Dec 10, 20, 8:55 pm
Last edit by: Adam Smith
As of April 13, 2021 (in conjunction with the federal government bailout), AC is providing refunds for flights cancelled due to COVID, which applies to tickets with travel after February 1, 2020, and purchased before April 13, 2021. This includes flights cancelled by customers rather than AC.
Going forward (i.e. tickets purchased on or after April 13, 2021), cancelled flights will be refunded if AC does not offer a re-booking option with departure +/- 3 hours from the original time.
AC refund portal
Online refund request form
Press release on the bailout
Going forward (i.e. tickets purchased on or after April 13, 2021), cancelled flights will be refunded if AC does not offer a re-booking option with departure +/- 3 hours from the original time.
AC refund portal
Online refund request form
Press release on the bailout
Master thread Air Canada Refunds vs credits; Class action lawsuit filed
May 12, 20, 8:04 pm
#286
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: USA
Programs: Cowtool $ contributor, AC SE100K, WN CP, F9 50k, NK Gold, UA *S, Hyatt Glob, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 5,022
I really don't know what AC is thinking here. When the DOT starts thinking about enforcement action there's not going to be sympathy for non-US airlines that barely employ any American workers. At some point they're going to be legally compelled to give every refund they owe and slapped with millions in fines on top of that.
May 13, 20, 7:12 am
#287
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 615
And just received a letter from Chase confirming Chase received my chargeback I submitted electronically...3 weeks ago. Now Im wondering if maybe Chase contacted AC and thats what triggered the automated email mentioned above.
May 13, 20, 9:52 am
#288
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: YYZ & MCO
Programs: AC E75K, MR/SPG Plat Ambassador, UA G
Posts: 100
I recieved the same letter, except mine indicated up to 12 weeks due to backlog. However, chargeback was solved and case closed within ~9 days. I also uploaded lots of "evidence" (documentation) through their online portal which may have helped
May 13, 20, 3:10 pm
#289
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, NH, DL, AA, BA, Global Entry/Nexus, APEC..
Posts: 18,877
May 12, 2020 update from DOT. Interesting reading.
https://www.transportation.gov/sites...%202020%29.pdf
https://www.transportation.gov/sites...%202020%29.pdf
May 13, 20, 3:31 pm
#290
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, AA PPro, UA Gold, Bonvoy Tit LT Sil, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond, Accor Silver
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May 12, 2020 update from DOT. Interesting reading.
https://www.transportation.gov/sites...%202020%29.pdf
https://www.transportation.gov/sites...%202020%29.pdf
May 13, 20, 11:03 pm
#291
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 1,172
So I learned there's another way to file a complaint with the U.S. DOT. It is called a "formal complaint" and is more involved and more like a lawsuit.
Details how to proceed here: How to file and pursue a consumer complaint against an airline ? and the DOT formal complaint process Ben Edelman
Details how to proceed here: How to file and pursue a consumer complaint against an airline ? and the DOT formal complaint process Ben Edelman
7. A formal DOT complaint via the process detailed below. These proceedings are formal and on the record. Youll be corresponding with an airlines designated representative, typically an attorney. All filings will be published on the web for anyone interested to read, and Airlineinfo and its Twitter feed make it particularly easy for the interested public to find and follow these disputes. DOT staff ultimately prepare a written decision summarizing each partys position and offering an assessment. These factors increase the likelihood of a full investigation and proper analysis. That said, airlines take the position that DOT lacks authority to order refunds to affected passengers. Furthermore, decisions are often slow, commonly taking a year or longer.
May 13, 20, 11:10 pm
#292
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, NH, DL, AA, BA, Global Entry/Nexus, APEC..
Posts: 18,877
they are responding with the same BS about how this is an exceptional situation and that the CTA is supporting travel vouchers.
