To end a month-long trip to Europe, I booked flights on Air Canada from Toronto to Penticton on July 2nd, 2022, using 65,000 points accrued through my RBC account, plus $650.00. The flights were scheduled to depart Toronto at noon, arrive in Vancouver at 14:18, then leave Vancouver at 17:10, arriving at Penticton at 18:01 on November 2nd, 2022.
I paid $185.32 for preferred seats too.
- AC 8418: 2F – Preferred Seat (Window)
- AC 111: 16A – Preferred Seat (Window)
- AC 8418: 2D – Preferred Seat (Aisle)
- AC 111: 16C – Preferred Seat (Aisle)
- GRAND TOTAL (Canadian dollars)$18532
Well, on September 17th, 2 weeks before our departure for Europe, Air Canada canceled its afternoon flight to Penticton and now had us leaving Toronto at 18:30, arriving in Vancouver at 20:38, then leaving the next morning for Penticton at 08:50.
Dear ROSALIND,We’re sorry as a part of your itinerary has changed due to unexpected business or operational constraints on our planned flight schedule and we have automatically rebooked you on another flight.
This change also affects any customers you are traveling with on this booking.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
Ya right.
Now we had to book an overnight stay at a hotel. The Vancouver Fairmont Airport was the obvious choice if we wanted to enjoy a late dinner on arrival, rather than slurping ramen noodles on the flight. Added cost to our trip, $346.80.
It’s a good thing we booked the Fairmont too, because that 18:30 flight out of Toronto didn’t leave until 23:30, landed at 00:18 in Vancouver and we didn’t get to the hotel until 1 AM, because we had seats at the very back of the bus, which were changed to 43A and B, yet I did NOT get a refund for the $18532 I paid for the preferred seating.
But that is NOT the only issue.
Air Canada charged us $39.90 for checked baggage for EACH leg of the flight, contrary to their own stated policy as shown in the graphic below.
Our check-in in Toronto took 45 minutes LONGER than it should have because we couldn’t print our bag tags because I refused to pay that charge at the self check-in. After waiting those 45 minutes in line, I decided to pay the fee and deal with it later.
Too, we didn’t have access to our bags while in Vancouver because they were checked through to Penticton.
So, Air Canada, you owe me $185,32 plus $67.80 for the seat changes and the baggage overcharges.
Do you know why I didn’t ask before now? Because there were dozens of people on that delayed flight who missed their connections and lost their hotel reservations, which I hope you have actually dealt with by now.
BTW, Air Canada, when you have an APU problem, don’t lie and tell people the delay will be half an hour, then another half hour, then another hour, then another hour… and so on and so forth. Moreover, don’t blame air traffic control for weather delays. Some of us just aren’t stupid enough to believe your lies.
