Important information: Please refer here for important COVID-19 updates, including information on route suspensions, where affected customers will be notified and offered travel options, and information on flexibility for existing bookings. Otherwise please refer to your fare purchased for information on refundability.
Given the current volumes, if your refund request is being reviewed by one of our refund agents, please note that it can take between 6 and 8 weeks* for your refund claim to be processed.
And remember that you can check the status of your refund anytime.
*Unless otherwise stated by applicable law
We understand that things don’t always go as planned. The information on this page will help guide you as you request a refund for a refundable ticket or an Air Canada service that you paid for but did not receive.
If you've already travelled:
You can use our convenient Ticket Refund Application Form to request your refund, then return to the tool any time for information on its status.
If you haven't travelled yet:
If you need to request a refund for a ticket and you haven’t travelled yet, it’s important to do so via your original point of purchase.
If you booked at aircanada.com, you can cancel your booking online. If you’re cancelling a fully refundable fare, this will automatically initiate your refund process.
If you booked directly with an Air Canada agent, or you're cancelling a booking for which an upgrade was confirmed, we ask that you please contact us directly.
If you booked through a travel agency, or another airline or website, you’ll need to go back to them to request your refund.
Please note that under the Air Passenger Protection Regulations, if you were denied boarding or your flight was cancelled or delayed by more than three hours due to an event within our control or required for safety purposes, and you refuse the alternate travel arrangements offered because travelling no longer serves a purpose, we’ll refund the unused portion of the ticket or, if you aren’t at your point of origin, refund your ticket and provide you with a confirmed reservation back to your point of origin that accommodates your needs (regardless of fare rules).
Whom should I contact to request a refund for a service that I purchased with Air Canada but did not receive?
If you purchase a travel option or service (e.g. Preferred Seat) but did not receive it, please contact Customer Relations.
I cancelled a non-refundable ticket. How can I use the credit towards the purchase of a new ticket?
If your ticket was cancelled prior to travel, contact us directly and we’ll be happy to book that next trip for you.
It’s important to remember that tickets are valid for one full year from the date they were originally issued, and are subject to the fare rules of the original ticket.
A note about our Economy Basic fare:
There’s good value in choosing our Economy Basic fare, but it’s important to know that it does not allow for flight changes or cancellations, and you will not receive a credit if you are not able to travel.
How long will it take for my refund to be processed?
If your refund request is being reviewed by one of our refund agents, please note that it can take between 6 and 8 weeks* for your refund claim to be processed.
And remember that you can check the status of your refund anytime.
* Unless otherwise stated by applicable law
What happens if I cancel my reservation within 24 hours of purchase?
If you cancel your reservation online within 24 hours of purchase, you will receive a full refund. We’ll send you an email confirming that the price of your ticket will be refunded automatically.
In the case of Flight Pass bookings, credits that are cancelled within 24 hours of booking will be credited back to your Flight Pass account and no cancellation fee will apply.
Are taxes, fees and additional charges associated with my ticket refundable?
Certain taxes are refundable in certain cases based on the following:
- The type of ticket (refundable or not)
- Whether the ticket was wholly or partially used
- Regulations of the country where the ticket was purchased and/or the departure country
For example, when a ticket is completely unused:
| Taxes, fees and additional charges | Refundable ticket | Non-refundable ticket |
|---|---|---|
| CA – Air Travellers Security Charge – Canada |
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| SQ – Airport Improvement Fee – Canada |
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| RC – Harmonized Sales Tax – Canada |
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| XG – Goods and Services Tax – Canada |
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| XQ – Quebec Sales Tax – Canada |
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| US – Transportation Tax – U.S |
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| XF – Passenger Facility Charge – U.S. |
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| ZP – Flight Segment Tax – U.S |
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| AY – Passenger Security Fee – U.S. |
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| XY – Immigration Fee – U.S |
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| YC – Customs Fee – U.S. |
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| XA – Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) User Fee – U.S. |
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| FR – Civil Aviation Tax – France |
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| O4 – Air Passenger Solidarity Tax Surplus - France |
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| QW – Passenger Service Charge (domestic flights) – France |
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| QX – Passenger Service Charge (international flights) – France |
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| IZ – Solidarity Tax – France |
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Please note that in the event that your ticket is no longer valid and has not been used for travel, you will be entitled to a refund for taxes and fees, depending on your boarding. To obtain a refund for these amounts, you can use our Ticket Refund Application Form free of charge. You can also obtain a refund for these amounts by contacting us by mail or by any other means.
You will receive your refund within 30 days of your request.
Rules and processing times for unused tickets refunds
The application validity period for a ticket refund is of one year following the date of issue of the ticket. The refund conditions might differ from those of a partially-used ticket; please check the terms and conditions of your ticket before confirming your purchase. All tickets purchased including unused tickets are subject to different terms and conditions: always check the refund policy for your ticket with your booking agent.
Important:
Fares may be subject to penalties.
Refunds are credited back to the original method of payment. (Note: In the case of cash and Interac online payments, customers will receive a cheque in the mail.)
All refund assessments are based on Air Canada’s tariffs and policies as well as the terms and conditions of your purchase. Fare rules explain refundability of your purchase. Please read this information carefully.