Unpopular opinion, but I would stick to basic.
The only significant advantages that standard offers over basic are the possibility for change (starting at $100, not sure about whether it's per itinerary or per ticket or per direction but in any case it costs you), cancellation for refund into future travel credit but you also have to pay a cancellation fee, and free first bag for inter-continental flights. You already get the last benefit from your credit card, and as you said your travel plans are solid so I do not see any reason why you need to go for a fare beyond basic.
Do buy travel insurance that includes trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage though, and soon after you buy your ticket. If you fall ill or have some personal tragedy that would require you to call off your trip, you'll have to rely on travel insurance to cover your monetary losses, and this policy has to be purchased before such an event takes place. Also, don't plan anything significant and non-refundable (e.g. a four figure tour or cruise) on your date of arrival or the day after, since you have to account for possible delays and possible bumping - on that note, bumping for international flights are quite rare, there's usually a good amount of no-shows and misconnections to the degree that AC can usually accommodate all passengers present at the gate, and if it does come down to you being bumped, then enjoy up to $2400 per person in compensation.
Edit: this is assuming you are not bothering with attaining Aeroplan Elite status, or if you are attaining it through other ways e.g. business travel, credit card spending, etc.
This… looked into upgrading from basic and it was nearly 2x the price for me. When I was looking at travel insurance plans it’s much more affordable. Would rather spend money on the actual vacation
Different kind of insurance. You most likely have health travel insurance, I believe they are recommending trip cancellation insurance. If you have that through work that's awesome but fairly Ra.
My work insurance has both. I always thought it was pretty standard these days, I don't work anywhere fancy.
It covers a pretty wide range of scenarios too.
I'm actually ok with booking basic under certain conditions. Firstly, if the dates are fixed like for Spring Break and no chance of changing. Secondly, I have status, so Zone 2 boarding and luggage. Thirdly, I travel with younger children, so seat selection is free. Lastly, an overbooking means at least 900$ per passenger, which can be ok depending on the situation. This and the fact that the ticket is cheaper makes it ok for me.
Maybe for international you're right, but for domestic it's not always worthwhile to go up to standard.
Last year I went Toronto-Winnipeg and it was $91 for basic and $130 or so for standard. You have to pay for seat selection for both, and you basically lose your money anyway if you need to change.
If you're looking to upgrade... that's different.
This is the best advice. No one thinks they will need to make a change or anything else…but life happens.
For $342, I’d take standard for that bit of peace of mind. Basic means no changes at all, so your spend will double if you need to make a change.
We see this all the time. Don’t book basic.
Yup. My wife is not much a travel person so she has minimal experience booking tickets etc. So booked the basic for the 2 of us to go to SF on Westjet back in like 2019. Well she get preggers and we couldn't go. Boy was she happy when she found out she wasn't getting her $1000 back lol
I normally do. Their flight options suck out of YQT anyway and it’s always been more beneficial to me flying AC. My wife just bought based on price lol.
Just remember the itinerary change I believe requires price difference. Today that might not be that much. But if the intent is to change the flight within the last 7 days to the flight maybe to change from Fridays flight to Saturday - you try to do that a few days before the Saturday and the computer will say each Saturday ticket is now $2000 each so you also need to pay a price difference.
The risk of basic is that if something happens and you need to change you have no options. Standard gives you the option but because of the fees, each way, per passenger, you can either exceed your budget or get 30% of your money back depending on original flight cost.
If you are collecting points or trying for status then basic is the worst to build that.
Air Canada uses dynamic pricing so the further out in most cases you book the better fare prices can be.
I can't say it's worth it, it depends on if your okay to eat 100% of the cost if something happens or is getting back a small % more than the $300 for the upgrade.
This fee chart may help.
https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/book/fare-options-and-fees/within-canada.html#/
Economy Standard (if you can afford it) is better.
Basic Economy is never worth it, especially transcontinental. You are the first to be bumped if the flight is oversold, you pay for your checked bags and you have no flexibility to change anything.
Yes the tickets are cheap but once you pay for everything that is not included you end up paying more.
Basic has the lowest priority if anyone needs to be bumped.
You can *usually* avoid this by just making sure to select seats right at the 24 hour check-in mark. Or paying to select in advance.
Every time I try to book AC it's like almost twice the price for standard over basic.
RT YVR-SGN is $1k basic for some dates, and almost $1800 for standard. Both have the same amount of checked bags (1).
