Air Canada is one of the most popular airlines worldwide, serving millions of passengers annually. However, with the ongoing pandemic, the airline has had to adjust its policies and procedures to ensure its passengers’ and staff’s safety and well-being. One of the most significant changes that Air Canada has made is its cancellation policy.

Previously, Air Canada had a fairly restrictive cancellation policy that made it difficult for passengers to cancel or change their flights. However, in light of the pandemic, the airline has implemented more flexible cancellation policies to help passengers affected by travel restrictions or other issues.

In this article, we will explore Air Canada’s new cancellation policy, how it works, and what you need to know if you need to cancel or change your flight.

Air Canada’s new cancellation policy is designed to provide greater flexibility to passengers who need to change or cancel their flights. Under the new policy, passengers can cancel their flight and receive a refund as a travel credit, which can be used to book another flight with Air Canada. A side note is that It’s important to note that these policies are subject to change, and it’s always a good idea to review the terms and conditions of your ticket before booking or cancelling.

Below differentiates the policy changes during COVID and after:

During COVID

As stated on their website, the COVID cancellation policy applies regardless of the fare type or destination. However, it only applies to flights booked on or before July 5, 2022, for original travel between March 1, 2020, and July 5, 2023. If your flight falls within this timeframe, you may be eligible for a full refund or a travel credit.

Post-COVID

For flights in the post-COVID era, Air Canada’s cancellation policy varies depending on the type of ticket purchased and the reason for cancellation. For refundable tickets, you can cancel at any time and receive a full refund of your fare, taxes, and fees. For non-refundable tickets, you can cancel your reservation up to 24 hours before the scheduled departure time and receive a credit for the value of the ticket, minus any applicable fees.

Air Canada’s cancellation policy for flights paid with cash or points varies depending on the type of fare and the time of cancellation. Your ability to get a refund will depend on the fare you choose. In most cases, If you cancel your ticket within 24 hours of booking, you may be eligible for a full refund. An example of fare types and their guidelines within Canada include:

• Basic
• Standard
• Flex
• Comfort
• Latitude
• Premium Economy

Non-refundable Ticket

The basic, standard, and flex are considered non-refundable tickets among these fare types. This means you will be charged a cancellation fee ranging from $50 to the full price of the ticket should you cancel your ticket.

Refundable Ticket

Refundable ticket options, which allow for greater flexibility, are applied to the Comfort, Latitude, Premium Economy and Business Class fares. Each plan has varying degrees of flexibility, including same-day airport change and change up to two hours before departure.

Cash bookings:

1. Refundable fares: If you purchased a refundable fare, you can cancel your flight and receive a full refund to your original form of payment.
2. Non-refundable fares: If you purchased a non-refundable fare, you can cancel your flight and receive a travel credit for the value of your ticket minus any applicable fees. This credit can be used towards future travel on Air Canada. Keep in mind that some non-refundable fares may not be eligible for cancellation or changes. However, if you cancel your flight within 24 hours of booking, you can receive a full refund without penalty, regardless of the fare type.

Points bookings:

1. Refundable fares: If you used Aeroplan points to book a refundable fare, you can cancel your flight and receive a full refund of your points to your account.
2. Non-refundable fares: If you used Aeroplan points to book a non-refundable fare, you can cancel your flight and receive a travel credit for the value of your points minus any applicable fees. This credit can be used towards future travel on Air Canada.

In all cases, some fare types may have specific cancellation policies and fees, so it’s always a good idea to check the details of your fare before making any changes or cancellations.

If you need to cancel your Air Canada flight, there are a few things that you should keep in mind to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience:

1. It is important to note that the travel credit you receive when you cancel your flight is non-refundable. This means that you cannot receive a cash refund for the value of the credit. However, you can use the credit to book another flight with Air Canada, and any unused credit will be valid for up to 24 months from the date of issue.
2. If you have booked your flight through a third-party travel agency, you will need to contact them directly to cancel your flight. Depending on their cancellation policy, the travel agency will cancel the booking on your behalf and provide you with a travel credit or refund.
3. Finally, if you have booked a flight that includes a connecting flight with another airline, you will need to contact that airline directly to cancel the connecting flight. Air Canada will only be able to cancel the Air Canada portion of your booking, so it is important to ensure that you contact all relevant airlines to cancel your entire itinerary.

To cancel your flight and receive a travel credit, you can do so online through Air Canada’s website, specifically the My Bookings platform. You must provide your booking reference number and last name to access your booking. Once you have accessed your booking, you can select the flight that you wish to cancel and follow the on-screen instructions.

If you prefer to cancel your flight over the phone, you can call Air Canada’s customer service center. However, please be aware that wait times may be longer than usual due to the high volume of calls that the airline is receiving.

In conclusion, Air Canada’s new cancellation policy is designed to provide greater flexibility to passengers who need to change or cancel their flights due to the ongoing pandemic. By giving travel credits instead of cash refunds, the airline is able to provide some relief to passengers who may be facing financial difficulties during this difficult time. If you need to cancel your Air Canada flight, be sure to check the terms and conditions of your booking and contact the airline or travel agency as soon as possible to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience.

Let us know if this article helped! Will you have to cancel a flight anytime soon?