Updated April 6th 2020
As coronavirus travel advisories continue to change by the hour, Canadians want to know what their options are for changing and modifying travel.
Thankfully, most Canadian airlines have responded to the covid-19 crisis by allowing customers to make changes or cancel travel plans without paying change-fees. The new allowances vary by airline, but most of them work by issuing travel credits to be used for future travel.
Here is the latest information on each Canadian airline’s change-fee and cancellation policy (updated daily)
Air Canada
No Change Fee / Change Fee Waived:
- If you bought a ticket before April 15th 2020
- You can change your destination, date or time of flight with NO fee for travel up to April 30th 2021
- You can make the change up to 2 hours to departure
- Only a one-time change can be made without a fee
- See all of Air Canada's latest updates
- Changes can be made online or calling 1-888-247-2262
No Cancellation / Cancellation Fee Waived:
SAME rules apply to CANCELLING your Air Canada flight, as making a change.
If you bought your ticket prior to April 15th 2020 and you want to cancel, you will receive a credit good for travel until April 30th 2021.
No cancellation fee will be applied.
If AIR CANADA cancels the flight:
If Air Canada cancels the flight on you, they are giving out a travel credit for the full amount, valid for 24 months.
Aeroplan
Same as Air Canada (see above)
Air Canada Vacations
Same as Air Canada (see above)
WestJet
No Change Fee / Change Fee Waived:
- If you bought a ticket before April 15th 2020, for travel in March, April or May 2020
- You can change your destination, date or time of flight with NO fee
- You can make the change up to 2 hours to departure
- Only a one-time change can be made without a fee
- See all of WestJet's latest updates
- Changes can be made online or calling 1-888-937-8538
No Cancellation / Cancellation Fee Waived:
If YOU cancel your WestJet flight, or if your WestJet flight is cancelled by WestJet:
If you bought your ticket prior to April 15th 2020 and you want to cancel, you will receive a credit good for travel inside your ‘Travel Bank'. This credit will be valid for 24 months.
No cancellation fee will be applied to your credit.
Air Transat
No Change or Cancellation Fee / Change or Cancellation Fee Waived:
- Air Transat has suspended all their flights between April 1 and April 30th, 2020.
- If they cancelled your flight, they are giving you a travel credit to be used within 24 months
- See the most recent info for Air Transat‘s peace of mind policy
Swoop Airlines
On March 22nd, Swoop suspended their international flights. The suspension will be in place until May 30th 2020.
On March 13th, Swoop launched their response to Coronavirus with ‘ModiFly', which gives travellers some flexibility on new bookings.
No Change Fee / Change Fee Waived:
- For date and time changes only (no destination changes)
- Can now be added to any booking March 13th onwards until further notice
- Can also be added to existing bookings
- The one-time date/time change must be made 3-7 days before departure
- Must be done online through the ‘Manage My Booking' area of the site
- See all the latest coronavirus updates with Swoop
Flair Airlines
Flair Airlines has a very small allowance for flight changes:
- Tickets purchased prior to February 29th, 2020 – one-time rebooking fees will be waived, for travel until June 14th 2020
- Tickets purchased in March, April and May will also be given a one time no change fee exception.
- You can call their customer service at 1-800-441-7214
Please note: Even if the airline allows you to change your flight without a change-fee, if the new flight has a higher fare, you still are expected to pay the difference.
Canadian airlines are asking that itinerary changes be made online, as call centres have been experiencing higher than normal call volumes.
With so much news about the coronavirus happening in the media, many Canadians are re-thinking their travel plans altogether. If you still want to travel, utilize the flexible change-fees available to you, research the proper travel insurance policies, and follow the more current travel advisories.
Does your travel insurance cover coronavirus? Here is the latest info.
Dave
Saturday 30th of May 2020
We Had booked our trip with a travel agent the 9th of March. We were given the run around for weeks once we found out we could not go to Canada, and the US had suspended all trip to Mexico, and Air Canada had cancelled all trips to Mexico. I tried contacting Air Canada direct, but they told me that I had to go through my 3rd party travel agent. We finally got fed up and contacted our credit card company. We did receive a refund, but a few weeks latter the company we booked from protested it and the credit card company sided with the travel agent and charged us for the trip that was to Mexico the 5th of April. We were sent a letter that the Canadian government allows airlines to keep your money even if the trip is cancelled, but Air Canada is being nice to give you a voucher for a future trip. Since we were charged and payed we have not heard a word from the travel agent. I am not sure if we will get a voucher or not. This has taught me not to book through a third party travel agent. I had used them in the past, and had payed more going through them then using the airline direct. I wanted to be nice and support them. I will try again to contact my travel agent again and see what is going on, but I will not be surprised if they are now pissed at me and not give me a vouched.
Ravin
Wednesday 25th of March 2020
I recommend notifying your credit card company.
Jose Borreguero
Tuesday 24th of March 2020
We had booked a flight to Spain for April. Our flight has been cancelled. Travel agent is telling us we have to lose $300 per ticket to cancel our ticket, when the flight isn´t even going! Because we don´t know when we can re-book because of this virus, we can't use the change departure option.
Mimi
Sunday 22nd of March 2020
Air Canada has really bad policy & no concern for customer health safety. Canada block all cruise line to dock, closed US borders & airline will not give us refunds! Governments should get involved to help us get refunds from Air Canada.
Tony
Wednesday 18th of March 2020
With all the updates happening by the minute it is best if you don't have to fly don't. Airlines aren't disinfecting according to a employee who works for AC. Plain and simple "any airline" are ALL the sources of spreading this terrible virus due to other travellers being the "host carriers" and most passengers don't know it till it is too late. They are all like coffin boxes with reclaimed air. This is not a test as God won't help us. It's up to us all to be smarter and use common sense. I have no choice but to fly home and self isolate for 30 days. Stay home, social distance and let this pass and stay safe.