Ticketless travel funds expiration date
Nov 17, 2010, 8:42 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: STL
Posts: 1,546
Ticketless travel funds expiration date
I'm confused about the expiration date for travel funds, do they expire from the date of purchase, date of refund, date of travel? Etc...
On 11/15, I purchased a WGA fare for a flight leaving 1/29/2011. Today, 11/17, I noticed that the round trip price had dropped $56, so I went online, got the refund and now have the travel funds. I don't know for sure if I'll be flying anywhere anytime soon after this trip. I do plan on flying in the winter of 2011, the week between Xmas and New Years, December 26ish, give or take a few days.
So, my question is, when do these funds expire? Do I have to travel by 11/15/2011? Do I have to purchase the fare by 11/15/2011 for travel in December 2011? Or do I have until 1/29/2012 to travel? I can't seem to find an exact answer on SW's website.
Thanks.
On 11/15, I purchased a WGA fare for a flight leaving 1/29/2011. Today, 11/17, I noticed that the round trip price had dropped $56, so I went online, got the refund and now have the travel funds. I don't know for sure if I'll be flying anywhere anytime soon after this trip. I do plan on flying in the winter of 2011, the week between Xmas and New Years, December 26ish, give or take a few days.
So, my question is, when do these funds expire? Do I have to travel by 11/15/2011? Do I have to purchase the fare by 11/15/2011 for travel in December 2011? Or do I have until 1/29/2012 to travel? I can't seem to find an exact answer on SW's website.
Thanks.
Nov 17, 2010, 8:53 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: STL
Posts: 1,546
Nov 17, 2010, 9:07 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Houston (HOU/IAH)
Programs: WN, UA, DL, AA, Chase UR, Amex MR
Posts: 2,269
And in case you're thinking about it, you cannot "launder" 
the funds by booking a dummy reservation and then cancelling it. Funds retain their original expiration and and non refundable status. 
the funds by booking a dummy reservation and then cancelling it. Funds retain their original expiration and and non refundable status.
Dec 1, 2011, 7:47 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: San Jose , CA , USA
Posts: 77
Southwest's Definition of "Expiry Date"...
This is the first time I have tried to use some travel funds towards a booking.
My Travel Funds expire on 12-10-2011 and I am trying to book a one-way fare on 12-10-2011...
System tells me that I cannot use because Travel Funds expire prior to travel...
I call SouthWest and they tell me that an expiry date of 12-10 means that the latest I can travel is 12-09...
My Travel Funds expire on 12-10-2011 and I am trying to book a one-way fare on 12-10-2011...
System tells me that I cannot use because Travel Funds expire prior to travel...
I call SouthWest and they tell me that an expiry date of 12-10 means that the latest I can travel is 12-09...
Dec 1, 2011, 9:02 pm
#8
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: USA
Programs: AC SE100K, F9 100k, NK Gold, UA *S, Hyatt Glob, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 5,195
This is the first time I have tried to use some travel funds towards a booking.
My Travel Funds expire on 12-10-2011 and I am trying to book a one-way fare on 12-10-2011...
System tells me that I cannot use because Travel Funds expire prior to travel...
I call SouthWest and they tell me that an expiry date of 12-10 means that the latest I can travel is 12-09...
My Travel Funds expire on 12-10-2011 and I am trying to book a one-way fare on 12-10-2011...
System tells me that I cannot use because Travel Funds expire prior to travel...
I call SouthWest and they tell me that an expiry date of 12-10 means that the latest I can travel is 12-09...
Call them back, ask for a supervisor. This'll be a fun one. Ends 12/10/11, Expires 12/10/11, etc mean the end of that day. Just for fun I booked an award ticket flight and it ALLOWS travel on the expiration of the award.