Air Canada has a fairly friendly cancellation policy. But if you’re not aware of it, cancelling a flight can be complicated, expensive, and time-consuming. If you’ve booked a flight with Air Canada and want to cancel it, this guide gives you all the information you need to navigate through the Air Canada cancellation policy—and know which policies apply to your current situation.
After going through this guide, you will know how Air Canada’s cancellation policy works—and how you can save time and money by doing what works best for you.
Air Canada Refund Policy
Air Canada’s cancellation policy allows you to cancel your flight and get a full refund on the unused portion of your ticket if:
- Your flight is cancelled by Air Canada.
- You booked a flight ticket (except Basic) on/before July 5, 2022, for travel between March 1, 2020, and July 5, 2023. In such a scenario, the full value of your fare will be converted into an Air Canada Travel Voucher or Aeroplan points with a 65% bonus.
- You cancel a flight within 24 hours of booking.
- You’re holding a fully flexible ticket.
(Latitude, Premium Economy Flexible, Business Flexible) - You were denied boarding a confirmed reservation.
- Your flight is delayed by at least 3 hours.
- Your flight is rescheduled and the new flight causes you to miss a connecting flight.
- Any special circumstances prevent you from catching your flight—such as the death of a passenger/immediate family member, serious illness, military orders, etc. (subject to documentary evidence and Air Canada agreeing to it).
In all other scenarios, you will be charged a fee, depending on your fare conditions.
Remember
The Air Canada booking cancellation policy also requires the following:
- You must cancel your ticket at least 2 hours before departure.
- If your flight was cancelled before April 13, 2021, you must request a refund before June 12, 2021. If you request after this date, the balance value of your ticket will either be converted to an Air Canada Travel Voucher or Aeroplan points with a 65% bonus.
- Refunds for cancelled flights can take 1 to 3 months.
- Refunds are credited to the original form of payment.
- If you’ve already received compensation for a cancelled flight from your insurance company, you are not eligible to claim a refund.
- Most taxes are refundable, but some are not.
- If you didn’t receive a complete refund per your entitlement, you must fill out this refund request form.
- Non-refundable tickets qualify for a refund only if the cancellation is within Air Canada’s control. If the cancellation is outside the airline’s control, you must avail of the alternate travel options offered to you. If the alternative option offered to you doesn’t suit you, you must:
- Either transfer the balance value of your ticket to an Air Canada Travel Voucher, which never expires and is transferrable
- Or convert the balance value of your ticket (minus tax) into Aeroplan points with 65% bonus miles
Compensation on Air Canada Travel
Under the Air Canada flight cancellation compensation policy, if your flight is overly delayed or cancelled, or you were denied boarding despite having a confirmed booking, you may qualify for compensation under the conditions mentioned below:
- Compensation for delayed or cancelled flights
If your flight is cancelled or delayed and you reach your destination at least 3 hours late, you’re entitled to receive compensation if the situation was within Air Canada’s control and you were not informed of the cancellation or delay at least 15 days before the time of departure.- The compensation for delays and cancellations is as follows:
- USD/CAD 400 for arrival delays from 3–6 hours.
- USD/CAD 700 for arrival delays from 6–9 hours.
- USD/CAD 1,000 for arrival delays of at least 9 hours.
- If you refuse the alternative travel arrangements offered to you, you are entitled to receive a compensation of USD/CAD 400.
- Compensation for Denied Boarding
If you were denied boarding because of a situation within the airline’s control and offered an alternative flight that led to your being delayed, you are entitled to receive a denied boarding compensation of:- USD/CAD 900 if you were delayed between 0–6 hours.
- USD/CAD 1,800 if you were delayed between 6–9 hours.
- USD/CAD 2,400 if you were delayed by at least 9 hours.
What is my eligibility during a flight disruption or cancellation?
