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What is the Air Canada Travel Voucher: How to Use, Redeem, and Apply? 

TravelRaval » Blog » What is the Air Canada Travel Voucher: How to Use, Redeem, and Apply? 

T o help passengers save more on their next trip, Air Canada offers multiple ways. Air Canada travel vouchers are one of the best options. These vouchers are provided in many forms such as digital wallets. The same can be utilized to book air tickets and purchase several other services. However, these vouchers come with a specific validity. All passengers are suggested to use the travel vouchers before they expire. Another notable point about these coupons is that travelers can transfer the benefit amount to use it best. Prior to that, all fliers are advised to understand the vouchers and methods to redeem them. 

What are Air Canada Travel Vouchers?

It is essential to understand that an Air Canada travel voucher is a type of compensation. The airline issues these vouchers to travelers whose flights were previously canceled or experienced any disruption. They can use these vouchers as a payment mode to save more on their next travel with this air operator.

How to Use Air Canada Travel Voucher?

Introduced in 2020, customers can avail of and use special travel vouchers upon flight cancellation. Fully transferable, these vouchers never expire and can be utilized multiple times. Passengers can use these on the flight booking as well as the packages.

Usage Limitations to Keep in Mind:

Air Canada is a good airline that provides vouchers but with some limitations. Please remember that these vouchers cannot be used on group bookings. Besides, the airline offers different ways to use these vouchers. Depending on your preference, you can redeem the same.

How to Redeem Air Canada Travel Voucher Online?

In case a flier prefers to book tickets online, then he or she will need to complete a set of steps to redeem the travel voucher of Air Canada. The process has to be performed on the official website of this airline. For the same, accurate details relating to the flier will be needed.

• Browse through the official website of Air Canada.
• On the homepage, passengers can get the option to find and book a flight.
• Enter your desired travel destinations and other details asked.
• Initiate the payment to use the vouchers issued by Air Canada.
• While redeeming, in the given field, enter the unique code linked to the voucher.
• Follow further steps to complete the booking and enjoy the benefits of travel vouchers. 

How to Redeem an Air Canada Travel Voucher Offline?

Travelers who do not prefer online booking can opt for other options to reserve tickets and still redeem their travel vouchers. For instance, if a flier chooses to make a booking with the help of a travel agent, then he/she can directly contact this person. This will help the flier to receive the benefits of an Air Canada travel voucher balance.

How to Redeem Air Canada Travel Vouchers via a Phone Call?

While booking tickets from Air Canada through modes like calling, the benefits of travel vouchers can still be availed. For this, customers can call on the number of the Air Canada Reservation team. It can be contacted by dialing 1-888-247-2262.

• The Caribbean
• Under Aeroplan, 1-800-361-5373 is the contact number to use.
• For international flyers, using the following phone numbers are suggested:

Note: The updated contact details can be collected from the official website of the airline.  

Things to Know about Air Canada Travel Vouchers

Before passengers get any voucher and use the benefits attached, they must know a few important aspects of it. Many times passengers do not even know how much Air Canada travel voucher balance is left. To ease the process, the airline has an online tool – Check Card Balance – on its official website. Travelers can make the most out of it to calculate the balance.

Besides, some more important points related to these vouchers have been highlighted here:

• The value of a travel voucher may take 3-4 business days to be reflected in the account.
• The balance can be used for individual bookings. It doesn’t cover group reservations.
• These travel vouchers of Air Canada are fully transferable. 
• They can be fully redeemed and used many times.
• Travel vouchers can be used for domestic and international airfares for selected routes.
• It is not a payment method but a way to save some bucks on each trip.
• Travelers cannot use the vouchers for car rental services, hotel booking, etc.
• Cargo services cannot be booked through these vouchers.
• Passengers are restricted to use vouchers for food, beverages, and duty-free items.
• Damaged, Stolen, 
• Lost, 
• Or, destroyed. 

Where to Use Travel Vouchers of Air Canada?

This airline has recently introduced AC Wallet for the use of travel vouchers. Hence, no new vouchers will be offered by the airline in the form of credit. But if a passenger already has a voucher, there is no need to be worried as it is valid until it is used entirely.

Speaking about the areas where an Air Canada travel voucher number can be used, customers need to remember the following:

• Air Canada, 
• Air Canada Express, 
• And/or Air Canada Rouge.
• It can be redeemed online or by connecting with the travel agency/agent.
• Aeroplan Flight Rewards can be booked through these vouchers.
• The benefits of these coupons can be enjoyed on vacation packages.

Terms and Conditions to Use Travel Vouchers

There are certain rules and restrictions to understand before redeeming Air Canada vouchers. For instance, only primary fliers can receive these travel vouchers. However, there are some more terms and conditions that need to be kept in mind while redeeming these. 

• These vouchers are issued to the main/primary passenger only.
• Air Canada Express
• Air Canada Rouge
• The benefit cannot be attained at airport self-kiosk centers or mobile app bookings.
• Last-minute upgrades, check-in, and baggage fees cannot be done.
• Purchase of duty-free items, cargo services, and group travel are not included.
• Membership fees of the Air Canada Maple Leaf Club cannot be paid.  
• Passengers cannot buy travel insurance through these vouchers.
• Travelers are not allowed to sell these vouchers. 

How to Apply for Air Canada Travel Vouchers?

Travelers can apply for a voucher under certain conditions. These vouchers are provided to those whose flights got canceled or have faced any disruption from the airline’s end before traveling. Even though they can always request a refund in the original form of payment, travel vouchers can also be availed as a refund, once applied. 

To apply for the voucher, one needs to connect with the airline through a phone call or in person at the airport counter. After evaluating the present scenario and other important details, the airline will issue the travel vouchers.

Redeeming an Air Canada travel voucher is quite a straightforward process. Travelers can do it in a myriad of ways – online and via a phone call. However, it is important to keep the voucher code and other travel details handy as it will speed up the redemption.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Given below are some commonly asked questions and answers related to Air Canada’s travel vouchers:

E-vouchers are issued by mail while the other voucher can be received via the website.

Yes, the voucher amount is fully transferable.

It may take up to 3-4 business days to get this voucher after applying for it.

These vouchers do not have any expiry date.

Passengers can connect with the Air Canada representative to get travel vouchers.

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How to Use Your Air Canada Travel Voucher: A Step-by-Step Guide

Air Canada Travel Voucher: A Guide to Using Your Voucher

Air Canada travel vouchers are a great way to save money on your next flight. Whether you’re looking to book a new trip or simply extend your existing one, a travel voucher can help you get there without breaking the bank.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of using your Air Canada travel voucher, from redeeming it to booking your flight. We’ll also provide tips on how to get the most out of your voucher and make sure you’re getting the best possible deal.

So if you have an Air Canada travel voucher, read on to learn how to use it!

How to redeem an Air Canada travel voucher

Air Canada travel vouchers are a great way to save money on your next flight. They can be used for any flight operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, or Air Canada Express. You can also use them to purchase a gift card or merchandise from the Air Canada Store.

To redeem your travel voucher, simply enter the voucher number and PIN at checkout. You can do this online, by phone, or at the airport.

Here are the steps to redeem your travel voucher online:

1. Go to the Air Canada website and log in to your account. 2. Click on the “My Trips” tab and select the “Redeem Travel Voucher” link. 3. Enter the voucher number and PIN. 4. Select the flight you want to use your voucher for. 5. Click on the “Redeem” button.

