Testimonial: flying with your dog

Published March 23, 2024Updated October 8, 20265 min readEditorial integrity

The couple flew on Air Canada to Europe from August 29 to October 15, 2023, with their five-month-old baby and two dogs.

On this occasion, Pim’s, a Beagle, made his first flight in the company of Gwada, a Creole shepherd originally from Guadeloupe, who successfully completed his second flight.

Leaving them in Montreal all that time was not an option. When we travel, we’re much more stressed away from them. It’s an absolute joy to be with your dogs! Besides, they’re miserable without us.

The merry band left for Nice aboard an Air Canada A330-300 that offered six places for pets in the baggage hold, according to the couple.

Book checked-in seats

Seats for the dogs were reserved well in advance by telephone with an Air Canada agent. Payment was made at the airport check-in counter on the day: for each dog, the couple paid around 550 CAD for a round trip between Montreal and Nice.

We booked our tickets online and then, within 24 hours, reserved our dogs’ hold seats over the phone.

What’s the best way to reserve hold seats? The airline recommends that you register your pet by telephone within 24 hours of booking. On this occasion, you’ll need to indicate the cage dimensions, weight and breed of the animal.

If your pet cannot be accepted for the flights and dates you have selected, your tickets will be refunded free of charge.

After 24 hours, the airline indicates that any changes to your reservation will be subject to the applicable change and cancellation fees.

Pets not registered in advance will not be accepted at the airport.

Preparing in advance

The couple explains that there are many parameters to take into account for dogs in the hold:

Choose the right time to leave, avoiding periods with travel restrictions due to heat, cold or traffic;
Please note the restrictions for certain international destinations;
Check weight and height restrictions;
Make sure you have enough time to get the vaccinations you need, such as rabies;
Make sure you have a transport cage that meets International Air Transport Association (IATA) standards.

Each airline has its own conditions and regulations can change rapidly. Space in the hold is very limited, and some aircraft do not offer this service for pets.

For more information on sanitary requirements to the European Union, click here.

Testimonial: flying with your dog - Voyage-Europe

Before the big departure

You’ll also need a health certificate, valid for 10 days from the date of signature by the vet.

The Canadian government specifies that this period is reduced to five days for dogs returning to Finland, Malta, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

For health certificate instructions, click here.

There’s so much to think about, and you’re stressing out with a lump in your stomach before the start. The best thing is to focus on the finish and think about how happy you’re going to be with them.

Being well surrounded also makes all the difference when it comes to stress. The couple set off with friends who had had great experiences with their dogs on airplanes.

It reinforces the positive feeling. We didn’t dwell on the anxiety part, thanks to their support.

For stressed animals, it’s best to train them in the transport cage before the flight.

Airport recommendations

Air Canada suggests arriving at least 30 minutes before the recommended check-in time. Next, it is imperative to contact a registration agent.

The couple had no particular problems at the airport. However, traveling with two dogs and a baby calls for some “serious organization”. It’s important to have help on hand, because “if you don’t, you don’t have enough hands”.

For your pet’s well-being, Air Canada recommends :

Feed him four to six hours before departure;
Give him water until the time of travel;
Leave the empty water container in the cage, so that an agent can make it drink in case of prolonged waiting;
Place an absorbent material in the cage, such as a blanket;
Do not lock the cage in case of emergency.

Tranquilizers and other medications are not recommended for pets on board Air Canada.

Note that if you’re planning to enjoy the Maple Leaf Lounges, you’ll need to show your credentials: these places only accept small dogs.

On the plane to paradise

You’re finally there! It’s the beginning of the great journey with your hairy loves. How can you relieve the pressure and find out if your pets are in the hold? Just ask on board!

Meriem and Clément checked that their dogs were indeed on the plane. For added reassurance, they also used Air Tags, placed in their dogs’ crates.

Testimonial: flying with your dog - gwada

On arrival in Nice

We had to be patient at Nice-Côte d’Azur airport. The couple explain that they had to wait a long time – due to customs controls – before finding their dogs, who were a little stressed in their cage.

If you’re a dog lover like us, don’t hesitate to try this experience. They’re memories for life!

A dream experience

Their trip lived up to their expectations. Pim’s and Gwada even took the ferry from Italy to Greece.

The experience was so enriching that the whole troupe returned to Europe a second time, in February and March 2024. On the program: Nice, Sardinia and Corsica. This time, the family flew to Marseille on Air Transat.

Once again, we opted for Italy. We find that dogs are really well accepted in this country and adored by Italians! We went everywhere with them, even inside restaurants and in some supermarkets.

Testimonial: flying with your dog - pim-s-resto

Save with points

On their first trip with Air Canada, Meriem and Clément paid for their tickets with their Aeroplan points.

