What is the Air Canada Date Change Policy?

Changed your plans? With our services, you can learn about Air Canada’s flexible booking policies, including how to change your flight online, what fees to expect, and how to avoid common pitfalls. Moreover, under the Air Canada date change policy, most tickets (except Basic fares) incur no change fees during promotional periods, though fare differences apply.

Guidelines for Air Canada Date Change Policy

Eligibility
  • Basic Fares: Generally non-changeable except under exceptional circumstances (e.g., labour disruptions).
  • Standard/Flex Fares: No change fees during promotions, but fare differences apply.
  • Refundable Tickets (Latitude, Premium Economy flexible, Business flexible): No change fees and fare differences for flight changes to same-fare-class flights.
Cut-off Times
  • Changes must be made before the scheduled departure. Post-departure changes are not permitted.

Fees
  • Domestic/International: No change fees for eligible fares during promotions.  
  •  Same-Day Changes: Fees depends on your fare type and status.
Process
  • Online: Through the Air Canada website.
  • Airport: Visit ticket counters for assistance.
Guidelines for Air Canada Date Change Policy

How to Change an Air Canada Flight Date?

Rescheduling your Air Canada flight is straightforward if you follow these steps:

Access Your Booking
  1. Visit the Air Canada website: Air Canada and click on “My Trip / Check-In” at the top.
  2. Enter your 6-character confirmation code (from your email) and your last name.
  3. You can also log in to your Air Canada Miles account for instant access.
Select 'Change Flight'
  1. Once inside your trip, click “Change Flights” or “Modify”.
  2. Note that GoWild! Pass, some promo, and award tickets may be locked and require phone assistance.
  3. All passengers on the same reservation must be changed together.
  4.  
Choose New Flight Dates
  • Use the flexible calendar showing ±3 days.
  • All available Air Canada flights with live pricing appear instantly.
  • Filter by time, non-stop only, or departure city.
  • Compare carefully: Air Canada’s fares can jump by $100 or more within a day.
Review and Confirm Changes
  • Air Canada shows a clear breakdown: a change fee, fare difference, taxes, and the total due or credit balance.
  • If you have the elite status, you will see a $0 change fee.
  • If the new fare is lower, the difference will be a non-transferable Future Flight Credit valid for 90 days (unless you originally bought The Works).
  •  
Receive Updated Itinerary
  • Immediately after payment, a new confirmation email and updated itinerary are sent.
  • Double-check names, new flight numbers, dates, seat assignments, and carry-on and checked-bag entitlements.
  • Your original ticket is automatically cancelled and replaced.

What is the Date Change Fee on Air Canada?

Ticket typeDomestic feeInternational feeSame-day fee
Basic EconomyNot allowedNot allowedVaries 
Standard/Flex$0$0Varies 
Latitude/Business Flexible$0$0$0

What are the Key Restrictions and Considerations?

  • 90-Day Credit Rule: Most credits expire exactly 90 days from the original booking (not change date), very strict.
  • Non-Transferable Credits: Standard credits can only be used by the original passenger.
  • No Same-Day Confirmed: Air Canada does not offer official same-day standby or confirmed changes.
  • No-Show = Zero Value: If you miss your flight without prior notice, you forfeit all compensation.
Different Types of Classes on Air Canada

Different Types of Classes on Air Canada

While you want to change your flight on Air Canada, it depends on your class type if you are eligible or not. If you can change your flight date, you can request a refund.

Economy – Basic: Generally, no changes allowed or non-refundable. If you want to change the date/flight later, it’s often disallowed or very expensive.

Economy – Standard: You have some flexibility and may be able to change the date/flight, but a change fee applies.

Economy – Flex: Changes are generally allowed with no change fee (only the fare difference applies). Suitable for travellers who anticipate possible date changes.

Economy – Latitude: One of the most flexible Economy-fare options: allows date/flight changes with ease.

Premium Economy: It typically allows changes, often with better perks (seat selection, more baggage, priority) and likely easier date-change terms.

Business Class: It is likely to allow changes (date/time) with minimal or no change fees, plus many perks (priority, lounge access, etc.

Award Tickets: Date/flight changes may be allowed, but rules vary and are often similar to flexible fares.

Are there Exceptions on Air Canada?

24-Hour Risk-Free Change

  • Applies to every ticket purchased directly from Air Canada.
  • Complete refund or free change within 24 hours of booking, no questions asked.

Schedule Change by Air Canada

  • If Air Canada reschedules your flight by more than 60 minutes, you can switch to any other Air Canada flight free of charge or receive a full refund.

Weather & Operational Waivers

During hurricanes, blizzards, or major ATC disruptions, Air Canada posts travel waivers that allow free changes.

Medical Emergencies

No official policy;  fees are usually not waived unless covered by travel insurance.

How do We Facilitate Flight Changes?

Need Help Rescheduling Your Air Canada Flight? Our services include:  

  • Finding the lowest fare differences for new dates  
  • Processing same-day changes and standby requests  
  • Handling complex itinerary changes during disruptions 

Need quick help? Call now at

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However, you can change online up to 24 hours before departure. After that, call or visit the airport.

If your new flight costs more, you pay the difference. If cheaper, you receive a Future Flight Credit (90 days or 12 months).

You get a full refund to your original payment method or free rebooking,  your choice.

While you get credits after changing your flight tickets, you can rebook in 90 days from the original booking date to 12 months.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Disclaimer

We are not affiliated with Air Canada, Miles, or any official entity. CheapFlyFinder.com provides independent travel support services to assist you with changes, cancellations, refunds, and rebooking. For the most accurate and binding information, always refer directly to aircanada.com.

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