Your Rights as a Traveller

A traveller who knows their rights travels with confidence. Here's an overview of the protections that apply to flights and hotel stays in Canada.

Last updated: July 27, 2026

General guidance only. Rights depend on the airline, route, fare and circumstances. For decisions about a specific situation, consult the official regulator and your carrier or hotel.

Air travellers: the APPR

Flights to, from and within Canada are covered by the Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR), overseen by the Canadian Transportation Agency. In broad terms, these set out what airlines must do when things go wrong.

Flight delays and cancellations

• Communication: airlines must tell you the reason for a delay or cancellation and update you regularly;
• Care: for longer delays within the airline's control, you may be entitled to food, drink and, where needed, overnight accommodation;
• Rebooking or refunds: if a delay or cancellation is significant, you're generally entitled to rebooking or a refund;
• Compensation: for delays within the airline's control and not required for safety, compensation may apply depending on the length of delay and airline size.

Denied boarding & bumping

If you're involuntarily denied boarding on an oversold flight, you may be entitled to compensation and rebooking or a refund, except in specific circumstances.

Baggage

For lost, damaged or delayed baggage, compensation limits are set by international conventions. Keep receipts for essential purchases if your bag is delayed, and report problems before leaving the airport.

Seating children

Airlines must seat children under 14 near their accompanying adult at no extra charge, subject to the rules.

Making an air-travel claim

1. Complain to the airline in writing and keep records;
2. Note the timeline — airlines generally must respond within 30 days;
3. If unresolved, escalate to the Canadian Transportation Agency.

Hotel guests: your protections

While hotels aren't covered by the APPR, you still have rights and sensible expectations:

• Honoured reservations: a confirmed booking is a contract; if a hotel can't accommodate you, it should typically arrange comparable alternative lodging ("walking" a guest);
• Clear cancellation terms: these should be disclosed before you book — always read them;
• Accurate description: facilities and room types should match what was advertised;
• Safety & consumer protection: consumer-protection laws where you live apply to unfair practices and misleading charges.

Where we fit in. We transfer your reservation request to a third-party reservation partner, and we are paid a referral fee for doing so — see How We Make Money. We are not a party to any booking. The contract, the price, and the cancellation and refund terms are between you and the partner and/or the property. Get those terms in writing before you pay anything, and if the price quoted differs from the property’s own published rate, ask why before you accept.

If a reservation partner we referred you to has misled you or will not honour its own terms, tell us at [email protected]. We investigate, and we end partnerships that mislead readers — but your consumer-protection remedies lie against the partner or the property, and your provincial consumer-protection office can advise you on them.

Travel insurance

Insurance remains the most reliable protection against costs that regulations don't cover — medical emergencies, trip interruption and more. Read the policy's exclusions before you rely on it.

Useful contacts

Canadian Transportation Agency (air travel complaints), your local consumer-protection office, and your travel insurer's assistance line. Keep these handy while you travel.