#Air Canada Refund Policy

[sean-gaffney]

This just in: Air Canada is absolutely fucking terrible, surprising no one.

[carriesthewind]

Hmm, is that the sound of chickens, beginning to come home to roost?

After months of resisting, Air Canada was forced to give a partial refund to a grieving passenger who was misled by an airline chatbot inaccurately explaining the airline's bereavement travel policy. ... Air Canada was seemingly so invested in experimenting with AI that Crocker told the Globe and Mail that "Air Canada’s initial investment in customer service AI technology was much higher than the cost of continuing to pay workers to handle simple queries." It was worth it, Crocker said, because "the airline believes investing in automation and machine learning technology will lower its expenses" and '"fundamentally" create "a better customer experience."

I also highly recommend reading the decision itself:

Highlights:

"In effect, Air Canada suggests the chatbot is a separate legal entity that is responsible for its own actions. This is a remarkable submission."

"While Air Canada argues Mr. Moffatt could find the correct information on another part of its website, it does not explain why the webpage titled “Bereavement travel” was inherently more trustworthy than its chatbot. It also does not explain why customers should have to double-check information found in one part of its website on another part of its website."

And not "AI" related, but delicious snark:

"Air Canada is a sophisticated litigant that should know it is not enough in a legal process to assert that a contract says something without actually providing the contract."

[allthecanadianpolitics]

After months of resisting, Air Canada was forced to give a partial refund to a grieving passenger who was misled by an airline chatbot inaccurately explaining the airline's bereavement travel policy. On the day Jake Moffatt's grandmother died, Moffat immediately visited Air Canada's website to book a flight from Vancouver to Toronto. Unsure of how Air Canada's bereavement rates worked, Moffatt asked Air Canada's chatbot to explain. The chatbot provided inaccurate information, encouraging Moffatt to book a flight immediately and then request a refund within 90 days. In reality, Air Canada's policy explicitly stated that the airline will not provide refunds for bereavement travel after the flight is booked. Moffatt dutifully attempted to follow the chatbot's advice and request a refund but was shocked that the request was rejected.

Continue Reading

Tagging @politicsofcanada

[collapsedsquid]

Aww yeah gonna get me a $3 car

[flightyquinn]

When I talk about corporations not being able to tell the difference between "AI is impressive" and "It is impressive that AI works as well as it does", this is the kind of shit I'm talking about.

This happened because rather than pay a human, the airline chose to implement technology that does not yet understand information in the same way that a human does. Specifically, while great strides have been made in the areas of getting AI to parse language in a way that produces coherence and relevance, we're still struggling with the concept of fact-checking. In other words, AI is "impressive" compared to previous versions of itself, and in terms of how difficult it is to get a computer to do some of these things at all. It is not impressive when compared to a human of average intelligence being assigned to the same tasks. But companies are still putting it in charge of things, because they can't seem to grasp that this "impressive" new technology is essentially the equivalent of a surprisingly literate three-year-old.

[unrelaxing]

media list (05.02.2024 - 25.02.2024)

👂 Listened:

Albums:

the record by boygenius (2023) [4/10, I just couldn't vibe with the album's mood or sound at all.]

Starboy by The Weeknd (2016) [6/10, suffers from the singles being so much better than the rest of the album]

Podcasts:

Tooth & Claw: Down Under - News Stories Featuring Some of Australia's Most Dangerous Critters

Welcome To Night Vale Ep. 50-70B [This took up a lot of my podcast time these past few weeks during work hours, but I definitely need a break...]

Morbid: EP 540 - Anna George and the Murder of George Saxton [I really enjoy historical true crime. I wonder if it's the distance? Or maybe, like with everything else, I prefer to consume things where technology is absent.]

National Park After Dark: EP 201 - The Lava Lake Murders. Deschutes National Forest.

📖 Read:

Articles:

Air Canada must honor refund policy invented by airline’s chatbot by Ashley Belanger from arstechnica

Books:

Luck In The Shadows by Lynn Flewelling [finished! 10/10, I'll definitely do a full review at some point.]

Stalking Darkness by Lynn Flewelling [in progress, second part of the series, still early on.]

Pine by Francine Toon [in progress - quite slow going, this one, and I'm not quite sure how I feel about it. I don't usually mind if books are slow-burn, but I find the details that makes things slow so asinine...]

