes... it's all probably worth the extra money I have to pay up front to book with AA.

I am still unsure of how their change fees apply to making return schedule changes, however. I have read that AA charges anywhere from $150 -$300 (US) for flight changes, but when I look at airline change fee comparison chart sites like this one, it makes me even more confused:

http://www.bestfares.com/news-newsID1372-International_Airlines_Change_Fee_Chart.html

As you can see, the "American" (American Airlines) section shows an "X" under "Waived For Schedule Changes " - as in they will waive their $250 change fee for "schedule changes." But what is the difference between a "schedule change" and any other kind of itinerary change one would have to make - which they would charge you that $250 for?

In my case- with me likely wanting to change my schedule to another return flight 3 months after my original return date - would I be charged the $250 fee, or will it likely be waived?

I hope I'm not overlooking something obvious, here.

[asdfvcx]

As you can see, the "American" (American Airlines) section shows an "X" under "Waived For Schedule Changes " - as in they will waive their $250 change fee for "schedule changes." But what is the difference between a "schedule change" and any other kind of itinerary change one would have to make - which they would charge you that $250 for?
I think an example of schedule changes would be, if your booked a flight at 6am and they changed the schedule so that it leave at 8am. They will not charge you $250 if you don't like 8am departure and want to make a change.




In my case- with me likely wanting to change my schedule to another return flight 3 months after my original return date - would I be charged the $250 fee, or will it likely be waived?
Assuming your link is up to date (I'd check with the airline to be sure), you will likely be charged $250 plus any difference in the fare.

So if the ticket you buy is $800, but on the new dates you want to change to it costs $1000, you'll be charged $450. ($250 + $200)

If the price on the new date is lower, I'm not sure if they'll reduce your change fee, or just keep the money, you'll have to ask.

[yaldaren]

What asdfvcx said. A schedule change for an airline means that they have a new schedule out and the flight you were on may be leaving at a different time the same day, moved to a different day or maybe it is even cancelled completely.

A change in your schedule is not a schedule change in the eyes of an airline...

[axelz]

Ah, OK, thanks for clearing that up for me, it's more of a poor wording issue on the part of these comparison chart sites, it seems.


I emailed American Airlines today and asked them about how much it would cost, exactly, to make return schedule changes from my destination (including the sneaky nickel and diming for over the phone re-booking, which I'd be forced to do, apparently, as for some illogical reason, online booking is off limits outside of "U.S., Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands"?)

But, the customer service rep. lady that emailed me back- continued with the BS sales tactics and avoided my change fee question entirely, resorting to suggesting only that I look into buying an "unrestricted ticket" so that I can change my itinerary without penalty. Of course, the cheapest "unrestricted" tickets start at over $2300 (CAD), and the "restricted" ticket I was wanting to buy is $1015 (CAD), and I have to believe that 2 return schedule changes (at most) isn't going to cost me that difference of around $1300.

Dominica seems to be one of the most expensive Caribbean destinations to get to, unfortunately. I really wish there was some other, much cheaper option, in this case (even if I had to take a damn cargo ship, I'd be fine with that.)

[aragingbull]

WestJet has been waiving fees due to the long wait times at the call centre. So much so that it's been temporarily outsourced to travelocity. The call centre still takes calls in Calgary. I wanted to make some changes on my travelling plans and I mentioned to the csr that I should be compensated for the 1 hr hold time; the csr put me on hold and came back within a few min to waive the $50.

[Sgt_Strider]

Is $50 the standard price for schedule changes in the industry? Recently I changed my return date with Air Canada and they said they'll have to charge me $50. I had no choice, but to accept since I still want to stay in Asia and travel. I felt ripped since it can't be possibly that hard to change a schedule and I did changed it with 1 month to go before my scheduled departure!

[evilution]

There was a sale today..
The same flight I booked 48 hours ago has gone down $70/person.

I called in and they made the change no problem. (no $50 charge, that she said they sometimes charge).

Saved me a few hundred.

She even put it back onto my CC, rather than give me Westjet credit. I just mentioned that I was on hold for 1+ hours.