Air Canada Refund Request: How To Get Your Money Back

If you feel that you’re entitled to a refund from Air Canada, you can submit a refund request through the airline’s online platform. You may need to provide proof (like receipts) with your claim, and it can take 30 days or more for them to process your request and send a response.

How to submit an Air Canada refund request

If you need to submit a refund request for an Air Canada issue or service, head to the Air Canada Contact Us page. You’ll see a large grid of options that includes "Refund Request."

Select this and choose "Type of Refund Requested" from the dropdown menu. You’ll get another dropdown that lets you select the reason for your refund request – things like unused tickets, baggage or seat fees, and Wi-Fi issues.

You’ll see a box pop up with your next steps, which vary depending on the reason you select. For example, if you’re requesting a refund for your seat fee, you’ll need to provide your contact information and flight details – including the airline, airport(s), ticket number(s), and travel date(s).

You can also write a message with further details about why you need a refund, or attach supplementary photos or documents for your claim. Once you’re finished, hit submit. You should get confirmation of the successful submission.

Pro Tip: You can also request a refund for a ticket or change your upcoming ticket by logging into your Air Canada account.

Baggage delays

If your baggage is damaged or delayed, you can request a baggage refund. Head to the same Contact Us page and choose the "Baggage Refund" option. You can use the online form if:

• Your baggage was damaged or delayed in the last 7 days
• You already reported the issue to Air Canada
• You paid a baggage fee to Air Canada but reported your delayed or damaged baggage to the last operating carrier other than Air Canada

To fill out the form, you’ll need your booking reference or ticket number, flight information, and baggage report number. Again, you’ll have to provide your contact details and you’ll have a chance to describe what happened or upload documentation before submitting the refund request.

What can you request Air Canada refunds for?

You can use the online form to request more than just ticket refunds. Here’s an overview of when you might need a refund:

• Accessibility services: If there’s a change in the connecting airport or accessibility features needed by a passenger with a disability, you can request a refund.
• Refund for travel options: If you paid Air Canada for an extra travel service that wasn’t provided, you can request a refund if you didn’t receive one automatically.
• Maple Leaf Lounge fee: You can get a refund if you paid the fee but weren’t able to use the lounge due to a change in travel plans.
• Last-minute upgrade fee: Although these are usually non-refundable, you may be entitled to a refund if Air Canada cancelled your flight.
• Paid onboard meal: Again, these are usually non-refundable, but if you paid for a meal and Air Canada did not provide one, you might qualify for a refund.
• Wifi: If you purchased Wi-Fi through gogoair.com and couldn’t use it on the flight, you can fill out a refund request with Air Canada or directly with Gogo.
• Onboard duty-free: If you buy duty-free merchandise during the flight, you can request a refund within 30 days if the merchandise is unopened. However, you can’t fill out a request online. Instead, contact the DFASS Canada Company at [email protected].

When will your Air Canada refund request be processed?

Air Canada notes that they’ll try to refund eligible tickets within 30 calendar days of when they are required to process the refund. Yes, it’s a little vague.

Air Canada specifies that they try to refund tickets for U.S. flights within 7 business days if purchased by credit card – or within 20 calendar days for other forms of payment. They also note that the time it takes for the refund to hit your credit card can vary.

We checked Reddit to see what Air Canada travellers typically experienced. Here’s what the most helpful reviewer said:

Since it can vary widely, keep an eye on your bank or credit card statements. Don’t forget to check the statement from when you originally purchased the ticket, since the refund may show up on a prior statement.

Our experience: "When I moved back to Canada, I had 4 large bags and 3 dogs – and Air Canada overcharged me for everything by several hundred dollars. I submitted a claim with my receipts and screenshots of the posted fees on the website, requesting a refund for the overcharge. I waited 30 days, followed up, waited 30 more days, followed up again. After about 4 months, I finally received a response – and a full refund for ALL my fees, not just the overcharge." —Jessica, creditcardGenius editor

What to do if you have trip cancellation insurance

If you have trip cancellation insurance through your credit card and paid for the entire Air Canada booking using the card, you may be eligible for coverage. You can also get trip cancellation insurance through third-party travel insurance providers. Either way, the process of filing a claim is similar.

Contact the insurance company that provides the coverage. You can find this information in your credit card’s terms and conditions document. The insurance representative will collect details of the claim and will probably ask you to send documentation proving the trip was cancelled and non-refundable. They’ll provide a claim number that you can use to check on the status of your refund.

Keep in mind: Trip cancellation insurance only covers cancellations for covered reasons, and you typically have to begin a claim within a specific time period for it to be considered.

FAQ

How do I contact Air Canada for a refund?

The easiest way to start the refund process is to submit a refund request on the Air Canada website on the Let Us Know page. If you prefer to talk to someone, call Air Canada’s customer service line at 1-888-247-2262.

Does Air Canada have a refund policy?

Air Canada will automatically issue a refund or compensation if the airline cancels your flight, your flight is delayed by 3 hours or more, you’re rescheduled for additional stopovers or travel through different airports, or you’re downgraded to a lower cabin. Flight bookings are eligible for refunds within 24 hours of purchase; after that, it depends on the type of fare.

How do I complain about an airline refund?

If you have a complaint, you can submit a message via Air Canada’s Let Us Know form or call customer service at 1‑888‑247‑2262.

How long does it take for Air Canada to respond to a claim?

Air Canada attempts to refund eligible tickets within 30 days of the date they’re required to process the refund. The airline tries to refund tickets for U.S. flights within 7 business days if purchased by credit card, or within 20 calendar days for other forms of payment. For other refund requests, you can typically expect to wait about 30 days for a response.