📺 Watched:

YouTube:

The Sinister Letters That Terrorized A Small Town • Mystery Files from Watcher

Why Is It So Hard to Tell the Sex of a Dinosaur? from PBS Eons

[elishaaa25]

The 24 Hour Cancellation Policy of Air Canada: A Stress Free Travel Guide

Unexpected events like emergencies scheduling changes or even a change of heart might cause last minute changes to your travel plans. Air Canada understands this and provides travelers with flexibility and peace of mind by offering a 24 hour cancellation policy. We will go over the specifics of Air Canada 24 hour cancellation policy its operation and advice on maximizing its benefits in this blog.

What is the 24-hour cancellation policy of Air Canada?

With Air Canada, customers can cancel their reservation for a flight within 24 hours of making the purchase without being charged a cancellation fee. This policy gives travelers the opportunity to modify their travel schedules without incurring any additional costs, and it is applicable to all rates.

Important Details of the All Fare Types Applicable 24 Hour 

1. Cancellation Policy: No matter what fare type you've selected Economy Premium Economy, Business or First Class the 24 hour cancellation policy is in effect.

2. Complete Refunds: Within 24 hours of making your reservation you can cancel and get a complete refund in the original payment method.

3. No Unexpected Charges: For cancellations made within the 24 hour window there are no additional costs or penalties.

4. Simple Online Refunds: The Air Canada website or mobile app can be used to complete the simple online cancellation process.

How to Make a 24 Hour Flight Cancellation

It is easy to cancel your flight within the allotted 24 hour period. Here is a detailed how to:

Log in: Open the Air Canada mobile app or go to the Air Canada website to access your account.

Handle Reservations: Proceed to the Manage Reservations segment.

Get Your Reservation Back: To access your reservation enter your last name and booking reference.

Cancel Flight: Click the Cancel option after selecting the flight you want to cancel.

Verify Cancellation: To confirm the cancelation adhere to the instructions. After the cancellation is handled you will receive an email confirming it.

Why Having a 24 hour cancellation policy allows you more flexibility when making changes to plans

The flexibility provided by the 24 hour cancellation policy is one of its main advantages. Travelers can purchase flights with confidence since they have a full day to make any necessary changes. This can be especially helpful if you are still deciding on your trip itinerary or are awaiting confirmation from other sources.

Financial Calm

Unexpected changes might raise the expense of travel which can already be pricey. This is lessened by Air Canada 24 hour cancellation policy which lets you reschedule and cancel without incurring any fees. This might be especially helpful if you need to change your vacation dates or locate a better offer.

Stress-Free Reservation

It can be stressful to book flights, particularly if you're not sure where you're going or when you're going. A portion of this anxiety is alleviated by the 24 hour cancellation policy which offers a risk free window for modifications. This might lessen the stressful and increase the enjoyment of the booking procedure.

Advice on How to Maximize the 24-Hour Cancellation Policy

Make a reservation early.

Make early reservations to benefit from the 24-hour cancellation policy. In this manner, you can reserve the flight and fare of your choice and still have time to make any necessary adjustments.

Verify Travel Information Again

Verify any travel-related information such as dates, times and passenger details once you've made your reservation. Within the 24-hour window, you can quickly cancel and rebook if you find any issues.

Keep Track of Fare Changes

The price of airfare may fluctuate frequently. After making your reservation be aware of any fare changes. If within 24 hours of making your first reservation you find a more affordable ticket or a more convenient flight you can cancel and rebook without incurring any charges.

Make Good Use of the Time

Make use of the 24-hour window to complete any unfinished travel arrangements, including lodging, vehicle rentals, and activities while you're there. This can guarantee that the planning of your entire trip is seamless.

Many Concerns Regarding the 24-Hour Cancellation Policy

Does every reservation fall within the 24-hour cancellation policy?

Yes regardless of the fare class, all reservations booked directly with Air Canada are subject to the 24 hour cancellation policy.

Can I cancel a flight that I have reserved through a different travel company?

Direct reservations made with Air Canada are normally subject to the 24 hour cancellation policy. Check the cancellation terms of the third party travel agency if you made your reservation there since they can be different.

How can I get my money back?

Refunds for cancellations made during the 24-hour period will be applied to the original payment method. Depending on how you made the payment, it can take a few business days for the refund to show up in your account.

What happens if I have to modify my flight rather than cancel it?

If you need to adjust your flight instead of canceling Air Canada provides ways to amend your reservation. If, however, you decide to switch to a more expensive flight, fare changes can apply.

Do all routes provide the 24-hour cancellation policy?

Although all routes often have a 24-hour cancellation period, it's a good idea to check the exact terms and circumstances that apply to your reservation.

To sum up

Air Canada 24 hour cancellation policy is a helpful feature that offers customers flexibility and peace of mind. The process will be made simpler and easier if you are aware that you can cancel without being charged within 24 hours of booking a trip or organizing an unplanned holiday. By following this guide's rules and understanding how the policy works, you can make the most of this perk and enjoy a more flexible travel experience. Happy travels!

