TranceAddict Forums (www.tranceaddict.com/forums)
- Canada - Toronto & Southern Ont.
-- Air Canada to charge for customer service
Pages (2): [1] 2 »
Air Canada to charge for customer service
you gotta love the Canadian telecom and transportation industries .. absolutely world class
quote:
Air Canada to charge for customer service
Airline adds fee to aid customers when flights delayed or disrupted due to weather, traffic
April 03, 2008
Chris Sorensen
Business Reporter
It was bound to happen eventually: Air Canada now wants you to pay extra for better customer service.
In an era of continued cost-cutting, the country's largest airline yesterday rolled out a new service called "On My Way" that, for a fee, promises to help passengers cope with delays and cancellations beyond the airline's control, including bad weather or airport traffic.
"This is something that many airlines used to do in-house," said Rick Erickson, a Calgary-based airline consultant. "But since the advent of the low-cost carrier, everybody wants cheap fares."
Air Canada said passengers who opt to pay an additional $25 one-way on short-haul flights and an extra $35 one-way on long-haul routes within North America will receive "speedy" access to "specially-trained" customer service agents who will help rebook flights on Air Canada or other airlines, as well as pay for hotel stays and meals, if necessary.
Air Canada said the program, which applies to any flight cancelled within 48 hours of the scheduled departure, goes beyond the industry practice of assisting customers affected by schedule changes deemed to be the airline's fault, such as mechanical problems with aircraft, scheduling glitches or crew members failing to show up for flights.
But while Air Canada is touting the program as an industry-first, at least one observer said it was once common for big North American carriers to go out of their way to help inconvenienced or stranded customers � free.
Erickson said Air Canada's latest effort could prove popular given Canada's unpredictable winter weather, particularly at the country's largest airport in Toronto, where thousands of flights can be disrupted by a snowstorm.
However, Erickson cautioned that Air Canada will need to ensure customers who pay extra get their money's worth.
"When there's a disruption, everyone's going to be calling at the same time," he said. "And if you can't deliver on this, there will be real hell to pay as far as public relations go.
"People are going to have heightened expectations."
source:
http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/409330
soon we'll be paying people to say hi to us.
"25 dollars to check in please....otherwise wait in this line over there....."
gotta wonder if we'll be asked to pay extra for landing gear..
"Hello Passangers. This is your captain. I want to thank you for flying with Air Canada today. In a few short minutes we'll be starting our descent. Our cabin crew will be coming up the aisles collecting $5 from each passanger, should you want to land safely. Please note that this fee is not mandatory, as you have the option to jump from the plane before landing.
We hope you enjoyed your flight with Air Canada and hope you enjoy your stay or stop over in........"
I read that article twice and I still don't know what the extra money would get me - free meals and stayovers at hotels? Isn't that now insurance? Which you have the option of getting anyways when you book the flight?
I laughed at the fact flights get cancelled because crew members don't show up. They should be paying out of their pockets for related expenses for the travelers of that flight staying grounded. I imagine no one would be skipping work then!
i havnt flown air canada for years. They are acting more and more like a low cost airline yet are always at least 30-50% more than the competition.
Plus now you have to pay a crapload extra just to be able to collect aeroplan points.
Meh!!
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Irishaddict I read that article twice and I still don't know what the extra money would get me - free meals and stayovers at hotels? |
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Irishaddict I read that article twice and I still don't know what the extra money would get me - free meals and stayovers at hotels? Isn't that now insurance? Which you have the option of getting anyways when you book the flight? I laughed at the fact flights get cancelled because crew members don't show up. They should be paying out of their pockets for related expenses for the travelers of that flight staying grounded. I imagine no one would be skipping work then! |
Wow, that is totally unbelievable. I don't fly Air Canada, nor will I.
I now also look at flights out of Buffalo or Detroit when thinking about traveling, only to avoid the additional $150 in taxes from Pearson.
