Originally Posted by
dangersquid
I never accept a voucher if I can avoid it because in the past I've had too much trouble with:
1) The future flight might be significantly more expensive, so the voucher won't necessarily cover the new cost.
2) Often when you go to use the voucher there will be cheaper flights on alternative airlines, but of course the voucher can't be used with them.
3) You usually don't get any residual value back if the new ticket costs less than the value of the voucher.
All three of these are generally true, but subject to exceptions.
I accept price changes as a part of the landscape. As long as I'm getting the full amount I paid as a credit, the fact is if I'm taking the trip next year, I don't expect to be assured of this year's price. I agree that the pay the difference for an increase, but lose the difference for a price reduction is cheapskate crap. But it's AC, and I'm not expecting much from them in this regard. Especially since...
This particular route, non-stop SMF-YVR, isn't offered, nor likely to be offered, by anyone else, regardless of price. If AC drops the route, meaning they no longer fly out of SMF, I'll likely want a refund, but even then, I'm okay with using the credit on an alliance partner that does fly out of here.
Thus my actual concern isn't really any three of your reasons, valid as they are in general, but that I'm going to end up not only having to pay for a flight on a different airline, but I'll end up spending all day getting to Vancouver instead of a convenient two hour non-stop.