eliztravels2

We have just endured a very lengthy layover in the Winnipeg airport and wondering what to expect in the way of compensation. The delay was over 5 hours, caused first by a one hour shutdown at the airport due to severe weather, then ‘mechanical’ issues. We were travelling business on points so were each given 2 $15 meal vouchers as the Maple Leaf lounge was closing several hours prior to our departure. We used 2 and the others are good for a year at any airport serviced by Air Canada so that wasn’t so bad.

At the gate we were also given information on how to receive a promotion code for a discount on a future flight. The terms seem quite generous: good for travel 13 months after receiving the code, up to two customers per booking, for any Air Canada, Air Canada Express, or codeshare flight. Also fully transferable. With such generous terms, I’m guessing the actual amount of the discount is small. Does anyone know? Is it a set $ amount, or a percentage? Will it be the same for everyone, or dependent on the fare class of our original purchase? Is it worth a try to get cash instead of the discount? Or Aeroplan miles?

We have up to 60 days to get the code, and if I am reading correctly, we have 13 months in which to travel AFTER we receive the code, so might as well wait out the 60 days to give us a larger window to book future travel. Inspite of YYZ being our home airport, Air Canada is rarely our first choice so I’m thinking this ‘compensation’ isn’t going to be terribly useful.

I would appreciate comments from anyone who has had experience with AC delays.

abram

Generally, any delay caused by weather entitles you to nothing.
Given that they provided food vouchers worth more than you spent, for what damages do you think you should be compensated?

Jeff_Costa_Rica

Until you get the promo code, there's no way to know what the discount is. I'd be surprised if it's very much. When you find out, do report back. Of course, you'll have to spend money to use it. If you have a trip coming up to a place AC flies, and the discount seems incentive enough, use it.

Five-hour delays are never fun, but AC did get you to your destination. That's what they're required to do. They don't have to promise it'll be on time. If the delay had been entirely weather related, they'd owe you nothing. The fact that there was a mechanical problem is why you got the meal vouchers and the discount on a future flight. If the delay had extended overnight, they would have paid for a hotel room. No. You're not going to get cash. I think this is all you're going to get.

eliztravels2

Thank you for your replies.

Abrams, I didn’t think I was ‘entitled’ to anything and know that airlines do not generally provide compensation for weather related days. However, only one hour of the 5+ was due to weather, and the airline did provide us with information stating we were being offered the promotion code. I’m not complaining, merely enquiring what to expect. I guess i’ll have to follow through with the process and see what I get.

scdreamer

Hope you will come back and let us know!

Elizabeth_S

The AC flytertalk forum might be another good place to post this

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-canada-aeroplan-375/

eliztravels2

Thanks, Elizabeth_S. I did take a look at flyertalk and without registering and asking the question I was able to determine that promotion codes vary from 5% to 25%. Apparently they are usually fully transferable because there are lots of posts there asking if anyone has one they won’t be using they can pass along.

I suspect, like fares, the value of promotions codes is determined by obscure rules, the alignment of the stars, and what somebody at AC had for breakfast. Once I find out what mine are worth, I’ll let you know.

AnselmAdorne

eliztravels, one thing to prepare you for: if I recollect properly, the promotional code applies only to the base fare, not the total fare, which includes taxes and fees.

For example, I just checked random dates for a Halifax-London return. The total cost was $1132 for the round trip, of which $839 was the base fare and $293 was taxes and fees. If your discount code is, say, 15%, I'm pretty sure it applies only to the $839.

eliztravels2

Curiosity got the better of me so I applied for one of the two promo codes my hubby and I are entitled to. They are for !0% off base fare, with 13 months to use, good for 2 passengers each, and fully transferable as noted above,

Won’t do much for our next trip to Australia, as Air Canada fares are generally much higher than the carriers we have used, Cathy and Qantas. However, as they say, better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick, don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, etc. etc. I’m sure someone will be able to use them.

At the time the delay was very frustrating as it was in addition to a scheduled layover of 5 hours, so we were in the airport for more than 10 hours, arriving home at 4:30 am instead of before midnight. On the plus side, however, we were travelling business on points and got to enjoy the Maple Leaf lounge. If only we could afford to travel that way all the time.. Sigh.