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 28, 2020, 9:47 am
#91
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 23,792
I have travel on AC scheduled, originating from ORD, late next week with a connection through PEK. I can't get through on the phone to cancel. When I go to the website, it wants to take the $300 fee and other "unrefundable" fees totaling $700+. I can't rebook right now because we don't know when it will be okay to travel to China, nor when my partners' offices and factories will be open. Should I wait it out a few more days to see if the policy becomes more flexible? Should I try calling middle of the night when call volume is lower? I'd sure like to retain the full value of the ticket for a future booking.
Best is to keep trying to phone them. If you continue unable to, try on Twitter or if as for us you don't do Twitter, you might send a message to Customer Solutions on the web site. Keep a record and also a record of the current waiver so that in case nothing gets done you can always contest the charge with your credit card. Not that I expect it would reach that stage.
Jan 28, 2020, 11:51 am
#92
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: YVR
Programs: Bottom feeder Star Gold
Posts: 2,652
As I alluded to a couple days ago, the first confirmed case has been diagnosed in BC. The patient, a man in his 40s who frequently travels to the Wuhan area, is in isolation and does not require hospitalization - much like a regular cold or flu. It's almost like the PHAC knows what they're talking about. The diagnosis will not certainly not diminish the public pressure on Air Canada to maintain their current policies.
Jan 28, 2020, 11:57 am
#93
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 747
United just suspended some flights to China and HKG from Feb 1-8 citing significant decline in demand. I wonder if AC will follow:
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/28/unit...ronavirus.html
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/28/unit...ronavirus.html
Jan 28, 2020, 1:09 pm
#94
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: YVR
Programs: Bottom feeder Star Gold
Posts: 2,652
Silver linings: opportunities to catch up on deferred maintenance for aircraft that have been flying flat-out for the past several months.
Jan 28, 2020, 1:14 pm
#95
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Ideally YOW, but probably not
Programs: AC SE*MM
Posts: 1,822
I have little doubt they'd do the same thing, or at least down-gauge the aircraft on the routes from 777s to 789s for example. We have to account for the cargo revenue though; the pallets don't suffer fears of illness, and may be able to keep a flight profitable. It's a shame so much business is affected by mass irrationality.
Silver linings: opportunities to catch up on deferred maintenance for aircraft that have been flying flat-out for the past several months.
Silver linings: opportunities to catch up on deferred maintenance for aircraft that have been flying flat-out for the past several months.
Jan 28, 2020, 3:36 pm
#96
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 56,441
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/busi...n-response-to/
Air Canada cancelling select flights to China in response to coronavirus
Air Canada said on Tuesday it is cancelling select flights to China to better match capacity with expected demand as the spread of the new coronavirus rattles travellers.
Air Canada currently operates 33 flights a week to China and the resulting capacity reduction is relatively small, a company spokesman said by email. Those customers who are affected will be notified and provided with alternate travel options.
Air Canada cancelling select flights to China in response to coronavirus
Air Canada said on Tuesday it is cancelling select flights to China to better match capacity with expected demand as the spread of the new coronavirus rattles travellers.
Air Canada currently operates 33 flights a week to China and the resulting capacity reduction is relatively small, a company spokesman said by email. Those customers who are affected will be notified and provided with alternate travel options.
Jan 28, 2020, 3:39 pm
#97
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 56,441
https://www.travelweek.ca/news/u-s-o...ds-from-china/
Air Canada waives change fees for Beijing and Shanghai flights
TORONTO — Air Canada, which offers direct flights to Beijing and Shanghai from Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, as well as to Wuhan through a partner, is allowing passengers to rebook flights to the Chinese cities free of charge.
Updated today, Air Canada’s notice for passengers flying to Beijing (PEK) and Shanghai (PVG) applies to tickets issued no later than Jan. 28 for travel Jan. 24 – Feb. 29. Passengers can rebook free of charge until April 15.
Air Canada had previously waived change fees for Wuhan (WUH) for tickets issued no later than Jan. 21, for travel Jan. 22 – March 29. Those passengers can rebook free of charge until June 15.
Air Canada waives change fees for Beijing and Shanghai flights
TORONTO — Air Canada, which offers direct flights to Beijing and Shanghai from Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, as well as to Wuhan through a partner, is allowing passengers to rebook flights to the Chinese cities free of charge.
Updated today, Air Canada’s notice for passengers flying to Beijing (PEK) and Shanghai (PVG) applies to tickets issued no later than Jan. 28 for travel Jan. 24 – Feb. 29. Passengers can rebook free of charge until April 15.
Air Canada had previously waived change fees for Wuhan (WUH) for tickets issued no later than Jan. 21, for travel Jan. 22 – March 29. Those passengers can rebook free of charge until June 15.
