Westjet flights with a WS flight number now earn QFF points

[Mac502]

Call westjet on their Canadian number - they do charge a seat selection fee.

 

[Tonkatough]

Easy WestJet seat selection at Qantas check-in. Long time before the WestJet connecting flight so had pick of the plane. Did not seem to be any 24 hour seat selection restriction with the check-in agent.
One thing to note: QF73 arrives into SFO at 9.00am. Need to pick up bags, work through immigration and transfer (and re-check) your own bags. Westjet check-in counter does not open until 11.00am, or in reality 11.30am, and then quite long lines even for bag drop. So for the passenger, the Qantas/WestJet codeshare partnership is not yet seamless.

 

[Justinf]

I booked three Westjet flights a few months ago because they were direct flights only to be emailed a few weeks later to find out that they had all been rerouted to included at least one stop. I had the option of accepting it or getting a refund. I chose the latter and to Westjet's credit, the cash was deposited back into my Visa card account within a week.
Unfortunate as I then had to rebook on Air Canada flying on Dash 8s.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Easy WestJet seat selection at Qantas check-in. Long time before the WestJet connecting flight so had pick of the plane. Did not seem to be any 24 hour seat selection restriction with the check-in agent.

One thing to note: QF73 arrives into SFO at 9.00am. Need to pick up bags, work through immigration and transfer (and re-check) your own bags. Westjet check-in counter does not open until 11.00am, or in reality 11.30am, and then quite long lines even for bag drop. So for the passenger, the Qantas/WestJet codeshare partnership is not yet seamless.

I last flew into SFO in 2009 on QF73 where we stayed for a couple of days but I did notice a sign for pax whose were though checked so they could drop their bags and proceed through to their next gate through transit security and avoid going landside.

If QF have issued both your boarding passes they would've tagged your bag to your final destination in which case you can drop it off on the transfer belt after customs.

Sounds like you ended up landside if you were at WS checkin.

Maybe someone who has been to SFO recently in your situation could comment.

 

[justinbrett]

I'm flying LAS-YVR in December and it's a Westjet flight - however I have the option of booking on an AA flight number.

Anyone know if it's booked with the AA number do Oneworld Sapphire get 2x free bags as they do with AA metal? It's going to be on a separate ticket.

 

[Tonkatough]

I last flew into SFO in 2009 on QF73 where we stayed for a couple of days but I did notice a sign for pax whose were though checked so they could drop their bags and proceed through to their next gate through transit security and avoid going landside.

If QF have issued both your boarding passes they would've tagged your bag to your final destination in which case you can drop it off on the transfer belt after customs.

Sounds like you ended up landside if you were at WS checkin.

Maybe someone who has been to SFO recently in your situation could comment.

Yes, there were 3 options:
1. To the left - Exit
2. Straight ahead - Secondary customs screening
3. To the right - Transfer

I mistakenly lined up at the secondary screening as I thought this was the 'bag drop' but when I got the front of the line the officer asked what I was doing there and directed me to the right (transfer).

The transfer area leads back into a terminal. You need to find the airline check-in desk, line up and as described above was not open until 11.00/11.30am. Bag was already tagged through to YVR.

 

[Tonkatough]

Just finished my first WestJet experience, and although it was reasonable, I've likened it to connecting with Jetstar. All OneWorld privileges were lost - no preferential check-in lines (queues can be quite long), no lounge, no seat selection before 24 hours, manual bag transfer, limited check-in counter open times....
Back to basics...

 

[justinbrett]

I head back from Westjet - they said QF Gold booked with an AA flight number will grant the AA baggage allowance (2 free bags). AA actually told me I wouldn't get it.

I'm flying ex LAS so no AA lounge - not too worried about the other ow benefits.