[airline-travel23]

Air Canada Change Flight Policy: Everything You Need to Know

Changing a flight can often be stressful, but understanding Air Canada change flight policy can help make the process smoother. Here's a comprehensive guide to Air Canada's policies on changing flights, including fees, procedures, and tips for a hassle-free experience.

1. General Overview of Air Canada's Change Flight Policy

Air Canada allows passengers to change their flights, but the terms and conditions vary based on the type of ticket purchased. Here are the key points:

Flexibility: Passengers can change their flight dates, times, and destinations, subject to availability.

Fees: Change fees may apply depending on the fare type and the time of the change request.

Fare Difference: If the new flight costs more than the original, passengers must pay the difference in fare. If it costs less, no refund is typically provided unless specified by the fare rules.

2. Change Fees by Fare Type

Air Canada's fare types include Basic, Standard, Flex, Comfort, Latitude, Premium Economy, Business Class, and Business Class Signature. Here’s how change fees generally work:

Basic Fare: Changes are not permitted.

Standard Fare: Change fees apply; the amount varies based on the route and time of change.

Flex Fare: Lower change fees compared to Standard Fare.

Comfort Fare: Reduced or no change fees.

Latitude, Premium Economy, Business Class, and Business Class Signature: No change fees; changes are allowed without penalty, but fare differences apply.

3. How to Change Your Air Canada Flight

Online:

Visit the Air Canada Website: Go to the official Air Canada website and log in to your account.

Manage Bookings: Navigate to the "Manage Bookings" section.

Find Your Booking: Enter your booking reference and last name to retrieve your reservation.

Select Change Flight: Choose the option to change your flight and follow the prompts to select a new flight.

Review and Pay: Review any applicable fees and fare differences, then proceed to payment.

Mobile App:

Open the App: Launch the Air Canada mobile app and log in.

Manage Bookings: Access your bookings through the app.

Change Flight: Follow similar steps as the website to change your flight.

By Phone:

Contact Customer Service: Call Air Canada's customer service.

Provide Details: Give the agent your booking reference and request the desired changes.

Review Fees: Confirm any applicable fees and fare differences before finalizing the change.

At the Airport:

Visit a Service Desk: Go to an Air Canada service desk at the airport.

Request Changes: Speak with an agent to change your flight.

Pay Fees: Pay any required fees or fare differences.

4. Special Considerations

Same-Day Flight Change: For a fee, passengers can opt for a same-day flight change to an earlier or later flight on the same day of travel.

Aeroplan Members: Members of Air Canada's loyalty program may have different change policies based on their membership level.

COVID-19 Flexibility: Air Canada has offered more flexible change policies during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing for free changes on most fares. Check current policies for the latest updates.

5. Tips for Changing Your Flight

Check Fare Rules: Always review the fare rules for your ticket type before booking to understand change policies and fees.

Act Quickly: Changes made closer to the departure date may incur higher fees or limited availability.

Use Online Tools: The Air Canada website and mobile app provide convenient options for managing your booking and making changes.

Monitor Promotions: Occasionally, Air Canada may offer promotions with waived change fees or reduced fare differences.

6. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I change my Air Canada flight for free? A: Some fare types, such as Latitude and higher classes, allow free changes. Promotional periods may also offer free changes.

Q: What if my new flight is cheaper? A: Generally, no refund is provided if the new flight is cheaper. You may forfeit the fare difference.

Q: How many times can I change my flight? A: Changes can be made multiple times, but each change may incur fees and fare differences.

Q: Can I change the destination of my flight? A: Yes, but it is subject to availability and fare differences. Change fees may also apply.

Conclusion

Understanding Air Canada's change flight policy can help you manage your travel plans with confidence. Whether you need to adjust your travel dates, times, or destinations, knowing the rules and procedures will ensure a smoother experience. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to Air Canada’s official website or contact their customer service.

[craigbrownphd]

Air Canada Has to Honor a Refund Policy Its Chatbot Made Up

#Tech #Technology #DevOps #Automation #BigData #DataAnalytics #Data #DataEngineering #AI #ML https://www.wired.com/story/air-canada-chatbot-refund-policy/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=tumblr

[jacqartpress]

Air Canada Has to Honor a Refund Policy Its Chatbot Made Up

http://dlvr.it/T3mTbP

[hackernewsrobot]

Air Canada Has to Honor a Refund Policy Its Chatbot Made Up

https://www.wired.com/story/air-canada-chatbot-refund-policy