Jan 28, 2020, 6:19 pm
#99
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 23,792
Better than cancelling tickets, surely. For both the travelers and AC.
Jan 28, 2020, 6:43 pm
#100
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: *G^2, Bonvoyed, NEXUS
Posts: 3,506
I just booked flights to/from TPE mid Feb.... the return portion for TPE-YVR was available in J fare only (ie J5C0D0Z0P0), so was crazy expensive. One option was to fly TPE-HKG-YYZ, but I (nor Mrs. Plumber) was crazy about the idea of a mainland connection.
Yesterday, my TA walitlisted me on the TPE-YVR flight for a lower fare and it cleared overnight for ~$4000 less than the J fare is selling for. Is this AC being proactive?
Hopefully TPE is ok.
Yesterday, my TA walitlisted me on the TPE-YVR flight for a lower fare and it cleared overnight for ~$4000 less than the J fare is selling for. Is this AC being proactive?
Hopefully TPE is ok.
).Also, you have demonstrated the value in a real TA who has a good relationship with an airline.
Jan 28, 2020, 7:08 pm
#101
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: YOW
Programs: AC-SE100K, AC-3MM, Marriott- LT Titanium, SPG RIP
Posts: 2,958
Was just in TPE... things seemed fine other than more people wearing masks. Also connected in HKG on way to TPE and again, masks everywhere. (And technically, HKG is not a 'mainland' connection, and the airport is on a man made island off a real island ).
Also, you have demonstrated the value in a real TA who has a good relationship with an airline.
).Also, you have demonstrated the value in a real TA who has a good relationship with an airline.
Jan 29, 2020, 7:27 am
#102
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YUL
Programs: AC*SEMM
Posts: 602
It looks like they went back to Jan. 26 policy vs Jan. 28 .. so the goodwill for PEK-PVG flights only is good until Feb. 15 and not Feb. 28 anymore ?!
https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/...han-china.html
https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/...han-china.html
Jan 29, 2020, 8:26 am
#103
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 747
I'm personally not all that worried about traveling, however those that I need to visit in China are shut down an extra week for spring festival and have been asked by the government not to leave their homes. They are disconcerted with the fact that the streets are empty rather than the normal bustle of shoppers. Offices have been told to remain closed until Feb 9...my trip would not be productive.
Jan 29, 2020, 11:15 am
#104
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: AC SEMM DL DM
Posts: 393
So I have an upcoming trip in PE booked. YYZ-PVG-TPE, 20 hours in TPE or so, TPE-YVR-YYZ.
I'm trying to rebook to YYZ-YVR-TPE, in keeping with the current waiver for PVG.
But I can't do so online, because the web site (but not the app) has decided to break down my trip as YYZ-PVG outbound and PVG-TPE-YVR-YYZ return, despite the layover in PVG being just four hours, and the "layover" in TPE being almost a full day.
Can't call in to make the change, because AC's "phone service" is currently not putting people on hold at all and advising you to call back if your travel isn't within 24 hours. (By which time, PE space on YYZ-YVR might be less readily available.
Is this kind of ticket change something Twitter can handle? Any other suggestions on how to get the change made without waiting for either 24 hours before departure or whenever AC gets its phone systems issues in order?
Thanks!
I'm trying to rebook to YYZ-YVR-TPE, in keeping with the current waiver for PVG.
But I can't do so online, because the web site (but not the app) has decided to break down my trip as YYZ-PVG outbound and PVG-TPE-YVR-YYZ return, despite the layover in PVG being just four hours, and the "layover" in TPE being almost a full day.
Can't call in to make the change, because AC's "phone service" is currently not putting people on hold at all and advising you to call back if your travel isn't within 24 hours. (By which time, PE space on YYZ-YVR might be less readily available.
Is this kind of ticket change something Twitter can handle? Any other suggestions on how to get the change made without waiting for either 24 hours before departure or whenever AC gets its phone systems issues in order?
Thanks!
Jan 29, 2020, 11:16 am
#105
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Toronto
Programs: MileagePlus 1K, Marriott Platinum, MPC Green
Posts: 43
I noticed that as well, however I was just able to cancel my trip with a PEK connection via the website for a full refund to original payment method. Yesterday they wanted the $300 change fee plus over $400 in non-refundable fees.
I'm personally not all that worried about traveling, however those that I need to visit in China are shut down an extra week for spring festival and have been asked by the government not to leave their homes. They are disconcerted with the fact that the streets are empty rather than the normal bustle of shoppers. Offices have been told to remain closed until Feb 9...my trip would not be productive.
I'm personally not all that worried about traveling, however those that I need to visit in China are shut down an extra week for spring festival and have been asked by the government not to leave their homes. They are disconcerted with the fact that the streets are empty rather than the normal bustle of shoppers. Offices have been told to remain closed until Feb 9...my trip would not be productive.