Here are the steps to redeem your travel voucher by phone:

1. Call Air Canada customer service at 1-888-247-2262. 2. Provide the agent with your voucher number and PIN. 3. Select the flight you want to use your voucher for. 4. The agent will process your redemption and you will receive a confirmation number.

Here are the steps to redeem your travel voucher at the airport:

1. Go to the Air Canada check-in counter. 2. Present your voucher to the agent. 3. Select the flight you want to use your voucher for. 4. The agent will process your redemption and you will receive a boarding pass.

What can you use an Air Canada travel voucher for?

You can use your Air Canada travel voucher for any flight operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, or Air Canada Express. You can also use it to purchase a gift card or merchandise from the Air Canada Store.

Here are some of the things you can use your Air Canada travel voucher for:

• Flights to anywhere in the world
• Business class upgrades
• Gift cards for the Air Canada Store
• Merchandise from the Air Canada Store

If you have an unused travel voucher, be sure to redeem it soon. They expire after 12 months from the date of issue.

To learn more about Air Canada travel vouchers, please visit the Air Canada website.

How To Use Air Canada Travel Voucher?

Air Canada travel vouchers can be used to purchase flights, Aeroplan points, or gift cards. Here’s how to use your Air Canada travel voucher:

1. Log in to your Air Canada account. If you don’t have an account, you can create one here. 2. Click on the “Travel Vouchers” link in the “My Account” section. 3. Enter the number of your travel voucher and click “Redeem.” 4. Select the flight, Aeroplan points, or gift card you want to use your voucher for. 5. Click “Continue.” 6. Review your purchase and click “Confirm.”

Your travel voucher will be redeemed and applied to your purchase.

Note: You can only use one travel voucher per transaction. If you have multiple travel vouchers, you can combine them to make a larger purchase.

How long are Air Canada travel vouchers valid for?

Air Canada travel vouchers are valid for one year from the date of issue.

Note: If you don’t use your travel voucher within one year, it will expire and you will not be able to use it.

How to check the status of your Air Canada travel voucher

You can check the status of your Air Canada travel voucher by logging in to your Air Canada account.

1. Log in to your Air Canada account. If you don’t have an account, you can create one here. 2. Click on the “Travel Vouchers” link in the “My Account” section. 3. Your travel voucher will be listed under the “Active” tab.

The status of your travel voucher will be indicated as either “Active” or “Expired.”

Note: If your travel voucher is expired, you will not be able to use it.

Air Canada travel vouchers are a great way to save money on your next flight. They can be used to purchase flights, Aeroplan points, or gift cards. To use your travel voucher, simply log in to your Air Canada account and follow the instructions above.

If you have any questions about using your Air Canada travel voucher, you can contact Air Canada customer service.

How do I use my Air Canada travel voucher?

• To redeem your voucher, you must first create an Air Canada account. If you don’t already have one, you can create one at [aircanada.com/en/travel/booking/account/create.html](https://www.aircanada.com/en/travel/booking/account/create.html).
• Once you have created an account, log in and click on the “Travel Vouchers” tab.
• Enter the voucher number and PIN that were provided to you when you received the voucher.
• Select the flight you want to use your voucher for and click “Redeem.”
• Your voucher will be applied to the cost of your flight and the remaining balance will be refunded to your original payment method.

Can I use my voucher for any flight?

No, your voucher can only be used for flights operated by Air Canada or its Star Alliance partners.

Can I use my voucher for a flight that is more expensive than the original cost of my ticket?

Yes, you can use your voucher for a flight that is more expensive than the original cost of your ticket. However, you will need to pay the difference between the cost of the flight and the value of your voucher.

Can I use my voucher for a flight that is less expensive than the original cost of my ticket?

Yes, you can use your voucher for a flight that is less expensive than the original cost of your ticket. You will receive a refund for the difference between the cost of the flight and the value of your voucher.

How long is my voucher valid for?

Your voucher is valid for one year from the date it was issued.

What if I lose my voucher?

If you lose your voucher, you can contact Air Canada customer service and they will be able to help you replace it.

Can I transfer my voucher to someone else?

No, you cannot transfer your voucher to someone else.

Can I use my voucher for a flight that has a stopover?

Yes, you can use your voucher for a flight that has a stopover. However, you will need to pay the difference between the cost of the flight and the value of your voucher.

Can I use my voucher for a flight that is cancelled?

If your flight is cancelled, you can use your voucher for a new flight of equal or lesser value. You will not be able to receive a refund for your voucher.

Air Canada travel vouchers are a great way to save money on your next flight. They can be used for any flight operated by Air Canada, and they can be redeemed for any fare class. However, there are a few things you need to know before you use your voucher. First, you need to make sure that the voucher is valid. Second, you need to know how much the voucher is worth. Third, you need to know how to redeem the voucher. Once you know these things, you can use your Air Canada travel voucher to book your next flight and save money.

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How To Cancel an Air Canada Flight [Points or Cash Ticket]

Jarrod West

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Basic Economy Ticket

Non-refundable tickets, refundable ticket, award ticket, standard, lowest premium economy, and lowest business class fares, flex, comfort, latitude, flexible premium economy, and flexible business class tickets, same-day change, how to cancel a flight with air canada, how to use an air canada travel evoucher, final thoughts.

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At times, things happen that are outside of our control that can force us to cancel our travel plans. Unfortunately, the process of canceling a flight can be both expensive and complicated if you don’t know all of your options.

If you happened to book your flight with Air Canada and need to cancel, you’re in the right place! Here’s all the information you need to navigate their cancellation policy and determine what policies apply to your situation.

Air Canada’s Cancellation Policy: Flights Paid With Cash or Points

All customers have  24 hours  from the time of their original booking to cancel their reservation without being charged a  cancellation fee , regardless of the fare selected.

Cancellation Policy for flights between Canada and the U.S.

For cancellation policies of domestic Canada flights or flights between Canada and International destinations, visit here .

Air Canada will not allow you to cancel a basic economy ticket unless it is canceled within 24 hours from when it was purchased. However, there are some circumstances where you can cancel and request a refund if Air Canada changes your flight schedule by 2 hours or more, if you have military orders, or if you or your traveling companion dies.

Standard, Flex, and non-flexible business or premium economy fares are all categorized as non-refundable.

You will be charged a fee to cancel your ticket. The fee incurred will depend on the fare type you purchased. After you pay the fee, you can apply the unused value of your ticket toward a future trip as long as your new trip begins no later than 1 year from the ticket’s original issue date and you canceled the original ticket before the departure of the first flight.

Hot Tip: Non-refundable tickets can still be refunded in the event of the death of the passenger or passenger’s traveling companion or because of military orders. Supporting documentation is required.

Comfort, Latitude, and flexible premium economy or business fares are categorized as fully refundable. If you’ve purchased one of these tickets, cancellations can be made anytime before the departure of your flight, and the refund will be issued to your original credit card within 7 days (it should appear on your statement in 1-2 billing cycles).

If you’ve booked an award ticket with Air Canada and more than 24 hours have passed, the cancellation fee is $0 – $150 (depending on the fare type) for those who cancel via aeroplan.com and $0 – $175 (depending on the fare type) for those who cancel via an Aeroplan contact center.

Those with top-tier Altitude Super Elite 100k status with Air Canada will not be charged cancellation fees.

Hot Tip:  Looking for even more information about canceling award tickets? Explore our  guide on canceling award tickets , including information on over 30 carriers, to learn more.