If your flight is disrupted or cancelled for reasons within Air Canada’s control, you will be provided meals and other amenities, such as:
- Food and drink in reasonable quantities
- Electronic communication means, such as free Wi-Fi
- Suitable hotel accommodation near the airport
- To-and-fro transportation between the airport and the hotel
These amenities will be provided only if:
- You were informed of the flight disruption less than 12 hours before departure.
- You’ve waited for at least 2 hours after the scheduled departure time.
24-Hour Cancellation Policy of Air Canada
Under the 24-hour cancellation policy of Air Canada, you are allowed to cancel your flight ticket within 24 hours of purchase and receive a full refund—regardless of what type of ticket you’ve purchased.
Remember
If you cancel your ticket more than 24 hours after purchasing it, you will be charged a fee unless you’re holding a refundable ticket.
Air Canada COVID-19 Cancellations
According to the new rules (in response to the COVID-19 pandemic), you can cancel your flight and get a full refund on the unused portion of any ticket booked on/before April 30, 2021, for travel by April 30, 2022.
Air Canada Cancellation Policy for Medical Illness
Cancellations for medical illness are permitted if a medical illness prevents you from catching your flight. If a sudden illness or medical condition prevents you from boarding your flight, you can cancel your booking and get a full refund. However, the rules may require you to provide documentary evidence to prove the illness.
Air Canada Weather Cancellation Policy
Cancellations due to flight disruptions caused by extreme weather conditions are permitted. Under the rules, you can cancel your flight booking and get a full refund if your flight is cancelled due to bad weather. If your flight is cancelled, you can either cancel your booking and ask for a refund, or opt for an alternate flight offered to you by the airline flight at no additional cost (if it suits you).
If your flight is rescheduled due to bad weather and it causes you to miss a connecting flight, or if the alternative travel options offered to you by the airline no longer serve the purpose of your travel, you may cancel your flight and ask for a full refund.
Air Canada Cancellation Fee and Charges
Unless you cancel your ticket within 24 hours of purchasing it, Air Canada’s cancellation fee will depend on what type of ticket you’ve purchased (as shown in the table below).
Air Canada Cancellation Charges by Ticket Type | |
Type of Ticket | Cancellation Fee |
Basic Economy | Not permitted |
Standard Economy | USD 200 |
Flex | USD 200 |
Comfort | USD 200 |
Latitude | USD 0 |
Premium Economy Flexible | USD 0 |
Premium Economy Non-Flexible | USD 200 |
Business Class Flexible | USD 0 |
Business Class Non-Flexible | USD 200 |
Award Ticket | USD 0 – 150 |
Air Canada Cancellation Policy—Basic Economy Tickets
Air Canada does not allow the cancellation of a Basic Economy ticket unless you cancel it within 24 hours of purchase. However, you may be allowed to cancel your ticket and ask for a refund if your flight is delayed by 3 hours or more, you’ve suddenly received a military order, or you suddenly fall ill and cannot take the flight.
Air Canada Cancellation Policy—Non-Refundable Tickets
Non-refundable tickets such as Standard Economy, Flex, Comfort, and non-flexible Premium Economy/Business Class tickets don’t qualify for a full refund. If you cancel such tickets, you will be charged a fee of USD 200 per ticket. After cancellation, you will be allowed to apply the unused balance of your ticket for future travel within 1 year of the original date of issue of the ticket.
Air Canada Cancellation Policy—Refundable Tickets
Refundable tickets such as Latitude, Premium Economy Flexible, and Business Flexible qualify for a full refund. However, you must cancel your ticket before your flight’s departure. After you cancel, the refund will be credited back to your original form of payment within 7 business days. It will likely reflect on your billing statement within 2 cycles.
Air Canada Cancellation Policy—Award Tickets
Award ticket cancellations after 24 hours of booking will incur a cancellation fee of USD 125 if cancelled online via Aeroplan.com and USD 150 if cancelled through an Aeroplan contact center. However, the fee for Aeroplan Diamond members is USD 30 for online cancellations and USD 100 via an Aeroplan contact center. Altitude Super Elite 100k members will not be charged any cancellation fees.
