Air Canada to charge a new $30 fee for some phone bookings starting Thursday

Air Canada is changing its booking fees. According to the airline’s website, starting Thursday, Oct. 15, customers will pay a non-refundable $30 booking fee, plus taxes, per passenger for every new booking made by phone with an agent. Air Canada says the fee is intended to reduce wait times and give agents more time to help customers who need extra support. The fee already applies to Aeroplan reward bookings made by phone; regular flight bookings by phone will also incur it starting Thursday.

The fee applies only to new bookings made by phone. Customers do not have to pay it when booking through Air Canada’s website or app, or when calling about an existing booking because of a delay, cancellation or other travel disruption. In many cases, customers can change a flight, accept a new itinerary or request a refund online without calling an agent.

For phone bookings, the fee will appear as a separate charge in addition to the airfare and other charges. It will not be refunded if the flight is cancelled. Air Canada says customers with accessibility requirements are exempt and that it will continue to provide specialized care and support. More information: https://www.aircanada.com/us/en/aco/home/book/travel-news-and-updates/contact-centre-booking-fee.html#/