Best use for an Standard Award expiring < 1 week
May 16, 2015, 4:51 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 7
Best use for an Standard Award expiring < 1 week
Well, shame on me, but I lost track of the expiration date on my Standard award. It expires in less than a week, so even if I find award availability one way, I'd likely have to pay the AT fare on the return.
I'd be entirely game for doing a same day out and return tomorrow (Sunday), but very doubtful finding an acceptably priced itinerary.
Not entirely keen on the idea of throwing good money after bad, so just thought I'd see if there were any good ideas for how to use this expiring award.
I'd be entirely game for doing a same day out and return tomorrow (Sunday), but very doubtful finding an acceptably priced itinerary.
Not entirely keen on the idea of throwing good money after bad, so just thought I'd see if there were any good ideas for how to use this expiring award.
May 16, 2015, 6:02 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 7
I googled this, but Southwest requires an award with 3 month validity in order to donate it. Still, I'll give the CS number a ring and see what they think.
May 16, 2015, 7:21 pm
#6
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: MCI
Programs: CBP Global Entry, WN A-List Preferred, WN Companion Pass
Posts: 2,007
Well, shame on me, but I lost track of the expiration date on my Standard award. It expires in less than a week, so even if I find award availability one way, I'd likely have to pay the AT fare on the return.
I'd be entirely game for doing a same day out and return tomorrow (Sunday), but very doubtful finding an acceptably priced itinerary.
Not entirely keen on the idea of throwing good money after bad, so just thought I'd see if there were any good ideas for how to use this expiring award.
I'd be entirely game for doing a same day out and return tomorrow (Sunday), but very doubtful finding an acceptably priced itinerary.
Not entirely keen on the idea of throwing good money after bad, so just thought I'd see if there were any good ideas for how to use this expiring award.
May 18, 2015, 5:38 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Chicagoland, IL, USA
Programs: WN CP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,174
Maybe call "Make-A-Wish" or some such.
Jul 23, 2015, 3:17 pm
#11
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 538
I will soon find myself in the same position, and not because I did not notice the expiration date. It seems the standard awards have been next to impossible to use. There have been flights where I have been able to purchase highly discounted tickets, yet not be able to use my standard award.
The difficulty using the awards seems to be border on a breech of trust. This is a different situation than award seats on other airlines--which may be frustrating, but your miles don't expire as long as you keep flying. These awards do expire--so the very limited availability renders them close to useless.
The difficulty using the awards seems to be border on a breech of trust. This is a different situation than award seats on other airlines--which may be frustrating, but your miles don't expire as long as you keep flying. These awards do expire--so the very limited availability renders them close to useless.
Jul 24, 2015, 6:46 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,932
I will soon find myself in the same position, and not because I did not notice the expiration date. It seems the standard awards have been next to impossible to use. There have been flights where I have been able to purchase highly discounted tickets, yet not be able to use my standard award.
The difficulty using the awards seems to be border on a breech of trust. This is a different situation than award seats on other airlines--which may be frustrating, but your miles don't expire as long as you keep flying. These awards do expire--so the very limited availability renders them close to useless.
The difficulty using the awards seems to be border on a breech of trust. This is a different situation than award seats on other airlines--which may be frustrating, but your miles don't expire as long as you keep flying. These awards do expire--so the very limited availability renders them close to useless.
But there are no more standard awards being issued, so whatever the problems them are, they'll soon be a thing of the past.
Jul 24, 2015, 9:32 am
#13
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: AA EXP, DL-Plat, WN-CP | Hotels: Choice-Gld, IHG-Plt, Rad-Gld, HH-Dia, Hyatt-Glob, Marriott-LtPlt
Posts: 2,889
IIRC, mid-May 2016 is when the final SAs will expire. So, assuming no one will be able to call-in and extend their expiration, we've only got a bit less than 10 months.
Jul 24, 2015, 9:59 am
#14
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,813
The difficulty using the awards seems to be border on a breech of trust. This is a different situation than award seats on other airlines--which may be frustrating, but your miles don't expire as long as you keep flying. These awards do expire--so the very limited availability renders them close to useless.
Jul 24, 2015, 11:35 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Chicagoland, IL, USA
Programs: WN CP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,174
Sorry to hear you are having trouble using your awards, however your experience does not match mine. I have found for my use (last minute flights) I have been able to use them frequently. two weeks ago I was able to book a flight less than 48 hours before departure using standard awards. They do however seem to be difficult to use to popular vacation destinations or around peak travel times.
Glad I did not top off 3 seeds.
