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
May 11, 2020, 1:33 pm
#1636
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 181
Flight to Casablanca from LAX via Montreal was just cancelled for mid-June. Called and was told that I’m not eligible for a refund because 1) it’s a non-refundable ticket 2) They are a Canadian company not bound by USDOT (lol) and 3) They are still working on reaching an agreement regarding refunds with the Canadian department of transportation.
To those that want a refund and have flights involving the US: Don’t settle for some lame voucher. File a USDOT complaint and initiate a chargeback with your cc issuer. The less people bring the airlines nonsense to light, the more egregious and flagrant their reasoning for denying you refunds will become.
To those that want a refund and have flights involving the US: Don’t settle for some lame voucher. File a USDOT complaint and initiate a chargeback with your cc issuer. The less people bring the airlines nonsense to light, the more egregious and flagrant their reasoning for denying you refunds will become.
I will say, I am glad I booked the ticket direct with AC and not through amex IAP, like I normally do...
May 11, 2020, 1:48 pm
#1637
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 17,451
That was last week and today I received emails from both that agent and Amex corporate informing me the refund has posted.
Disclosure - I am an American citizen, flights originated from and returned to the US, and I purchased through the IAP by phone, not online.
May 11, 2020, 2:13 pm
#1638
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 181
And yet, I booked $14K worth of tickets through Amex IAP (saved me 2 grand over booking direct) and not only was I fully refunded, Amex called me - on the phone by a dedicated agent - to inform me of the flight cancellation and that the full amount would be refunded to my account. I didn't need to initiate contact with Amex or the airline at all.
That was last week and today I received emails from both that agent and Amex corporate informing me the refund has posted.
Disclosure - I am an American citizen, flights originated from and returned to the US, and I purchased through the IAP by phone, not online.
That was last week and today I received emails from both that agent and Amex corporate informing me the refund has posted.
Disclosure - I am an American citizen, flights originated from and returned to the US, and I purchased through the IAP by phone, not online.
May 11, 2020, 4:03 pm
#1639
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 56,446
A reminder that there are a number of different COVID-19 related threads currently under discussion for different related topics so please direct your post to the most appropriate venue:
Air Canada Clean Care+ program
- discussion of AC's program to clean aircraft and check passenger temperatures
AC Provides Financial Update on Response to COVID-19 (16Mar20); Changes coming?
- discussion of the financial toll of COVID-19 on Air Canada
Tracking AC planes being parked due to COVID-19
- AC aircraft removed from service and temporarily stored
Master thread Air Canada Refunds vs credits; Class action lawsuit filed
- discussion related to future travel credits vs. cash refunds
Air Canada Altitude status extended until end 2021 due to COVID-19 & adds incentives
- discussion on elite status being extended
While these are the main COVID-19 discussion threads such an unprecedented crisis has of course had wider ranging impacts on Air Canada so some other threads have seen debates on a narrowed focus such as the Air Canada Master Fleet Changes thread and the Air Canada Reports First Quarter 2020 Results thread.
Please note that posts placed in one thread but more on topic for another may be moved but members will be notified.
Regards,
tcook052
Air Canada forum moderator
Air Canada Clean Care+ program
- discussion of AC's program to clean aircraft and check passenger temperatures
AC Provides Financial Update on Response to COVID-19 (16Mar20); Changes coming?
- discussion of the financial toll of COVID-19 on Air Canada
Tracking AC planes being parked due to COVID-19
- AC aircraft removed from service and temporarily stored
Master thread Air Canada Refunds vs credits; Class action lawsuit filed
- discussion related to future travel credits vs. cash refunds
Air Canada Altitude status extended until end 2021 due to COVID-19 & adds incentives
- discussion on elite status being extended
While these are the main COVID-19 discussion threads such an unprecedented crisis has of course had wider ranging impacts on Air Canada so some other threads have seen debates on a narrowed focus such as the Air Canada Master Fleet Changes thread and the Air Canada Reports First Quarter 2020 Results thread.
Please note that posts placed in one thread but more on topic for another may be moved but members will be notified.
Regards,
tcook052
Air Canada forum moderator
May 11, 2020, 4:30 pm
#1640
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Vancouver
Programs: AC SE100K 1MM, FB Platinum, Bonvoy Platinum Elite, IHG Gold Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,603
BCN, both from YYZ and YUL, switches to mainline 788 beginning June 24th. Curious what other routes will switch from Rouge to mainline.
May 11, 2020, 7:29 pm
#1641
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 17,451
Nice. I’ve never had an issue with IAP refunding a cancelled flight, but my law firm partner was getting the run around on an air Tahiti Nui cancelled flight that he originally booked through Amex travel. But now that I think about it: it probably wasn’t IAP as he never loosens the purse strings and flies coach lol. Glad to hear that IAP is being proactive though...
