If you have an upcoming Air Canada flight, here's a deal worth grabbing: $1,000 Air Canada gift cards are currently on sale for just $894.99, giving you an instant $105.01 saving simply by paying with a gift card instead of cash or credit.
That said, before you stock up, there are a few important things to keep in mind.
- You can only use two methods of payment per Air Canada online booking.
- Using a gift card may void your credit card travel insurance. This is arguably the biggest catch. In most cases, if you pay for your flight (even partially) with a gift card, your credit card's built-in travel insurance — such as trip cancellation, trip interruption, or flight delay coverage — may no longer apply. If you rely on your credit card's travel protections, weigh the $105 savings against the potential cost of losing that coverage.
- Always hold onto your used gift cards until your trip is completely over. This one is critical and easy to overlook: if you need to change or cancel your flight, Air Canada will only refund the amount back to the original gift card used — not to your credit card or bank account. A used gift card with a zero balance could suddenly have funds restored to it, so don't throw it away until you've safely completed your entire trip.
Is It Worth It?
For travellers who already have separate travel insurance (e.g., through their employer benefits, a standalone travel insurance policy, or an annual travel insurance plan), this is a straightforward way to save over $100 on airfare with minimal downside. If you're counting on your credit card's travel insurance as your primary coverage, just make sure to run the numbers first.