How to Cancel an Air Canada Booking
You can cancel Air Canada flight bookings online, by phone (++1-844-933-2065), or through a ticket center.
To cancel a ticket on Air Canada online:
- Go to Air Canada’s official website: AirCanada.com
- Click on the My bookings tab
- Enter the following information to retrieve your flight bookings:
- Your Booking Reference or Ticket Number
- Your Last Name
- Click on the Find button
- Select the flight you want to cancel
- Click on the Cancel Booking link
- Confirm and finalize your cancellation
You will receive a confirmation email at the email ID you provided to Air Canada when you booked your ticket plus a refund voucher for the balance funds after the fee for cancellation (if any) is deducted.
You can only cancel your booking online if:
- You had booked directly through Air Canada.com or the mobile app.
- You’re cancelling at least 2 hours before your flight’s departure.
- You’re cancelling an Aeroplan reward booking.
- You’re cancelling your entire booking (individual segments within an itinerary cannot be cancelled).
Air Canada Contact Information
Below are a few important Air Canada contact numbers.
- Air Canada Flight Cancellation Phone Number U.S.A. +1-844-933-2065 (toll-free, open 24/7)
- Air Canada Flight Cancellation Phone Number Canada +1-844-933-2065 (toll-free, open 24/7)
Air Canada Cancelled Flight Refund
- To apply for a refund if you’ve already travelled:
- Apply online via Air Canada’s Ticket Refund Application Form
- To apply for a refund if you haven’t yet travelled, apply via your original point of purchase:
- If you booked via Air Canada’s official website, you can cancel the booking online. If your fare is fully refundable, your refund will be automatically initiated after you cancel your ticket.
- If you booked directly through an Air Canada agent, or you want to cancel a flight booking with a confirmed upgrade was confirmed, contact Air Canada directly.
- If you book your Air Canada ticket through a travel agent, website, or another airline and want to cancel, call them and ask for a refund.
Air Canada Vouchers, Credits, and Coupons
When you cancel a flight, you will typically receive a credit in one of the following forms:
- Air Canada Travel Voucher
- Air Canada Electronic Travel Voucher
- ACCredit
- eCoupons
Each of these is explained below.
- Air Canada Travel Voucher
Air Canada’s Travel Voucher is fully transferrable, never expires, and can be used multiple times. You can use it online (or through a travel agent) to book a flight, or a flight/hotel package to the Caribbean and Mexico.
- Air Canada Travel Vouchers are typically sent by physical mail and it can take up to 3 days for the value of your voucher to appear online.
- You can use the Air Canada Travel Voucher multiple times until it is fully redeemed. It has no expiry date.
- You can redeem an Air Canada Travel Voucher online through AirCanada.com / AirCanadaVacations.com, by phone through Air Canada Reservations, or a travel agent.
- Up to 2 forms of payment are permitted on a single booking when purchasing a ticket. However, if you’re purchasing a seat/travel option for a current reservation, only 1 form of payment is accepted at the time of purchase.
- Restrictions. You cannot use the Air Canada Travel Voucher:
- To book a flight or make payments via the mobile app or the self-service air canada check-in kiosks.
- At certain airport locations/airport counters.
- To make group reservations or purchase Air Canada Flight Passes, cargo products/services, Maple Leaf Club membership fees, or third-party products/services incl. car rentals, hotel bookings, travel insurance, etc.
- Air Canada Electronic Travel Vouchers
Air Canada Electronic Travel Vouchers are different from Air Canada Travel Vouchers. You can use an
Electronic Travel Voucher to purchase new Air Canada tickets (base fare) for travel on Air Canada, Air Canada Express, and Air Rouge.
- You will receive your Electronic Travel Voucher by email, along with a 13-digit travel voucher number.
- You can use an Electronic Travel Voucher to pay only the base fare of a new flight—but not taxes and surcharges, which must be paid separately.