Air Canada’s Flight Change Policy

As with cancellations, all customers will have  24 hours from their original booking to change their reservation without being charged a fee, regardless of the fare selected.

Air Canada does not allow flight changes for those with basic economy tickets after the initial 24-hour window.

For Standard, Lowest Premium Economy, and Lowest Business class fares, after the 24-hour window has passed, Air Canada charges a change fee of $100. You must pay the price difference if you’re changing to a more expensive option.

If you purchased a Flex, Comfort, Latitude, flexible premium economy, or flexible business class ticket, you can change your ticket without being charged any additional fee. You must pay the price difference if you’re changing to a more expensive option. If you’re changing to a cheaper flight, the difference in fare will be refunded to your original payment method.

If you need to make a change to your award ticket, you can do so up to 2 hours before the flight departs — but you will be charged a fee depending on the fare class. The fee is $100 per direction for all ticket types. Those with Altitude Super Elite 100k will not be charged a fee.

The Air Canada fees for same-day changes are as follows:

• Basic Economy: not permitted
• Standard Fares: $150 ($100 for routes between Toronto and JFK, LaGuardia, or Newark airports)
• Flex and Lowest Premium Economy Fares: $75
• Comfort, Latitude, Flexible Premium Economy, and Business Class: $0
• Award Tickets: $100 per direction for all ticket types (those with Altitude Super Elite 100k will not be charged a fee)

Step 1: Log into your account on Air Canada’s homepage and select Manage Bookings .

Step 2: Select the booking you wish to cancel and click the Cancel Booking link.

Step 3: Once you have confirmed and finalized your cancellation, a confirmation email will be sent to the email you provided at the time of booking, and you’ll receive a voucher for any remaining funds after any potential cancellation fees.

Electronic travel vouchers are issued in the form of an email. Within the letter is your 13-digit electronic travel voucher number. Vouchers are transferable, and you can transfer the total or partial value of your electronic travel voucher to another person by calling Air Canada Reservations when you are ready to make a new reservation.

You can redeem your electronic travel voucher when you complete a booking on the Air Canada website by selecting a voucher as your payment method on the payment screen and then entering the voucher number.

If you’re worried that you may need to cancel your flight and want to make sure you can get a refund, a refundable ticket will be your best option, albeit more expensive.

Having to  deal with canceling a flight  can be difficult enough as it is, but knowledge is power (as are  credit cards that provide compensation ). Be certain to review fare rules closely so that you know your options at the time of booking and if you need to cancel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if i cancel my air canada flight.

That depends on what fare type you’ve purchased and whether or not you’ve purchased a refundable ticket.

If you’ve purchased a basic economy ticket, you are not permitted to cancel the ticket for a refund after the 24-hour grace period from when your ticket was purchased.

If you have a non-refundable ticket type (Standard, Flex, Lowest Premium Economy, or Lowest Business), you will be required to pay a fee to cancel your ticket. The fee incurred will depend on the fare type you purchased. Afterward, you will receive the remainder of your fare, minus the fee, in the form of an eVoucher for use on a future Air Canada flight.

If you have a refundable ticket (Comfort, Latitude, and Flexible Premium Economy or Business) you can cancel anytime before the departure of your flight and you will be reimbursed to your original method of payment.

Can I cancel an Air Canada flight within 24 hours?

Yes, all customers will have  24 hours from their original booking to cancel their reservation without being charged a cancellation fee, regardless of the fare selected.

What happens if you cancel a non-refundable flight?

To cancel a non-refundable ticket, you will be required to pay a fee to cancel your ticket. The fee incurred will depend on the fare type you purchased. The remaining fare will be given to you as an eVoucher for future use on an Air Canada flight.

When do Air Canada eVouchers expire?

Your eVoucher will expire exactly 1 year after its issue date.

Will Air Canada waive my cancellation fees?

A waiver of fees really will depend on your reason for canceling the flight. If it’s due to an immediate family member’s death, sickness, or military orders, Air Canada may waive your cancellation fees, but they may ask for proof.

If you believe you have a legitimate reason to have your cancellation fees waived, then it never hurts to call and ask!

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About Jarrod West

Boasting a portfolio of over 20 cards, Jarrod has been an expert in the points and miles space for over 6 years. He earns and redeems over 1 million points per year and his work has been featured in outlets like The New York Times.

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Do you have a travel voucher issued during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic? Check the expiry date

Peter Szperling CTV News Ottawa Multi-Skilled Journalist

@ctvpeter Contact

OTTAWA -- As the COVID-19 vaccine slowly rolls out, many areas remain hotspots, with non-essential travel discouraged.

That leaves anyone who did not travel during last winter’s break possibly holding on to an airline voucher, which they are currently not using.

The start of March Break 2020 is when many in Ottawa first started to become nervous about the pandemic; with the Federal Government advising against travel, many cancelled their winter break getaway.

"We were heading out to Alberta to visit family, just as COVID hit; we were heading out for the March Break, and so had to cancel,” says Joanne Brooks. She, like many, decided to stay home.

"I cancelled because of COVID, and the only option was a travel bank.“

That credit with the airline was set to expire early this year; and, as with many others - Brooks has no plans to travel until she thinks it’s safe to do so.

"I’m absolutely not; the numbers for COVID are high and they’re rising; I really feel that it’s imperative to stay in place," said Brooks.

Which is why she was happy to receive an email from her airline Thursday with news about her vouchers.

"It will automatically be extended for another 365 days; so, that’s great news - it just means that there’s a little bit of a breather and you can safely think about travelling in 2022," said Brooks.

If you have a credit voucher for a cancelled trip, now might be the time to confirm if there is an expiry date.

Air Canada, WestJet, and Transat tell CTV News Ottawa they either are extending expiry dates or have removed them all together, and refunds might be an option from some as well. Sunwing did not respond to CTV News Ottawa's request for comment.

If you’re not sure about your expiry dates, Brooks has some good advice for you - contact your airline or travel agent.

"It’s really good to be proactive, to reach out and ask; then lobby for yourself if you don’t get the response you want.”

Here is a look at the statements to CTV News from the airlines

Air Canada :

"Customers can request their Future Travel Credit (FTC – which expires after 2 years and is not transferrable) be converted to an Air Canada Travel Voucher (ACTV) which never expires and is transferrable. All customers with an FTC can select an ACTV (or Aeroplan Miles with a 65 per cent bonus). Any customer can request their FTC be transferred to ACTV.”

“WestJet has consistently provided our guests with options when their travel has been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Our guests can rebook flights with no change fee or obtain vouchers for the full value of their flight. As a result of this crisis, WestJet has extended its vouchers so that they can be used for up to 24 months and can be transferred to another WestJet Reward’s account upon request," said WestJet.

"WestJet announced Oct. 21 it would begin providing refunds for all travellers, regardless of fare class booked where WestJet initiated the cancellation. This move made WestJet the most progressive and proactive airline with respect to our refund policies and we remain the only national airline in Canada to provide refunds across all fare types for flights cancelled by WestJet. We continue to focus on expediting those refunds as promptly as possible."

"In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, all the travel credits that have been given to our customers following the cancellation of their flight have no expiry date and are fully transferable."

Air Canada planes sit on the tarmac at Pearson International airport during the COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

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Canadian Transportation Agency says travel vouchers OK for cancelled flights as U.S., EU mandate refunds

Some canadians were promised refunds but got travel credit instead.

