WestJet Changed Our Flights

couponquin wrote: ↑ So about 6 weeks ago I booked flights using RBC reward points and everything was confirmed, on Monday I get an email stating they've changed our flights now we will be sitting in YVR for 6 hours instead of 1, when I called them to ask why they couldn't give me a reason so my question is do I have any recourse under the Air Passenger Protection Act? I asked them to at least comp us some lounge passes for our trouble but was told not an option, now in order to change flights I would have to pay in, anyone had a similar situation?
Thanks!

couponquin wrote: ↑ So about 6 weeks ago I booked flights using RBC reward points and everything was confirmed, on Monday I get an email stating they've changed our flights now we will be sitting in YVR for 6 hours instead of 1, when I called them to ask why they couldn't give me a reason so my question is do I have any recourse under the Air Passenger Protection Act? I asked them to at least comp us some lounge passes for our trouble but was told not an option, now in order to change flights I would have to pay in, anyone had a similar situation?
Thanks!

Phonophoresis wrote: ↑ Judging by the timing of your post, I'm assuming you're flying in May since those schedule changes just came out ~3 days ago, but please list your flight details on here so we can better advise. Date, routing, times, etc., both old and new.

If >14 days from travel, you have no right to compensation, but you may have rights for being re-booked/accommodated on other flights, or to receive a full refund, depending on the circumstances.

WestJet arbitrarily defines a "major" schedule changes as +/- 3 hours from original departure or arrival times, or adding a stop. Does any of this apply to you? If so, it's generally very easy to get them to be re-accommodate you on other flights.

WestJet will never offer you any "compensation" in the way of ancillary items (i.e. food, lounges, etc.) for these sorts of schedule changes unless during the actual day of travel, so don't bother trying to fight for those. You should be setting your sights on getting a better flight option, and not trying to get compensation from them for a distant schedule change.

Your options may be somewhat limited by the fact RBC Rewards is involved in the middle. WestJet is notorious for not wanting to help customers who book through a third party.

couponquin wrote: ↑ We are flying in June, when I asked to look at other options they did not have anything that would work so Im not sure what the next steps are, and you are right when there is a third party involved they dont want to do anything.
Is it worth reaching out to RBC travel to request a change or does it have to be done with WestJet?

couponquin wrote: ↑ We were flying Victoria to Vancouver at 3.40pm and flying Vancouver to London at 5.10pm, they changed it from 3.40pm to 10.35am so layover in YVR is 6 instead of 5 hours, the return flight had a slight change of about an hour(earlier).

Phonophoresis wrote: ↑ WestJet would consider that a major schedule change since it's moved more than 3 hours, so you can call RBC Rewards and ask them to talk to WestJet about being accommodated on a new flight. Pick one from their schedule +/- 24 hours and request it.

couponquin wrote: ↑ I called RBC Rewards earlier and asked them if they could assist all she did was look and found other flights but that would end up costing points plus cash where we only paid with points no cash, basically we weren't given any other options....
When I look at WestJets flights out of Victoria to Vancouver there is a flight at 13.10pm yet they stuck us on the 10.35am flight.

couponquin wrote: ↑ We were flying Victoria to Vancouver at 3.40pm and flying Vancouver to London at 5.10pm, they changed it from 3.40pm to 10.35am so layover in YVR is 6 instead of 5 hours, the return flight had a slight change of about an hour(earlier).

Phonophoresis wrote: ↑ Sounds like you got an agent who didn't know the policy. Travel agencies often aren't aware of your re-booking entitlements for IROPs/schedule changes. HUCA scenario.

You need to specifically say it was a major schedule change (+/- 3 hours to initial departure or arrival), and as per WestJet policy, you are entitled to be re-accommodated on other flights that same day (the rule is actually +/- 72 hours). Ask them to call WestJet's travel agent support line if they don't believe you.

UNLESS... you've formally accepted the schedule change already. Then you're toast because WestJet's policies are a joke. If it weren't so easy to earn rewards with CCs, I would rarely fly with them.

couponquin wrote: ↑ That being said their response will probably be well we re-accommodated you on another flight that same day just happens to be a much earlier flight - when I called Monday and asked what happens if I don't accept new changes the agent informed me that it was already confirmed so I'm probably hopped anyway, first time I have ever booked travel using reward points, profit before people...

couponquin wrote: ↑ So once again got an email this morning saying they changed our departing flight by another hour so now we are at 7 hours layover in Vancouver, no button to say accept, what to do.