[OVER 48 HOURS FROM DEPARTURE] AC changed/cancelled my flight. What are my options?
#46
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: YXU
Programs: AC SE100K, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 325
If a schedule change affects an Aeroplan ticket, how much latitude is there to rebook an alternate route?
I have YXU-YYZ-FRA-MLA (last leg is LH). Schedule change on YXU-YYZ forced a seven hour layover in YYZ, as opposed to the two hour one I had booked. Only options to shorten it would be to do YYZ-LHR instead (and then LHR-MLA would be on KM I think).
I have YXU-YYZ-FRA-MLA (last leg is LH). Schedule change on YXU-YYZ forced a seven hour layover in YYZ, as opposed to the two hour one I had booked. Only options to shorten it would be to do YYZ-LHR instead (and then LHR-MLA would be on KM I think).
Last edited by Adam Smith; Sep 28, 21 at 3:21 pm Reason: Edit to reflect thread move
#47
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
Posts: 43,514
If a schedule change affects an Aeroplan ticket, how much latitude is there to rebook an alternate route?
I have YXU-YYZ-FRA-MLA (last leg is LH). Schedule change on YXU-YYZ forced a seven hour layover in YYZ, as opposed to the two hour one I had booked. Only options to shorten it would be to do YYZ-LHR instead (and then LHR-MLA would be on KLM I think).
I have YXU-YYZ-FRA-MLA (last leg is LH). Schedule change on YXU-YYZ forced a seven hour layover in YYZ, as opposed to the two hour one I had booked. Only options to shorten it would be to do YYZ-LHR instead (and then LHR-MLA would be on KLM I think).
They can easily force space on any AC flights, but something like this is unlikely to get them to buy revenue on another airline, and getting them to do it on KL is unlikely.
Is there no ZRH/BRU/MUC/VIE/etc. option that works?
Last edited by Adam Smith; Sep 28, 21 at 3:21 pm Reason: Edit to reflect thread move
#48
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: YXU
Programs: AC SE100K, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 325
I was going to say "no problem" until the very last part.
They can easily force space on any AC flights, but something like this is unlikely to get them to buy revenue on another airline, and getting them to do it on KL is unlikely.
Is there no ZRH/BRU/MUC/VIE/etc. option that works?
They can easily force space on any AC flights, but something like this is unlikely to get them to buy revenue on another airline, and getting them to do it on KL is unlikely.
Is there no ZRH/BRU/MUC/VIE/etc. option that works?
That said, it's not an *A so I'm not sure that changes anything.
There are a couple of ZHR options but they would have an eight hour connection in ZRH and a later arrival to MLA than we want. Not seeing anything viable on the departure day through BRU/MUC/VIE when I look for cash fares.
#49
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: BA Executive Club, Alaska Mileage Plan, CX Gold, SPG Gold, Aeroplan
Posts: 27
Great to know that it will eventually be handled, as this trip is 2 months away. I proactively reached out to AE (escalated to a supervisor who is apparently going to call me back in a few days while he works on getting UA to approve revenue space) because I wanted to get into a better flight on UA Polaris (as opposed to them putting me into an alternative flight I won't be OK with). I figured keeping it in the * Alliance would be OK, but it seems that AC/AE is using COVID as a reason to avoid putting pax into any non AC revenue seats, even when AC cancels a route and the only other option is a * Alliance carrier.
Thanks to all, hope this data point can be helpful.
#50
Formerly known as newbie elite
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: YUL
Programs: IHG Diamond Ambassador, AC50K
Posts: 2,867
My direct YUL-SJO flights in March have been replaced with connections in YYZ and I now leave at 530AM in the morning on the way there which I am not thrilled about.
This is an AE award, how long do I have to accept the changes in the app? And if ever the direct flight came back (used to be Rogue), will I be allowed to change back to that on an award ticket?
This is an AE award, how long do I have to accept the changes in the app? And if ever the direct flight came back (used to be Rogue), will I be allowed to change back to that on an award ticket?
#51
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Gold, DL PM, WS Plat, BA Silver, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,105
And if ever the direct flight came back (used to be Rogue), will I be allowed to change back to that on an award ticket?
#52
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Alberta, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 1,011
Woke up this morning to a "refund receipt" email from AC. Turns out our Jan 3rd BKK-HKG-YVR-YWG in Y is no longer workable. We started with this itinerary which we booked before Sept. 30th:

I called in and spoke to a very friendly CSR who changed us to BKK-FRA-YYZ-YWG on the same day. It seemed reasonable so I agreed. 20 mins later I opened the itinerary and got a nice surprise:

Never had a free upgrade before the day of flying before. The ironic thing is that we booked this flight simply to be able to show Thai immigration that we have proof of onward travel and fully intended to cancel it. Assuming we are able to extend our Thai visas we will actually be coming back to Canada in May. What are the odds that we could call in and change the dates to May and not lose the new J seats?