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While the Canadian Transportation Agency states airlines only have to offer passengers travel vouchers for cancelled flights due to the COVID-19 pandemic, both the European Union and the U.S. have declared that — under their rules — passengers are entitled to refunds.

"Canadians should have the same rights to get their refund," said passenger Olinda Vieira of Toronto. Although Sunwing initially promised her family a refund after cancelling their March 17 trip to Cuba, the airline issued a credit for future travel instead, she said.

"In my view, they're keeping [my money] hostage."

Vieira is one of dozens passengers who  complained to CBC News after receiving a credit or voucher instead of a refund for flights cancelled by Canadian airlines during the pandemic. 

• INTERACTIVE |  How Canada compares with other countries at flattening the curve

Due to a huge decline in air travel, airlines worldwide have been forced to cancel many flights or, in some cases, suspend operations entirely.

On March 18, the European Commission clarified that airlines must offer refunds for cancelled flights, as laid out in its EU passenger rights regulations . 

On April 3, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) also  o rdered airlines to offer refunds  during the pandemic. 

"The obligation of airlines to provide refunds … does not cease when the flight disruptions are outside of the carrier's control," said DOT in a statement .

Canadian airlines affected

DOT said its rules also apply to foreign airlines cancelling flights to and from the U.S. That means a Canadian airline cancelling a round-trip flight from, say, Toronto to Miami must offer passengers full refunds. 

According to EU rules , Canadian airlines cancelling flights departing from Europe, including the U.K., must offer up refunds. 

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'Wind observations vital to weather forecasting.'

On their websites, major Canadian airlines Air Canada , WestJet , Air Transat and Sunwing state they're currently providing credit for cancelled flights which must be redeemed within 24 months. 

CBC News asked all four airlines if they will issue refunds for flights that fall under U.S. and EU rules.

Only Sunwing responded, saying only its cancelled flights to Florida are affected, and that it's waiting on advice from its U.S. lawyers on how to proceed.

Air passenger rights expert Christian Nielsen said airlines are obligated to pay up, but because their revenues have plummeted during the pandemic, passengers may face difficulty collecting refunds under EU and U.S. rules at this time.

• Car insurer Allstate offering customers 15% discounts during COVID-19 lockdown

"Remember that you have this right to a refund and claim it a little later when that airline's cash situation improves," suggests Nielsen, chief legal officer with AirHelp, a company that pursues compensation claims for passengers for a fee. 

Passengers can also file a complaint with DOT or a European enforcement body for EU passenger rights. 

CTA says it's striking a balance

The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA)  issued its position on March 25 , stating airlines only need to provide travel vouchers for flights cancelled due to the pandemic. 

The airline watchdog said that Canada's air passenger regulations — which cover flights to, from and within Canada — only require that airlines ensure passengers complete their trip for flight cancellations caused by reasons outside of their control.

The agency said in an email to CBC News that its position "strikes a balance" between passengers' rights and airlines, which are suffering financially during the pandemic. 

But passenger Vieira said she feels her rights have been violated because Sunwing initially committed to refunding her cancelled $3,413 March vacation package for herself and two family members. On March 16, the family also saw a message Sunwing posted to Instagram — since deleted — saying that it was issuing refunds.

On the same day, the airline  announced in a news release that passengers whose flights were cancelled "will be eligible for a full cash refund." 

Even so, Vieira never got a refund. Instead, she said she learned on March 30 that Sunwing was now offering only travel credits.

"They're going back on their word," she said. "It's very concerning that during these times ... they're trying to keep people's money."

We had to make adjustments

Sunwing had to adjust its policy due to "changing circumstances," said spokesperson Jacqueline Grossman in an email to CBC News. 

"We understand that some customers would have preferred a refund, but are confident that during the next two years they will be able to take the flights or vacations they had planned."

Grossman added that Sunwing's policy is in line with other Canadian airlines and the CTA's statement approving credit for cancelled flights.

• Go Public Why many passengers grounded by COVID-19 aren't getting refunds for cancelled flights

But passenger rights expert Nielsen argues that the agency's position isn't an official ruling on the matter.

"It's not legally binding on consumers," he said. "You could take it further — and we actually see a class action already."

In late March, a proposed class-action lawsuit  targeting Canada's major airlines was filed in federal court,  alleging breach of contract  for not offering refunds for cancelled trips. The suit has to be certified by a judge before it can proceed.

The CTA declined to comment on the proposed lawsuit and said its current position "provides guidance in a situation without precedent."

The agency added that dissatisfied passengers can file a complaint with the CTA. Vieira's family has done just that. 

However, the family may have to wait a while. The CTA  has suspended its complaint operations  until June 30 to focus on more urgent matters during the pandemic. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Business reporter

Based in Toronto, Sophia Harris covers consumer and business for CBC News web, radio and TV. She previously worked as a CBC videojournalist in the Maritimes where she won an Atlantic Journalism Award for her work. Contact: [email protected]

• @sophiaharrisCBC

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Could anyone advise me what to do next? I’ve been awaiting my travel voucher for five months, made many calls, been told they were sent on 4th June, didn’t receive email now given wife’s email and still waiting, has anyone else had this delay ?

I’m in the same situation. I have been waiting 7 months. Emailed several different departments and talked to an agent without success. I’m ready to start contacting media and government agencies.

Oh maybe I got a lot longer to wait! I haven’t emailed as I can’t find a email address to contact?

small claims court if no further response

I have been waiting three months for my voucher. I contacted them by email a few times, their phone line is not accessible. I sent them a final notice. They replied to me via email like 2 weeks after receiving my notice to confirm my voucher request would be taken care of somehow. A week after that, since i did not receive anything i filed with the small claims court and i am suing for my money back and additional damages.

Great news Robin.. taking them to task. You will win, and ask for the cash back and not vouchers or coupons. I haven't heard of anyone losing in small claims court against them.

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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I have some travel vouchers from last year, and see that air canada have now made these with no expiry date, and fully transferable. I have not managed to find out, not without trying, what exactly does fully transferable mean?

I cannot use these vouchers as i now have no reason to travel on air canada. two members of my family however are planning a trip to canada in 2022. They could use these vouchers if this is allowed but despite all my messages to air canada, have never managed to get a response.

Is there anyone out there that has used their voucher to book a ticket for a person, different from the one on the original ticket. Or does fully transferable mean something else entirely!!

After all , what would you do if you took advice from here which turned out to be incorrect and you lost out - would you complaint on the basis that somebody on TripAdvisor said you could?

Post the question on AC's social media accounts. You might get an answer.

I have read, several times, the booking conditions on the website, and sure enough it says fully transferable. With no explanation as to what that actually means. My assumption would be that you can give them to someone else to use, if you can't use them yourself, but I really don't know for sure.

Fortunately, this is not an issue at the minute since nobody is going anywhere, but may be relevent in the future. Maybe by that time, the airlines will have redeployed the staff that can't fly, to responding to customers who want to get in touch.

I always like testing these theories.

So just called AC(888-247-2262) and spoke to a rep. He stated that the transferable vouchers can be "used under any passenger's name".

Entire call took under 3 minutes.

Wow you were lucky. Sadly I don't have access to 888 numbers. Maybe they have fewer staff on their UK operation. Still, now I have the answer so my post on here was successful. Thank you for your efforts on my behalf.

And my family member now has the confidence to know if he can't use these vouchers, then I can.

