Jan 27, 2020, 3:42 pm
Last edit by: Adam Smith
Key points of AC COVID change/cancellation policy [as of December 10, 2021]:
(see this page under "Changes and cancellations")
Unlimited changes. No change fees. – Until December 31, 2021, if you want to change your flight, we'll waive the change fee. After December 31, 2021, you can make one change at no extra charge. If your new fare has a higher price, you only need to pay the difference from your original fare.
If Air Canada changes the time of your flight, you make a change for free.*
*Within 3 days for North American destinations and 7 days for international and sun destinations.
If your flight is cancelled, you get a refund – If your flight is cancelled for any reason and we don’t rebook you on another flight that departs or arrives within three hours of your original departure or arrival time, or if we add a connection to your itinerary, you can request a refund.
Need to cancel? Save the value for future travel – If you need to cancel a booking, the full value can be transferred to an Air Canada Travel Voucher, which never expires and is fully transferrable, or converted into Aeroplan points with a 65% bonus. Refundable tickets are always refundable.
Flexibility with Aeroplan bookings – Until December 31, 2021, if you want to change your Aeroplan flight reward, we'll waive all change fees. After December 31, 2021, you can still make one change without a fee.
(see this page under "Changes and cancellations")
Unlimited changes. No change fees. – Until December 31, 2021, if you want to change your flight, we'll waive the change fee. After December 31, 2021, you can make one change at no extra charge. If your new fare has a higher price, you only need to pay the difference from your original fare.
If Air Canada changes the time of your flight, you make a change for free.*
*Within 3 days for North American destinations and 7 days for international and sun destinations.
If your flight is cancelled, you get a refund – If your flight is cancelled for any reason and we don’t rebook you on another flight that departs or arrives within three hours of your original departure or arrival time, or if we add a connection to your itinerary, you can request a refund.
Need to cancel? Save the value for future travel – If you need to cancel a booking, the full value can be transferred to an Air Canada Travel Voucher, which never expires and is fully transferrable, or converted into Aeroplan points with a 65% bonus. Refundable tickets are always refundable.
Flexibility with Aeroplan bookings – Until December 31, 2021, if you want to change your Aeroplan flight reward, we'll waive all change fees. After December 31, 2021, you can still make one change without a fee.
Master thread COVID-19/Coronavirus; travel waivers, route changes, AC impacts
Jan 22, 2020, 9:30 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: YYJ
Programs: AC SE*MM, Bonvoy LT Plat, HH Gold, National EE, Sixt Plat, Hz 5*
Posts: 2,439
Master thread COVID-19/Coronavirus; travel waivers, route changes, AC impacts
Not sure if there is an official waiver yet, but I was given a full refund on a N ticket to HKG tomorrow due to coronavirus. I saw tcook052 moved a post earlier today on the subject.
Jan 22, 2020, 10:54 pm
#3
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: YWG
Posts: 2,272
Because of the recent outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China, we understand that you may want to make alternate travel arrangements. If you currently have a reservation, Air Canada has implemented a policy that makes it possible for you to make voluntary changes to your itinerary if:
You also have the option to cancel your flight for a full refund.
If you purchased your ticket with Aeroplan External site which may not meet accessibility guidelines. or Air Canada Vacations, please contact them directly.
And if you require assistance, you can always contact us directly (1-888-247-2262).
- You purchased an Air Canada ticket no later than January 21, 2020 for travel between January 22 and March 29, 2020.
- Your itinerary includes a flight to, from or via Wuhan Tianhe International Airport (WUH).
You also have the option to cancel your flight for a full refund.
If you purchased your ticket with Aeroplan External site which may not meet accessibility guidelines. or Air Canada Vacations, please contact them directly.
And if you require assistance, you can always contact us directly (1-888-247-2262).
Jan 22, 2020, 11:22 pm
#4
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,777
Also interesting that it only mentions itineraries that touch WUH, which is less generous than what Nitehawk encountered.
Jan 23, 2020, 5:48 am
#5
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Calgary
Programs: Aeroplan (Silver), Air Miles, IHG Rewards (Platinum)
Posts: 668
Jan 23, 2020, 11:23 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: YYZ
Programs: TK*G, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat
Posts: 678
Jan 23, 2020, 1:01 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: YYJ
Programs: AC SE*MM, Bonvoy LT Plat, HH Gold, National EE, Sixt Plat, Hz 5*
Posts: 2,439
I did not push them on the issue at all. I called to cancel, mentioned the virus, and the agent stated that people had been receiving refunds. She then processed my full refund. Call took no more than 5-10 mins.
Jan 24, 2020, 12:19 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: OZ Diamond, Jiffypark Manhattan Gold
Posts: 4,485
Apr 3-6th I have BKK-CAN-WNZ-TPE-SEA-YVR on an AP ticket. I booked it that way partially to try and hit all the Star carriers (there's a ZH flight in there which I'm missing and a TG 350 I wanna try) and I had no issue spending 24 hours in Guagzhou (actually kinda wanted to, city looks kinda cool) and 24 hours in Wenzhou (never heard of it, but I have a Chinese visa and how bad can 24 hours be, had to do this to lineup with the BR availability) but now I'm a LITTLE more weary of that.
I'll call them when I get home from my current trip, but my dates are outside of the waiver, and does anyone have experience with waivers and if/how they extend to AP tickets? Are they gonna insist my new itinerary has award availability? I know that's always a sticky situation but when it comes to cancelled flights and stuff they are usually pretty good about just paying to replace flights. Cuz of course now there isn't really availability and whatever availability exists is all via China, which kinda defeats the purpose.
I'll call them when I get home from my current trip, but my dates are outside of the waiver, and does anyone have experience with waivers and if/how they extend to AP tickets? Are they gonna insist my new itinerary has award availability? I know that's always a sticky situation but when it comes to cancelled flights and stuff they are usually pretty good about just paying to replace flights. Cuz of course now there isn't really availability and whatever availability exists is all via China, which kinda defeats the purpose.
Jan 24, 2020, 1:13 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: USA
Programs: AC SE100K, F9 100k, NK Gold, UA *S, Hyatt Glob, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 5,198
I admire your goal of hitting all the *G carriers. we are only missing one primary carrier (Shenzhen) and one connecting partner (Juneyao). We intend to do both before spring/summer is over.
Unless you need the miles to book a new flight, personally I'd hold on to your cool routing and watch the news updates in several weeks. Doing so now now the most you'd get is pay refund refund fees or change fees, and you'd have to find existing Aeroplan flight award inventory.
Jan 24, 2020, 3:51 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Canada
Programs: AC SE100k, Marriott Titanium Elite, Accor Platinum, National Executive Elite
Posts: 349
I cancelled a YVR-TPE trip for next week last week and asked them to retroactively apply this waiver, which they informed me they did. The Concierge gave me slightly different terms than the ones listed.
What does it mean I can book 'another destination'? Can I book YVR to SYD instead? I was in J
What does it mean I can book 'another destination'? Can I book YVR to SYD instead? I was in J
Jan 24, 2020, 6:24 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: YWG
Posts: 2,272
I cancelled a YVR-TPE trip for next week last week and asked them to retroactively apply this waiver, which they informed me they did. The Concierge gave me slightly different terms than the ones listed.
What does it mean I can book 'another destination'? Can I book YVR to SYD instead? I was in J
What does it mean I can book 'another destination'? Can I book YVR to SYD instead? I was in J
I assume it just means that the value of the ticket can be applied to a new one with the change fee waived.
Jan 24, 2020, 10:43 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Canada
Programs: AC SE100k, Marriott Titanium Elite, Accor Platinum, National Executive Elite
Posts: 349
There's an updated advisory that includes PVG and PEK but I think they are being a bit more open about applying it.
Change fee waived and they will book me into the same cabin if I book before June 15th on any available flight on that route.
Change fee waived and they will book me into the same cabin if I book before June 15th on any available flight on that route.
Jan 25, 2020, 1:49 am
#13
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC 75k, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,154
I have a flight to PEK/PVG mid February, I'm hoping AC will extend waiver to cover those dates, as what I hear from my relatives, the outbreaks in both cities are much worse than reported.
Jan 25, 2020, 8:43 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 23,805
This said, I would take rumors from friends or relatives in Beijing with a grain of salt. Rumors tend to go way beyond reality. Still, if it were me, I would probably go ahead and cancel a February trip, just to be on the safe side.
Jan 25, 2020, 11:15 am
#15
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: PHL, NYC, DC
Posts: 9,708
Can someone advise what the updated advisory includes?
looked at both their Travel Advisory and Goodwill policy - all I see is just the regular winter storms and Wuhan being covered.
thinking either to cancel ticket or submit a trip interruption/cancellation claim.
looked at both their Travel Advisory and Goodwill policy - all I see is just the regular winter storms and Wuhan being covered.
thinking either to cancel ticket or submit a trip interruption/cancellation claim.