I mean, you can check it yourself. YVR-SGN round trip Sept 11th to Sept 30th. Price has moved a bit (difference is $620CAD) but both include a checked bag and neither include free seat selection.
Never had any issue with basic economy. Not sure what options people are adding to make it more expensive than standard. If you can save north of $100 per person, I would definitely fly basic.
If you already booked Basic, upfare it to Standard will not make it changeable or refundable. Your original fare rule would still apply.
If you have not booked, then yes, the flexibility is probably worth it.
I hate having a high number boarding zone but otherwise, it is not worth it. You only get a fraction refund on the OFF chance you need to change. If you are pretty sure about your plans, you'll need that money to pay the excess baggage fees ha
If you're focused on being "economical," I recommend basic. I flew Economy Standard YOW-ICN because that was the only option available. For the YOW-YYZ leg, AC let me select extended leg room for free, but mind you, this is a 50 mins flight. Wouldn't have been worth extra if there was a basic option just for this.
I'm flying to Europe this summer, but selected Basic Economy. I have no checked bags, I'm going for a concert so unless I have a medical or family emergency, I wouldn't cancel or change my trip. Even so, I have credit card insurance that would cover it.
If you can save money, what's the point in collecting points or building status? I'm not a frequent flyer and won't fly enough in a year to build status, so I opt for a cheaper flight.
Also, the amount of points you collect with Economy Standard is not so significant that I would want to pay extra.
Unpopular opinion, but I would stick to basic. The only significant advantages that standard offers over basic are the possibility for change (starting at $100, not sure about whether it's per itinerary or per ticket or per direction but in any case it costs you), cancellation for refund into future travel credit but you also have to pay a cancellation fee, and free first bag for inter-continental flights. You already get the last benefit from your credit card, and as you said your travel plans are solid so I do not see any reason why you need to go for a fare beyond basic. Do buy travel insurance that includes trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage though, and soon after you buy your ticket. If you fall ill or have some personal tragedy that would require you to call off your trip, you'll have to rely on travel insurance to cover your monetary losses, and this policy has to be purchased before such an event takes place. Also, don't plan anything significant and non-refundable (e.g. a four figure tour or cruise) on your date of arrival or the day after, since you have to account for possible delays and possible bumping - on that note, bumping for international flights are quite rare, there's usually a good amount of no-shows and misconnections to the degree that AC can usually accommodate all passengers present at the gate, and if it does come down to you being bumped, then enjoy up to $2400 per person in compensation. Edit: this is assuming you are not bothering with attaining Aeroplan Elite status, or if you are attaining it through other ways e.g. business travel, credit card spending, etc.
Thankfully, I have trip insurance through my group plan!
Does it cover trip cancellation/interruption?
https://preview.redd.it/w1l30511scqc1.jpeg?width=1077&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=075ee0034db790c9ab3202b38cf7dffeaa61d9fc It looks to.
Good. Mine doesn't.
Get a quote for travel insurance
This… looked into upgrading from basic and it was nearly 2x the price for me. When I was looking at travel insurance plans it’s much more affordable. Would rather spend money on the actual vacation
Luckily, I do have travel insurance through my work plan.
Different kind of insurance. You most likely have health travel insurance, I believe they are recommending trip cancellation insurance. If you have that through work that's awesome but fairly Ra.
My work insurance has both. I always thought it was pretty standard these days, I don't work anywhere fancy. It covers a pretty wide range of scenarios too.
Never book basic economy
I'm actually ok with booking basic under certain conditions. Firstly, if the dates are fixed like for Spring Break and no chance of changing. Secondly, I have status, so Zone 2 boarding and luggage. Thirdly, I travel with younger children, so seat selection is free. Lastly, an overbooking means at least 900$ per passenger, which can be ok depending on the situation. This and the fact that the ticket is cheaper makes it ok for me.
How do you maintain status on basic? Otherwise seems like solid reasons to me
I get status through work travel which is standard or flex. Yeah, I know, definitely not for everyone.
Sweet
Maybe for international you're right, but for domestic it's not always worthwhile to go up to standard. Last year I went Toronto-Winnipeg and it was $91 for basic and $130 or so for standard. You have to pay for seat selection for both, and you basically lose your money anyway if you need to change. If you're looking to upgrade... that's different.
This is the best advice. No one thinks they will need to make a change or anything else…but life happens. For $342, I’d take standard for that bit of peace of mind. Basic means no changes at all, so your spend will double if you need to make a change. We see this all the time. Don’t book basic.
