It is supposed to be possible to cancel up to 45 minutes before departure, per Air Canada.(can't find it now but am sure it's in the website somewhere)
The 24 hour cancellation has been limited by some airlines - I don't recall seeing it on the Air Canada website anywhere or during the booking process.
I'm not sure why there is user error here - I had to cancel my flight shortly before departure - if Air Canada does not offer any practical way to contact them for cancellation within a reasonable amount of time, then I cannot see how they can claim tickets can be cancelled up to 45 minutes before the flight,
Should I have called AC three hours before the flight (before I knew I had to cancel) in anticipation of a long wait ?
Originally Posted by
CanadianConnection33
I am assuming your flight was purchased directly from Air Canada.
There is some user error here so you may have a tougher time getting a refund.
I understand the 24 hour cancelation window does not apply when the fare is purchased so close before departure. However, fare class can still override this.
By checking-in - you have contracted with Air Canada your intention to take the flight and, therefore, not make a same day change or cancel the flight. You checking in caused the flight change options to grey-out.
Canceling your check-in may have re-opened cancelation options unique to your fare class.
You'll have to go through the tariff but I don't think Comfort Fares are refundable up to the moment of departure. I thought it was around -120 or -180 minutes.
You may be able to still request a refund by presenting Air Canada with evidence they made it impossible to speak to an agent. It sounds like you only started this process around -150 minutes which is not a lot of time.
I "had to hang up" after nearly an hour on hold may not be enough effort on your part. During COVID-19 I was able to get more accommodation from Air Canada after showing them I was on hold for 7 or 8 hours and then disconnected.
So, yes, you will be asking Air Canada for a favour combined with the fact it is sometimes difficult to get them to answer the phone.