Same Day Change policy for Air Canada?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,486
Same Day Change policy for Air Canada?
question about the Same-Day Change policy for Air Canada...
Some airlines like Delta have same-day change policy to allow change to a different time in the same day of departure. Does Air Canada have similar policy? If so, how does that work? I can't seem to find a lot of information about this on AC website.
I was thinking if I can change business class YYC-YVR-LAX to business class YYC-LAX non-stop on the day of departure if there is seat available on the evening non-stop.... would this be possible under Air Canada policy?
Some airlines like Delta have same-day change policy to allow change to a different time in the same day of departure. Does Air Canada have similar policy? If so, how does that work? I can't seem to find a lot of information about this on AC website.
I was thinking if I can change business class YYC-YVR-LAX to business class YYC-LAX non-stop on the day of departure if there is seat available on the evening non-stop.... would this be possible under Air Canada policy?
#3
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: YXE
Posts: 3,050
If its a true full-fare J (or Y), you can change it, standby, etc. No problem.
If its discounted, then you're subject to the fare rules as applicable to your specific ticket.
Some 'corridors' have more flexible change policies. And for operational reasons on days with overbookings and/or weather problems, AC often significantly waives change fees.
OTOH, I've been on a full Y ticket at an airport, without luggage, and have been denied getting onto an earlier flight because of lazy GA's who decided to close out a flight quite early (~30 minutes prior to departure time) because the entire confirmed/ticketed manifest had been loaded.
If its discounted, then you're subject to the fare rules as applicable to your specific ticket.
Some 'corridors' have more flexible change policies. And for operational reasons on days with overbookings and/or weather problems, AC often significantly waives change fees.
OTOH, I've been on a full Y ticket at an airport, without luggage, and have been denied getting onto an earlier flight because of lazy GA's who decided to close out a flight quite early (~30 minutes prior to departure time) because the entire confirmed/ticketed manifest had been loaded.
#4
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Here is info from the Air Canada website
To the U.S.
https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/...to-the-us.html
Within Canada
https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/...in-canada.html
.
To the U.S.
https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/...to-the-us.html
Within Canada
https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/...in-canada.html
.
#6
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If its a true full-fare J (or Y), you can change it, standby, etc. No problem.
If its discounted, then you're subject to the fare rules as applicable to your specific ticket.
Some 'corridors' have more flexible change policies. And for operational reasons on days with overbookings and/or weather problems, AC often significantly waives change fees.
OTOH, I've been on a full Y ticket at an airport, without luggage, and have been denied getting onto an earlier flight because of lazy GA's who decided to close out a flight quite early (~30 minutes prior to departure time) because the entire confirmed/ticketed manifest had been loaded.
If its discounted, then you're subject to the fare rules as applicable to your specific ticket.
Some 'corridors' have more flexible change policies. And for operational reasons on days with overbookings and/or weather problems, AC often significantly waives change fees.
OTOH, I've been on a full Y ticket at an airport, without luggage, and have been denied getting onto an earlier flight because of lazy GA's who decided to close out a flight quite early (~30 minutes prior to departure time) because the entire confirmed/ticketed manifest had been loaded.
24left's screenshots and my experiences would contradict this.
#7
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: YXE
Posts: 3,050
The gate was connected, people were still boarding, yet I was denied on a full-Y ticket that was booked not even an hour earlier. Not a full flight. Others were denied as well. No technical reasons either, it was an Rouge A319 on a 3 hour run from Florida.
#8
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: YVR
Programs: UA Premier Platinum
Posts: 3,606
The short answer is yes, discounted business fares to the US usually allow free SDC. Check the fine print of your ticket receipt to confirm that.
EDIT: if you didn't book with AC and for some reason don't have access to the fare rules for your itinerary, you can just call AC Reservations and ask this question.
EDIT: if you didn't book with AC and for some reason don't have access to the fare rules for your itinerary, you can just call AC Reservations and ask this question.
Last edited by eigenvector; May 31, 17 at 5:19 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,486
I booked directly with AC with fare code Z (discounted business)...
so I guess, based on the screenshot above, I can do same-day change without fee?
Can this be done online while check-in or must this be done at airport?
I had similar experience with delta, and it's quick phone call on the night before departure (within 24 hour prior to departure) to put me on another same-day flight in business class as long as a seat is available.
so I guess, based on the screenshot above, I can do same-day change without fee?
Can this be done online while check-in or must this be done at airport?
I had similar experience with delta, and it's quick phone call on the night before departure (within 24 hour prior to departure) to put me on another same-day flight in business class as long as a seat is available.
#10
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If it hasn't fully boarded, the flight has not been "closed", and they can ABSOLUTELY still process standby.
So yes, lazy

I booked directly with AC with fare code Z (discounted business)...
so I guess, based on the screenshot above, I can do same-day change without fee?
Can this be done online while check-in or must this be done at airport?
I had similar experience with delta, and it's quick phone call on the night before departure (within 24 hour prior to departure) to put me on another same-day flight in business class as long as a seat is available.
so I guess, based on the screenshot above, I can do same-day change without fee?
Can this be done online while check-in or must this be done at airport?
I had similar experience with delta, and it's quick phone call on the night before departure (within 24 hour prior to departure) to put me on another same-day flight in business class as long as a seat is available.
Paid business class within North America generally allows free SDC these days, though I'm not sure about international.
#11
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Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,486
Do I call AC within 24 hrs of departure to check if SDC is available? Or do I check during OLCI?
#12
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OLCI may offer options, though they may not be what you want.
You'll probably have to go to the airport.
#13
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Ottawa
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With P fare I have seen the option during online check in on the mobile app and on the website. I also believe (someone can correct me if I am wrong) that it is really same day so if a flight is on a Friday, you can make a same day change on Friday at 00:01 (as of YYC time zone in this case)
#14
Join Date: Feb 2004
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For AC, same day means same calendar day based on time zone of the airport the flight departs from.
SDC won't let you book a ticket and get out the night before... Or even firm up your plans till midnight.