AC refunds on cancelled penalty-refundable tickets
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: YOW
Programs: AC SEMM; AA,DL, Hyatt and Starwood. Ex-status:SQ PPS,CSA,Hilton,AA,UA
Posts: 718
AC refunds on cancelled penalty-refundable tickets
We al know AC is forcing people on flights they have cancelled to take a travel credit rather than a refund, if they were on non-refundable tickets.
What's happening these days with cancelled travel on discounted but refundable (with penalty) tickets, for instance certain N and P fares? If and when AC cancels the flight, do they a) force you to take a travel credit, b) refund completely, or c) let you choose between full travel credit or refund minus penalty?
I'm sitting on a couple such tickets for June/July, not yet covered by any AC special treatment, good or bad. Trying to decide whether to cancel pre-emptively and eat the (not insignificant!) penalty, or wait it out and see how the situation -- and AC's response -- evolves, at therefore perhaps save the penalty. What's happening to such already-affected tickets for travel in the coming weeks might be relevant intel....thanks!
(Not trying to launch yet another discussion of what *should* be appropriate behaviour by AC, merely to figure out best tactics given the slalom gates as they are...)
What's happening these days with cancelled travel on discounted but refundable (with penalty) tickets, for instance certain N and P fares? If and when AC cancels the flight, do they a) force you to take a travel credit, b) refund completely, or c) let you choose between full travel credit or refund minus penalty?
I'm sitting on a couple such tickets for June/July, not yet covered by any AC special treatment, good or bad. Trying to decide whether to cancel pre-emptively and eat the (not insignificant!) penalty, or wait it out and see how the situation -- and AC's response -- evolves, at therefore perhaps save the penalty. What's happening to such already-affected tickets for travel in the coming weeks might be relevant intel....thanks!
(Not trying to launch yet another discussion of what *should* be appropriate behaviour by AC, merely to figure out best tactics given the slalom gates as they are...)
#2
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Canada
Programs: Virtuoso TA, Four Seasons Pref Partner, Rosewood Elite TA, Ritz Carlton STARS TA
Posts: 4,297
There is no change in policy.... if you voluntary cancel your trip you can refund, minus the penalty
this is already discussed in main thread about COVID IRROPS
The new policy is for involuntary cancels (from 18 March schd change notifications) that the penalty still applies and is not waived without some other rule superseding that (EC261 for example)
this is already discussed in main thread about COVID IRROPS
The new policy is for involuntary cancels (from 18 March schd change notifications) that the penalty still applies and is not waived without some other rule superseding that (EC261 for example)
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: YOW
Programs: AC SEMM; AA,DL, Hyatt and Starwood. Ex-status:SQ PPS,CSA,Hilton,AA,UA
Posts: 718
Thank you. I'm interpreting this as: in event of a future involuntary cancel, you will hopefully continue to be able to choose whether to take the full credit (if within the travel window in which that policy applies at the time), or get a refund minus penalty; your opportunity to take refund-less-penalty should not be removed by an involuntary cancellation occurring.
#5
Join Date: Jun 2019
Programs: Marriott Titanium; WN A-list; UA Silver
Posts: 325
I cancelled a P class trip to Japan yesterday. I was offered a card refund minus the usual cancellation fee plus some extra fees which seemed kind of BS. My $3600 fare would have netted a refund of $2500.
I was rescheduling the trip to fall so I took the credit and spent it immediately.
The AC rebooking feature is broken as hell though. It would not let me rebook in business class, only Y (and it seems full fare Y because the ticket was only $17 cheaper), so I had to cancel and rebook. What I am curious is if I'd booked full fare, full refundable Y with my change, could I have gotten a full refund? I assume not.
I was rescheduling the trip to fall so I took the credit and spent it immediately.
The AC rebooking feature is broken as hell though. It would not let me rebook in business class, only Y (and it seems full fare Y because the ticket was only $17 cheaper), so I had to cancel and rebook. What I am curious is if I'd booked full fare, full refundable Y with my change, could I have gotten a full refund? I assume not.
#6
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE100K, WS Gold, BA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Accor/Hilton/Radisson/NH Gold
Posts: 10,155
I cancelled a P class trip to Japan yesterday. I was offered a card refund minus the usual cancellation fee plus some extra fees which seemed kind of BS. My $3600 fare would have netted a refund of $2500.
I was rescheduling the trip to fall so I took the credit and spent it immediately.
The AC rebooking feature is broken as hell though. It would not let me rebook in business class, only Y (and it seems full fare Y because the ticket was only $17 cheaper), so I had to cancel and rebook. What I am curious is if I'd booked full fare, full refundable Y with my change, could I have gotten a full refund? I assume not.
I was rescheduling the trip to fall so I took the credit and spent it immediately.
