Air Canada Cancellation Policy

Air Canada cancellation policy offers ticket cancellation last 2 hours prior to scheduled departure. This happens to be one of the most flexible and convenient cancellation policies out there, but you need to consider some rules and guidelines before making any cancellation and refund requests.

In this article, we will discuss the pre-conditions/restrictions to know before making the cancellation request, passengers’ options if the flight is cancelled by the airlines, the refund, the cancellation fee, and much more.

What are the Air Canada flight cancellation rules in 2023?

Here are the updated rules and guidelines for Air Canada cancellation rules –

• You can cancel the flight ticket last by 2 hour prior to the scheduled departure.
• If you cancel within 24 hours of departure, no Air Canada cancellation fee will be levied.
• Airlines reserves the right to forfeit your travel funds in case of no show.
• Awardee of Air Canada insurance compensation are not eligible for a refund.
• Refund cannot be initiated after 60 days.
• Your refund can take 20 business days to 3 months to show in your bank account.
• As per the Air Canada cancellation policy, you are not bound to pay the cancellation fee within 24 hours of purchase.
• The airline reserves the right to restrict the passengers’ travel if they need to adhere to conditions beyond the airline’s control. 
• If you fail to complete the check-in up to 45 minutes before the scheduled departure for flights within Canada and the United States, you are not eligible to board the flight.
• Air Canada flight cancellation rules are applied to the unused or unflown flight segments only.

What is Air Canada 24 hour cancellation policy?

Once you purchase the flight, you always want to know everything about the cancellation policy some questions as –

• Does Air Canada have a 24 hour cancellation policy?
• Whether it is fully refundable or not within 24 hours
• Can I cancel an Air Canada booking without paying any extra fee?

Air Canada 24 hour cancellation policy allows cancellation of the reservation within 24 hours without paying any penalty. Department of Transportation requires all airlines to ‘hold a fare’ at the listed price for 24 hours without payment.

Please Note: This Air Canada flight cancellation policy is applicable on all domestic and international reservations, to and from U.S and Canada.

During the festive time or during the weekend, usually, you may be granted a 24 hour cancellation time frame at zero cost. For example, in case you booked a reservation on Friday, you might get the time till Monday to decide on the cancellation part. In such cases, it is always preferred to book the reservation directly with Air Canada only.

How to cancel an Air Canada booking?

You can cancel the Air Canada booking online as well as over the phone. Plus, the cancellation of flight booking can be completed at the airport up to a certain stipulated time. Here’s the detailed workflow that you need to know – 

Air Canada cancellation online

You can cancel the Air Canada flight online via the Manage Booking section. You need to retrieve your booking online, pay the required fee, and follow the on-screen prompts to cancel your reservation. Follow these straps –

• Visit Air Canada official site and hit the ‘Manage Booking’ section page.
• Insert the booking credentials to access your flight reservation. 
• Select the flight segment that you would like to cancel.
• On the next page, you will see the refund amount and the Air Canada flight cancellation fee associated with your booking.
• Confirm your selection at the checkout page.
• You will receive an email confirmation at your registered email. The said refund would be credited back to the original method of payment within 20 business days.

Cancel flight via phone number

If you’re holding a restricted fare, or want to cancel an individual booking when there is more than one passenger, call the Air Canada flight cancellation phone number. Please note the cancellation fee may apply. 

Flight cancellation at the airport

You can also cancel your flight at the last moment at the airline’s booking counter at the airport. Please note as per the Air Canada cancellation policy, you need to request cancellation up to 3 hours before the scheduled departure for international flights, and 2 hours for domestic flights. The cancellation fee may vary at the airport, as additional surcharges may apply.

What is Air Canada cancelled flight compensation?

As per Air Canada cancellation policy, compensation would be offered to the passenger whose alternate flight arrival was delayed for 3 or more hours. The compensation mentioned below varies with the length of arrival delay, such as – 

What are the rules for Air Canada flight delays?

The airline will do its best to keep you informed if a flight is delayed or cancelled due to an unforeseen problem. In addition, the airlines will offer timely updates based on the information that is available, including the reason for the delay or cancellation. You are entitled to get the following –

Air Canada delayed flight compensation

Air Canada compensation for flight cancellation would only be provided to the passengers whose flight is delayed for 3 or more hours. The compensation mentioned below varies with the length of arrival delay, such as – 

Standard of treatment

When a flight is delayed or cancelled due to circumstances beyond Air Canada’s control reasons, and –

• You have been informed less than 12 hours before the scheduled departure time.
• You have waited two hours after the scheduled departure time on your ticket.

