Interpreting Air Canada and Westjet 'free' cancellation policies for future flight bookings

[peacefrogdog]

It seems like both airlines are offering generous cancellation policies for flights booked up until April-May 2021 (for travel up until 2022). Looking to book for Dec 2021, and if I'm interpreting these policies correctly I should be able to book and then cancel/rebook if I see lower prices later. Let me know if you are interpreting them the same as me. See the below links:

https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/manage/change-cancelhttps://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/book/travel-news-and-updates/2020/covid-19.html
My interpretation:
Westjet - no charge to cancel or change flights that are booked up until April 30, 2021, but if I was to cancel I would only get money back to my travel bank (to use up until 24 months from date of cancellation) rather than a cash refund.

Air Canada - purchased flights (i.e. not an Aeroplan rewards) booked up until May 31, 2021 can cancelled/changed. However, if cancelled it would be in the form of a travel voucher that never expires (or Aeroplan points at a bonus rate).

So it seems like if booking and cancelling I would never get money back as a refund, but only as a travel credit (or whatever each airline calls it)? While not ideal, both seem like a reasonable options to book and then rebook at lower rates with AC perhaps being a better option given their voucher/travel bank never expires.

Anything I'm missing from this, or is anyone interpreting differently?

 

[Carolynleanne]

Correct. If you book before their current closing offer dates, you'll get your cancellation back as a credit. We currently have A LOT of those credits I know West Jets expire though, so definitely read those terms and conditions carefully.

 

[dvcdisney]

I hate to be a downer, but AC taught me never to believe what is written, even if it sounds reasonable.

It took me several months to get my full refund back last year for my flight to and from Europe. It's not something I expected from AC especially since their policy was clearly written and, if I hadn't had a copy of it, I wouldn't be able to send it to them when they decided to change the terms when Covid hit.

So, my suggestion is to make sure you have a copy of the terms when you book so that when they change it, you will have some proof to forward to them and your cc when you're forced to dispute it.

Because of AC, I have added a list of precautions to an already growing list.

Good Luck!

 

[newdeal]

to me, a credit of any sort is not a refund, especially right now when the airlines are either taking, or will need, government money (aka our tax money) to stay alive. Credits are not worth anything if they go bankrupt

 

[peacefrogdog]

AC pretty much has a monopoly/oligopoly in Canada, so the prospect of bankruptcy doesn't worry me much. i.e. government will keep them afloat before any concerns of the airline going under.

 

[Intr3pid]

You can get the refund if you purchase the correct fare category. For Air Canada economy, this would be 'Comfort' and up. You can also get a refund if the airline cancels your flight.

I assume this is for a new booking. With the new government deal, you can get a refund on past bookings regardless of who cancelled it. This page has specific details:

https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/fly/customer-support/cancellation-refund.html

 

[peacefrogdog]

With the governmental deal, I feel more comfortable getting a travel voucher. I foresee myself flying AC at some point in the future, and really don't see it realistic that AC goes under. Seems good to be able to buy, and then cancel/rebook if the price drops before May 31st

 

[rance]

to me, a credit of any sort is not a refund, especially right now when the airlines are either taking, or will need, government money (aka our tax money) to stay alive. Credits are not worth anything if they go bankrupt

Tax payers money is not being used to support air canada or transat. They were offered a loan payable with interest and the govt gets a share stake in air canada.

 

[peacefrogdog]

Looks like the free cancel/change policy will apply to bookings up to June 30, 2021 for both AC and WJ.