- Expiry Date. Most Electronic Travel Vouchers have an expiry date which is mentioned in your email. After the expiry date, the credit balance is USD 0. But if you received it as compensation under the Air Passenger Protection Regulations, it will not expire. However, if you don’t use your Electronic Travel Voucher within 1 year after it was issued, you will have to call Air Canada to have it reactivated.
- Transferability. Electronic Travel Vouchers can be transferred to others by phone via Air Canada Reservations or at the airport (to another person) if you’re carrying a valid ID.
- Redemption. You can redeem an Electronic Travel Voucher at the time of booking—online, by phone, through your travel agency, or at the airport—by providing your voucher number. Alternatively, you can redeem the voucher after completing your travel by contacting Air Canada Reservations. The amount will be credited through your original form of payment.
- Air Canada ACCredit
If you receive an ACCredit, you can use it for purchasing several types of air travel and ancillary services offered by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, and Air Canada Express.
- Validity. ACCredits have no expiry date when issued under the Air Passenger Protection Regulations.
- You can check your credit balance by calling Air Canada. When doing so, have your 15-digit number and 4-digit PIN ready.
- ACCredits never expire—the residual value is renewed every 5 years automatically.
- ACCredits cannot be used to purchase Air Canada Vacations, group travel, or Flight Pass.
- ACCredits are fully transferrable—but cannot be sold.
- Redemption. You can redeem an ACCredit online, by phone, or through a travel agent (if the booking was made through AirCanada.com/agents).
- If redeeming online via AirCanada.com
- The ticket price must be lower than the ACCredit value, otherwise, you must purchase through a call center.
- An ACCredit must be used with a Gift Card or an eCoupon on account of system limitations.
- Ancillary purchases such as for a seat or a travel option can only be made through one form of payment. If the credit balance is less than the fee you need to pay, you must use another form of payment.
- If redeeming via a call center
- You can redeem an ACCredit of any value through an Air Canada Call Center—the ticket price can be higher than the ACCredit value.
- You can use up to 2 forms of payment to make a purchase.
- However, ancillary purchases such as for a seat or a travel option must be made through only one form of payment. If the credit balance is less than the fee you need to pay, you must use another form of payment.
- If redeeming through a travel agent
- You can redeem an ACCredit through a travel agent provided you booked through AirCanada.com/agents.
- You can use only one form of payment, so the total cost of the ticket must be fully covered through the ACCredit.
- If purchasing multiple passenger tickets, you’re allowed to use 2 forms of payment, including 2 ACCredits if the first credit fully covers the purchase value of the first passenger’s ticket and the second credit covers the purchase value of the remaining passengers’ tickets.
- You cannot redeem such ACCredits at airports or on board.
- If redeeming online via AirCanada.com
- Tips
- You can use an ACCredit to make payments through your mobile devices and to make payments through self-service check-in kiosks for check-in-related purchases.
- You cannot use ACCredits to make payments at airport kiosks and counters.
- Air travel and ancillary services include air transportation costs, pet handling fees, change fees, unaccompanied minor fees, and tax/taxes.
- ACCredits cannot be used to purchase Flight Passes, Vacation products/services, cargo products/services, Maple Leaf Club membership fees, hotel bookings, car rentals, or any third-party products.
- Air Canada eCoupons
If you receive an Air Canada eCoupon, you can use it to purchase several types of air travel and ancillary services provided by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, and Air Canada Express.
- You will receive your eCoupon by email, which contains a 15-digit number and a 4-digit PIN code.
- You can check the balance of your eCoupon online using your 15-digit coupon number a PIN code.
- Validity. eCoupons have an expiry date which is mentioned in your email. After the expiry date, the balance is reduced to USD 0.
- eCoupons are fully transferrable and can be treated like cash.
- eCoupons cannot be sold.
Redemption. e-coupons can be used to purchase flights and travel options online, by phone (1-888-247-2262), or through a travel agent via AirCanada.com/agents. eCoupons can be used to purchase travel options and services such as seat selection, pet handling charges, unaccompanied minor service, change fees, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
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