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
Mar 30, 2020, 12:38 pm
#1291
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 1,205
Mar 30, 2020, 2:40 pm
#1292
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: AC SE100K, Emerald Exec, HHG
Posts: 631
Mar 30, 2020, 3:23 pm
#1293
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: YEG
Posts: 3,925
I don't know if I'd want a GC from AC. Preferred option would be cash but my 2nd choice would be allow to rebook same O/D without additional fare collection. All my bookings were made by credit card where I have various insurances when I travel - if I get a GC and use that to rebook I'd lose all the CC insurances as now GC would be the form of payment.
Mar 30, 2020, 3:57 pm
#1294
Join Date: Aug 2019
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 43
Changing an Aeroplan booking in the time of coronavirus
I'm wondering if anyone has any data points about changing an Aeroplan booking at this time?
Here's my situation:
I booked a mini-RTW in July last year (just before AC devalued the program by removing the two stopovers). My first flight is T-2 weeks but I obviously will not be flying at this time.
I have two options:
1. Cancel (for a full refund of points and fees). This is the easiest option, but will mean that I won't be able to fly the itinerary I planned (ever) because of AC's changes to Aeroplan.
2. Change my bookings.
For #2 , my understanding is that so long as you're making a change, you can keep the two-stopover itinerary.
The question I have is.. how long out (to fly) would I have to make such a change?
My understanding is.. under normal rules, all flights must be completed within 1 year of the ticketing date (ie. July 31). BUT, AC is also offering changes out until end of December (unless they've changed that since). I'm not sure if this would override the first rule?
Any thoughts? I'd hate to spend the time trying to do this for it all to be for naught, but at the same time.. I would really like to keep my two-stopover mini-RTW if at all possible.
Here's my situation:
I booked a mini-RTW in July last year (just before AC devalued the program by removing the two stopovers). My first flight is T-2 weeks but I obviously will not be flying at this time.
I have two options:
1. Cancel (for a full refund of points and fees). This is the easiest option, but will mean that I won't be able to fly the itinerary I planned (ever) because of AC's changes to Aeroplan.
2. Change my bookings.
For #2 , my understanding is that so long as you're making a change, you can keep the two-stopover itinerary.
The question I have is.. how long out (to fly) would I have to make such a change?
My understanding is.. under normal rules, all flights must be completed within 1 year of the ticketing date (ie. July 31). BUT, AC is also offering changes out until end of December (unless they've changed that since). I'm not sure if this would override the first rule?
Any thoughts? I'd hate to spend the time trying to do this for it all to be for naught, but at the same time.. I would really like to keep my two-stopover mini-RTW if at all possible.
Mar 30, 2020, 4:15 pm
#1295
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 16
FWIW, Aeroplan is now allowing free cancellations of any award flights until April 30, extended from the previous March 31.
https://www.aeroplan.com/covid-19.do#/
https://www.aeroplan.com/covid-19.do#/
Mar 30, 2020, 7:05 pm
#1296
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 1,205
I don't know if I'd want a GC from AC. Preferred option would be cash but my 2nd choice would be allow to rebook same O/D without additional fare collection. All my bookings were made by credit card where I have various insurances when I travel - if I get a GC and use that to rebook I'd lose all the CC insurances as now GC would be the form of payment.
Last edited by hoipolloi; Mar 30, 2020 at 7:54 pm
Mar 30, 2020, 8:36 pm
#1297
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: YVR
Programs: WS Platinum, former AC E35K
Posts: 6,335
New topic here:
In May, I plan to fly from YYZ-SIN (via TPE) on a reward ticket.
If Taiwan renews its no foreigners and no transit policy (in effect now till 7 Apr), is either BR or Aeroplan obliged to rebook me to get to SIN at no charge?
If anyone has experienced something similar to this, please let me know. Thanks.
In May, I plan to fly from YYZ-SIN (via TPE) on a reward ticket.
If Taiwan renews its no foreigners and no transit policy (in effect now till 7 Apr), is either BR or Aeroplan obliged to rebook me to get to SIN at no charge?
If anyone has experienced something similar to this, please let me know. Thanks.
Please let us know if you have any better luck.
Mar 30, 2020, 8:56 pm
#1298
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: AMEX AC CX UA AA DL
Posts: 3,009
Mar 30, 2020, 9:03 pm
#1299
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: YEG
Posts: 3,925
IIRC in the past, when I’ve had booking reference ABCDEF, and I’ve had to cancel, when I went to rebook I’d have a new flight with the same ABCDEF reference (original ticketing date, etc. would also be maintained). From what I can tell, the reason AC isn’t combining tickets into a travel bank is because the system isn’t set up to operate that way. If I rebook my current flight in 18 months, and have the same booking reference, and the receipts showing original booking and possible fare difference charged to the card, I don’t see any reason why CC insurance wouldn’t apply for things like baggage delay, etc.
Mar 31, 2020, 12:44 am
#1300
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: YVR
Programs: DL Gold, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond, Best Western Diamond Selec
Posts: 545
New topic here:
In May, I plan to fly from YYZ-SIN (via TPE) on a reward ticket.
If Taiwan renews its no foreigners and no transit policy (in effect now till 7 Apr), is either BR or Aeroplan obliged to rebook me to get to SIN at no charge?
If anyone has experienced something similar to this, please let me know. Thanks.
In May, I plan to fly from YYZ-SIN (via TPE) on a reward ticket.
If Taiwan renews its no foreigners and no transit policy (in effect now till 7 Apr), is either BR or Aeroplan obliged to rebook me to get to SIN at no charge?
If anyone has experienced something similar to this, please let me know. Thanks.
Mar 31, 2020, 7:21 am
#1301
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 17
$300 cancellation fee
We were booked to fly YYZ to VIE return on AC April 25th which was cancelled by AC. I went in today to check and I can either get a partial refund on my credit card for what we paid less a $300 "cancellation fee" or take a "credit" for the full balance good for 24 months from date of cancellation. I'm tempted to take the partial refund despite the $300 fee since I have no idea when the travel advisory will be lifted or price and availability of flights within 24 months,
Has anyone had success getting AC to eat the $300 or claim on credit card insurance. It doesn't feel right that I should be paying a cancellation fee of $300 since AC cancelled the flight .... or take a chance that this will all be sorted in less than 24 months and normal travel resuming.
Any thoughts, suggestions much appreciated,
Has anyone had success getting AC to eat the $300 or claim on credit card insurance. It doesn't feel right that I should be paying a cancellation fee of $300 since AC cancelled the flight .... or take a chance that this will all be sorted in less than 24 months and normal travel resuming.
Any thoughts, suggestions much appreciated,
Mar 31, 2020, 10:09 am
#1302
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: AC SE100K, Emerald Exec, HHG
Posts: 631
I understand there is no common law right to invoke force majeure in such things a insurance and contracts. But am I the only one around here felling like the next shoe to drop is credit card insurance coverage?
Last edited by sram; Mar 31, 2020 at 11:29 am
Mar 31, 2020, 10:49 am
#1303
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: AMEX AC CX UA AA DL
Posts: 3,009
Has anyone had success getting AC to eat the $300 or claim on credit card insurance. It doesn't feel right that I should be paying a cancellation fee of $300 since AC cancelled the flight .... or take a chance that this will all be sorted in less than 24 months and normal travel resuming.
Mar 31, 2020, 11:48 am
#1304
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,357
Mar 31, 2020, 12:08 pm
#1305
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 496
I filed a few claims with RSA through AMEX Platinum over the last couple of weeks. Apart from an auto acknowledgement at the time of submission no case number and cannot see online at all.