The AC rebooking feature is broken as hell though. It would not let me rebook in business class, only Y (and it seems full fare Y because the ticket was only $17 cheaper), so I had to cancel and rebook. What I am curious is if I'd booked full fare, full refundable Y with my change, could I have gotten a full refund? I assume not.
The website doesn't work well for so many things. If it wasn't giving you acceptable options, you could have called in.
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 13,178
I cancelled a P class trip to Japan yesterday. I was offered a card refund minus the usual cancellation fee plus some extra fees which seemed kind of BS. My $3600 fare would have netted a refund of $2500.
I was rescheduling the trip to fall so I took the credit and spent it immediately.
The AC rebooking feature is broken as hell though. It would not let me rebook in business class, only Y (and it seems full fare Y because the ticket was only $17 cheaper), so I had to cancel and rebook. What I am curious is if I'd booked full fare, full refundable Y with my change, could I have gotten a full refund? I assume not.
I was rescheduling the trip to fall so I took the credit and spent it immediately.
The AC rebooking feature is broken as hell though. It would not let me rebook in business class, only Y (and it seems full fare Y because the ticket was only $17 cheaper), so I had to cancel and rebook. What I am curious is if I'd booked full fare, full refundable Y with my change, could I have gotten a full refund? I assume not.
#8
Join Date: Jun 2019
Programs: Marriott Titanium; WN A-list; UA Silver
Posts: 325
If you hit cancel on the webpage, it gives you the choice (and I think gives you a way to back out), so you can preview before making a choice.
Asiana only charged me $300 total for a cash cancel, done on the same day, AC seems a bit cheap here.
#9
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE100K, WS Gold, BA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Accor/Hilton/Radisson/NH Gold
Posts: 10,155
It was some claimed fees that must have been bundled in the ticket because my receipt only showed $110 in taxes and fees.
If you hit cancel on the webpage, it gives you the choice (and I think gives you a way to back out), so you can preview before making a choice.
Asiana only charged me $300 total for a cash cancel, done on the same day, AC seems a bit cheap here.
If you hit cancel on the webpage, it gives you the choice (and I think gives you a way to back out), so you can preview before making a choice.
Asiana only charged me $300 total for a cash cancel, done on the same day, AC seems a bit cheap here.
#10
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: AMEX AC CX UA AA DL
Posts: 2,991
N fare to Japan cancelled with 200 CAD cancellation fee
Refund back to credit card 2 days later = Total amount paid - $200
On the refund statement it states:
NON-REFUNDABLE FEES
Air transportation charges -0.00
Taxes, fees and charges -0.00
Total non-refundable fees -0.00
Refund back to credit card 2 days later = Total amount paid - $200
On the refund statement it states:
NON-REFUNDABLE FEES
Air transportation charges -0.00
Taxes, fees and charges -0.00
Total non-refundable fees -0.00
#11
Join Date: May 2003
Programs: NZ Gold Elite, AP Diamond, Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 5,539
There is no change in policy.... if you voluntary cancel your trip you can refund, minus the penalty
this is already discussed in main thread about COVID IRROPS
The new policy is for involuntary cancels (from 18 March schd change notifications) that the penalty still applies and is not waived without some other rule superseding that (EC261 for example)
this is already discussed in main thread about COVID IRROPS
The new policy is for involuntary cancels (from 18 March schd change notifications) that the penalty still applies and is not waived without some other rule superseding that (EC261 for example)
Ticket is refundable subject to $600 cancellation fee.
Is it correct that EC261 does NOT apply because the ticketed flight originates outside of EU?
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 13,178
It was some claimed fees that must have been bundled in the ticket because my receipt only showed $110 in taxes and fees.
If you hit cancel on the webpage, it gives you the choice (and I think gives you a way to back out), so you can preview before making a choice.
Asiana only charged me $300 total for a cash cancel, done on the same day, AC seems a bit cheap here.
If you hit cancel on the webpage, it gives you the choice (and I think gives you a way to back out), so you can preview before making a choice.
Asiana only charged me $300 total for a cash cancel, done on the same day, AC seems a bit cheap here.
#14
Join Date: May 2003
Programs: NZ Gold Elite, AP Diamond, Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 5,539
Has your flight been cancelled?
Please note EC 261 only applies when "Compensation is due if you were informed less than 14 days prior to the scheduled departure date."
Check here for more details.
https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizen...m#cancellation
Please note EC 261 only applies when "Compensation is due if you were informed less than 14 days prior to the scheduled departure date."
Check here for more details.
https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizen...m#cancellation
Thank you for the link
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, Bonvoy Tit, HH Diamond, Hyatt Disc, Accor Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 34,550
Has your flight been cancelled?
Please note EC 261 only applies when "Compensation is due if you were informed less than 14 days prior to the scheduled departure date."
Check here for more details.
https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizen...m#cancellation
Please note EC 261 only applies when "Compensation is due if you were informed less than 14 days prior to the scheduled departure date."
Check here for more details.
https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizen...m#cancellation