Refunds on Cancelled Flights: What’s the Latest in Canada?

Wondering if anyone can help me on an issue I am having trying to get a refund from Air Canada (I booked via PC Travel). I asked PC travel for a refund, but they said they are only providing vouchers. I then filed a dispute claim through Scotia, but Scotia has told me that I shouldn’t proceed with the claim since I cancelled my trip before the flights were official cancelled by the airline, even though I can prove that the flights were eventually cancelled by the airline. Scotia said that if I proceed with the claim I would likely lose, and that Air Canada could "blacklist" me and void my travel vouchers.

1. Has anyone else heard this? Is it even legal?
2. Do I have any other options?

I would really like a refund, as the voucher will likely not return the same value in 1 year’s time since travel will likely be a lot more expensive.

Thanks,
Michael

Given the circumstances where a traveller is stranded in the USA due to the cancellation of a return flight from USA to Canada. Would it be fair to expect compensation from the airline for the costs incurred by the passenger to find their own way home? For example, mileage charge, meals, hotels if the passenger had to drive back to Canada.

My biggest problem with the vouchers is that I don’t get the same product when I use the voucher. I don’t get any of the insurance (from the credit card) I had when I purchased the tickets. That’s tough to swallow…

You know, a reasonable compromise would be a gift card.
No expiry.
Can be used in whole or in part at any time without losing residual value.

Seems fair to me, and something I think most people would accept (except in specific circumstances.. like a destination wedding that ends up being held locally).

But the airlines instead insist on these vouchers with a litany of anti-consumer conditions.

I don’t have any cancelled (paid) bookings pending.. but if I did, I’d insist on a refund out of principle.

Thanks for sharing this, Ricky!

There is no way there should be an expiration on any vouchers. They should also make them fully transferable to other people. I.e. if my 80 year old grandmother does not want to fly now, she can transfer it to me instead of it going into the airlines coffers. Policies like this would have more people accept a voucher

If the airlines were smart and want to get at least some good PR out of this, they should just give a 20%, or so, bonus on vouchers if people take them instead. Add that to a 24 month expiry and it could be a win for everyone, all things considered.

Earlier this week I attempted to ask for a credit card chargeback for flights that were cancelled on a European airline.

I thought this would be a perfect time to call my credit card company to see if they would grant a chargeback…

…but my credit card company told me I needed to file a trip cancellation insurance claim instead. They said they were unable to help.

Anyone else experiencing this?

Dont forget, some of the fine print on the vouchers (that I have heard about) indicated if the new fare was lower the customer losses the difference and if the new fare was higher then the customer would have to pay the difference. I see that as double dipping.

If the airlines would allow the customer to book the same type of vacation within 36 months during the same time period, +/- 1 or 2 months of their original month, without having to pay for the trip and just use their voucher, that would be a fair compromise in my opinion instead of requesting a voucher.