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Insurance

It is strongly recommended that you buy travel insurance in case you need to cancel your trip due to illness or other specified problems that may occur, either prior to departure or while travelling. As well, you may want to take out additional insurance to cover loss of, or damage to, your baggage for amounts above the liability offered by the air carrier. (See Baggage section.)

Be sure to find out whether the insurance policy you are thinking of buying covers any existing medical problems you may have. If you are using a credit card to pay for your trip, check with the issuer to find out what insurance it may provide.

Consult your air carrier, travel agent or insurance company for a package that suits your specific needs and make sure you understand the contents and restrictions.

Reservations, Ticketing and Check-In

Air carrier tariffs govern the contracts between carriers and their passengers, and set out the terms and conditions related to tickets and travel. Upon request, air carriers must give you access to their tariffs. However, you may need to pay a small fee, not exceeding the cost of photocopying, to receive a copy.

A ticket is proof of payment and contains only some of the information that appears in a tariff. If the information on a ticket differs from that found in a tariff, the information in the tariff applies. You should familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions governing your travel.

The air carrier with which you book or the carrier appearing in the schedule may not actually operate your flight as a result of certain commercial agreements among air carriers. For example, the flight may be operated with a crew and airplane belonging to another carrier. The carrier you are booking with must advise you of this fact when you reserve and when you check in. If you receive a printed itinerary, it must also show which flights are "code shares". However, regardless of which carrier actually operates your flight, the terms and conditions of carriage that apply to you are those of the carrier that issued your ticket.

Is a reservation the same as a confirmation?

No. Making a reservation for a flight does not mean that you hold a confirmation on that flight. Ask your air carrier or travel agent to ensure that you hold a confirmation on the flight.

Your travel agent or air carrier should provide you with a hard-copy itinerary and receipt that confirm your transportation. For future reference, make sure you get a confirmation number when you make your reservations, particularly if it is an electronic ticket.

Does my reservation mean the price of the ticket is guaranteed?

Many air carriers, but not all, will guarantee the price of the ticket once you have paid in full.

When buying your ticket, you may place a deposit with the understanding that you will pay in full by the date required, but this does not guarantee the price you were quoted when you made the reservation. If the price rises between the time of your deposit and full payment, you may be required to pay the new price. The reverse is also true; you may receive a refund if the price is reduced.

Do I have to confirm my return flight?

Most air carriers have stopped requiring passengers to confirm return flights for travel within North America. For travel outside North America, carriers' practices vary more widely.

When confirmation is required, most air carriers will ask you to confirm your return transportation at least 72 hours before the flight. Failure to comply with this requirement could result in the cancellation of your reservation and you may be unable to travel.

Ask your air carrier or travel agent whether such a confirmation requirement exists. However, whether the air carrier requires it or not, confirming your return flight gives the air carrier a point of contact should your flight be advanced, delayed or cancelled.

How long in advance should I check in before my flight?

Always verify with your air carrier to determine how long in advance of your flight time you must check in. You should arrive at the airport in plenty of time to check in, clear security and reach the departure gate. Check in as soon as you arrive at the airport and obtain your boarding pass.

Check-in times vary from carrier to carrier. Be sure to comply with your carrier's check-in time limit or you may be refused transportation on your flight with no liability on the part of the carrier.

What are my options for check-in?

Some air carriers offer self-service kiosks to improve service at check-in. These kiosks allow passengers to bypass the more traditional check-in counter. Some air carriers have gone a step further and enable their passengers to check in via the Internet before they leave for the airport.

Can a ticket be transferred to someone else?

Air carriers will generally not allow a ticket purchased by one individual to be transferred to another. Air carriers ask you for identification and will refuse to let you board the airplane if you have a ticket issued to someone else. Furthermore, the air carrier may not be liable for irregularities, such as lost baggage or personal injury, if you travel on a ticket belonging to someone else.

What happens if I lose my ticket?

If you lose your ticket, you may be required to purchase another one for immediate travel. To obtain a refund of the replacement ticket, you must file a claim with your air carrier. However, the carrier may charge you a lost-ticket fee. Refunds for lost tickets may take up to twelve months, depending on the carrier's internal policies.

What if I decide not to use a portion of my ticket?

If you change all or part of your travel plans, make sure to advise the air carrier as soon as possible. If you do not, the air carrier may cancel the remaining segments of your trip. Depending on the terms and conditions of the fare paid, you may be subject to a change fee or cancellation penalty.

What if the air carrier ceases operations after I have purchased a ticket?

If you have purchased a ticket but have not yet travelled or if you have initiated travel but it has not yet been completed and your air carrier ceases operations, you should immediately contact your travel agency or other transportation providers to make alternative travel arrangements. If you have an unused ticket, you may be eligible for a refund from your travel agency, your credit card company or certain provincial government authorities.

The Canadian Transportation Agency may be able to help you if you cannot determine whom to contact. The Agency's Web site (www.cta.gc.ca) may contain contact and other information related to the situation.

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