Dec 10, 2020, 7:55 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
Aug 10, 2020, 8:34 am
#916
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: トロント
Programs: IHG Gold
Posts: 4,823
My last award cancellation, everything was refunded in 3 days
Aug 10, 2020, 9:56 am
#918
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: YYZ
Programs: Accor ALL Diamond, AC Aeroplan 25K, Nexus/GE
Posts: 2,745
Sometimes. I've refunded awards online before, and everything came back in a couple of days. I've also refunded some, where the agent had to manually request a refund. I have no idea why some of mine needed a manual intervention, and I've run into that on about 3 occasions. But, my experience is they either take 3 days, or 9 weeks, depending on whether a manual refund request was needed.
Aug 10, 2020, 11:53 am
#919
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,346
Aug 11, 2020, 9:44 am
#921
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 4
Thanks, that's a relief to hear! I'll make sure to have the App handy.
Aug 13, 2020, 1:18 pm
#922
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: SEA
Posts: 52
I had a Secure Message from my credit card issuer (Chase) today. They have closed my dispute with AC and made the credit permanent. Needless to say I'm happy with the result! 
Aug 13, 2020, 2:36 pm
#923
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DTW
Programs: Alaska, Delta, Southwest
Posts: 1,663
American Express reversed my credit when Air Canada showed them my ticket stub that said "Nonrefundable". I think they completely missed the point that non-refundable doesn't mean the airline can cancel without refunding. I've reopened my dispute and submitted the DOT Enforcement Notice and applicable Tariff (from before AC changed it to only refund for cancellations "within their control"). I'm a bit disappointed AmEx didn't apply any more critical thinking to AC's response, but we'll see if it sticks (or if they just come back with the same argument).
Aug 14, 2020, 12:43 pm
#924
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: YYZ & MCO
Programs: AC E75K, MR/SPG Plat Ambassador, UA G
Posts: 105
American Express reversed my credit when Air Canada showed them my ticket stub that said "Nonrefundable". I think they completely missed the point that non-refundable doesn't mean the airline can cancel without refunding. I've reopened my dispute and submitted the DOT Enforcement Notice and applicable Tariff (from before AC changed it to only refund for cancellations "within their control"). I'm a bit disappointed AmEx didn't apply any more critical thinking to AC's response, but we'll see if it sticks (or if they just come back with the same argument).
AMEX accepted chargeback on AC-direct booked itin, but refused chareback on the itin booked by AMEX travel. My guess is AMEX travel would be stuck without the cash and they didn't like that. Quite disappointed in AMEX's response when I sent in DOT notices and contract law as their response was essentially "we dont care."
Aug 14, 2020, 6:49 pm
#925
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DTW
Programs: Alaska, Delta, Southwest
Posts: 1,663
Same happened with me and AMEX. I had 2 disputes - one booked directly with AC and one booked through AMEX travel. Booked on same day, for same itinerary (two different PAX).
AMEX accepted chargeback on AC-direct booked itin, but refused chareback on the itin booked by AMEX travel. My guess is AMEX travel would be stuck without the cash and they didn't like that. Quite disappointed in AMEX's response when I sent in DOT notices and contract law as their response was essentially "we dont care."
AMEX accepted chargeback on AC-direct booked itin, but refused chareback on the itin booked by AMEX travel. My guess is AMEX travel would be stuck without the cash and they didn't like that. Quite disappointed in AMEX's response when I sent in DOT notices and contract law as their response was essentially "we dont care."
Aug 17, 2020, 3:19 pm
#927
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Ottawa
Programs: Altitude E50K / *G
Posts: 924
Aug 17, 2020, 4:06 pm
#928
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,346
Aug 17, 2020, 4:44 pm
#929
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Ottawa
Programs: Altitude E50K / *G
Posts: 924
My other one is a conversion. That one is 8 weeks now. That did not require the manual form.
Aug 18, 2020, 6:33 am
#930
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 44
I had a non-refundable flight (Halifax to San Francisco) that I had cancelled myself. And when I cancelled my only options were the voucher or aeroplan points.