The short answer
You can insist on money. A voucher or travel credit is only allowed if it’s worth more than the cash amount, you were told its value in writing, it never expires, and you confirm in writing that you knew you could have money and chose the voucher instead.
Compensation must be paid in money
Under Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations, compensation for a delay or cancellation must be provided in money: for example cash, a cheque, a bank draft or an electronic transfer. The amounts are in Canadian dollars ($400, $700 or $1,000 per passenger on a large airline).
When a voucher is allowed
Only if all four are true:
- It’s worth more than the minimum cash compensation you’re owed.
- The airline told you its monetary value in writing.
- It doesn’t expire.
- You confirmed in writing that the airline told you about your right to money, and that you chose the voucher.
Saying no to a voucher never costs you the cash.
Before you click “accept”
- Accepting in writing may settle your compensation. Make sure you really prefer the voucher.
- Check the value against the cash amount for your delay, and whether it covers everyone on the booking.
- Look for an expiry date or restrictions. A voucher that expires doesn’t meet the rules.
- If you’d rather have money, reply in writing that you want compensation paid in money, as the regulation requires.
Refunds work the same way
When you’re owed a refund for a cancelled or badly delayed flight, it goes to the person who paid, by the original payment method. A credit or voucher instead is only allowed if the purchaser was told its value and their right to a refund in writing, it doesn’t expire, and they confirmed in writing that they chose it.