Travel credits
When one of our trains is late, VIA Rail does everything possible to rectify the situation quickly. Under certain circumstances, we may even replace the train with an alternate mode of transportation. However, certain service disruptions can create delays that are impossible to make up. In such cases, you can request to be compensated with a travel credit.
Also, if you are a VIA Préférence member, you can choose to receive five VIA Préférence points for every dollar of credit in lieu of a late train travel credit. Simply send the original receipt for your ticket to VIA Préférence, with a written request for points.
Travel credit conditions vary according to different trains, length of journey, and final destination. Refer to this chart to find out more about travel credit eligibility, validity, and the amount you may be entitled to.
Remember! The conditions of your travel credit are determined by the delay incurred at final destination.
Notice: Please note that VIA reserves the right to cancel its late train travel credit policy when faced by major events not under VIA's control.
To claim a late train travel credit
Depending on your final destination, a delay of one, two or four hours or more entitles you to a travel credit representing 50% of the fare price paid for the delayed journey (excluding accommodation price). In Sleeper, Touring or Sleeper Touring class, travel credits granted for a delayed train are equal to 50% of the fare you would have paid in Economy class.
The value of your travel credit is calculated on the basis of the price before taxes that you paid for the journey affected by the delay. If your tickets are for a round-trip, the travel credit is based on the journey (there or back) during which you experienced a delay, and not on the total price of your tickets, unless your train has been delayed in both directions.
This credit is applicable towards the purchase of a new train ticket or any VIA Rail rail pass (e.g. BizPak, VIA 6 pak, Canrailpass, Corridorpass and Commuterpass) in the following 6 to 12 months.
When you arrive at your final destination at the scheduled time, you are not entitled to a travel credit, even if one or more corresponding trains have been delayed along the way.
To claim a travel credit, you MUST surrender the originial receipt or stub from your ticket (the remaining portion of your ticket) to one of our ticket offices when purchasing your next ticket.
Please note: The electronic receipt you receive confirming a credit card purchase for an online booking is NOT valid for claiming a travel credit.
When trains are replaced by alternate transport
In exceptional circumstances (e.g., when track works cause a section of track to be taken out of service), buses may be used to ensure connections between one or more of our stations.
For the portion of the trip made by bus, we will grant you a travel credit equal to 50% of the fare (taxes not included) you would have paid to travel the same distance by train. In Sleeper, Touring or Sleeper Touring class, the travel credit is equal to half the price you would have paid in Economy class. Depending on the situation, you might be eligible for a partial refund of the accommodation price.
Only the segment of your trip travelled by bus will be considered.
As an example, if you are travelling from Montréal to Québec City and must complete the Saint-Hyacinthe/Montréal leg of your trip by bus, you may obtain a credit equal to 50% of the amount you would have paid (taxes not included) for a journey between Saint-Hyacinthe and Montréal.
To claim a travel credit, you MUST surrender the original receipt or stub from your ticket (the remaining portion of your ticket) to one of our ticket offices when purchasing your next ticket.
Please note: The electronic receipt you receive confirming a credit card purchase for an online booking is NOT valid for claiming a travel credit.
Travel credits and gift cards cannot be used online
However if you purchase tickets online, you will receive a partial refund for the value of the travel credit or gift card at a ticket office.
In the case of rail passes, if you wish to apply travel credits, late train credits or gift cards, you must buy the rail pass directly at a VIA ticket counter.
Read the full conditions for travel credit.