I called in and spoke to a very friendly CSR who changed us to BKK-FRA-YYZ-YWG on the same day. It seemed reasonable so I agreed. 20 mins later I opened the itinerary and got a nice surprise:

Never had a free upgrade before the day of flying before. The ironic thing is that we booked this flight simply to be able to show Thai immigration that we have proof of onward travel and fully intended to cancel it. Assuming we are able to extend our Thai visas we will actually be coming back to Canada in May. What are the odds that we could call in and change the dates to May and not lose the new J seats?
#53
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 168
My questions are
1. How can I request the refund? Is this something AC would be willing to provide refund? How quickly does AC reply?
2. I would like to get refund to my credit card, not voucher/e-ticket. How does AC handle the refund process?
3. How does AC calculates fare difference of Premium E and E of one-way in an international round trip ticket?
1. How can I request the refund? Is this something AC would be willing to provide refund? How quickly does AC reply?
2. I would like to get refund to my credit card, not voucher/e-ticket. How does AC handle the refund process?
3. How does AC calculates fare difference of Premium E and E of one-way in an international round trip ticket?
Last edited by Adam Smith; Oct 7, 21 at 7:26 pm Reason: Add quote for clarity after thread merge
#54
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Gold, DL PM, WS Plat, BA Silver, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,105
To the OP - did you end up getting a refund / any compensation? AC just did something similar to me. I had a flight for LAX to YYZ to ZRH - premium economy on AC. The aircraft was swapped for LAX to YYZ and I was downgraded to regular economy (booking class "N" was changed to "V"). I booked the ticket via United.com so that adds an extra layer of complexity. Gonna try to reach out to UA to get re-routed on a UA flight instead.
#55
Join Date: Jul 2021
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 84
I'm now seeing that for my HEL-FRA-YYC-SFO J reservation, FRA-YYC and YYC-SFO are canceled and replaced with flights now routing through YUL instead on January 5th. Any chance I can change the flight over the phone to a different *A partner such as LH for no difference?
Last edited by yogibearla; Oct 14, 21 at 8:56 pm
#56
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
Posts: 43,514
I'm now seeing that for my HEL-FRA-YYC-SFO J reservation, FRA-YYC and YYC-SFO are canceled and replaced with flights now routing through YUL instead on January 5th. Any chance I can change the flight over the phone to a different *A partner such as LH for no difference?
#58
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: EVA Air , * G, QR Privilege Club S
Posts: 4,552
I am worried about this too. I have a 1 hour and 45 min connection in YYZ to DOH. It is on AC metal and then QR from DOH to MLE. It is an AC document. I bought this flight because AC has premium economy and the fare was reasonable. Now if I miss this flight at YYZ due late incoming AC Rouge flight, I wonder what AC is going to do? QR that flies the next day does not have Premium Economy. AC does fly to FRA and then LH to MLE but would AC give me a premium seat on LH from FRA to MLE? I am only taking this route because of the availability of Premium Economy. I am Star Gold. Would that make any difference?
#59
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: BC, Canada
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium Elite, VSE/MVC Chairman's Club
Posts: 508
AP J reward, LH long haul substituted with 4Y discount airline
I have a J booking for next May where the long haul portion (FRA-YYC) was on LH and it has been replaced by a flight on 4Y (EuroWings Discover) at the exact same time/duration.
Anyone have any experience with these guys? it appears to be a new rebranding of a discount leisure airline (their version of Rouge?), part of LH Group. Their web site suggests business class seating, baggage, etc is provided, but meals are like choose a sandwich off the bistro menu, and no beverages included. To me, that is a massive change for a 10hrs flight.
I see that LH is no longer flying that route. I do see an AC flight FRA-YVR about 30mins later (would effectively replace the YYC and the following segment of our booking). however, it shows at twice the AP points as what I paid for my original itinerary. I haven't called AP yet to try to swap the flight, but anyone have a similar situation and was allowed to change without being gouged with a reprice?
should I act now, or wait as there will prob be mire schedule changes still. I am concerned that this would use up my "one change" on the booking, if I understand the new rule situation on AC bookings.
Anyone have any experience with these guys? it appears to be a new rebranding of a discount leisure airline (their version of Rouge?), part of LH Group. Their web site suggests business class seating, baggage, etc is provided, but meals are like choose a sandwich off the bistro menu, and no beverages included. To me, that is a massive change for a 10hrs flight.
I see that LH is no longer flying that route. I do see an AC flight FRA-YVR about 30mins later (would effectively replace the YYC and the following segment of our booking). however, it shows at twice the AP points as what I paid for my original itinerary. I haven't called AP yet to try to swap the flight, but anyone have a similar situation and was allowed to change without being gouged with a reprice?
should I act now, or wait as there will prob be mire schedule changes still. I am concerned that this would use up my "one change" on the booking, if I understand the new rule situation on AC bookings.
#60
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Gold, DL PM, WS Plat, BA Silver, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,105
I have a J booking for next May where the long haul portion (FRA-YYC) was on LH and it has been replaced by a flight on 4Y (EuroWings Discover) at the exact same time/duration.
[...]
I see that LH is no longer flying that route. I do see an AC flight FRA-YVR about 30mins later (would effectively replace the YYC and the following segment of our booking). however, it shows at twice the AP points as what I paid for my original itinerary. I haven't called AP yet to try to swap the flight, but anyone have a similar situation and was allowed to change without being gouged with a reprice?
should I act now, or wait as there will prob be mire schedule changes still. I am concerned that this would use up my "one change" on the booking, if I understand the new rule situation on AC bookings.
[...]
I see that LH is no longer flying that route. I do see an AC flight FRA-YVR about 30mins later (would effectively replace the YYC and the following segment of our booking). however, it shows at twice the AP points as what I paid for my original itinerary. I haven't called AP yet to try to swap the flight, but anyone have a similar situation and was allowed to change without being gouged with a reprice?
should I act now, or wait as there will prob be mire schedule changes still. I am concerned that this would use up my "one change" on the booking, if I understand the new rule situation on AC bookings.
Anyone have any experience with these guys? it appears to be a new rebranding of a discount leisure airline (their version of Rouge?), part of LH Group. Their web site suggests business class seating, baggage, etc is provided, but meals are like choose a sandwich off the bistro menu, and no beverages included. To me, that is a massive change for a 10hrs flight.