Airlines are normally fairly reasonable if a death in the family prevents you from flying.
However, not all airlines or travel companies are created equal.
If you’re booking low cost flights or using a charter, there are different rules.
Baljiner Sull says she has spent a month fighting with the company Canadian Affair over a cancelled vacation.
Her brother died in July while climbing in Canmore, and her sister and mother had to cancel flights to England.
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However, Canadian Affair has a no refund or credit policy, even for compassionate reasons.
Unfortunately, the family didn’t buy insurance, and have lost $2,000.
“The whole point is to be saving money… and you can never foresee these situations,” says Sull. “We weren’t wanting the refund at the end of the day anyway, we were just hoping for a credit at the very least.”
Canadian Affair says this was a low cost ticket and they are non-changeable, non-transferable and non refundable.
However, after reviewing the file, the company says as a gesture of goodwill the taxes on the flights will be refunded.
“With a charter…. they’re very very rigid. Therefore, it’s very important to realize that insurance has to be there when you book with a charter,” says Jennie Mohamed, Park Lane Travel.
Many people don’t realize charter and scheduled airlines have different cancellation rules, so make sure to check them before you book.
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