Air Canada Extends Deadline for COVID-19 Refunds
Eligible customers now have until July 12, 2021 to submit a refund request
Air Canada has given an extension on its COVID-19 refund policy. The policy allows eligible customers who purchased a non-refundable ticket before April 13, 2021 for travel on or after February 1, 2020, but who did not fly for any reason, to submit their request for a refund online or with their travel agent.
The COVID-19 refund policy covers tickets and Air Canada Vacations packages purchased for flights cancelled either by the airline or by the customer for any reason was initially due to expire June 12, 2021.
“The number of customers who have requested a refund is lower than anticipated and most have kept their travel credit, Air Canada Travel Voucher or Aeroplan points, which we are pleased to see as it is an indication they plan on traveling in the future. We also take this as a vote of confidence from our customers that they intend to fly with us on their next trip, and we are looking forward to welcoming them back onboard,” said Lucie Guillemette, Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer at Air Canada.
“For customers who want a refund, our employees have been working very hard to process requests as quickly as possible and will continue to do so, including in collaboration with our travel agency partners. We have in place an easy online refund process and we have also reached out to customers directly to advise them of their options. Still, given only approximately 40 percent of eligible customers have requested a refund, we are extending the initial deadline for requests.”
As of April 13, 2021 (the day on which the COVID-19 refund policy came into effect), Air Canada has seen a total of 1.8 million of its customer bookings become eligible for a refund. To date, approximately 40 percent of these eligible customers have requested a refund, and 92 percent of those who have submitted requests have had their refund processed. Air Canada customers also have the option of accepting a fully transferrable Air Canada Travel Voucher (ACTV) with no expiry date or converting the value of their ticket to Aeroplan points with a 65 percent bonus. Customers who have already accepted an ACTV or Aeroplan points also have the option to exchange these for a refund to the original form of payment, including for the unused portion of any ACTV issued or in cases where a partial refund was provided.
Customers can request a refund online at www.aircanada.com/refund until July 12, 2021. The policy also applies to Air Canada Vacations packages. Customers who booked through a travel agency must contact their agent directly. In support of its travel agency partners, Air Canada is not recalling agency sales commissions on refunded tickets that they process.
Future Travel on Air Canada
Air Canada’s new refund policy of offering customers options of refunds, an Air Canada Travel Voucher or equivalent value in Aeroplan Points with a 65 percent bonus should the airline cancel or reschedule a flight by more than three hours, is applicable to all tickets purchased.
