Originally Posted by
eigenvector
Even if airfare remains the same, you'll have to magically find a flight that costs the exact same amount of money. If it's cheaper, AC keeps the residual value. If it's more expensive, you're paying AC new money to use the 'credit' they issued you for the flight they didn't provide earlier.
Conceptually, I don't entirely disagree with what AC is doing - preserving cash to keep the airline alive - but at least give people a real gift card-like credit that is transferable, does not expire and can be used multiple times. Anything else is a kick in the pants.
That's what Westjet is doing and I would be OK with that. But the way AC and many other airlines set up restrictions on travel credit usage ensures most people will lose the entire or part of the voucher's dollar face value.
If they can't handle the IT modifications to remove the restrictions on the travel vouchers or create a travel "bank" à la Westjet, just issue e-gift cards instead.