What travellers need to know ahead of potential Air Canada strike

With a possible Air Canada flight attendants’ strike looming, Canadians who have seats booked next month may be worried about whether their travel plans could be affected.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents the carrier’s flight attendants, began its strike vote on Monday, July 28. Members will be able to vote on whether to go ahead with a strike until Aug. 5.

“If the membership authorizes a strike through a majority vote, the union will be in a legal position to initiate job action as of 12:01 a.m. on Aug. 16,” a spokesperson for the Air Canada Component of CUPE told us.

The union represents over 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants, which means if the strike does go ahead, Canadian travellers could feel the impacts on their bank accounts.

However, if you bought your plane tickets with a credit card that has travel insurance, it may save you some financial stress.

We spoke with Natasha Macmillan, senior business director of everyday banking at Ratehub.ca, about what options travellers have to get their money back if their flight is cancelled by a possible Air Canada workers’ strike.

If an Air Canada strike does happen, what are customers’ options?

The first thing passengers should know is that flight cancellations during an airline strike are considered out of the carrier’s control under the Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR).

Macmillan says that typically in these situations, airlines must automatically rebook affected passengers on another flight, whether it’s with them or another carrier. If the airline can’t do that, they must provide a full refund.

She says the other option travellers have is to look into what their credit card travel insurance covers.

“What we do recommend, depending on the type of card, is that it might be worthwhile calling your credit card provider just to see if you will be covered,” said Macmillan.

What is usually covered under credit card travel insurance?

Macmillan says unforeseen events that are outside of the airline’s control, like flight cancellations due to a labour disruption, usually aren’t covered by credit card travel insurance.

“However, if it’s a delay that might happen because the plane hasn’t arrived yet, things like that typically are covered, especially after it hits a certain number of hours,” she explained.

The expert says some travel credit cards cover flight delays of over four hours or lost baggage.

“You are entitled to a certain sum of money to ease that burden, whether you need to get food, or stay in a hotel room, or if you need some additional essentials or clothes or toiletries if your bag is lost,” she explained.

If a flight cancellation causes you to miss a hotel booking or an event or attraction for which you had purchased tickets, however, Macmillan says the credit card company usually won’t cover the costs. But, she says customers can call the hotel or business directly and explain their situation.

“At times, if you can show proof of the cancellation of your flight or travel, you are given that credit and refund, depending on the provider,” said Macmillan.

She says another avenue Ratehub.ca became aware of in discussions with major credit card companies is that holders can call their provider and say they were charged with a “not-for-service fee.”

“So, you’ve been charged for something that you didn’t get a service for, and that is typically refunded to your credit card,” said Macmillan, though she says it’s likely still more effective to call the business directly and explain your situation to them.

How can travellers file their claims with their credit card provider?

You can file your credit card travel insurance claims online or you can call the number on the back of your card.

“I would recommend calling in if you have questions about what you’re eligible for or what’s best to do, but typically, filing the actual complaint online is probably the best route to go,” explained Macmillan.

She adds that filing online will likely allow for easier payout.

How should Canadians prepare ahead of a possible Air Canada strike?

The expert says that carriers have actually pre-cancelled flights ahead of looming strikes and have automatically provided passengers with a refund.

“If it’s just kind of discretionary, you might be offered that full refund, and you can decide whether or not you want to travel anymore,” explained Macmillan.

Overall, she says it will be a bit disruptive to travel plans, especially during the summer.

“It is always good to ensure that you’re aware of what might be happening, and perhaps, pending that [the strike] is looming, be aware of alternative travel options,” she adds.

She also suggests travellers find out as much as they can about their specific credit card travel insurance coverage.