Air Canada’s Name Change Policy

Understanding Air Canada’s Name Change Policy: A Comprehensive Guide

Air Canada’s name change policy outlines the procedures and rules for modifying passenger names on bookings. This policy is crucial for travel agencies and passengers alike, as it ensures compliance with airline regulations and avoids potential issues during travel. This article provides a detailed overview of Air Canada’s name change policy, including the rules for name corrections, fees, and procedures for travel agencies.

Overview of Air Canada’s Name Change Policy

Air Canada’s name change policy is designed to ensure that passenger names are accurate and consistent across all bookings. The policy prohibits name changes except under specific circumstances, such as misspellings or legal document updates. Travel agencies must adhere to these rules to avoid any complications during travel.

Rules for Name Changes

Name Corrections

Air Canada allows name corrections if the name is misspelled or if it needs to be updated to reflect legal documents. However, name changes due to other reasons, such as marriage or divorce, are not permitted.

Name Change Fees

Air Canada does not charge a fee for name corrections if the correction is due to a misspelling or a legal document update. However, if the name change is not due to these reasons, a fee may apply, depending on the fare type and the time before the flight departure.

Procedures for Travel Agencies

Booking and Ticketing Policy

Air Canada requires that only one reservation exists per passenger per itinerary. Travel agencies must book and ticket within the same CRS (Computer Reservation System) to avoid any issues.

Segment Status Changes

Air Canada requires travel agencies to action segment status changes due to flight disruptions, cancellations, or other circumstances at least 48 hours prior to flight departure. For schedule changes, the action must be taken within 14 days of the notification or 7 days prior to departure, whichever is earlier.

Ticketing and Cancellation

All CRS bookings must be ticketed as per tariff rules or immediately cancelled in the CRS when not required, prior to departure. Travel agencies must ensure that all confirmed and waitlisted space is cancelled prior to refunding or voiding a ticket.

Additional Guidelines

Back-to-Back, Throwaway, and Cross Border Tickets

Air Canada prohibits the creation of back-to-back, throwaway, and cross border tickets. These practices are contrary to industry resolutions and applicable tariffs and fares, and may result in debit memos or requiring passengers to pay the fare difference at the airport.

Redistribution of Air Canada Content

Air Canada prohibits the redistribution of its fares and seat availability without prior written consent. This includes distributing content to, displaying it on, advertising it with, or sharing it in any manner with other CRSs, travel agencies, or metasearch websites.

Conclusion

Air Canada’s name change policy is designed to ensure that passenger names are accurate and consistent across all bookings. Travel agencies must adhere to these rules to avoid any complications during travel. Understanding the policy and procedures for name changes, ticketing, and segment status changes is crucial for a smooth travel experience.