air canada vs westjet-what would you do?
 

We have grandkids booked Westjet to come to Toronto for summer visit. We have yet to book their flight back home. Currently Tango has a fare that is over $200 less than Westjet's fare. Would you book them on Tango? or spend the extra $$ on Westjet?
Any suggestions? Thanks.

I'm not sure what the rationale here is. Is it that you're worried about Air Canada going under so you don't want to take a chance on losing out? In that case you will probably know in a few weeks if AC is going to make it through the summer and so you probably will lose nothing by using a credit card to make an Air Canada reservation now. If there is no rescue plan in place by early May I would suggest you cover yourself with Westjet.

On the other hand if you suffer from Air Canada animosity and just don't want to give them your business, (which frankly I find pretty small minded), then you can spend the extra $200 and feel all warm and fuzzy about it.

My personal feeling is that we have nothing to gain and everything to lose if Air Canada goes down. The fact that Tango is offering a better price than Westjet just goes to prove the benefits to the traveling public of open competition and now that Westjet is the stronger of the two airlines I don't think AC's undercutting of Westjet can any longer be termed 'predatory'.

Thank you Gary. Actually I have no animosity towards Air Canada..I would prefer to use them actually because of the $$ savings. I don't think I realized that if I used a credit card I would be covered. Does that mean I would get a full refund from Visa? I was concerned about the airline going under and my grandkids not able to get home in time for an important birthday.

Air Canada has plenty of cash and credit line, and the fact that there's federal election coming up, means that there's really little chance AC will shut down this summer. Later, I don't know.

Re: Full refund from Visa: Most Credit Cards offer protection against airline forfeiture due to going under but you had best check with your Visa provider just to make sure.

According to a post quoting credit card spokesmen in the National Post, MasterCard will refund airline ticket costs if AC goes bankrupt, but Visa was more noncommital. But in either case, check with the credit card provider. Also consider booking with a travel agent rather than through the web site - the travel agent will have insurance that should cover this (but ask him or her).

One thing to bear in mind- Tango is a "no frills" discount airline. You have less legroom, very full flights, and virtually no in flight service other than coffee and maybe a bag of peanuts. You didnt say where you are flying from, but that might be a consideration on a four hour flight.
Also, remember, there is a very good reason many people have an animosity towards Air Canada, and why Westjet has "kicked thier butts", so to speak. I know very few Canadian travellers who dont have at least one Air Canada horror story. I travel frequently, and can personally vouch for this. They HAVE improved a lot the last year, but sometimes I still think their motto should be "we're not happy till you're not happy"!
And I have yet to have anything less than wonderful service from Westjet!

Depending on where the grandkids are flying from, Jetsgo might be an alternative. Their price for a Toronto-Victoria flight is currently cheaper than both Air Canada and Westjet.
I've just booked my own flight on Air Canada for July, but I'm using points. I figure if they go belly-up, I haven't lost anything, and I have lots of points to use up anyway.

jimmoi is mistaken in his description of Tango. It is not a separate airline, it is Air Canada's no refund, no advance seat selection, no status Aeroplan miles, cheapest fare. So, if you are going from Ottawa to Regina in May, as I am, whether you fly Tango at $174 or Freedom (full economy) at $994, you will be on the same Airbus 319/320/321 with the same legroom and service.

Definitely check with your cc provider regarding refunds for bankrupt airlines. My experience when Canada 3000 went belly up was 0 cents refund from the airline, and VISA would not refund because I had paid off the charge several weeks before the bankruptcy occured. (I had also booked through the airline and not a travel agent).