If you're eligible to claim part of a massive settlement in a class action against WestJet, you might want to sign up soon.

In October 2024, the Supreme Court of British Columbia approved a $12.5 million settlement proposed by Evolink Law Group. The plaintiff claimed that WestJet charged them a fee for their first checked bag "contrary to a provision included in its tariff" during the class period. WestJet has not admitted liability.

Class members could file a claim starting on November 11, 2024. The claims period deadline ends on February 10, 2025.

Are you eligible?

Anyone within or outside Canada who paid a fee for their first checked bag after booking a flight directly with WestJet is part of the class action.

You're eligible to file a claim if you booked a flight for travel between October 29, 2014, and July 29, 2017, (for Canadian domestic flights) or between January 6, 2016, and February 27, 2019, (for international flights), and if your itineraries were booked under a tariff that included the free baggage fee stipulation.

It also includes travellers who booked flights under a policy stating that checked bags are free.

How much can you get?

Class counsel fees, admin costs, reasonable disbursements and an honorarium for the plaintiff will be deducted from the $12.5 million settlement

"WestJet will pay in the form of cash class counsel fees (one-third of the settlement), disbursements, and the plaintiff's honorarium ($1,500)," reads the notice.

The remaining amount after deductions will be distributed pro rata as a credit to the WestJet Travel Bank accounts of class members who file a claim within the 90-day opt-out period, following the court-approved claims protocol.

The pro rata amount you could receive depends on the number of submitted claims and the claims rate. Class members could receive an estimated $10 to $20, "assuming an estimated claims rate of 5 per cent."

"The WestJet Travel Bank credits may be redeemed towards WestJet flights within 24 months without any blackout periods," states the notice. "The credits will expire after the 24 months if they are not redeemed in time. The WestJet Travel Bank credits are non-transferable but can be used to book for another guest."

Due to potential limitation periods, there's a different distribution formula for customers who travelled before or after July 6, 2017.

While it's only an estimate and not a guaranteed figure, class members could receive between $10 to $20, depending on the number of eligible claims submitted.

How can you submit a claim?

The claims period is open until February 10, 2025, and there are three ways to file a claim:

1. If you received an email notice from the Claims Administrator notifying you of this settlement, you can use the Unique ID and PIN in that email to submit a prepopulated claim form.

2. You can submit the claim form electronically, along with proof of class membership.

3. You can also file a paper claim form and submit it to the claims administrator with proof of class membership. The forms will be submitted to WestJet Settlement Administrator, c/o AB Data, Ltd., PO Box 173103, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53217.

Class members are urged not to submit multiple claims through multiple channels, which may cause delays.