Have a look at https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4948617/dialing-an-888-toll-free-number-from-the-uk Janet - it is worth a try if you want to contact them

The moneysavingexpert website is extremely useful, for all kinds of things. I'll keep a note because there is going to be a time when we'll probably have to contact Air Canada whether it's to book the original travellers or different ones. It may be that it's easier to get them to answer the phone at the Canada end that at the GB end.

This is not a theory. The toll free numbers 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888 are only available in the US and Canada. No one in the UK will have any access to them.

It's a shame that it's difficult for people in the UK not to be able to access the numbers that will get you through to the US/Canadian telephone system. I personally had dreadful problems getting them to answer the number we have to use here in the UK. However, this was a while ago, ? maybe they have improved their telephone access now. One thing is for sure, I will find out when the time comes to contact them.

Meantime, thanks to posting on here, I do know the answer to the question I wanted to ask! For that I am appreiative.

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• One flight with BA or two with Emirates - what would you do? 00:13
• Swiss air short transfer 00:08
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How Does the Air Canada Annual Worldwide Companion Pass Work?

The Air Canada Annual Worldwide Companion Pass is granted upon meeting a certain spending threshold on the premium Aeroplan credit cards.

In this article, let’s take a look at how the Annual Worldwide Companion Pass works and how to redeem it for maximum value along your travels.

Annual Worldwide Companion Pass: The Rules

In this article, we’ll refer to the Annual Worldwide Companion Pass as simply the “Companion Pass” for short.

(Note that this should be distinguished from the Air Canada Buddy Pass , which was a similar but ultimately separate product.)

The Companion Pass allows a second passenger to travel on a discounted base fare when the first passenger pays full price for an Air Canada economy class ticket to anywhere in the world. The following rules govern its use:

• Canada or the United States (excluding Hawaii): $99 (CAD)  base fare
• Hawaii, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean: $299 (CAD) base fare
• South America, Europe, Middle East, and Africa: $499 (CAD) base fare
• Asia, Australia, and New Zealand: $599 (CAD)  base fare
• It can be redeemed on one-way or round-trip flights (although there is no residual value if used on a one-way flight).
• It can be redeemed on an Economy Standard, Flex, Comfort, or Latitude fare.
• It must be redeemed on flights marketed and operated by Air Canada only, and cannot be used on codeshare flights or itineraries involving partner airlines.  
• It must be redeemed on revenue fares only, and cannot be used in conjunction with an Aeroplan award. 
• There are no blackout dates or other usage restrictions; the Companion Pass can be redeemed on any Air Canada flights on any date of the year.
• It will be deposited into your Aeroplan account up to 10 weeks after your cardholder renewal date (more on this below), and it will have a one-year validity period from that date.
• During the validity period, the Companion Pass can be used to book flights over the upcoming one-year period, meaning that a Companion Pass can effectively be used to book travel within a two-year period from the day it’s earned.

The Annual Worldwide Companion Pass must be redeemed in its original form for a set of Air Canada flights with at least two passengers on the booking within the validity period, or you’ll lose it.  

Which Credit Cards Offer the Annual Worldwide Companion Pass?

The Companion Pass is offered as a threshold benefit upon spending $25,000 in a membership year on one of the four Aeroplan premium credit cards.

As noted above, the Companion Pass gets deposited into your Aeroplan account “up to 10 weeks after your cardholder renewal date”, which means that you may need to pay a second year’s annual fee before receiving the Companion Pass in the “Benefits” section of your Aeroplan account.

However, there are mixed data points among Aeroplan premium cardholders that they’ve seen the Companion Pass deposited into their accounts soon after they reach the $25,000 (CAD) spending threshold.  

It appears to be mostly down to luck or chance, and you don’t exactly have recourse to call in and ask for a Companion Pass to be expedited, since the terms do say it can take up to 10 weeks after your renewal date.  

Among the three issuers, American Express is the only one that provides a progress tracker in the monthly statements for your $25,000 spending threshold. With the TD and CIBC Visa Infinite Privilege cards, you’ll have to keep track on your own.  

Maximizing the Annual Worldwide Companion Pass

The logic behind maximizing the Annual Worldwide Companion Pass is the same as any other companion voucher-style product: the more the first passenger pays, the more savings the second passenger gets.  

The value proposition increases proportionally to your willingness to spend. From a user’s perspective, these types of offerings can be very useful if you’re willing to spend a fair bit of cash on flights in the first place.

On the other hand, the upside is more limited if you’re looking to minimize your out-of-pocket spending and get as much as you can for “free”.

That’s especially because you’re still on the hook for taxes and fuel surcharges that may comprise a significant chunk of an economy ticket, given the price of fuel these days.

Still, if you’ve earned a Companion Pass, you may as well give some thought as to how to extract maximum value from it rather than letting it expire unused. Let’s take a look at some of your options.  

Travel in Peak Season or Last-Minute

When travelling during off-season, fares will often be cheap enough that redeeming the Companion Pass makes very little sense.

For example, consider this off-season, round-trip fare from Toronto to Dublin, whose base fare is $205 (CAD) on Economy Standard. In this case, you’re wasting your Companion Pass because the base fare of $205 (CAD) is lower than the $499 (CAD) flat-rate base fare you’re supposed to pay.

On the other hand, fares tend to skyrocket if you’re travelling during peak season or on a last-minute basis. Again, the more the first passenger pays, the more the second passenger saves.

While you’d never choose to pay more than you need to, if you simply must travel (as tends to be the case for those who do travel during peak season or who embark on last-minute trips), the Companion Pass could save you a good chunk on the second passenger’s fare.  

Take, for example, a teacher who plans vacations around the school year. If they want to maximize their time away, they’d often end up paying very high cash fares.

In the example below, a round-trip base fare from Toronto to Mexico City during Christmas break is $1,266 (CAD), but the second passenger would pay only $299 (CAD) plus taxes and surcharges with a Companion Pass, thus saving the household $967 (CAD) . 

Or consider a Toronto-based couple who needs to travel to Amsterdam this coming weekend for a family emergency. Since only Economy Flex fares are available, the round-trip base fare is $1,480 (CAD).

Applying the Companion Pass, the second passenger would only pay $499 (CAD) plus taxes and surcharges, saving $981 (CAD) on this unexpected expense.  

Indeed, if you don’t have any better uses for your Companion Pass, then keeping it around for some big savings in case of unexpected last-minute trips can be a solid backup strategy.  

Which Region Is the Best Value?

You’ll notice that different parts of the world come with different base fares under the Companion Pass. We can ask the question of which region might be most valuable for redeeming the Companion Pass by taking a rough estimate of Air Canada fares around the world and comparing them to the discounted base fares.

First off, for Canada and the US, you can easily find something that would exceed the $99 (CAD) round-trip base fare of the Companion Pass, especially for longer, transcontinental flights.

For example, a round-trip base fare for a transcontinental Toronto–Los Angeles flight is typically around $200–300 (CAD) .

But often, especially for competitive routes served by ultra-low-cost carriers, the round-trip base fare ends up being too low for a Companion Pass to result to substantial savings.

For Central America and the Caribbean, Air Canada’s round-trip base fares from its major hubs tend to fall in the vicinity of $500–700 (CAD) non-peak times.

Compared to a discounted base fare of $299 (CAD), your savings might land in the region of $200–400 (CAD). That’s not insignificant, but the savings might be more meaningful with long-haul flights.

Looking at South America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, base fares to these regions tend to price out at around $900–1,100 (CAD)  during non-peak times.

Compared to a discounted base fare of $499 (CAD), you’d save about $400–600 (CAD)  depending on the exact flight.  

