What if my ticketless funds have expired?
Jan 28, 2015, 10:33 am
#31
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: EY
Posts: 852
Ugh, wish I had seen this before today. Had 16 confirmation numbers' travel funds that expired yesterday, for eight passengers. If I had combined the 2 confirmation numbers per passenger into one, I would have saved $350 total. Now currently getting $1800 from $2950 in travel funds from a large group that had to cancel their trip last year, and is unable to travel within the 365 days of purchase (live outside the country). They, or someone else, will utilize the new LUV vouchers within the new six month allotment.
Jun 17, 2015, 2:39 pm
#32
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 2
First time poster, riddle me this:
We have funds for just my husband. We were supposed to travel for a family vacation, but my dad had open heart surgery instead and my husband stayed home. The funds expire 8/29, and we wanted to travel in early October. I called and was told we could get the extension for 6 months (curious no mention of the $100 fee), but only after the funds expire on 8/29, as noted in this thread.
Needless to say, that's cutting it close if we want to try and book the end of August for an early October trip. Is it possible to book now and apply the voucher in August after the original funds expire? Has anyone tried this?
We have funds for just my husband. We were supposed to travel for a family vacation, but my dad had open heart surgery instead and my husband stayed home. The funds expire 8/29, and we wanted to travel in early October. I called and was told we could get the extension for 6 months (curious no mention of the $100 fee), but only after the funds expire on 8/29, as noted in this thread.
Needless to say, that's cutting it close if we want to try and book the end of August for an early October trip. Is it possible to book now and apply the voucher in August after the original funds expire? Has anyone tried this?
Jun 17, 2015, 3:58 pm
#33
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,698
First time poster, riddle me this:
We have funds for just my husband. We were supposed to travel for a family vacation, but my dad had open heart surgery instead and my husband stayed home. The funds expire 8/29, and we wanted to travel in early October. I called and was told we could get the extension for 6 months (curious no mention of the $100 fee), but only after the funds expire on 8/29, as noted in this thread.
Needless to say, that's cutting it close if we want to try and book the end of August for an early October trip. Is it possible to book now and apply the voucher in August after the original funds expire? Has anyone tried this?
We have funds for just my husband. We were supposed to travel for a family vacation, but my dad had open heart surgery instead and my husband stayed home. The funds expire 8/29, and we wanted to travel in early October. I called and was told we could get the extension for 6 months (curious no mention of the $100 fee), but only after the funds expire on 8/29, as noted in this thread.
Needless to say, that's cutting it close if we want to try and book the end of August for an early October trip. Is it possible to book now and apply the voucher in August after the original funds expire? Has anyone tried this?
Good news is that the extension should be immediately usable and you'll still be 5+ weeks out, fall can be a slower travel time so you might luck out with decent fares. I wouldn't consider that "cutting it close"...
Or book it now and attempt to "sell" the funds to someone who can use them, they won't be tied to anyone in exchange for that $100 fee.
Jun 18, 2015, 8:42 am
#35
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 2
Good news is that the extension should be immediately usable and you'll still be 5+ weeks out, fall can be a slower travel time so you might luck out with decent fares. I wouldn't consider that "cutting it close"...
Or book it now and attempt to "sell" the funds to someone who can use them, they won't be tied to anyone in exchange for that $100 fee.
Good point about selling it. That occurred to me last night and may be the way to go.
Jul 3, 2016, 5:58 pm
#37
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 1
Let's say you book a Southwest flight on January 11 for a cost of $150 and then cancel it. You have unused $150 travel funds that can be applied for travel no later than January 10 of the following year. (Always check the expiration date on the SWA website.)
In March you book a flight for $170 and apply your unused $150. You complete the travel, so you now have a balance of $20.
Then on November 20 you book a December flight costing $400. You apply the unused $20 and pay the remaining $380. But then you cancel. You know that you will lose the $20 if you don't apply it and fly by January 10, and you accept that. But you may not realize that you will also lose the $380. Why? Because when funds from two or more confirmation numbers are used for a flight, the expiration date is always the earliest.
It is possible, however, for you to recoup $280 of your loss, according to 2013 postings. After January 10, go on the SWA website and apply for an six-month extension. It will cost you $100.
We were unaware of the SWA guidelines regarding expiration dates, so we are facing a loss of some $180 after applying the $100 extension fee. This posting is to help you to be strategic in your travel planning. Safe travels!
In March you book a flight for $170 and apply your unused $150. You complete the travel, so you now have a balance of $20.
Then on November 20 you book a December flight costing $400. You apply the unused $20 and pay the remaining $380. But then you cancel. You know that you will lose the $20 if you don't apply it and fly by January 10, and you accept that. But you may not realize that you will also lose the $380. Why? Because when funds from two or more confirmation numbers are used for a flight, the expiration date is always the earliest.
It is possible, however, for you to recoup $280 of your loss, according to 2013 postings. After January 10, go on the SWA website and apply for an six-month extension. It will cost you $100.
We were unaware of the SWA guidelines regarding expiration dates, so we are facing a loss of some $180 after applying the $100 extension fee. This posting is to help you to be strategic in your travel planning. Safe travels!
Jul 3, 2016, 9:56 pm
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Chicagoland, IL, USA
Programs: WN CP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,189
Let's say you book a Southwest flight on January 11 for a cost of $150 and then cancel it. You have unused $150 travel funds that can be applied for travel no later than January 10 of the following year. (Always check the expiration date on the SWA website.)
In March you book a flight for $170 and apply your unused $150. You complete the travel, so you now have a balance of $20.
Then on November 20 you book a December flight costing $400. You apply the unused $20 and pay the remaining $380. But then you cancel. You know that you will lose the $20 if you don't apply it and fly by January 10, and you accept that. But you may not realize that you will also lose the $380. Why? Because when funds from two or more confirmation numbers are used for a flight, the expiration date is always the earliest.
It is possible, however, for you to recoup $280 of your loss, according to 2013 postings. After January 10, go on the SWA website and apply for an six-month extension. It will cost you $100.
We were unaware of the SWA guidelines regarding expiration dates, so we are facing a loss of some $180 after applying the $100 extension fee. This posting is to help you to be strategic in your travel planning. Safe travels!
In March you book a flight for $170 and apply your unused $150. You complete the travel, so you now have a balance of $20.
Then on November 20 you book a December flight costing $400. You apply the unused $20 and pay the remaining $380. But then you cancel. You know that you will lose the $20 if you don't apply it and fly by January 10, and you accept that. But you may not realize that you will also lose the $380. Why? Because when funds from two or more confirmation numbers are used for a flight, the expiration date is always the earliest.
It is possible, however, for you to recoup $280 of your loss, according to 2013 postings. After January 10, go on the SWA website and apply for an six-month extension. It will cost you $100.
We were unaware of the SWA guidelines regarding expiration dates, so we are facing a loss of some $180 after applying the $100 extension fee. This posting is to help you to be strategic in your travel planning. Safe travels!
Yes, this aspect of combining funds has been well-covered here, for many years. We call it "tainting."