Quebec Warns on Low-Price Airline Ticket Scams

MONTREAL, Quebec - Quebec's consumer protection office issued a warning on April 23, 2026, urging travelers to exercise caution when booking airline tickets from websites offering prices that appear unrealistically low, as complaints about unfulfilled reservations have surged.

The Office de la protection du consommateur reported a notable increase in cases where consumers purchased discounted flights only to learn shortly before departure that their bookings were invalid. In many instances, affected individuals received notifications days prior to their trips stating that the original fare would not be honored, with sellers proposing alternative tickets at significantly higher costs. Other complaints involved refusals to issue refunds or the imposition of substantial cancellation fees, leaving travelers out of pocket and scrambling for alternatives.

Officials attribute these issues primarily to intermediary businesses operating online ticket sales without the required Quebec travel agent permit. Such entities, often based outside the province, bypass local regulations designed to protect consumers from deceptive practices. Quebec law prohibits sellers from charging more than the...