Finally, with the sheer size of Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, there tends to be much greater variance in terms of the average fares to different destinations.

Vancouver–Seoul can be booked for as little as $1,000 (CAD) all-in, meaning that your $599 (CAD) discounted base fare wouldn’t be discounted by all that much.

Meanwhile, Toronto–Delhi regularly sells for $1,500–1,900 (CAD) round-trip, making it an excellent use of the Companion Pass that can unlock $1,000+ (CAD)  in value without even applying any of the more advanced strategies.

On paper, the Asia, Australia, and New Zealand region unlocks the greatest value for the Annual Worldwide Companion Pass, even though its base fare is the highest – and that’s very much in keeping with the nature of the product itself.  

Book Higher Fare Categories

With the above exercise, we’ve taken into account the cheapest fare categories in economy class to each destination.

However, since the Companion Pass can be redeemed for any economy class flight, it would fetch higher value if you’re in the habit of booking Flex or Comfort fares – perhaps for Aeroplan Elite Status considerations.

After all, Flex, Comfort, and Latitude fares earn significantly more Status Qualifying Miles (SQM) and Status Qualifying Segments (SQS) compared to Basic and Standard fares (100%+ of the distance flown vs. 25%).

If, say, both you and your spouse are looking to climb the status ranks, a Companion Pass can help you save a good chunk on the Flex or higher fares, reducing the out-of-pocket spend required to earn status. 

Even if you’re a solo flyer who books Flex fares or higher for status purposes, you could team up with a fellow Aeroplan Elite Status member on an end-of-year mileage run to Europe or Asia, while splitting the savings that you get from the Companion Pass.

However, keep in mind that these strategies would be most useful if you’re pursuing SQM/SQS more than Status Qualifying Dollars (SQD), since the Companion Pass will naturally reduce the SQD earned by the second passenger. 

Use eUpgrades for Premium Economy or Business Class

That brings us to the final way to boost your value from the Companion Pass: use the voucher to book two Latitude Economy fares at a heavily discounted rate for the second passenger, and then apply Air Canada eUpgrades to fly in premium economy or business class instead.  

Consider a couple who wants to fly business class from Montreal to London for a week in September. The cheapest business class fare clocks in at $6,384 (CAD) round-trip, so it would be $12,768 (CAD) for two passengers.  

Let’s imagine both travellers have earned Aeroplan 25K status, and therefore hold 25 eUpgrade credits in each of their accounts.

That gives them enough eUpgrades to confirm an instant upgrade from Economy (Latitude) to business class on both legs of their journey, which would cost 11 eUpgrade credits per person per direction based on the eUpgrades chart.

The Latitude Economy fare is $3,730 (CAD). When applying the Companion Pass, the first passenger would pay this fare in full, whereas the second passenger would pay a $499 (CAD) discounted base fare plus $909 (CAD) in taxes and fees.

The total all-in pricing for both passengers is $3,730 + $499 + $909 = $5,138 (CAD), allowing them to save a whopping $7,630 (CAD) on their round-trip business class flights.

Now, you might be wondering: couldn’t the couple simply redeem Aeroplan points for their flights instead, and avoid paying a meaningful sum of cash, let alone $5,138 (CAD)?

Here’s the picture when it comes to redeeming Aeroplan points for the same flights. Immediately, we see that Air Canada’s dynamic pricing has reared its ugly head on the direct outbound flight (as it often does these days), making it a non-starter if you’re looking to get good value from your points.

Well, we could still adopt the “Latitude Attitude” , redeem Aeroplan points for Latitude Economy, and apply eUpgrades to that booking, right?

Indeed, this would cost 121,100 Aeroplan points + $478 (CAD)  per person for the round-trip.

But if we calculate the value on this redemption compared to a $5,138 (CAD) cash fare for two passengers, we end up with a redemption value of 1.73 cents per point (cpp).

That’s not bad, but not great either – in fact, it falls short of our target valuation of 2.1 cpp (CAD) for Aeroplan points .

Unless you had more Aeroplan points that you could spend, it might be a better idea here to pay $5,138 for the Latitude Economy flights using the Companion Pass and apply eUpgrades to confirm a business class seat.

Then, you could save your 242,200 Aeroplan points for a more powerful future use – perhaps on a partner airline, where the fixed pricing tends to result in higher redemption values and the Companion Pass wouldn’t be applicable anyway.

Of course, this conclusion also assumes that you’d choose to pay $5,138 (CAD) for business class seats in the first place, rather than accepting a seat in economy class on this trip or not taking the trip at all.

Again, we’re back to the central principle: the Companion Pass will be a lot more useful for those who are willing to spend some cash in pursuit of elevated travel, rather than those who are looking to keep their expenses to a bare minimum.  

What’s the Value of the Annual Worldwide Companion Pass?

With the above in mind, can we pin down a valuation for the Annual Worldwide Companion Pass? On average, across all use cases, how much is this benefit worth?

While it’s always a fun thought exercise to nail down a specific valuation, I think it’d be more meaningful to consider two valuations depending on the type of traveller: those who wouldn’t be averse to paying a few thousand dollars for the comfort and convenience of Air Canada business class flights, and those who’d scoff at the idea and suck it up in economy.

In the former case, the possibility of applying eUpgrades to a Latitude Economy booking can unlock significant value as outlined above.

Given the dollar savings against purchasing a business class fare directly, as well as the flexibility to save Aeroplan points for future trips by using a Companion Pass to outperform a “Latitude Attitude” points booking, it’s fair to peg the fair value of the Companion Pass at a minimum of $1,000 (CAD).

For the latter type of traveller, the thought of parting ways with a few grand in cash for business class flights just doesn’t sit right. They’d rather follow a defined strategy of using points for business class and paying cash for economy.  

In this case, it’d be fair to value the Companion Pass somewhere in the region of $500 (CAD). As we saw, any long-haul flight outside of North America can realistically unlock this valuation, while flights to Air Canada’s most distant destinations can easily achieve higher value.  

With these two valuations in mind, we’re looking at a rough Return on Spend of either 4% or 2% on the $25,000 (CAD) spending needed to earn the Companion Pass in the first place.  

If you’re the type of traveller who isn’t averse to paying for a business class flight here and there, and who engages with Aeroplan enough to earn eUpgrades through elite status, you’ll get much more out of the Companion Pass than someone who’s purely treating it as an incremental benefit.  

And since this is a threshold reward on the premium Aeroplan credit cards after all, that’s probably the way the Companion Pass was intended to be.  

The Air Canada Annual Worldwide Companion Pass provides another avenue towards expanding your travel possibilities, allowing you to book a second passenger for a fixed based fare when you pay full price for the first passenger.

In general, the more you spend on Air Canada cash fares, the more benefit you’ll get out of the Annual Worldwide Companion Pass. If you have eUpgrades at your disposal, you can also use it to unlock a pathway towards discounted business class tickets as a duo. 

The benefit is cleverly designed to reward high-end travellers and Aeroplan Elite Status members with the greatest value, and in that respect, it’s very much a fitting spend-based perk on the premium Aeroplan credit cards.