The US DOT issued a second enforcement notice and FAQ regarding the issue: https://www.transportation.gov/brief...-unprecedented
The US DOT issued a second enforcement notice and FAQ regarding the issue: https://www.transportation.gov/brief...-unprecedented
May 14, 20, 4:48 pm
#293
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,946
Jason P (CBC reporter) covers story on a NY man who has filed a civil complaint in southern district of NY. Plaintiff is seeking to certify class action lawsuit on behalf of all U.S. consumers who have not received refunds for tickets bought for Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge or Air Canada Express flights scheduled to fly within, from, or to the United States beginning March 1.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/briti...suit-1.5569963
https://www.courtlistener.com/docket...-v-air-canada/
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/briti...suit-1.5569963
https://www.courtlistener.com/docket...-v-air-canada/
May 14, 20, 4:57 pm
#294
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, DL PM, WS Plat, BA Silver, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,069
Jason P (CBC reporter) covers story on a NY man who has filed a civil complaint in southern district of NY. Plaintiff is seeking to certify class action lawsuit on behalf of all U.S. consumers who have not received refunds for tickets bought for Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge or Air Canada Express flights scheduled to fly within, from, or to the United States beginning March 1.
May 14, 20, 5:17 pm
#295
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Join Date: Sep 2012
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Given US DOT's strong stance on this issue, I wonder how worthwhile this is. In Canada, we have a regulator that seems to be bending over backwards to protect the airlines at the expense of consumers, so the lawsuit kind of makes sense, but I highly doubt anyone in the US is going to get money back quicker from a lawsuit than than through the DOT process (or simply referencing DOT rules when doing a chargeback).
May 14, 20, 9:50 pm
#296
Posting Legend, Moderator, Manufactured Spending
Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 56,215
Canadian airline passengers are entitled to vouchers for cancelled flights from COVID-19 — but what about refunds?
As Canada’s largest airlines cut capacity and cancel dozens of routes even as summer travel season approaches, airlines and travellers on both sides of the Atlantic are continuing the debate over whether passengers with travel plans foiled by COVID-19 are entitled to full refunds or vouchers for future travel.
In Canada, vouchers are standard fare for consumers who bought non-refundable tickets, in contrast to the full refunds their peers are entitled to in Europe and the United States.
As Canada’s largest airlines cut capacity and cancel dozens of routes even as summer travel season approaches, airlines and travellers on both sides of the Atlantic are continuing the debate over whether passengers with travel plans foiled by COVID-19 are entitled to full refunds or vouchers for future travel.
In Canada, vouchers are standard fare for consumers who bought non-refundable tickets, in contrast to the full refunds their peers are entitled to in Europe and the United States.
May 14, 20, 10:07 pm
#297
Join Date: Dec 2017
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Posts: 2,334
Given US DOT's strong stance on this issue, I wonder how worthwhile this is. In Canada, we have a regulator that seems to be bending over backwards to protect the airlines at the expense of consumers, so the lawsuit kind of makes sense, but I highly doubt anyone in the US is going to get money back quicker from a lawsuit than than through the DOT process (or simply referencing DOT rules when doing a chargeback).
May 14, 20, 10:20 pm
#298
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, DL PM, WS Plat, BA Silver, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,069
But a class action lawsuit will take years to resolve. Even with DOT being backed up, I can't see it taking that long to get a refund from AC.
May 14, 20, 10:30 pm
#299
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
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But unlike in Canada, where it's much less clear whether they could get away with this, no lawyer at AC is going to look at a US suit and think "we might be able to win this".
Then it just becomes a matter of whether AC wants to pay lawyers "a little bit" right now to fight back until they have enough cash to actually refund, or just give up on their policy for US flights.
May 15, 20, 12:30 am
#300
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: LAX
Programs: AC SE, UA S, DL G, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 258
I guess the DOT complaint will come back as resolved.
My 3 Aeroplan cancellations refunds posted on my credit card last week, so now aside for a credit from a cancelled speaking engagement in March (their problem, my credit), and a couple of United vouchers (much better refund system) I'm finally free until October. I really hope we're all flying again by then.
Have a great summer Air Canada, see you in the fall.
Last edited by recreationaltimetraveller; May 15, 20 at 1:55 am