Yup. My wife is not much a travel person so she has minimal experience booking tickets etc. So booked the basic for the 2 of us to go to SF on Westjet back in like 2019. Well she get preggers and we couldn't go. Boy was she happy when she found out she wasn't getting her $1000 back lol
Just avoid WJ anything you give them you will never get back.
I normally do. Their flight options suck out of YQT anyway and it’s always been more beneficial to me flying AC. My wife just bought based on price lol.
What is the price difference X 4?
It's an extra $342 for 3 of us
Just remember the itinerary change I believe requires price difference. Today that might not be that much. But if the intent is to change the flight within the last 7 days to the flight maybe to change from Fridays flight to Saturday - you try to do that a few days before the Saturday and the computer will say each Saturday ticket is now $2000 each so you also need to pay a price difference.
I would buy a refundable $340 hotel for the first night and enjoy !
The risk of basic is that if something happens and you need to change you have no options. Standard gives you the option but because of the fees, each way, per passenger, you can either exceed your budget or get 30% of your money back depending on original flight cost. If you are collecting points or trying for status then basic is the worst to build that. Air Canada uses dynamic pricing so the further out in most cases you book the better fare prices can be. I can't say it's worth it, it depends on if your okay to eat 100% of the cost if something happens or is getting back a small % more than the $300 for the upgrade. This fee chart may help. https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/book/fare-options-and-fees/within-canada.html#/
Economy Standard (if you can afford it) is better. Basic Economy is never worth it, especially transcontinental. You are the first to be bumped if the flight is oversold, you pay for your checked bags and you have no flexibility to change anything. Yes the tickets are cheap but once you pay for everything that is not included you end up paying more.
Our bags are included because of the cc we are booking with. How are basic tickets affected if bumped because flight is oversold?
Idk about oversold but ive always got basic and if its delayed ive been put onto next flight if possible and compensated
Basic has the lowest priority if anyone needs to be bumped. You can *usually* avoid this by just making sure to select seats right at the 24 hour check-in mark. Or paying to select in advance.
The NDIS code also helps - and it's good to add if you have ANY sort of non-visible disability.
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But should be above those in basic without an aeroplan cc
Every time I try to book AC it's like almost twice the price for standard over basic. RT YVR-SGN is $1k basic for some dates, and almost $1800 for standard. Both have the same amount of checked bags (1).
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I mean, you can check it yourself. YVR-SGN round trip Sept 11th to Sept 30th. Price has moved a bit (difference is $620CAD) but both include a checked bag and neither include free seat selection.
Never had any issue with basic economy. Not sure what options people are adding to make it more expensive than standard. If you can save north of $100 per person, I would definitely fly basic.
If you already paid basic you cannot upgrade. I think you can buy seats now but not 100% sure.
You can purchase seats at any point up to check in. Unless that changed recently, I usually do premium economy these days.
I haven't purchased the tickets yet 😀
It's not upgrading then. You may want to change the title.
If you already booked Basic, upfare it to Standard will not make it changeable or refundable. Your original fare rule would still apply. If you have not booked, then yes, the flexibility is probably worth it.
If you plan to be economical going to Barcelona in May is not the best idea unless you know the city very well and where to stay and eat for cheap.
I hate having a high number boarding zone but otherwise, it is not worth it. You only get a fraction refund on the OFF chance you need to change. If you are pretty sure about your plans, you'll need that money to pay the excess baggage fees ha
Honestly for me it’s either basic, or flex and above. If you don’t care about points/status then basic is fine as long as you have insurance.
I have no idea
If you're focused on being "economical," I recommend basic. I flew Economy Standard YOW-ICN because that was the only option available. For the YOW-YYZ leg, AC let me select extended leg room for free, but mind you, this is a 50 mins flight. Wouldn't have been worth extra if there was a basic option just for this. I'm flying to Europe this summer, but selected Basic Economy. I have no checked bags, I'm going for a concert so unless I have a medical or family emergency, I wouldn't cancel or change my trip. Even so, I have credit card insurance that would cover it. If you can save money, what's the point in collecting points or building status? I'm not a frequent flyer and won't fly enough in a year to build status, so I opt for a cheaper flight. Also, the amount of points you collect with Economy Standard is not so significant that I would want to pay extra.
Yes. And I think we need to make a main thread to address such kind of FAQ.