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- Oct 2, 2006
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I'm sorry that happened to you. I don't think it will matter where the flight originated. West Jet is a Canadian company, it would make sense that they operate under Canadian law. Does the Cdn Transportation Agency not have a clause specifying refunds to original form of payment for flights canceled by the airline like DoT does?
The CTA had earlier said that airlines didn't have to issue a refund, but has now backed down on that statement (article published today cited below). Based on the article I filed a complaint with West Jet today -- we shall see how they respond. The article also states that I can file a dispute with the CTA if West Jet doesn't comply and issue a refund.
The Canadian Transportation Agency is backing away from an earlier statement on flight vouchers, saying its initial position on airlines’ right to issue travel credits instead of a refund for cancelled trips is “not a binding decision.”
The latest statement could open the door to more refunds from carriers that have cited the agency’s stance in denying passenger requests to get back cash for services not rendered.
Late last month, the regulator said the passenger rights charter does not oblige airlines to refund customers for flights cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A post Tuesday from the agency reiterates that position, but also stresses customers’ right to demand a refund based on the “tariff” — the contract between passenger and carrier.
“The statement on vouchers suggests what could be an appropriate approach in extraordinary circumstances, but doesn’t affect airlines’ obligations or passengers’ rights,” the agency said in the FAQ section of its website.
WestJet’s website highlights future travel credit for cancelled flights, but says: “We are not processing refunds to original form of payment at this time.”
The disclaimer comes despite the company’s tariff, which states that “the unused portion of the passenger’s ticket(s) will be refunded” in the same form as it was purchased, “should the alternate transportation proposed by the carrier not meet the passenger’s satisfaction.”