When a loved one passes away before a planned trip, families and executors are often left wondering what to do about the airline tickets that have already been purchased. Every airline handles this situation a little differently, and the rules are not always obvious. In this post, I am going to talk about how the three major Canadian airlines—Air Canada, WestJet, and Air Transat—deal with ticket cancellations and refunds when the ticket holder dies before the flight.
If a passenger dies before they can travel, Air Canada will typically provide a full refund for any unused ticket, even if the fare was originally nonrefundable. To start the process, you will need to contact Air Canada or the travel agent who handled the booking. The airline will require a copy of the death certificate and proof of your authority to act, such as a will or a certificate of appointment as estate trustee. You will also need to provide the booking details. Air Canada asks that you submit the documents within 90 days of the original return date. Once approved, the refund will go back to the payment method used for the booking, and if the ticket was purchased with Aeroplan points, that may need to be addressed separately.
WestJet’s policy depends on the type of fare purchased. If the deceased had a Basic fare, which is WestJet’s lowest-priced ticket, there is no refund available, even in the case of death. However, if the fare was Econo, EconoFlex, or Premium, WestJet will usually offer a travel credit. To request this, you need to call their bereavement line and provide a death certificate and documentation showing your authority to act. WestJet requires that you reach out within 30 days of the scheduled departure. These credits go to a WestJet Rewards account and can be used for future travel. The process can involve a bit of paperwork, so it is worth gathering everything you need before calling.
Air Transat
Air Transat does not publish a detailed public policy on refunds in the event of a passenger’s death, but they generally review requests on a case by case basis. If you find yourself in this situation, contact Air Transat’s customer service as soon as possible. You will need the booking reference, a death certificate, and documents confirming your relationship to the deceased or your role as executor. The sooner you reach out, the better the chance the airline can accommodate your request. In most situations involving fully unused tickets, Air Transat will try to assist.
Practical Advice for Executors and Families
If you are the executor or helping a family member, act quickly once you know the ticket will not be used. Airlines are much more responsive before the scheduled travel date passes. Make sure you have a copy of the death certificate and documents that confirm you are authorized to act for the estate. Refunds, if granted, usually go to the estate and not to individual family members. Remember that frequent flyer points or credits might need to be handled through a different process with the airline’s loyalty program.
Final Thoughts
Dealing with a flight cancellation after a death is never easy, but you are not necessarily out of luck. While each airline is a bit different, a little preparation can help recover some or all of the ticket value for the estate.
Thanks for reading!
Grey Wen