amenachem

Hi All!

I was wondering if there's a way to extend a Rapid Reward Award longer than the 1 year expiry - perhaps by using it for a ticket and then cancelling? Would you get a new certificate with a new expiry date? My coupons are good until May, but I want to fly WN in August... Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

BLI-Flyer

This question is answered in the SW Rapid Rewards FAQ.

Q: If I am unable to use my Award within 12 months, is it possible to extend the expiration date?
A: Yes, an Award may be extended for a $50 fee. You can simply mail the expired Award and a check or money order for the appropriate amount to:

Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
P.O. Box 972739
Dallas, TX 75397-2739

It will take up to 30 days from the date we receive your request for Rapid Rewards Customer Service to process the new Award, which will be valid for 12 months from the date of reissue and will be deposited in your account with the new expiration date. All paper Award Tickets will be reissued as Ticketless Awards. Please note that extension requests will only be accepted from the Member who originally qualified for the Award. Extension requests from anyone other than the Member who originally qualified for the Award will be denied.

Strephon

One thing I've wondered for a while, and not seen discussed, is how long does a person have to apply for the extension? Could a person take an award that expired, say, two years ago? Or is there some kind of time limit.

Additionally, once an award has been extended, can it be RE-extended if it's not used within the year?

nsx

I have been researching this question. Initial take is that you have 12 months after expiration, and after that it's an exception that they may grant you or not. I'll let you know after I send in my 2-year-old awards later this year.

tarcapone

Any way to get around the $50? I have an award that expires April 21st, and my wife just told me she wants to fly to visit her sister on April 22-25. She can't change the dates because all of her sisters already agreed on the date.

Any help is appreciated.

Tino

yep, trade with someone who is traveling on an award before April 21.

tarcapone

Yes, except I only have 29... make that 30 posts, so I can't post on Coupon Connection.

tarcapone

If anyone reading this might be able to help me out with a trade, I would appreciate it. My certificate expires 4/21/05.

Now 31, only 69 to go.

mir322

My mom wanted to leave before it expired and come back after the expiration date, but SWA wouldn't let her...she could only use the voucher if she left AND came back before the expiration...they're pretty strict about the whole thing.

Mr. July

Since each reward is actually made up of two one-way tickets, each segment stands on its own and must be completed by the expiration date. In a case like that, you could always book the outbound as RR and pay for the return on your own. You'd still eat 1/2 a free ticket, but that may be better than losing the whole thing.

BLI-Flyer

Can't she pay $50 and extend the expiration date of the return ticket?

Tino

Probably not, since they won't process the extension until AFTER it expires. She would have to:

1. fly out on first leg
2. send in request and $50
3. wait for extension to be approved
4. make return reservation
5. fly back home

This looks much more complex than trading an award with someone.

lewisc

If two people are traveling and only one of the RR tickets expire during your trip you can use one ticket for both outgoing reservations and the other one for the return leg.

I don't think this applies to your situation but it might help others.

nsx

This looks like a significant flaw in the RR system. But I'll bet that RR has the ability to void the old award before expiration and then issue the replacement if you give them a good reason to do so. This situation is a very good reason.

LAHIKER

yeah I have 3 sets of awards expiring April 17.... and I am not flying much this year... mebbe time to pay up the $50 to extend each of them for another year.

did not know about this coupon exchange in this forum. thanks for mentioning it, something to aspire to.