This policy applies to tickets that are non-refundable and those with cancellation fees when transportation is cancelled due to death of the passenger, the passenger’s immediate family member, or a traveling companion. When booked on a separate PNR, we require proof the passenger and the travelling companion were travelling together.
Immediate family members
- Spouse including common law or same sex partner
- Mother and father including step, grand, in-law, common-law
- Daughter and son including legal, in-law, common-law, adopted, step, grand, great-grand
- Brother and sister, including step, half, in-law, common-law
- Legal guardian and some of legal guardian (with proof of judgment)
Consult Air Canada Domestic and International Tariffs, rule 100 Refunds, for more information.
As per Air Canada Tariffs, refunds are permitted under these conditions:
- The death occurs after ticket issuance and prior to commencement of travel
- After commencement of travel
- When the purpose of travel was to visit the deceased immediate family member.
Prior to commencement of travel, a full refund applies to the fare, taxes, fee charges and surcharges.
After commencement of travel, the refund of any unused portion will be the difference, if any, between the fare, taxes, fees, charges and surcharges paid and the fare, taxes, fees, charges and surcharges applicable for the transportation used. Cancellation or change fee will not be assessed. If you have already processed a change or cancellation fee, those may be eligible for refund upon request.
Required documentation
Copy of the death certificate, funeral director’s statement or acknowledgement of registration issued by a governmental authority.
Refund Process
Air Canada requires that the refund and proof of death are submitted to Air Canada or the travel agency within 90 days of the return date stated on the ticket.
Air Canada provides the agency an additional 30 days to process the refund. Refunds processed beyond 120 days of the ticketed return date are not eligible and will result in a Debit Memo for the full value of the refund.
GDS
- Cancel the itinerary (if death occurs before travel dates)
- Refund the ticket by entering Refund Waiver code ACDUEDEATH followed by the applicable 4-letter relationship FTHR, MTHR, SIST, BROT, GMTH, GFTH, CHLD, GCHL, COMP in the Refund Waiver Code field. Ex. ACDUEDEATHFTHR
- If the Refund Waiver code is not entered in the Refund Waiver field, or is entered incorrectly, a Debit Memo for the full value of the refund will be issued
aircanada.com/agents, aircanada.com and NDC channel bookings
Request a refund and submit documentation via the Ticket Refund application
Good to Know
- You must retain all supporting required documentation. Auditors reserve the right to request proof at any time.
- Fraudulent refund requests may result in a debit memo for the full value of the ticket.
Revised December 2024