May 11, 2020, 9:50 pm
#1642
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: YSC (and all its regularly scheduled flights)
Posts: 2,519
I booked a Basic Fare return ticket for my sister-in-law from LHR-YVR-YYJ using part of a credit from a VDB and credit card for the taxes. I cancelled it on April 17 online and was just given a 'case number'. I was planning to get in touch last week (but forgot), but yesterday got a (6th) revised itinerary. I was going to call this morning, but at 8am got confirmation of the cancellation with the following message:
We're past May 7 now, so not sure what this means.
The flights are still all running, so I guess that EU-261 doesn't apply, even though there is zero chance of her flying. On the other hand we bought a basic fare knowing that there were no changes or refunds allowed.
Dr. PITUK
We are happy to inform you that we have processed your request to cancel your itinerary and keep the remaining value of your ticket for future travel. This is value is valid for travel to be rebooked and completed within 24 months of your flight cancellation date. If you purchased a non-refundable fare, please note that you are not eligible for a refund.
Please note:
- If your original travel dates were between March 1, 2019 and February 29, 2020, both the change fee and fare difference will apply.
- If your original travel dates are between March 1, 2020 and May 7, 2020, the change fee will be waived, but the fare difference will apply.
The flights are still all running, so I guess that EU-261 doesn't apply, even though there is zero chance of her flying. On the other hand we bought a basic fare knowing that there were no changes or refunds allowed.
Dr. PITUK
May 12, 2020, 7:11 am
#1643
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Toronto, ON
Programs: AC 75K
Posts: 6,361
From another forum - it seems that rouge isn't coming back until December. There are 3 ex-rouge TATL destinations currently planned to operate this summer: BCN, ATH, LIS. ATH is allegedly going to be flown by the 788, and LIS by the A330. I assume any Sun destinations will be flown by the existing mainline A32x fleet.
May 12, 2020, 7:13 am
#1644
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Vancouver
Programs: AC SE100K 1MM, FB Platinum, Bonvoy Platinum Elite, IHG Gold Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,603
From another forum - it seems that rouge isn't coming back until December. There are 3 ex-rouge TATL destinations currently planned to operate this summer: BCN, ATH, LIS. ATH is allegedly going to be flown by the 788, and LIS by the A330. I assume any Sun destinations will be flown by the existing mainline A32x fleet.
May 12, 2020, 8:03 am
#1646
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: 16,767
I'm not sure how valuable the cargo is. I heard it's a lot of flowers, which are bulky but not heavy.
I also suspect this will kill/postpone the YUL-BOG route that was supposed to start up soon.
Perhaps they'll continue to use the ex-SQ A330s in 2 class PY/Y config for some of these routes.
Last edited by Adam Smith; May 12, 2020 at 11:22 am Reason: Corrected typo
May 12, 2020, 11:07 am
#1647
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 259
Not a biggie. but still a data point...
Our June 28 2020 flight from YYZ to SFO, which was a 777 layflat, is now on an A320 - no lay flats. Big family reunion on the July 4th weekend. At least that's the plan. I just got the flight change email 3 days ago from Air Canada.
Still so fluid, and who knows if borders and flights will be open by then - after all, it's only a little more than 6 weeks away, and a LOT has to fall into place before then.
Our June 28 2020 flight from YYZ to SFO, which was a 777 layflat, is now on an A320 - no lay flats. Big family reunion on the July 4th weekend. At least that's the plan. I just got the flight change email 3 days ago from Air Canada.
Still so fluid, and who knows if borders and flights will be open by then - after all, it's only a little more than 6 weeks away, and a LOT has to fall into place before then.
May 12, 2020, 12:29 pm
#1648
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 324
I was wondering how you did the chargeback for a future flight. I just got a cancellation notice for flights in June but wasn’t sure if I could initiate a cc chargeback until the actual date of the flight since you can’t select a future date during the dispute process (at least with chase visa).
May 12, 2020, 12:49 pm
#1649
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: 16,767
I was wondering how you did the chargeback for a future flight. I just got a cancellation notice for flights in June but wasn’t sure if I could initiate a cc chargeback until the actual date of the flight since you can’t select a future date during the dispute process (at least with chase visa).
May 12, 2020, 1:00 pm
#1650
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Vancouver
Programs: AC SE100K 1MM, FB Platinum, Bonvoy Platinum Elite, IHG Gold Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,603
I don't think the 321 can do BOG, but the 319 can. Going back 10 years ago or so, AC did YYZ-BOG on 319. Of course, rouge 763 to 319 is a huge capacity decrease, and even going to daily service (BOG is usually 3-4x weekly, not sure what it is currently) wouldn't quite make it up. Then again, maybe that's a good thing these days.
It could definitely be done with an A220 but seems unlikely they will have enough birds yet to assign one to the route. I'm thinking it will be an A330 - there really aren't enough 788's to cover all of these former Rouge routes.