Following Environment Canada’s warning of heavy snow and freezing drizzle, WestJet activated its travel-flex policy for flights to and from Hamilton, Kitchener/Waterloo and Toronto on 5 January 2026. Passengers holding tickets for same-day travel can change dates or destinations once at no additional cost; fare differences apply only if travellers upgrade cabins or routes.
The waiver is noteworthy because it now covers UltraBasic fares, a category that normally carries strict no-change rules—a first since WestJet introduced the fare class in 2025. Corporate travel managers should update traveller-tracking systems so that employees flying on UltraBasic tickets are alerted to the waiver and can rebook proactively.
WestJet recommends that customers re-issue boarding passes after any change to ensure updated barcodes sync with airport self-service kiosks. The carrier also urges travellers to arrive at least three hours before departure, given longer security lines created by winter-weather staffing protocols.
![WestJet Issues Fee-Waiver Advisory for Ontario Airports Amid Winter Storm]()
If winter reroutings turn a domestic journey into an international one—or if an employee suddenly needs an eTA or replacement passport—VisaHQ can expedite the necessary paperwork. The service’s Canada portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) lets corporate travel teams submit visa applications online, track real-time status updates, and receive alerts, helping trips stay compliant and on schedule despite weather disruptions.
In parallel, Pearson International has opened a dedicated curbside check-in for passengers who have already completed online re-booking, accelerating bag-drop procedures. Ground-transport apps report surge pricing around the airport; companies may wish to authorise higher expense thresholds for ride-hailing during the advisory period.
Because many corporate programmes default to lowest logical fare, some travellers may inadvertently select UltraBasic tickets in future searches. TMCs should therefore flag “change-penalty” fare categories during severe-weather months or negotiate broader change-fee waivers in corporate contracts.
The waiver is noteworthy because it now covers UltraBasic fares, a category that normally carries strict no-change rules—a first since WestJet introduced the fare class in 2025. Corporate travel managers should update traveller-tracking systems so that employees flying on UltraBasic tickets are alerted to the waiver and can rebook proactively.
WestJet recommends that customers re-issue boarding passes after any change to ensure updated barcodes sync with airport self-service kiosks. The carrier also urges travellers to arrive at least three hours before departure, given longer security lines created by winter-weather staffing protocols.
If winter reroutings turn a domestic journey into an international one—or if an employee suddenly needs an eTA or replacement passport—VisaHQ can expedite the necessary paperwork. The service’s Canada portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) lets corporate travel teams submit visa applications online, track real-time status updates, and receive alerts, helping trips stay compliant and on schedule despite weather disruptions.
In parallel, Pearson International has opened a dedicated curbside check-in for passengers who have already completed online re-booking, accelerating bag-drop procedures. Ground-transport apps report surge pricing around the airport; companies may wish to authorise higher expense thresholds for ride-hailing during the advisory period.
Because many corporate programmes default to lowest logical fare, some travellers may inadvertently select UltraBasic tickets in future searches. TMCs should therefore flag “change-penalty” fare categories during severe-weather months or negotiate broader change-fee waivers in corporate contracts.
