Book. Save. Sail.

What are the benefits of booking a Saver fare?

Customers who book a Saver fare for travel between Comox (Little River) and Powell River (Westview) will enjoy benefits such as:

• More savings
  • Saver fares for $39 one-way for a standard under-height vehicle & driver, including a free reservation, are available on select late evening sailings from Comox to Powell River in either direction.
    
     
• More flexible changes and cancellations
  • Book a Saver fare and have the option to change your sailing up to one hour before booked departure for a $5 change fee.
  • Cancel four days or more before departure for a reduced cancellation fee of just $5. If you cancel three days or less, up to one hour before departure, the cancellation fee is $20.
  • Unredeemed bookings will be refunded less a $30 fee. 

What is the main difference between a Saver fare and a Prepaid fare?

Saver fares are available on select sailings. Prepaid fares are available on all sailings between Comox and Powell River. Both fares include a reservation, and must be booked in advance and paid for in full. Saver is our most affordable fare choice, and includes a free reservation.

• You can cancel your Prepaid booking for a $5 cancellation fee four or more days before departure, within three days for $15 up to one 1 hour before departure. Unredeemed Prepaid bookings will be refunded less a $20 fee.
• You can cancel your Saver booking four days or more before departure for $5. Within three days up to one hour before departure, the cancellation fee is $20. Unredeemed bookings will be refunded less a $30 fee. 

When are Saver fares available for travel?

Saver fare availability will vary, they will generally be available on select early morning or late evening sailings that are not expected to sell out. Saver fare availability is limited and may sell out. 

Why did BC Ferries introduce Saver fares for travel between Comox (Little River) and Powell River (Westview)?

We introduced Saver fares on this route to provide customers with more savings, and greater travel certainty.

Saver fares are designed to shift traffic to less busy sailings and free up space at more popular sailing times, giving those with flexibility in their plans an opportunity to save. This will reduce congestion at the terminal and make it easier for customers without a reservation to travel.

The Saver fare also features a flexible cancellation policy, giving customers the ability to cancel a booking for a reduced cancellation fee of $5 applicable four days or more before booked departure. If you cancel three days or less, up to one hour before departure, the cancellation fee is $20. Unredeemed bookings will be refunded less a $30 fee. 
 
 

Will reservation space be affected?

30% of the deck space on all sailings between Comox (Little River) and Powell River (Westview) is allocated for reserved traffic. With the introduction of Saver fares on this route, we will be allocating 50% of the deck space on the last sailings of the day in each direction, with the additional amount to be made available to customers looking to take advantage of the $39 Saver fare. 

How do I book a Saver fare?

When you arrive at Step 4, Sailings(s), during the booking flow, select "View fares" on the right side under the price to show the available fare choices for each sailing. To learn more about the different fare choices, including change and cancellation fees, select 'Compare fares'. Choose the fare you want to book using the "Select" button, then complete your booking and payment.

  

Can I book a Saver fare using my Experience Card?

Experience Cards cannot be used to purchase Saver fares bookings. Saver fares must be booked online or by phone and paid for in advance by credit card, or cash at select terminals. Saver fares offer greater savings for car, driver and passenger fares for other customers in the vehicle.

  

What happens if I book a Saver fare and arrive early, or miss my sailing? Can I travel on a different sailing? 

If you arrive early or miss your sailing, you can use your Saver fare toward the purchase of an At Terminal fare by paying the difference in price, if applicable.

Your fare must be put towards a sailing on the same route on the same day, travelling in the direction originally booked. You will board after reserved customers in the order you arrive on the next available sailing, based on space availability.

  

Can I change or cancel a Saver fare or Prepaid booking?

Yes, you can change your sailing up to one hour before the scheduled departure time of your original booking for a $5 change fee. If you have booked a Saver fare and move to a sailing where no Saver fares available, you will need to pay the difference in price.

If you book a Saver fare, you can cancel four days or more before departure for a $5 cancellation fee. If you cancel three days or less, up to one hour the day before departure, the cancellation fee is $20. Unredeemed bookings will be refunded less a $30 fee.

Prepaid fares can be cancelled for a $5 cancellation fee 4 or more days before departure, within three days for $15 up to one 1 hour before departure. Unredeemed Prepaid bookings will be refunded less a $20 fee.

If you want to change your Prepaid booking to a Saver fare on the same sailing, you can do so up to one hour before departure. You will receive a refund for the difference in fare, less a $5 change fee.
 

