AirTran Airways A+ Rewards - Cancelation/Credit policies

A friend of mine who knows little about air travel said her friend bought a ticket for his son for future travel, but then they had to cancel the trip. As the ticket was nonrefundable, he was given a $600 credit. She claims that a.) the credit went back to the father (not the son, who was the named passenger) and that he could transfer it to her (or anyone, for that matter).

I told her that I've not heard of such a generous policy because then people could buy tickets cheap and then resell them. Unless perhaps Airtran allows you to do this for a family member? The only thing on the web site indicates that a credit would be given for future travel, but doesn't go into further details.

To my knowledge, credit is tagged to the purchaser's A+ rewards number. I see no reason why the original purchaser could not buy a ticket for the son. The credit is valid for one year from the date of original purchase.

Official policy:

To cancel a reservation, please call AirTran Airways Reservations at 800-AIR-TRAN or 678-254-7999 in Atlanta. Reservations must be cancelled at least one hour prior to departure, and there is a $75 fee per passenger to cancel a reservation. The remaining balance will be placed in a credit file, which may be used for future bookings for up to one year from the date of the original booking. Failure to cancel reservations one hour prior to departure will result in the forfeiture of airfare.

To my knowledge, credit is tagged to the purchaser's A+ rewards number. I see no reason why the original purchaser could not buy a ticket for the son. The credit is valid for one year from the date of original purchase.

But does this mean the purchaser (the father of the son) could use that credit in his A+ account to buy a ticket for someone else all together?

But does this mean the purchaser (the father of the son) could use that credit in his A+ account to buy a ticket for someone else all together?

It's just a credit that appears in the purchaser's account that can be used against any future purchase (until it expires). Why would AirTran care how it's used, especially since they collected their pound of flesh ($75).

None of the other airlines in the US (that I know of) allow you to change the ticketed passenger's name. If I buy a ticket on AA for $500, for example, but then need to cancel it before the trip, I get a credit of $500-$150(change fee) that can be used for a future ticket. Except, that future ticket must be issued in my name.

So, that's why I wondered if AirTran does it differently.

None of the other airlines in the US (that I know of) allow you to change the ticketed passenger's name. If I buy a ticket on AA for $500, for example, but then need to cancel it before the trip, I get a credit of $500-$150(change fee) that can be used for a future ticket. Except, that future ticket must be issued in my name.

So, that's why I wondered if AirTran does it differently.

Southwest certainly does. Not only can you use the credit for anyone, you can legally sell it.

The original purchaser should be able to purchase the ticket from his A+ account. Just insert the sons name on the page that asks for passenger info.

None of the other airlines in the US (that I know of) allow you to change the ticketed passenger's name. If I buy a ticket on AA for $500, for example, but then need to cancel it before the trip, I get a credit of $500-$150(change fee) that can be used for a future ticket. Except, that future ticket must be issued in my name.

So, that's why I wondered if AirTran does it differently.

Probably a difference of legacy carrier vs. LCCs. I think most of the newer airlines let you reuse the credit as you see fit. (Add Jetblue to the AirTran & Southwest "flexibility" list.)