• Earn 80,000 MR points upon spending $15,000 in the first three months
• Plus, earn  40,000 MR points  upon making a purchase in months 14–17 as a cardholder
• And, earn 1.25x MR points on all purchases
• Also, receive a $200 annual travel credit
• Transfer MR points to Aeroplan and other frequent flyer programs for premium flights
• Unlimited airport lounge access for you and one guest at Priority Pass, Plaza Premium, Centurion, and other lounges
• Credits and rebates for business expenses throughout the year with Amex Offers
• Bonus MR points for referring family and friends
• Qualify for the card as a sole proprietor
• Annual fee: $799

17 Comments

Great Article Ricky! Mostly validated my current use if AC-CP for Status + Latitude/Attitude. QUESTION? I have VISA Infinite Privilege but considering adding AMEX Aeroplan Reserve. Does anybody have both & receive 2 x Companion Passes or does AC/Aeroplan given anybody grief over the double up?

You also should factor in the hefty annual fee of about $599 , to see if it makes sense to keep card just to get companion pass deposited. By the time you factor in the annual fee and base fares, its kinda not worth it.

Guessing you can’t combine the companion pass along with paying with points on a flight?

For the Amex Aeroplan Reserve, do you have any data points on if you spend the $25K earlier you receive the Annual Companion Pass earlier (i.e. 8-10 weeks after you hit the $25K threshold vs. 8-10 weeks after the card anniversary date, which may be much longer)?

I have a TD infinite privilege card and am a 35K member and can’t seem to find ANY flights that could apply for my companion pass on Air Canada’s web site… tried different dates, different destinations… anyone else having a hard time being able to redeem this benefit? Thanks

Can you earn 2 passes for $50k spend or 3 for $75k etc?

Nope, one per card per year.

I may have missed this, but if your Pass is close to the expiry date, can you book a flight with it that would occur past that expiry date?

For example – Airfare for 2 to LHR. Expiry Date would be August 31st, 2021, but we’d like to travel in October 2022.

Booking must be made before the Companion Pass expiry date; travel may occur after the Companion Pass expiry date subject to flight schedule availability at the time of booking.

From: https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/aeroplan/credit-cards/companion-pass.html

Great review of this benefit – thank you. As regards the Progress Tracker for the CIBC card, I use the “CIBC CreditSmart Spend Report – Year to Date” as my calculator since it is a new card this year. Based on your analysis, I will keep the Companion Pass on hand for emergency/last minute travel when it loads into my account. I appreciate the Latitude Attitude reminder in your article to extract max value from a benefit that in my mind was geared only towards Economy Class travel. Now I see the benefit in a new light. And if I’m in the E-Upgrade window for booking this last minute flight, maybe I can even book in a lower fare class and still get instant upgrade confirmation.

That’s a great shout Richard!

Keep in mind that if you’re already spending $10k for the status promo, it’s only $15k more which yields a slightly higher return on spending.

The T&C for annual companion pass states…

“The pass may not be used with premium cabin fares, or in conjunction with Aeroplan flight rewards, Flight Pass, group travel bookings, Air Canada Vacations bookings, or any other discounts or promotion codes.”

Applying eUpgrade is not considered as Aeroplan flight rewards? If so, then can we upgrade the companion ticket with points (to business) instead of using eUpgrade?

Does the companion pass cover Carrier Surcharges? (e.g. the london itinerary posted in the “Travel in Peak Season or Last-Minute” section has a carrier surcharge of $450 as part of the Air transportation charges & not the taxes).

I’ve read the T&Cs but they state: “The Companion Pass entitles a companion to accompany the primary cardholder for a fixed base fare (plus taxes, fees, charges, and surcharges)…”

Bit of a head-scratcher that one.

Just got my companion pass. That carrier surcharge is not covered under the pass so the pass is greatly devalued in my eyes.

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The Guide to Air Canada Wi-Fi

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Table of Contents

Does Air Canada have Wi-Fi?

How much is wi-fi on air canada, does air canada have free wi-fi, how to save on air canada wi-fi costs using credit cards, how to connect to air canada wi-fi, if you want to connect to air canada wi-fi.

For some travelers, staying connected in the air is essential to flying. Whether you respond to business emails before arrival or keep up to date with your social networks, Air Canada generally offers some level of Wi-Fi access, depending on your flight details.

If you're planning an Air Canada trip soon, here’s what you should know about in-flight Air Canada Wi-Fi.

» Learn more: The points collector’s guide to Air Canada Aeroplan

All Air Canada Rouge (Air Canada's low-cost subsidiary) customers can access high-speed Wi-Fi during their flight. Premium Rogue customers can enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, while economy customers have Wi-Fi available for purchase.

Air Canada is working on growing its Wi-Fi capable aircraft. Currently, the carrier offers Gogo-equipped Wi-Fi, but connectivity is limited to certain North American and international flights.

Nearly all of Air Canada’s wide-body planes have streaming-quality Wi-Fi and most of Air Canada’s narrow-body aircraft are also equipped with Wi-Fi.

The exception is the 737 MAX 8 (7M8) fleet, where connectivity is still in progress. As of this writing, just 25% of Air Canada’s 737 MAX 8 (7M8) aircraft have Wi-Fi connectivity.

You can check if Air Canada in-flight Wi-Fi is available on an aircraft before booking your flight. Simply check that the Wi-Fi logo is present in the flight details to confirm that the aircraft is Wi-Fi connected. Keep in mind that you’ll need to verify in-flight Wi-Fi for each flight on a multi-leg trip.

Additionally, you can use the Air Canada Wi-Fi tool on the airline’s website to check if your upcoming flight has Wi-Fi access. You can check this detail using your flight number and departure date, or using your flight route and departure date.

» Learn more: Getting elite status on Air Canada with the Aeroplan credit card

Air Canada passengers can pre-purchase one of three Wi-Fi pass options or purchase a pass at in-air pricing — possibly at a higher cost — after boarding. The pass options include:

Air Canada 1-Hour Pass $4.77 ($6.50 CAD). Offers one continuous hour of Wi-Fi access during the flight.

Air Canada 1-Way Pass $15.41 ($21.00 CAD). Offers internet connectivity during the entire length of your flight.

Air Canada Monthly Plan $48.40 ($65.95 CAD). A monthly subscription for internet access on all Air Canada Wi-Fi capable aircraft between Canada, U.S., and Mexico.

With a pass you can browse the internet, check email, scroll updates on social media and send text messages via Wi-Fi. However, in-flight Air Canada Wi-Fi doesn’t support Voice Service and Voice over IP.

Air Canada’s Aeroplan loyalty program offers complimentary Wi-Fi access for its 75K Status and Super Elite Aeroplan members. Specifically, this benefit offers a 12-month plan for Gogo Wi-Fi for up to five devices. Only one device can be logged into in-flight Wi-Fi at a time.

Additionally, Aeroplan members have access to free texting. To access this complimentary feature, members must add their Aeroplan number to their booking information before checking in to the flight.

Unfortunately, Air Canada’s Aeroplan® Credit Card doesn’t offer free or discounted Wi-Fi access as a travel benefit. However, one way to cover all or part of the cost of Wi-Fi is through a travel rewards credit card.

If you carry a card that provides an annual travel credit you haven’t claimed yet, you can subsidize the cost of a Wi-Fi pass using your card’s benefit. Some credit cards that offer travel credit that can be applied to in-flight Wi-Fi charges include:

on American Express' website

on Bank of America's website

on Chase's website

Up to $200 annually with your preferred airline. Enrollment required. Terms apply.

Up to $100 annually.

$300 annual statement credit for travel purchases.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Once comfortably in your seat, you can connect to Wi-Fi on Air Canada flights in three simple steps.

Go to “Settings” on your mobile device. Set your device to “Airplane mode” and turn on Wi-Fi. 

