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 12, 2020, 1:17 pm
#1651
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: 16,741
They're only "accelerating the retirement" of the 319s (both rouge and mainline). There are still plenty kicking around the fleet and that will certainly be the case for a while. No reason they can't use a 319, rouge or mainline, to run the BOG route this summer.
Agreed on the 220, and on the small number of 788s. The 330 might be too much for the BOG route if traffic is down much though.
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.
May 12, 2020, 1:18 pm
#1652
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 16
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, 3:13 pm
#1653
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 1,203
Except there won't be any Rouge A319's left either...
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.
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.
May 13, 2020, 5:05 am
#1654
Join Date: May 2020
Programs: United Mileage Plus
Posts: 2
A question about how AC is handling passengers on cancelled flights.I flew to Taiwan in January on a round-trip Vancouver-Taipei Air Canada ticket purchased through Expedia. Our return flight in late June has been cancelled by Air Canada, and Expedia says that Air Canada is only offering vouchers for the value of the return portion. But as I understand the current CTA rules--even the watered-down version during the pandemic--Air Canada is still obligated to rebook on a partner airline if possible. EVA is still flying YVR - TPE direct, and ANA has flights via Tokyo.
So is Air Canada refusing to rebook when a partner alternative is still available? I haven't called AC directly yet--their website says that any Expedia bookings must be handled through Expedia--but I'll try that next if Expedia won't budge. Failing that, we may have to buy a new one-way ticket and submit a complaint to the CTA.
Incidentally, neither AC nor Expedia contacted us when the flight was cancelled, we just happened to find out through news reports...
So is Air Canada refusing to rebook when a partner alternative is still available? I haven't called AC directly yet--their website says that any Expedia bookings must be handled through Expedia--but I'll try that next if Expedia won't budge. Failing that, we may have to buy a new one-way ticket and submit a complaint to the CTA.
Incidentally, neither AC nor Expedia contacted us when the flight was cancelled, we just happened to find out through news reports...
May 13, 2020, 8:23 am
#1655
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: 16,741
A question about how AC is handling passengers on cancelled flights.I flew to Taiwan in January on a round-trip Vancouver-Taipei Air Canada ticket purchased through Expedia. Our return flight in late June has been cancelled by Air Canada, and Expedia says that Air Canada is only offering vouchers for the value of the return portion. But as I understand the current CTA rules--even the watered-down version during the pandemic--Air Canada is still obligated to rebook on a partner airline if possible. EVA is still flying YVR - TPE direct, and ANA has flights via Tokyo.
Yes, if you still want to travel, AC is obligated to try to re-book you under its schedule change policy. If Expedia says otherwise, they're wrong.
So is Air Canada refusing to rebook when a partner alternative is still available?
I haven't called AC directly yet--their website says that any Expedia bookings must be handled through Expedia--but I'll try that next if Expedia won't budge. Failing that, we may have to buy a new one-way ticket and submit a complaint to the CTA.
Incidentally, neither AC nor Expedia contacted us when the flight was cancelled, we just happened to find out through news reports...
May 13, 2020, 10:43 am
#1656
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Vancouver
Programs: AC SE100K 1MM, FB Platinum, Bonvoy Platinum Elite, IHG Gold Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,602
They're only "accelerating the retirement" of the 319s (both rouge and mainline). There are still plenty kicking around the fleet and that will certainly be the case for a while. No reason they can't use a 319, rouge or mainline, to run the BOG route this summer.
Agreed on the 220, and on the small number of 788s. The 330 might be too much for the BOG route if traffic is down much though.
Agreed on the 220, and on the small number of 788s. The 330 might be too much for the BOG route if traffic is down much though.
May 13, 2020, 2:35 pm
#1657
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 423
YYC's continued bad luck with the Canadian airlines keeps on rolling. AC appears to have further suspended YYC-FRA until June 24. This means YYC won't have a single scheduled passenger flight outside of Canada/USA in nearly three months.
May 13, 2020, 2:42 pm
#1658
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: 16,741
I'm booked to fly YYC-LHR a few days after it's scheduled to resume, but not holding out much hope for either that or the FRA flight to actually come back. As long as travel remains restricted and quarantines remain in place, there's not much point in going anywhere.
May 13, 2020, 2:57 pm
#1659
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 423
I think that was in the previous round of suspensions.
I'm booked to fly YYC-LHR a few days after it's scheduled to resume, but not holding out much hope for either that or the FRA flight to actually come back. As long as travel remains restricted and quarantines remain in place, there's not much point in going anywhere.
I'm booked to fly YYC-LHR a few days after it's scheduled to resume, but not holding out much hope for either that or the FRA flight to actually come back. As long as travel remains restricted and quarantines remain in place, there's not much point in going anywhere.
I would venture to say YYC has been the worst affected of the big 4 airports, seeing how typically there would have 10-12 total long haul routes in the summer, but its hacked down to virtually nothing. YYZ / YUL and YVR have all managed to maintain a decent amount of international service.
