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.
Applicable fares
- Non-refundable and refundable fares with a cancellation penalty
- Fares that do not permit changes, and fares that permit changes with a fee
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, change fees are waived and 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 for GDS Edifact
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.
- Cancel the itinerary (if death occurs before travel dates)
- Refund the ticket by entering Refund Waiver code to DUEDEATH followed by the applicable 4-letter relationship in the Refund Waiver Code field. Ex. DUEDEATHFTHR (see Good Know section)
Exchange Process for GDS Edifact
Exchange the ticket by entering the exchange waiver code DUEDEATH followed by the applicable
4-letter relationship in the endorsement box of the reissued ticket. (See Good to Know section)
aircanada.com/agents, aircanada.com and NDC channel bookings
- Request a refund and submit documentation via the Ticket RefundExternal site which may not meet accessibility guidelines and/or language preferences. application
- Exchange must be done via the Air Canada Customer Contact Centres.
Good to Know
- Codes identifying the deceased person: PSGR, HUSB, WIFE, SPOU, FTHR, MTHR, SIST, BROT, GMTH, GFTH, CHLD, GCHL, COMP
- You must retain all supporting required documentation. Auditors reserve the right to request proof at any time.
- Waiver codes not entered as instructed or entered incorrectly will result in a Debit Memo for the full value of the refund, or the exchanged ticket.
- Fraudulent refund requests or exchanges may result in a debit memo for the full value of the ticket.
Updated April 2025