BC Ferries has elected to provide a one-time refund to customers who purchased assured loading tickets between 1984 and July 25, 2011. This refund is being offered in an effort to clarify the terms and conditions of the assured loading product and address any confusion customers may have had.

For a 90-day period, starting July 26, 2011 through October 24, 2011, BC Ferries will provide a one-time cash refund to any customer who has an expired assured loading product, as well as any customer with a current assured loading product that no longer wants the tickets.

This refund offer is available until October 24, 2011, after which time, assured loading customers forfeit this one-time opportunity for a refund.

“The reason why we are going to offer time-limited refunds for assured loading is to clarify any confusion about this particular product once and for all,” said David L. Hahn, BC Ferries’ President and CEO. “From now on, all customers must register their cards online, and read and agree to the terms and conditions of the product before they can purchase it, so everyone will clearly acknowledge the tickets have a two-year expiry and are non refundable.”

BC Ferries is making the following changes to avoid confusion in the future:

• All assured loading cardholders must register their cards online with BC Ferries to ensure the Company can contact them when required.

• Online registration will also ensure customers have agreed to the terms and conditions of the card, which include a two-year expiry.

• Registration of new cards will only be permitted online. Once registered, purchasing can be done online or at the ticket booth.

• Re-loading of assured loading product to existing cards will only be permitted if the card is registered.

• As of November 1, 2011, assured loading product will be sold on a distinctly branded card to avoid confusion with customers who use the Experience Card as a stored value card for accessing route specific discounts.


Assured loading tickets are a specialty product aimed at a niche market. Less than one per cent of major route customers use assured loading. If a customer does not have a need for 10 assured loading trips in a two-year period, we strongly recommend that they not purchase this product and use BC Ferries reservation system instead.

For information on how to request assured loading refunds, visit www.bcferries.com.
Refunds will not be processed at the terminals. Proof of purchase is required to be eligible for a refund. Customers can expect refunds to be administered in six to eight weeks.

About Assured Loading (ALTs):

• ALTs provide priority travel on three major Vancouver Island/Mainland routes when presented to the ticket agent at least 20 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

• Participating routes that accept ALTs are: Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay; Tsawwassen- Duke Point; and Horseshoe Bay-Departure Bay.

• The cost of 10 ALTs is currently $1,250. ALTs cannot be purchased individually.

• One ALT covers one personal vehicle (up to 2.13m or 7’ in height, up to 6.10m or 20’ in length) plus driver fare.

• ALTs expire two years after the month of purchase.

• Once ALTs expire they cannot be used for travel.

• Aside from the one-time only refund period, the value of expired ALTs is not refundable and may only be used toward the purchase of a new set of ALTs for a period of six (6) months after expiry.

• After the six-month grace period, any remaining value is forfeited.

• ALT travel is exempt from any regular discounts such as senior, student or disabled fares.

• BC Ferries reserves the right to limit the number of ALT spaces per sailing.