If I'm travelling using a Provincial Travel Assistance Program (TAP) form, what fare type should I book?

If you are travelling using a TAP form, choose the Travel Assistance Program option on the passenger selection screen. 

What happens if I have fewer/more passengers than what was booked and paid for online?

If you check-in at the terminal with fewer passengers than you booked and paid for, and the booking has not been changed prior to check-in, the ticket agent will issue you a refund for the difference to the original form of payment.

If you check-in at the terminal with more passengers than you booked and paid for, the ticket agent will charge you the additional passenger fare(s).

  

Is there a Seniors’ discount for Saver fares?

BC Seniors travel free on select routes Monday to Thursday. BC Seniors who book Saver fares from Monday to Thursday will only be charged for the cost of the vehicle. Make sure you select the correct BC Senior passenger type when creating the booking online, and present your BC government issued identification at the ticket booth. Friday to Sunday BC Seniors will be charged regular adult fares.

  

I don’t have a credit card or internet access. How can I book a Saver fare? 

You can pay online and over the phone using MasterCard Debit or Visa Debit. You can also visit the Little River or Westview terminal administration office at least two hours in advance of departure and pay with cash (subject to availability).

  

What vehicle types qualify for Saver fares on this route?

Saver fares are available to customers travelling with a standard under-height vehicle, such as a car, truck, SUV, or van. Customers with under-height vehicles over 20 feet (6.10 metres) in length can take advantage of the Saver fare discount for the first 20 feet, and pay the extra length rate (per foot) for any additional feet. Over-height vehicles, commercial vehicles, buses, tour operators and travel agents cannot book Saver fares.

  

What happens if my sailing is cancelled after I’ve checked in at the terminal?

We'll do our best to get you on the next available sailing where space is available if your sailing is cancelled. Scheduled sailings may need to be cancelled from time-to-time as a result of severe weather conditions, mechanical difficulties or other unforeseen circumstances.

Customers with a booking on the next scheduled departure will be loaded in advance of customers from the cancelled sailing. If we are unable to load you on the next available sailing, you will be loaded in order of arrival at the terminal.

If you choose not to travel, you will need to return to the ticket agent to check-out of the terminal. Your fares and any reservation fees will be automatically refunded to your original form of payment. Any changes made to your booking at check-in will also be automatically refunded, with the exception of transactions using forms of payment other than a credit card, which need to be processed manually before you leave the terminal.

To get a refund for a cancelled sailing, if you left the terminal without going through the ticket booth, you can also mail copies of your receipts to Customer Relations.

For the most up-to-date departure information, visit current conditions and check service notices.

  

What happens if my sailing is cancelled before I’ve checked in at the terminal, on the day of travel?

We will make every effort to move your booking to an alternate sailing, later in the day, based on space availability. This will occur at no cost to you, regardless of the fare you paid. Future sailings may have limited reservation space due to previous bookings.

If your booking is moved, you will be notified by email. If we are not able to move your booking, you will be notified by email in advance that your booking has been cancelled, your fares and any reservation fees will be refunded. We will also mail you a free travel voucher, for vehicle and driver, for use on a future sailing. If you choose to rebook, your original fare will not be guaranteed, as Saver fares have limited availability. For example, if you booked a Saver fare and there are no Saver fares available when you rebook, you will need to purchase a Reservation Only.

If you choose to travel without a booking on a later sailing, you can purchase an At Terminal fare and be loaded on the next available sailing based on order of arrival at the terminal and deck space availability.

For the most up-to-date departure information, visit current conditions and check service notices.

  

What happens if my sailing is cancelled before the day of travel?

In the event of schedule changes known in advance, we will move you to the next scheduled sailing, based on space availability. This will occur at no cost to you, regardless of the fare you paid. Future sailings may have limited reservation space due to previous bookings.

If your booking is moved, you will be notified by email. If we are not able to move your booking, due to limited space availability, you will be notified by email that your booking has been cancelled and your fares and any reservation fees will be refunded. We will also mail you a free travel voucher, for vehicle and driver, for use on a future sailing. If you choose to rebook, your original fare will not be guaranteed, as Saver fares have limited. For example, if you booked a Saver fare and there are no Saver fares available when you rebook, you will need to purchase a Reservation Only.

For the most up-to-date departure information, visit current conditions and check service notices.