You’re entitled to the following standard of treatment –

• Meals and refreshments, in relation to the passenger’s waiting time.
• Communication access.
• Hotel accommodations for affected passengers for overnight delays.
• Transportation to and from the hotel or other accommodation.

Alternative travel arrangement

If the flight is delayed for 3 hours or more, here’s how your travel plans will be accommodated, as per Air Canada cancellation policy

• You will be rebooked on the next available flight within 48 hours of the original departure schedule. 
• If no flights have been arranged within the stipulated time period, the airline will arrange the flight with another airline for the same travel destination and the class of service as originally booked. 

If the flight is delayed for 3 hours or more, and the situation is within the airline’s control –

• You will be rebooked on the next available flight within 9 hours of the original departure schedule. 
• If no flights have been arranged within the stipulated time period, the airline will arrange the flight with another airline within 48 hours of the original departure time.

Please Note: This section applies to the flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, and Air Canada Express.

What happens if Air Canada deny boarding?

At times, due to operational or inventory reasons, the airlines may not accommodate you even you have a confirmed reservation. During such a situation,

• The airline looks for volunteers who are willing to give up their seats in exchange for an alternate flight as well as compensation. 
• If there aren’t enough volunteers, the airline offers will prioritize the reservation for the passengers in the following order – unaccompanied minors, passengers with a disability, service animals, and emotional service animals.

Compensation for Air Canada denied boarding

The compensation amount varies with the length of arrival delay due to denied boarding, such as –

Standard of treatment

If you’re denied boarding for a situation within the airline’s control, you will be offered the following before you board the next flight – 

• Food and drink
• Access to communication
• Hotel accommodations
• Airport transfer

Alternate travel arrangement

• You will be rebooked on the next available flight within 9 hours of the original departure schedule. 
• If no flights have been arranged within the stipulated time period, the airline will arrange the flight with another airline within 48 hours of the original departure time.
• If the airline is still unable to provide a confirmed reservation, you may be rerouted to your destination from a nearby airport. The airline will arrange the transportation to the nearby airport. 
• If you refuse the alternate flight, you’re entitled to get a refund on the unused portion of the ticket.

What is Air Canada refund policy?

As per Air Canada refund policy,f the reservation is made more than 7 days prior to the scheduled flight departure and is cancelled within 24 hours of purchase, you will receive a full refund.

The rules related to refunds are tied to specific fare types, but in certain circumstances, different rules may apply, such as –

• If you book a ticket through one of the airline’s booking channels, you will be able to cancel it without penalty.
• You’re entitled to get a refund on the unused value minus the ticket cancellation fee for Air Canada.
• If the booking was made through a travel agency, you must contact the point of purchase directly for a refund. 
• As per the Air Canada cancellation policy, the refund will only be possible if the fare rule associated with the booking permits one.
• If tickets are purchased with a credit card, the refund amount will be reflected in the card statement within 7 business days. 
• If the tickets are purchased with cash or other forms of payment, a full refund within 20 working days will be provided in the original method. 
• As per Air Canada refund policy, the airline may refuse a refund if the application is made after the expiry of the ticket.

Please Note: Such Air Canada refund terms do not apply to groups of ten or more people.

What are the Air Canada ticket cancellation charges?

The cancellation fee varies with the travel route and the class of services, such as – 

Within Canada or between Canada and the US

• Economy Latitude Fares/ Premium Economy/Business Class (flexible) – 250 USD.
• Economy Standard Fares/Economy Flex Fares/Premium Economy (lowest)/Comfort/Business Class (lowest) – 225 USD.

Ticket cancellation charges for International travel

• The cancellation fee depends upon the itinerary as well as the fare type.
• All Cabin Classes except Basic Economy fare – 500 – 1000 USD.

Tips to avoid Air Canada cancellation fee

• If you decide to cancel your reservation, do it within 24 hours from the date of booking.
• Air Canada cancellation fee can be avoided on the grounds that you decide to upgrade your economy fare to business or first class with them.
• All you need to pay is the difference in the fare. Hence your change fee can be waived off in that case.
• In cases you are making the alteration or cancellation due to bereavement reasons, Air Canada will not only support you but also empower you by waiving the 200 USD fee as well as providing relaxation to some extent in paying the fare difference.
• Purchase your travel insurance with Air Canada and if the flight gets cancelled due to severe weather or traffic disruption, then your cancellation fee can be waived.

Air Canada has a very lenient cancellation policy. The procedure of cancellations is easy, the refund is issued in the form of credit and can be used for alternative flights (flexible or not), buying a ticket on another airline, or posting it to your credit card. Its flexibility allows customers to choose their travel plans according to their convenience.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs