I actually had to cancel my Air Canada flight myself last month, so here’s what really happens and how it went for me. I’d booked a round-trip from Toronto to Vancouver but my work plans changed suddenly. Instead of calling customer support, I decided to cancel it online through the “Manage Bookings” section.
After logging in with my booking reference, there was a clear “Cancel Flight” option. Once I confirmed, I immediately got an email showing the updated status and refund details. Since my fare was refundable (thankfully!), the refund was processed back to my card within about seven business days. If it had been a non-refundable fare, I would’ve only received an Air Canada travel credit for future use.
One thing I learned—if you cancel within 24 hours of booking, you usually get a full refund, no matter what type of ticket you bought. But after that window, the fare rules really matter.
If you ever feel unsure or your situation’s a bit complicated (like multi-city trips or using points), it’s much faster to speak directly with an Air Canada agent — they can handle cancellations, name corrections, or even rebookings instantly.
