Are Aeroplan Flights Refundable? | Know Your Options

Most Aeroplan flight rewards are not refundable in cash; points can often be redeposited, typically with a fee.

Planning a trip with Aeroplan points brings a certain thrill, offering access to destinations around the globe. Life happens, though, and sometimes travel plans need adjusting or even cancelling. Understanding Aeroplan’s policies on refunds is key to managing those unexpected shifts without losing your hard-earned points or cash.

The Core Truth About Aeroplan Flight Refunds

When you book a flight using Aeroplan points, you are primarily redeeming those points for the ticket. The standard policy for these reward bookings is that they are not eligible for a cash refund. Instead, the focus is on redepositing your Aeroplan points back into your account. This process usually involves a fee, which can vary based on several factors.

Any taxes, fees, and surcharges paid in cash at the time of booking, beyond the points portion, are also generally subject to the same refund rules as the points themselves. If a points redeposit occurs, these cash components are typically refunded to the original payment method, minus any applicable cancellation fees.

Understanding Aeroplan’s Cancellation Policy by Fare Type

Aeroplan reward bookings often mirror the flexibility of Air Canada’s cash fares to some extent, particularly concerning the associated fees and conditions. The specific rules for changes or cancellations depend on the fare option selected when booking your reward flight.

Aeroplan offers different fare options for reward flights, such as Standard, Flex, Latitude, Business, and First Class. Each option comes with varying levels of flexibility regarding cancellations and changes.

• Standard Rewards: These are often the most restrictive. Points redeposit is usually possible with a fee.
• Flex Rewards: Offer a bit more flexibility, sometimes with lower cancellation fees or easier changes.
• Latitude Rewards: Provide significant flexibility, often with no or minimal fees for changes and cancellations.
• Business & First Class Rewards: These premium options generally include greater flexibility, sometimes waiving cancellation fees entirely.

It is important to review the specific terms and conditions presented during the booking process for your chosen fare option. These details outline the exact fees and rules that apply to your particular ticket.

Aeroplan Reward Fare Flexibility Overview

This table provides a general guide to how different Aeroplan reward fare types often handle cancellations and point redeposits. Specific terms can vary.

Aeroplan Fare Type	Points Redeposit Fee	Cash Portion Refund
Standard Reward	Applicable Fee	Minus Fee
Flex Reward	Reduced/Applicable Fee	Minus Fee
Latitude Reward	Often No Fee	Full Refund
Business Class Reward	Often No Fee	Full Refund
First Class Reward	Often No Fee	Full Refund

Fees for Cancelling and Redepositing Aeroplan Points

Cancelling an Aeroplan reward flight and getting your points back typically involves a fee. This fee can vary based on several factors:

1. Method of Cancellation: Cancelling online through the Aeroplan website or Air Canada app is often less expensive than cancelling over the phone with an agent.
2. Time of Cancellation: Fees might increase as the departure date approaches. Cancelling within 24 hours of booking often allows for a full refund without penalty, a common consumer protection measure.
3. Aeroplan Elite Status: Members with higher Aeroplan Elite Status levels can receive waivers or reduced fees for cancellations.
4. Origin of Flight: While less common, some international routes might have specific local regulations that impact fees.

The standard fee for redepositing points can range from CAD $125 to CAD $175 per ticket for online cancellations, or CAD $150 to CAD $200 for phone cancellations, though these figures are subject to change. Always verify the current fee structure on the Air Canada website or during the cancellation process.

When Cash Refunds Might Be Possible

While most Aeroplan reward flights are not cash refundable, specific situations can lead to a cash refund for the entire ticket value, including the points portion converted to cash.

• Airline-Initiated Cancellations: If Air Canada or a partner airline cancels your flight, you are generally entitled to a full refund to your original form of payment, even for reward tickets. This includes the cash portion and the points value.
• Significant Schedule Changes: If the airline makes a significant schedule change that you do not accept, you can request a full refund. The definition of “significant” can vary, but it often includes delays of several hours or changes to the departure or arrival airport.
• Government Regulations: In some cases, consumer protection laws, such as those enforced by the Department of Transportation (DOT) for flights to, from, or within the United States, mandate refunds for certain disruptions. For instance, if your flight is significantly delayed or cancelled and you choose not to travel, the airline must offer a refund.
• Refundable Add-ons: Specific ancillary purchases, like seat selection fees or prepaid baggage fees, might be refundable if the associated flight is cancelled or significantly changed, even if the flight itself is only eligible for points redeposit.

Always contact Aeroplan or Air Canada directly to discuss your options if your flight experiences an irregular operation. Documenting all communication is a good practice.

The Role of Aeroplan Elite Status

Aeroplan Elite Status provides valuable benefits that extend to cancellation policies. Higher status levels often translate to reduced or waived fees when you need to change or cancel a reward flight.

• 25K and 35K Status: Members at these levels might receive a reduced fee for cancelling reward flights.
• 50K, 75K, and Super Elite Status: These top-tier members frequently enjoy waived fees for changes and cancellations on most Aeroplan reward bookings. This benefit can represent substantial savings, especially for frequent travelers who might need to adjust plans.

Elite status also provides priority access to customer service lines, which can streamline the process of making changes or cancellations, reducing wait times during busy periods. Checking your specific status benefits on the Aeroplan website confirms the exact waivers and discounts applicable to your account.

Travel Insurance Coverage for Aeroplan Bookings

Travel insurance can be a valuable tool for protecting your Aeroplan reward bookings, providing a safety net against unforeseen events that might force a cancellation. It typically covers the non-refundable costs associated with your trip.

Insurance Benefit	Typical Coverage	Relevant for Aeroplan
Trip Cancellation	Covers non-refundable costs if you cancel for a covered reason (e.g., illness, injury, job loss).	Reimburses cancellation fees and the cash value of points if covered.
Trip Interruption	Covers additional costs if your trip is cut short for a covered reason.	Helps with costs to return home or rebook flights if interrupted.
Medical Emergency	Covers emergency medical treatment abroad.	Essential for any international travel, regardless of booking method.

When purchasing travel insurance, ensure the policy explicitly covers reward travel or specifies how it handles the value of points. Some policies will reimburse the monetary value of points lost due to a covered cancellation, or cover the fees incurred to redeposit points. Reviewing the policy’s terms and conditions carefully before purchase is always advisable.

Navigating Changes vs. Cancellations

There is a distinction between changing a flight and cancelling it entirely. Changing a flight means altering the date, time, or route while keeping the core booking active. Cancelling means ending the booking and seeking a refund or points redeposit.

• Flight Changes: Aeroplan allows changes to reward flights, often for a fee. The fee for changes can be lower than a full cancellation fee, especially for more flexible fare types. If the new flight requires more points, you will need to pay the difference. If it requires fewer points, the difference is usually redeposited.
• Cancellation: This involves forfeiting the original booking and requesting the points back to your account, subject to the applicable redeposit fees.

Some credit cards offer travel protections that can assist with flight changes or cancellations. Checking the benefits guide for your credit card can reveal additional coverage, such as trip delay insurance or trip cancellation benefits, which might cover non-refundable fees or the value of lost points under specific circumstances.