We’ve all been there. You’re at the airport, bags packed and ready to go, only to see that dreaded “Delayed” or “Cancelled” status on the departure board.
It’s an unfortunate reality for us Canadians, with one in four flights delayed last year. But you don’t have to just sit there and take it.
Between government-mandated rights (APPR) and your credit card’s travel insurance, you have some solid protections.
Here’s what you need to know when your flight is delayed or canceled.
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Your Rights Under the APPR
You’re covered by the Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR) whenever your flight starts or ends in Canada. You may be entitled to meals, hotels, and cash compensation depending on why your flight was delayed or canceled.
You should get food and a hotel from the airline if they’re responsible for the disruption, even if it’s due to safety reasons.
You’re also entitled to cash compensation if the delay is within the airline’s control and not related to safety.
Unfortunately, weather is excluded, and that’s when your credit card’s coverage comes in handy.
You should get familiar with your rights for the next time your flight is delayed or canceled.
Food and Drinks
You’re entitled to free food and drinks once your flight is delayed by two hours or more. This applies if the airline is responsible for the disruption, even if it’s due to safety reasons.
Most airlines, like Air Canada or WestJet, will send you a digital voucher via email or SMS. If you don’t receive one, just head to the airline’s customer service desk at the airport or speak with an agent at the gate to ask for it.
These vouchers are usually for $15 or $20 and are typically valid at any vendor in that airport. Make sure to check the expiry date, as digital ones often expire within a few days.
If you can’t get a voucher, you can buy a meal and submit the itemized receipt for reimbursement later. Airlines usually consider up to $100 per day reasonable, but they won’t pay you back if you’ve already used a voucher.
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Accommodation
You’re entitled to a free hotel room and transportation to and from the airport if your delay is overnight. This applies if the airline is responsible for the disruption, even if it’s due to safety reasons.
You should head to the airline’s customer service desk to get a hotel voucher. If they don’t provide one, you can book your own stay and submit the receipt for reimbursement. Most airlines consider around $200 per night reasonable for a hotel.
Vouchers are typically around $15 or $20 and are valid for a year at vendors located within that specific airport.
If you can’t get a voucher, you can buy meals for a reasonable amount, usually up to $100, and keep the itemized receipt. You can then submit that receipt to the airline online for reimbursement. Keep in mind that airlines won’t reimburse you if you already used a voucher.
Rebooking and Refunds
You’re entitled to get on the next available flight if your delay is three hours or more. The airline should prioritize their own flights or partner airlines to get you to your destination.
For large airlines like Air Canada and WestJet:
With any airline, if the rebooking options don’t work for you, you can choose a refund for the unused portion of your ticket instead.
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Cash Compensation
Under APPR, you’re entitled to cash compensation if your delay is within the airline’s control and not related to safety. The amount is based on how late you arrive at your final destination and the size of the airline
Air Canada, WestJet, Porter, and Flair are considered Large Airlines, and Canadian North is considered a Small Airline for this purpose.
These rules apply to all airlines departing from or landing in Canada, including American, Asian, and European airlines.
You’re entitled to the higher compensation amount if your flight is covered by multiple regulations. For example, a 9+ hour delay on a flight to or from Europe gets you €600 in compensation, which is about $900 CAD under European law. But, you get $1,000 CAD under APPR. So make sure you get the higher of the two.
You have one year from the flight date to file a claim. The airline has 30 days to either pay you or explain why they believe compensation isn’t owed once the claim is submitted. You have the right to ask for monetary payment if you’re offered airline vouchers. Vouchers have an expiry date and are a lot more restrictive.
AWP TIP
You should always use the official airline website to file your claim.
Be careful of fishing and scam sites that might show up first in a Google search.
It’s super easy to file the claim yourself online, so you shouldn’t pay agencies to do this for you because they will take a big cut of what you get.
Who Caused the Delay or Cancellation Matters
The reason for your flight disruption determines what you’re entitled to. Your rights fall under three categories based on who caused the Delay or Cancellation:
AWP TIP
You should keep screenshots of every flight delay notification, email, and text message you receive.
You should also take screenshots of your digital boarding passes since they can expire and disappear from the airline app.
They’ll come super handy when you make a claim.
Use Your Lounge Access
Many credit cards come with airport lounge access, and a delay is a great opportunity to put this to good use.
It’s the perfect time to grab a meal, a drink, or even take a shower or a nap if they’re available.
It’s also the best place to access Wi-Fi and regroup on your next steps.
Make sure you have your lounge pass on your app so you’re ready to scan the QR code when you’re stranded.
Best Cards for Lounge Accesss
Welcome Points: 110,000
Lounge: Unlimited + guest worldwide
Annual Fee: $799
Welcome Points: 120,000
Lounge: Unlimite + guest worldwide
Annual Fee: $799
⚠ Disclaimer: The information in this content may become outdated over time. For the most accurate and up-to-date details, please visit the Apply Now link provided.
Credit Card Travel Insurance Coverage
You’re going to find that your credit card’s travel insurance is super helpful when you face a flight disruption caused by weather. Which happens so much more often than not.
Airlines aren’t required to cover any of your expenses when plans change due to bad weather. Since it’s outside of their control, you’re usually on your own for food and hotels.
That’s where a credit card with good travel coverage comes in super handy. Having a card with Trip Delay and Trip Interruption benefits can cover those out-of-pocket costs.
You can typically get reimbursed as long as you charged the flight or the taxes on your award booking to that card.
Just make sure to keep every itemized receipt for what you buy and save the notification from the airline showing the reason for the delay.
Best Cards for Travel Insurance
Welcome Points: 85,000
Welcome Value: $3,580
Annual Fee: $599
Welcome Points: 120,000
Welcome Value: $5,100
Annual Fee: $799
Welcome Points: 40,000
Welcome Value: $1,719
Annual Fee:$139. 1st Year Rebate
⚠ Disclaimer: The information in this content may become outdated over time. For the most accurate and up-to-date details, please visit the Apply Now link provided.
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Bottom Line
Flight delays and cancellations are unfortunately part of travel more often than not. You’ll reduce stress, save money, and get to your final destination faster if you know what you’re entitled to.
You’ll save money on food and hotels by knowing exactly what you’re entitled to under Canadian travel regulations. You can get compensation directly from the airlines for these disruptions.
Credit card lounge access can be handy to recharge and regroup when your flight is canceled or delayed.
lus, having a credit card with good travel insurance makes all the difference when you’re not compensated by the airline due to bad weather. Coverage like Flight Delay Reimbursement, Trip Interruption, and Delayed Baggage are super handy. That’s why you should take this coverage into consideration when choosing what card to use to pay for a flight.