In economy class, the flight starts at 35,000 points for a one-way trip between Montreal and Nice, according to the points predictor.

Testimonial: flying with your dog - FR-predicteur-vol

For hotels, they used their Marriott Bonvoy points and booked at the Westin Excelsior hotel in Rome, and the Grotta Giusti thermal spa resort Autograph Collection, in Tuscany.

When it comes to loyalty programs in Canada, Marriott Bonvoy is the most attractive for free hotel nights.

In fact, there are two Marriott Bonvoy credit cards issued by American Express that allow you to collect points quickly.

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Refer to RBC page for up to date offer terms and conditions

^† Based on the Air Travel Reward redemptions from the Air Travel Redemption Schedule starting at 35,000 Avion points for one round-trip long-haul flight to almost anywhere in Canada or the United States with a maximum ticket price of $750, you will need a minimum of 70,000 Avion Points for two round-trips long-haul flights to almost anywhere in Canada or the United States, exclusive of Hawaii and Alaska. All applicable taxes, service fees and surcharges are the responsibility of the traveler. For more details, including information on redeeming for first class and business class seats, visit: www.avionrewards.com/travel/index.html. For general redemption terms, conditions and restrictions that apply to the Avion Rewards program, please visit: www.avionrewards.com or call 1-800 ROYAL 1-2 (1-800-769-2512).

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1 This offer only applies to new applications for an RBC Avion Visa Infinite or RBC Avion Visa Platinum credit card (each, an “Eligible Credit Card”) received between “August 13, 2026” and “November 25, 2026” (“Offer Period”) and approved by Royal Bank of Canada (“Royal Bank”) subject to the conditions below. Additional cardholders(s) (co-applicant and authorized user(s)) on the Eligible Credit Card account, as well as existing cardholders on any RBC Royal Bank personal credit card account transferring to an Eligible Credit Card account during the Offer Period, are not eligible for the offer.

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2 Avion points are earned on qualifying net purchases only; they are not earned on cash advances (including balance transfers, cash-like transactions and bill payments that are not pre-authorized charges that you set up with a merchant) interest charges or fees, and credits for returns and adjustments will reduce or cancel the points earned by the amounts originally charged.

4 To participate in this offer, you must have an RBC debit card or a credit card which is issued by Royal Bank of Canada (excluding RBC commercial credit cards) (“RBC Card”). RBC business clients will only be able to link up to two (2) RBC business credit cards and one (1) RBC business debit card to a Petro-Points card.

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DashPass subscriptions purchased through third parties, including third-party payment accounts, or online or mobile digital wallets (like Apply Pay and Google Pay) are not eligible for the Complimentary DashPass Subscription.

Eligible RBC Credit Cards: Your Eligible RBC Credit Card may only be used with one DoorDash account to receive a Complimentary DashPass Subscription. Once you have received a Complimentary DashPass Subscription you cannot use the same eligible RBC Credit Card to obtain a Complimentary DashPass Subscription with another DoorDash account.

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You are eligible for a Complimentary DashPass Subscription for 12 months from the date you subscribe to receive the Complimentary DashPass Subscription. You will be auto-enrolled into full-price membership at the then-current rate after the end of the 12 month Complimentary DashPass Subscription. Your RBC credit card account must be open and not in default to maintain the benefits of DashPass.

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You are eligible for a Complimentary DashPass Subscription for 6 months from the date you subscribed to the Complimentary DashPass Subscription. You will be auto-enrolled into full-price membership at the then-current rate after the end of the 6 months Complimentary DashPass Subscription. Your RBC credit card account must be open and not in default to maintain the benefits of DashPass.

DoorDash not Royal Bank of Canada, is responsible for (i) services and products provided through DoorDash; (ii) DashPass, including the DashPass Benefits, the administration of DashPass and (iii) the DoorDash terms and conditions. The Complimentary DashPass Subscription offer may be amended or withdrawn at any time. To learn more about DashPass, visit www.doordash.com/dashpass (opens to external site). For full DashPass for RBC Program Terms and Conditions, visit rbcroyalbank.com/credit-cards/documentation/pdf/full-doordash-tcs-en.pdf

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Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$60,000

Household$100,000

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2.5%

Earning rate

1.25xTravel
1xAll spending

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2nd Year Value$271

Transfer partners

American Airlines AAdvantageAirline
British Airways ClubAirline
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Card benefits

Concierge service24/7

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Included

Travel medical (55-64)Included

Travel medical (65+)Included

Trip CancellationUp to $1,500

Trip InterruptionUp to $5,000

Delayed BaggageUp to $500

Lost BaggageUp to $500

Flight DelayUp to $500

Hotel BurglaryUp to $2,500

Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

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Purchase ProtectionIncluded

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Mobile DeviceUp to $1,500 / 1 years

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