Originally Posted by
pewpew
Yeah, so it's partly AC had what they consider a schedule change (but not minor enough that I can comfortably make the bag drop cut-off), partly the only alternative that keeps me from having to shorten my vacation was pushing the flight out a week, where I can make it for the new flight time. AC was willing to waive the change fee but not fare difference for such a change... unfortunately, that bumps my stay past the 180 days the fare allows (=$800 fare diff), so I ended up just buying EU-YEG-EU on my own, since I'll be coming back to Europe after and hadn't booked the flight back anyways.
OK, since I may have a similar case to deal with, I looked at the tariff. Newer edition, dated May 27, but I don't believe there were changes in Rule 80, Schedule irregularity. It says:
a) Carry the passenger on another of its passenger aircraft or class of service on which space is available without additional charge regardless of the class of service; or, at carrier's option;
b) Endorse to another air carrier with which Air Canada has an agreement for such transportation, the unused portion of the ticket for purposes of rerouting; or at carrier's option;
c) Reroute the passenger to the destination named on the ticket or applicable portion thereof by its own or other transportation services; and if the fare for the revised routing or class of service is higher than the refund value of the ticket or applicable portion thereof as determined from RULE 100 - REFUNDS, carrier will require no additional payment from the passenger but will refund the difference if it is lower or,
d) If the passenger chooses to no longer travel or if carrier is unable to perform the option stated in (a) (b) or (c) above within a reasonable amount time, make involuntary refund in accordance with RULE 100 - REFUNDS (an exception to the applicability of a refund occurs where the passenger was notified of the schedule irregularity prior to the day of departure and the schedule irregularity is of 60 minutes or less) or,
e) Upon request, for cancellations within Air Canada's control, return passenger to point of origin and refund in accordance with RULE 100 - REFUNDS as if no portion of the trip had been made (irrespective of applicable fare rules), or subject to passenger's agreement, offer a travel voucher for future travel in the same amount; or, upon passenger request.
f) For cancellations within Air Canada's control, if passenger provides credible verbal assurance to Air Canada of certain circumstances that require his/her arrival at destination earlier than options set out in subparagraph (a) above, or, for on my way customers, for cancellations within or outside carrier's control, Air Canada will, if it is reasonable to do so, taking all circumstances known to it into account, and subject to availability, buy passenger a seat on another carrier whose flight is schedule to arrive appreciably earlier than the options proposed in (a) above.
Nothing in the above shall limit or reduce the passenger's right, if any, to claim damages, if any, under the applicable convention, or under the law when neither convention applies.
I see nothing in there that justify what they told you. Note item f. Also b. Also so that refunds are always "at the passenger's choice."
Apparently the person whom you dealt with told you stuff applicable to voluntary changes, not to schedule irregularity. They should have accommodated you at no extra cost, either by putting you on another airline, or going for your own suggestion.
Very similar to the issue that I had. Looks like they are bullying people in accepting stuff that we don't need to accept.