Select “ACWiFi.com” to connect to the airline’s Wi-Fi network.

Launch your browser and go to “acwifi.com” and follow the instructions from there.

If you need technical support during your flight, select “Wi-Fi Onboard” for assistance from Air Canada’s Wi-Fi service provider.

Unless you have 75K or Super Elite Aeroplan status, chances are Air Canada Wi-Fi will cost you. You might be able to save a few bucks by purchasing your pass ahead of time if you’re sure you’ll need to be connected.

The good news is the airline is focusing its efforts on getting free in-flight Air Canada Wi-Fi for all its passengers in the future. It’s testing out “full, fast and free” Wi-Fi for its regional flights and plans on expanding that to its other customers.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

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Help! Air Canada Ruined Our Trip to Ireland but Won’t Take the Blame.

A Minnesota couple’s vacation fell apart after a jet bridge accident and a code-share snafu led to two nights of failed connections.

By Seth Kugel

Dear Tripped Up,

Last September, my husband and I left our kids with their grandparents and set off to Ireland. Our $2,132 itinerary took us from Minneapolis to Toronto to Dublin on tickets booked on United Airlines through Expedia but ultimately operated by Air Canada, a United partner. We had boarded our connecting flight in Toronto (and I was already dozing in my seat) when the captain announced an operator had crashed the jet bridge into the starboard engine. We were given hotel vouchers and told we would be rebooked for the next day. Checkout time came and went without a word, so we went to the airport and were told to call Air Canada customer service. An agent booked us a flight for that evening, and we printed out boarding passes at an airport kiosk. But when we tried to board, we were told the boarding passes were invalid. Eventually, we were offered two options for the next day: Fly to Dublin via Newark, or return to Minneapolis. We cut our losses and went home after staying the night in Toronto at a hotel. But United refunded us only $1,087, barely half of what we paid. Air Canada did reimburse us for the second hotel and other expenses, but we believe the airlines owe us not only a full refund, but also 400 Canadian each ($295 apiece) under Canadian law for denied boarding. Both refused. Can you help? Michelle, Edina, Minn.

Dear Michelle,

I found the 58-page dossier you sent along with your story to be quite convincing. (It also convinced me that either you or your husband is a lawyer, which turns out to be true.)

I skipped over Expedia, since your trip had already started, and reached out to United and Air Canada — as you flew on an airline’s partner, it’s a code share arrangement. A spokeswoman for United, Erin Jankowski, quickly sent me a statement noting that the refund you received from United was as per Air Canada’s instructions and referred all other questions to it.

Air Canada, on the other hand, took almost two weeks to get back to me, and its response was underwhelming.

“Our records indicate these customers were not denied boarding in Toronto,” wrote Peter Fitzpatrick, a spokesman for the airline. “Instead, it appears that following the cancellation of their original flight to Ireland they opted to return to Minneapolis from Toronto rather than go to Dublin following the delay. Once that was identified, we did rebook the customers on a flight back to Minneapolis.”

No compensation, no word on the $1,045 still missing from your refund and no explanation as to how you were turned away at the gate for your second flight and yet “not denied boarding.”

Air Canada did offer you and your husband a credit worth 1,200 Canadian dollars toward a future flight, Mr. Fitzpatrick wrote to me, “to account for the impact on their travel plans and experience.”

There was no response to my direct question asking why your boarding passes did not work the second night. In fact, it isn’t even clear from Mr. Fitzpatrick’s initial statement that Air Canada believed you even tried to board, despite the boarding passes you included in the dossier sent to me and the two airlines.

I wrote back with more pointed questions, thanks to what I learned after reading up on the Canadian Transportation Agency’s air passenger protection regulations and speaking with Tom Oommen, the director general of the C.T.A.’s Analysis and Outreach Branch.

“We have what I would call a very complete holistic system of consumer protection for airlines,” he said. For example, when flight disruptions occur for reasons within an airline’s control and the airline cannot get passengers onto another of its own flights within nine hours, it must book the passenger on any airline, including competitors it does not have agreements with, a requirement that the United States does not impose.

Mr. Oommen also noted that if a passenger is stuck midway through a trip and is not happy with the options to continue on, the airline must offer to rebook that passenger “on a flight back to their point of origin free of charge and refund their entire ticket.”

He wouldn’t specifically comment on your case, but that is exactly what happened to you. (The only exception to these rules is when the disruption is not within the airline’s control, Mr. Oommen said, but when a mechanical problem is caused by an airline employee or contractor, “it’s hard to make that argument.”)

There are also many circumstances in which Canada requires airlines to compensate passengers — between 400 and 2,400 dollars — for flight delays, cancellations and denied boarding within the airline’s control. There is an exception for when such issues have safety implications, which could apply to the first night’s engine damage, but not, it seems to me, for the second night’s nonfunctioning boarding passes. That sounds a lot like denied boarding.

This time, you heard back before I did, and forwarded me several emails from Air Canada, including one that said the carrier had approved a cash payment of 400 dollars per traveler. Then Mr. Fitzpatrick emailed me to say you would receive a full refund.

So you got what you asked for, but of course you would rather have gone to Ireland. And what happened, exactly, when Air Canada refused to board you in Toronto? Mr. Fitzpatrick told me United had canceled your ticket before you even got to the gate.

I found that confusing — the boarding pass bears an Air Canada ticket number, and you had not even spoken to United that day. So I got back in touch with United’s Ms. Jankowski, who looked into the situation further and found that “United canceled the tickets after sending messages to the operating carrier, Air Canada, informing them that the tickets had not been properly reissued to the rescheduled flight.”

Apparently, somewhere in the interfacing bowels of the two carriers’ systems, your Air Canada boarding pass was invalidated by United, and neither airline contacted you. And that’s too bad, because Mr. Fitzpatrick later confirmed that second flight left with empty seats.

When you decided to just go home, the Air Canada representative at the airport said you had to call United. The process to untangle the mess and get you booked on a flight back to Minneapolis required hours and six different United customer service representatives and supervisors.

Your experience is a good reason for all of us to avoid code shares unless they are necessary — such as when an itinerary includes flights operated by different airlines.

All this because you originally booked Air Canada flights as United code shares — a choice you found on Expedia. When I recently ran a Minneapolis-to-Dublin search on Expedia for a week in April, the first two choices that appeared were the same route via Toronto with no price difference, one booked directly on Air Canada and the other as a code share on United. Assuming you saw the same thing last year, I bet that if you had booked the Air Canada choice, you would have made it to Ireland, albeit a day late. All the more reason to book directly, with one airline.

There is one final mystery: Why wouldn’t Air Canada admit this was a case of denied boarding, and follow the required C.T.A. regulations? Yes, your case doesn’t precisely fit the agency’s official definition , which is written to describe overbooking or changes in aircraft, but if an airline erroneously cancels a passenger’s ticket after it has already printed a boarding pass, and you are stopped at the gate, what is that?

I presented this as a theoretical situation to the Mr. Oommen of the C.T.A.

“Classic denied boarding is what you’re describing,” he said.

That means you could file for an additional 400 dollars each for this second incident, and put that toward a new flight to Ireland — say, on Aer Lingus, direct or through Chicago.

If you need advice about a best-laid travel plan that went awry, send an email to [email protected] .

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Seth Kugel is the columnist for “ Tripped Up ,” an advice column that helps readers navigate the often confusing world of travel. More about Seth Kugel

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Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

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