A pair of airline passengers were involved in a case at the B.C. Civil Resolution Tribunal seeking a refund from Air Canada and FlightHub for airline tickets they couldn’t use.
We’ve all been there. Plans change, things come up, and suddenly, you’re saddled with expensive airline tickets that serve no purpose.
Unless you have specific protection purchased with your tickets, getting a refund can be difficult, as these B.C. passengers found out.
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DZ and CZ purchased tickets for themselves and their children, who were minors then, on Feb. 5, 2023. The tickets were for a roundtrip international Air Canada flight.
The passengers booked their tickets through FlightHub. The total cost of the airline tickets was $4,288.21. The flight was scheduled to leave Canada in December 2024 and return a month later.
At some point after booking the flight, CZ got pregnant, and her doctor advised her not to fly on the date she was scheduled to.
On Oct. 1, 2023, DZ contacted FlightHub to discuss a refund or a flight change. CZ gave birth on Feb. 1, 2024.
According to the terms of the tickets, FlightHub’s receipt states that the tickets were non-refundable and non-transferable. It adds that some changes are allowed with a fee, and cancellations are possible within 24 hours.
Unfortunately for DZ, he was actually presented with the option to apply protection to his initial purchase. In response, he chose the option, saying, “No thanks, I don’t need protection.”
The tribunal decision adds, “The booking confirmation recommends trip cancellation and interruption insurance for certain unforeseen events.”
DZ chose the option: “No, I’m willing to risk my $4,288.21 flight. I understand by declining this coverage that I may be responsible for cancellation fees and delay expenses personally or through alternate coverage.”
DZ and FlightHub exchanged some emails about options.
“FlightHub’s employee, MM, said they would forward the request but that a refund would depend on the airline’s approval,” the tribunal decision reads.
Air Canada offered to convert the price of the tickets to an Air Canada wallet that would have to be used before Feb. 5, 2024. DZ refused the offer.
The tribunal offered some sympathy for CZ, saying that it appreciated that she couldn’t fly due to her pregnancy, but “that does not entitle the applicants to a refund of the tickets’ cost.”
Ultimately, the tribunal dismissed the claims made against Air Canada and FlightHub.
Have you ever been in a situation like this and successfully received a refund without specific cancellation protection? Let us know in the comments.