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Air Canada Change Fees: Understanding Policies, Costs, and How to Minimize Expenses

Posted on the 16 May 2023 by Sandra @shvong1

Travel plans can change unexpectedly due to various reasons, such as personal emergencies, weather conditions, or health issues. If you have booked a flight with Air Canada and need to change your itinerary, you may be wondering how much it will cost you and how you can avoid paying too much.

Air Canada change fees vary depending on several factors, such as the type of fare, the destination, the date of travel, and the availability of seats. Generally, the higher the fare class, the lower the change fee. For example, if you have booked a Flex fare, you will pay less than if you have booked a Standard fare. Similarly, if you are traveling within Canada or to the US, you will pay less than if you are traveling internationally.

The exact amount of the change fee will be displayed when you make the change online through the Air Canada website or app. You can also call the Air Canada reservation center or visit an Air Canada ticket office to make the change. However, you may incur additional service charges if you do so.

To minimize your expenses when changing your flight with Air Canada, here are some tips and suggestions:

  • Book a flexible fare: If you anticipate that your travel plans may change, it is advisable to book a flexible fare that allows you to make changes for free or for a lower fee. You can also purchase a travel insurance that covers flight changes due to unforeseen circumstances.
  • Change your flight as soon as possible: If you need to change your flight, you should do so as soon as possible. The closer you are to your departure date, the higher the change fee will be. You can also avoid paying extra fees if you change your flight within 24 hours of booking or within 2 hours of departure.
  • Compare your options: Before you make a change, you should compare your options and see which one is more cost-effective. Sometimes, it may be cheaper to cancel your flight and book a new one than to pay the change fee. You can also check if there are any promotions or discounts available for your new flight.

Changing your flight with Air Canada can be expensive, but it doesn't have to be. By understanding the policies, costs, and how to minimize expenses, you can save money and time when changing your itinerary.

What are Air Canada Change Fees and When Do They Apply?

Air Canada change fees are the charges that you have to pay if you want to modify your flight itinerary after booking. The amount of the fee depends on the type of fare you purchased, the time of the change, and the difference in fare between your original and new flights. Air Canada change fees apply to one-way, round-trip, open jaw, stopover or circle trip itineraries.

How to Avoid or Reduce Air Canada Change Fees

There are some ways to avoid or reduce Air Canada change fees, such as:

How to Change Your Air Canada Flight Online or by Phone

To change your Air Canada flight online, you need to:

To change your Air Canada flight by phone, you need to:

How to Use Air Canada Travel Credits or Vouchers for Future Flights

If you have Air Canada travel credits or vouchers, you can use them for future flights by:

Alternatively, you can call Air Canada Reservations at +1-800-773-6613 and provide your travel credit or voucher number and PIN to book a new flight. The agent will help you find a suitable flight and apply your travel credit or voucher to your new booking. You will also receive a confirmation email with your new itinerary.

How to Request a Refund or Cancellation from Air Canada

If you want to request a refund or cancellation from Air Canada, you need to:

  • Check if your ticket is eligible for a refund by visiting aircanada.com/refund. You can access this page by clicking on the Refund and Cancellation Policy link on the homepage or by entering your booking reference and last name on the Refund Request page. You will see the refund options available for your ticket, depending on your fare type and the reason for your cancellation.
  • Select the flight you want to cancel and click on Request Refund. You will see a form where you can enter your personal and payment details. You can also choose to receive your refund in the original form of payment or in a travel credit. You can also request a refund for any ancillary services or fees that you paid for your flight, such as seat selection, baggage, or change fees.
  • Fill out the refund request form and submit it. You will see a confirmation message that your refund request has been received. You will also get an email with your refund request number and the estimated processing time. You can check the status of your refund request online or by calling Air Canada Reservations.
  • Wait for an email confirmation from Air Canada. You will get an email when your refund has been processed and credited to your original form of payment or travel credit. The processing time may vary depending on the type of ticket and the reason for cancellation. It may take up to 10 business days for domestic flights and up to 21 business days for international flights.

Tips and Tricks to Save Money and Time When Changing Your Air Canada Flight

Some tips and tricks to save money and time when changing your Air Canada flight are:


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