WestJet delays the launch of their Frequent Flyer program

Mar 4, 10 Update: The program has been launched http://blog.rewardscanada.ca/2010/03/westjet-reveals-frequent-guest-program.html

According to an article in the Financial Post the highly anticipated launch of WestJet's Frequent Flyer program has now been pushed back to 2010. Latest reports had the program launching late November/early December but due to the ongoing issues with WestJet's new reservation system that date has been changed to January. WestJet wants to make sure their new reservation system is stable and working properly before launching the program.

The program itself that has been delayed numerous times is taking a page out of the Travel Rewards Credit Card industry by allowing members to redeem points for full or partial travel with no black out dates. Basically you will put your points/dollars (the proper term for WestJet's reward currency has not been released yet) towards the purchase of any ticket at the going rate from WestJet. Many Travel Point and Hybird Credit card programs do the same, for example redeeming 5000 points for a $50 credit towards any travel that is booked. Of course the more points/dollars you have the bigger the discount towards that travel.

What is good about programs like these is that you don't have to have a lot of points to redeem and get some sort of reward versus the set point programs like most frequent flyer programs where you need a minimum amount of points to redeem for a flight.

The main downfall of the credit card type or WestJet type of program is that value is lost when you have to redeem for expensive/non-seat sale flights as you may have to redeem more points versus the set point programs which require the same amount of points for a flight regardless of what it is selling for (of course this is the best case scenario not taking into account black out dates, availability etc)

We will continue to keep you up to date on all the happenings with the WestJet program as soon as they are released and like many of our readers we wait with anticipation.

Wi Fi now available on select Air Canada flights to the U.S.

Air Canada first announced that they will be providing onboard Wi Fi access early in 2009 and that has finally come to fruition, albeit only a very small number routes for a trial period:

"Enjoy full internet access for only $9.95 US

Gogo® Inflight Internet service is now available for a trial period until January 29, 2010 on select long haul flights travelling over the United States from Toronto or Montreal to Los Angeles.

In our continuing effort to provide the best travel experience around, we’ve taken a major step forward, becoming the first Canadian airline to offer our customers in-flight Internet access with Gogo® Wi-Fi service on select aircraft to keep you connected. You can now chat, surf or e-mail, tweet, and more on board.

Look for the Wi-Fi symbol on board next time you fly!"

Excerpt from Air Canada

Air Canada announces Calgary-Tokyo service

Well it is official and all the speculation can end now as Air Canada today announced direct non-stop Calgary to Tokyo service beginning March 27, 2010. As mentioned in our previous post, the flight will initially run 3x weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Air Canada will operate the new non-stop service with fully refurbished 211-seat Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft offering a choice of Economy Class and Executive First service featuring 24 lie-flat bed suites.

Flight Timings:
Calgary-Tokyo Dep 1220 Arr 1400+1
Tokyo-Calgary Dep 1600 Arr 1045

Source: Air Canada Press Release

Air Canada to charge for access to preferred seating

If you have booked a flight on Aircanada.com over the past week and half or so, you'll have noticed that you can pay to be able to reserve Emergency Row, Bulkhead and other preferred seating locations at the time of booking. Normally those seats would have been assigned at the airport or reserved for elite customers who by the way can also book this preferred seats for free depending on their status and fare class.

Pricing ranges from a low of $14 for Tango Plus fares under 350 miles to $100 for travel between two international cities via Canada.

Full details can be found here

Bonus Page Updates Nov 9 - 13

Nov 13 - Air Canada Aeroplan | Choice Privileges | Delta SkyMiles | Emirates Skywards | Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | Scandic Frequent Guest | South African Airways Voyager | Starwood Preferred Guest
Nov 12 - Best Western Rewards | US Airways Dividend Miles
Nov 10 - Asiana Club | British Airways Executive Club | Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | Continental OnePass | Korean Air SkyPass | Marriott Rewards | Mexicana Go | Miles and More | Priority Club | SATA Imagine
Nov 9 - Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

Porter to launch seasonal Myrtle Beach service

Porter Airlines has announced that they will offer 2x weekly seasonal service between Toronto Island Airport and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The route will run from Feb 28 to May 30, 2010.

Porter Press Release

United adds third daily Toronto-Denver service

According to Airline Route Update (Jimyvr at Airline Route is a great source for this info!) United will be adding a third daily flight between Toronto and their Denver hub as of Feb 11, 2010. The flight will be operated by United Express with an Embraer E170.

New flight timings:
YYZ-DEN Dep 1500 Arr 1650
DEN-YYZ Dep 0840 Arr 1350

JAL drops Vancouver - Mexico City Route

As part of Japan Airlines major restructuring and downsizing, the popular continuation of their Tokyo-Vancouver to Mexico City will be discontinued as of Jan 18, 2010. The main leg between Vancouver and Tokyo will remain at its regular frequency of 1x daily.

Source: Airline Route Updates

Fly British Airways from Canada to the UK or beyond and earn a Complimentary Companion Ticket

When you book a flight and travel on or before January 29, 2010, you'll receive a complimentary companion ticket* which can be used in conjunction with your next purchased ticket. You and your companion can travel in any cabin, to any of the over 300 destinations British Airways flies to worldwide. Book your ticket and your companion ticket from January 4 through July 30, 2010 and travel from January 11 through December 15, 2010
Full Details Online Registration and Booking

* Must book a round-trip transatlantic ticket in qualifying World Traveller (Y, B, H), World Traveller Plus (W, E), Club World (J, C, D, R) or First (F, A) fares

Delta drops Halifax-Boston route, adds Halifax-New York JFK

According to Airline Route Updates, Delta will be dropping their 1x daily Halifax-Boston route and replacing it with a 1x daily Halifax-New York JFK route.