May 13, 2020, 3:11 pm
#1660
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: 16,741
It was still open for reservation from June 1 yesterday. I feel like only one of them will actually be back if either at all.
I would venture to say YYC has been the worst affected of the big 4 airports, seeing how typically there would have 10-12 total long haul routes in the summer, but its hacked down to virtually nothing. YYZ / YUL and YVR have all managed to maintain a decent amount of international service.
I would venture to say YYC has been the worst affected of the big 4 airports, seeing how typically there would have 10-12 total long haul routes in the summer, but its hacked down to virtually nothing. YYZ / YUL and YVR have all managed to maintain a decent amount of international service.
YYC is particularly hard-hit because we're the smallest of the four hubs, and the oil patch is also an absolute wreck right now.
One of the things that surprises me is that the YYC-LHR flight is still scheduled on a 77W for when it does resume.
May 13, 2020, 8:26 pm
#1661
Join Date: May 2020
Programs: United Mileage Plus
Posts: 2
Thanks! I'll keep pushing on Expedia, quoting chapter-and-verse if need be. And good idea about conference calling with AC (if we can reach anyone there).
Yes, Expedia's website is still not showing the leg as cancelled, though the agent could see that it was. And I do have the trip in the AC Android app, but there's no indication of the cancellation within the app, only when clicking "Change" does it take you to a page that displays the cancellation.
With this being your first post, welcome to FT
You can mostly thank Expedia for that. AC has gotten quite good lately about notifying of schedule changes/cancellations. One tip for the future would be to install the AC mobile app. Even if you don't get an e-mail notification because you booked through an OTA, you should still get a notification from the app.
You can mostly thank Expedia for that. AC has gotten quite good lately about notifying of schedule changes/cancellations. One tip for the future would be to install the AC mobile app. Even if you don't get an e-mail notification because you booked through an OTA, you should still get a notification from the app.
May 13, 2020, 8:29 pm
#1662
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 423
It may have been bookable on the website, but didn't the schedule page say it was also off until June 24th, like LHR?
YYC is particularly hard-hit because we're the smallest of the four hubs, and the oil patch is also an absolute wreck right now.
One of the things that surprises me is that the YYC-LHR flight is still scheduled on a 77W for when it does resume.
YYC is particularly hard-hit because we're the smallest of the four hubs, and the oil patch is also an absolute wreck right now.
One of the things that surprises me is that the YYC-LHR flight is still scheduled on a 77W for when it does resume.
May 14, 2020, 2:37 pm
#1663
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: BOS
Programs: Hyatt Glob/UA Gold
Posts: 612
Has the BOS-YYC seasonal service been cancelled for 2020? AC Route Updates page says "postponed". Anyone know if postponed until 2021 or just later in the season? Inventory was removed in the last week or two.
Planning a BOS-YYC-YVR trip for early September and would rather stay with AC for all legs.
Planning a BOS-YYC-YVR trip for early September and would rather stay with AC for all legs.
May 14, 2020, 3:38 pm
#1664
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: 16,741
Has the BOS-YYC seasonal service been cancelled for 2020? AC Route Updates page says "postponed". Anyone know if postponed until 2021 or just later in the season? Inventory was removed in the last week or two.
Planning a BOS-YYC-YVR trip for early September and would rather stay with AC for all legs.
Planning a BOS-YYC-YVR trip for early September and would rather stay with AC for all legs.
May 15, 2020, 10:45 am
#1665
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: YQR
Programs: no status
Posts: 1,052
AC Covid Cancellation Policy
I am considering a trip to Germany (FRA) in October, but it seems that AC does not have a revised cancellation policy similar to WestJet. I would not be interested in travelling if restrictions like quarantine for international travellers were still in effect at that time (which is quite likely). Can someone confirm that on AC the fare still determines cancellation policy and penalties?
A bit of background to this trip: I was supposed to be in Germany right now to visit my 85 year old mother, had booked with Westjet via CDG and intended to spend a few June days in Paris. So now I have the value of this trip in the WS travelbank, and could re-book into October but have lost interest in the Paris visit and hassles of train travel to Germany. Still if I book with WS and cancel, then the refund would go just back into the travelbank. The AC standard fare to FRA is about 50% higher than WS but it looks like they don't have a travelbank approach for covid related cancellations. So I am really torn between the options.
A bit of background to this trip: I was supposed to be in Germany right now to visit my 85 year old mother, had booked with Westjet via CDG and intended to spend a few June days in Paris. So now I have the value of this trip in the WS travelbank, and could re-book into October but have lost interest in the Paris visit and hassles of train travel to Germany. Still if I book with WS and cancel, then the refund would go just back into the travelbank. The AC standard fare to FRA is about 50% higher than WS but it looks like they don't have a travelbank approach for covid related cancellations. So I am really torn between the options.