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Jayx1 i havnt flown air canada for years. They are acting more and more like a low cost airline yet are always at least 30-50% more than the competition. Plus now you have to pay a crapload extra just to be able to collect aeroplan points. Meh!! |
I never understand comments about Air Canada being ridiculously over priced. I always get great deals on flights with Air Canada. I have always noticed they are cheaper or at least the same price compared to west jet to be honest. I've never had a problem with Air Canada, which is why it is pretty much the only airline I fly with.
| quote: |
| Originally posted by oldschool420 I never understand comments about Air Canada being ridiculously over priced. I always get great deals on flights with Air Canada. I have always noticed they are cheaper or at least the same price compared to west jet to be honest. I've never had a problem with Air Canada, which is why it is pretty much the only airline I fly with. |
| quote: |
| Originally posted by INTRANCE Totally! Aircanada flights are ridiculously over priced, I have never flown with them and probably never will. |
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Jayx1 "same price" until they add in the hidden $150-$300 fuel surcharge that is |
I've flown with Air Canada for the same price as other airlines before. It all depends on when you book.
AC has always been a better airline to fly in the way of comfort etc...
Fly AC and then Air Transat and you'll see the diff...
That's why they are more expensive than others...
Now...While I don't agree with this new charge because that kind of stuff has always been included, I can see their reasoning...
They've had to reduce prices to compete with all the cheepo companies which is why they're doing this new thing...
I really don't think a charter line would do any of that extra stuff....not even optional...and include it in the price of the ticket...
If you want to save money, then fly uncomfortably...
Or spend more and have a good flight with good food and legroom...
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Jayx1 "same price" until they add in the hidden $150-$300 fuel surcharge that is |
Actually this is nothing new. A lot of airlines (Austrian Air being one of the first) include this fee in the price of the ticket, they just don't mention it.
| quote: |
| Originally posted by VDub Any surcharges at a particular airport are charged to all operators there... So AC doesn't charge more than another line from the same airport.... |
| quote: |
| Originally posted by VDub AC has always been a better airline to fly in the way of comfort etc... Fly AC and then Air Transat and you'll see the diff... That's why they are more expensive than others... Now...While I don't agree with this new charge because that kind of stuff has always been included, I can see their reasoning... They've had to reduce prices to compete with all the cheepo companies which is why they're doing this new thing... I really don't think a charter line would do any of that extra stuff....not even optional...and include it in the price of the ticket... If you want to save money, then fly uncomfortably... Or spend more and have a good flight with good food and legroom... |
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Jayx1 Transat is a charter service. And yes they do suck. Westjet is the main competator for regularly scheduled flights and they are much better than air canada. Better seats, TV in every seat now and leather seats. I dont mind westjet at all. Also major flagship carriers from other countries have far superior service and charge the same or less than air canada for overseas flights. |
| quote: |
| Originally posted by VDub Westjet is relatively new and ordered all of their planes in the new config... AC is def changing that way but lots more aircraft take time... |
Jayx1 has a real hate on for AC. You do realize you're a minority traveler, the vacation traveler.
| quote: |
| Originally posted by oldschool420 No, but thanks anyways. |
| quote: |
| Originally posted by VDub Westjet is relatively new and ordered all of their planes in the new config... AC is def changing that way but lots more aircraft take time... And I researched prices for a flight to Van and back... WestJet Price Summary Departing: Fri, Apr 4, 2008 Airfare / Guest Seat Sale Fare $289.00 CAD Taxes, Fees & Surcharges / Guest (details) $64.50 CAD Taxes, Fees & Surcharges / Guest (details) $64.50 CAD Nav-Ins $23.00 CAD GST-HST $16.83 CAD AIF $20.00 CAD ATSC $4.67 CAD Subtotal / Guest $353.50 CAD Returning: Sun, May 4, 2008 Airfare / Guest Seat Sale Fare $199.00 CAD Taxes, Fees & Surcharges / Guest (details) $54.75 CAD Taxes, Fees & Surcharges / Guest (details) $54.75 CAD Nav-Ins $23.00 CAD GST-HST $12.08 CAD AIF $15.00 CAD ATSC $4.67 CAD Subtotal / Guest $253.75 CAD Total Cost $607.25 CAD Air Canada... Fare Summary Passenger Type Adult Flight 1 - Departing airfare (Tango) 199.00 Flight 2 - Returning airfare (Tango) 199.00 Navcan and Surcharges NAV 46.00 Taxes, Fees and Charges Canada Airport Improvement Fee SQ 35.00 Canada Security Charge CA 9.33 Canada Goods and Services Tax (GST/HST #10009-2287) XG 24.42 Total airfare and taxes before options (per passenger) 512.75 Number Of Passengers 1 Grand Total - Canadian Dollars $512.75 I don't see any fuel surcharge of 150 bones buddy |
Powered by: vBulletin
Copyright © 2000-2021, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.