Your Air Canada refund doesn’t seem to be going through as quickly as you thought it would.
You’ve requested a full refund because your flight was cancelled, but you’re left without any updates. Whether you’ve received a notification about the situation or you’re still waiting for communication, one thing is certain: refund rules and regulations within the European Union are fixed and clear. According to the law, if the flight in question was an Air Canada flight departing from Europe, your refund must be processed within a time frame of 7 days.
What steps can you take if this waiting period is extended?
Air Canada Refund Delays: Your Action Plan
In the event of a flight cancellation, the airline is required to suggest a refund.
Within the European Union, if an airline cancels a flight, they must provide you with the option of a full refund or an alternate flight. It’s important to note that while a refund might be the only choice in certain cases, there are instances where you may also be eligible for compensation due to flight cancellation. This regulation applies to all European airlines.
These refund regulations also apply to certain non-European airline flights. If Air Canada cancels your flight departing from Europe, you are entitled to receive an Air Canada refund or be presented with an alternative flight. In certain circumstances, you may also qualify for flight cancellation compensation.
As Air Canada is a non-European airline, these EU regulations apply only to Air Canada flights departing from the EU and the UK.
Step 1: Contact Air Canada
Your Air Canada flight departing from Europe is cancelled.
And your Air Canada refund is delayed. What is your next course of action?
Establish communication with Air Canada’s customer service through their website.
They should respond to you within a week unless there is an extraordinary event like a global pandemic. If a week passes without any communication, reach out to them again. If necessary, continue to do so every few days to get their attention.
Step 2: Utilize Social Media to Connect with Air Canada
If your attempts to communicate with Air Canada got no response, consider leveraging the power of social media.
If several weeks pass without receiving a response to your emails and messages, you can reach out to Air Canada directly through platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Remind them about the 7-day refund deadline as specified in Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, Articles 5 and 8.
As Air Canada is a non-European airline, these EU regulations apply only to Air Canada flights departing from the EU and the UK.
Step 3: Refuse Vouchers
For a flight leaving from Europe, your refund should be transferred directly to your bank account.
There’s no requirement for you to accept Air Canada vouchers or coupons.
If it’s a flight from outside the EU, acceptance of vouchers might be your only option, as flights from non-EU countries are not regulated by EU laws, because Air Canada is not an EU-based airline.
Step 4: Contact the National Enforcement Body (NEB)
Each EU member state has its own NEB.
Connect with the NEB of the country where your flight took off. If your flight has departed from Germany, touch base with the Nationale Beschwerde- und Durchsetzungsstelle Fluggastrechte. For more details on this, click here.
Although the fourth approach has the highest success rate, it demands the most time. Typically, it takes around two months for the respective NEB to reach a decision. After that, you will need to wait for Air Canada to process the payment. To increase your chances of success, it is recommended to regularly remind them about your request through their social media pages and other communication channels.
As Air Canada is a non-European airline, these EU regulations apply only to Air Canada flights departing from the EU and the UK.
Air Canada Refund: When Are You Entitled to a Refund?
According to EU legislation, you are eligible for a full refund if Air Canada cancels your flight departing from Europe.
When your flight is cancelled, Air Canada is obliged to provide you with a choice between an alternative flight (at no extra cost) or a total refund of your ticket fare. Regardless of the reason for the last-minute flight cancellations, which may even include exceptional circumstances, the refund for a cancelled flight must be processed within one week.
Any delay by the airline in processing these refunds is a contravention of EU laws, and passengers have the option of taking further measures.
As Air Canada is a non-European airline, these EU regulations apply only to Air Canada flights departing from the EU and the UK.
What If You Decide to Cancel the Flight?
Is Air Canada refund possible if you need to cancel your flight?
If you are the one who cancels, the process for getting your money back is a bit more complicated. Here are some things to think about:
- Flexible tickets. If you’ve chosen a flexible ticket, you could be entitled to a refund, but always check the airline’s specific terms and conditions to be sure.
- Non-refundable tickets. With non-refundable tickets, you’re unlikely to receive a full refund. However, airlines might agree to refund the taxes that are part of your ticket fare.
- Travel insurance. If your travel insurance includes cancellation coverage, you might be able to claim a refund from your insurance company, depending on the reasons for cancellation.
- Cancellation within 24 hours of booking. Some airlines provide a full refund if you cancel your flight within 24 hours of making the booking, provided the booking was made at least a week before the flight’s scheduled departure.
- Unexpected circumstances. In case you have to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances like illness or a family bereavement, the airline may grant a refund or credit for future travel, depending on their specific policies.
Flight Cancellation Due to Extraordinary Circumstances: Can You Get a Refund?
In scenarios where unforeseen incidents such as extreme weather conditions, airport personnel strikes (not those organized by the airline’s team), or safety concerns cause flight disruptions, the airline is typically not to blame for the cancellation, therefore, compensation is not typically awarded.
However, according to Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 of the European Union, passengers have the right to choose between a full refund or re-routing, regardless of the reason for the cancellation. Consequently, even when cancellations are caused by exceptional circumstances, your right to a refund remains intact.
Please note that the Air Canada refund should be processed within seven days. If you notice any delay in the refund process, feel free to follow the step-by-step strategy mentioned above.
As Air Canada is a non-European airline, these EU regulations apply only to Air Canada flights departing from the EU and the UK.
What is your experience with Air Canada refunds? Have you ever received a refund from Air Canada? Share your experience in the comments!