A mild beef with WestJet.

[complexintentions]

So, last month I buy a ticket for Ms. Complex on WestJet. No biggie, can't be arsed to put her standby during summer with the tighter loads and all the associated hassle. Yesterday I get this email:

From: customerserviceupdates@westjet.com
Subject: Baggage Allowance Change, ref#: XXXXXX
Date: July 8, 2008 4:22:22 AM PDT (CA)
To: XXXXX@gmail.com

Dear guest;

Starting Thursday, July 3, 2008, WestJet will be implementing changes
to our checked baggage weight allowance. The baggage weight allowance
will be reduced from 60 lb (27 kg) to 50 lb (23 kg). This change to
our baggage allowance will apply to all flights taken after July 3, 2008.

Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation.

Note the dates. An email sent on July 8, to tell me of a policy change coming into effect July 3. For a ticket purchase in June. Holy frickin' time travel Batman. "Thank you in advance"?!

Ok. It's your trainset, do what you like. I know the price of oil is sky-high, and "everyone's doing it" with regards to more restrictive baggage policies and new charges for checked bags, etc etc *yawn*.

But it's kinda irritating to have policies changed after the fact. Yeah, yeah, ten pounds, not earth-shaking. The missus' bag will probably be less than 20 pounds, but that's not the point.

So here's a little hint to the WestJet brass who may read this site:

If you're going to change a policy...give proper notice, not this mickey-mouse-auto-email-after-the-fact bs. And more importantly...make it apply going forward, not retroactively. I consider a ticket a contract, bought under the conditions in force at the time, not subject to unilateral change once the transaction is complete.

Surprisingly sloppy.

[sanjet]

Not defending WJ but what your saying is that the 32 pax that booked flights before the announcement can check in the heavy bag while the other 91 pax that booked after the announcement will have to go light? Imagine the logistical nightmare to accomodate every pax on the hundreds of flights per day at WJ if everyone had different bag weights. Think of the pax that booked 6 months in advance, imagine when they show up in december with heavy bags. You got to set a line somewhere to make a clear change.
Sorry bud, the $199 you paid for your fare can only go so far. Pay $1400 super elite on another airline and you'll be able to get 4 X 70 lbs bags no questions asked, and you'll probably get a personal call telling you if there's any changes.

[Biff]

totally agree with you. You buy a tickey with conditions imposed, not the best customer interaction to change those conditions after the sale is done. As far as tracking who bought a ticket when and what to charge...figure it out....

Kind of like fuel surcharges. I would like to think that if I bought a ticket for a flight when there were no surcharges charged, I wouldn't get charged in the future on the already paid for ticket. Maybe I'm wrong though???

[bandit1]

Like buying and paying for a truck with a V8 and taking delivery with a V6.

I understand the logistics in changing something but if they want to lower the baggage weight limits, start now for future flights with no bookings yet and take the hit for all the flights already booked. Besides, it's only 10lbs and you'll keep your ''guests'' or whatever you call them happy.

With that being said, when was the airline industry fair anyway.

[KAG]

Hey CI, sorry that happened, I would be pissed to.
I'm guessing that, as you said, it's an auto email that just hasn't been updated.
I'm also guessing that if you really wanted to bring 60LBS, and explained to the check in folks when you bought the ticket VS when you go the email (or better yet, make a call and explain to customer service) they would not charge you for that extra 10 lbs.

change always has it's growing pains, sorry you and the misses had to feel it too.

[complexintentions]

Ahhh... not pissed, just a mild beef, one of those "principle" things. I don't buy the "oh it's too complicated with the different dates and things"...an airline ticketing system tracks pricing and seat pools and logistics far, far more sophisticated than this simple issue.

And sanjet, "bud", spare me the $199 ticket bs. One of the reasons the industry is in the shitter is your exact attitude: that an inexpensive fare justifies weak service - something that WestJet has worked hard to counteract, actually. For what it's worth, the actual ticket cost was $923 taxes in, (for one person, YHZ-YYJ return) but again that misses the point completely. Like I said, I don't even care about the particulars of the policy change. I just think it's beyond lame to send out a "notice" after the fact, and after they've collected your $$.

Consider this horse beaten to death, cya!

[flystraightin]

If you're going to change a policy...give proper notice, not this mickey-mouse-auto-email-after-the-fact bs. And more importantly...make it apply going forward, not retroactively. I consider a ticket a contract, bought under the conditions in force at the time, not subject to unilateral change once the transaction is complete.

Surprisingly sloppy.

It was on the website homepage for at least 2 weeks before July 3. Also, the old bag promise will also be honored for any guest traveling on a return leg.

Hope that clears up your concern, happy flying out of YYJ!