The several times I have browsed ebay auctions for Southwest ticketless funds bargains, I've come away with the impression that most auctions end up closing awfully close to face value. Exceptions seem to be when the expiry date is extraordinarily close or the seller's feedback rating is low. I have seen non-auction closed sales that were great bargains because a seller set a surprisingly low buy-it-now price, so don't make that mistake if you sell on ebay. (For buyers, caveat emptor, it it's too good to be true, etc., etc.) I have not run through the process of calculating the net yield to the seller after ebay and paypal fees, though, and those are not trivial. Craigslist could be a cheaper option.

Are you an experienced ebay or craigslist seller? If so, as soon as you have a clear idea that you won't be able to use the funds, an ebay listing may be one of your better alternatives.

I should note for future googlers who come across this thread that it can be a fairly complex process to decide the best course of action under particular circumstances. (Somebody should create a decision tree to help folks through it. @:-))

Editorially I would add that if Southwest had adopted a less onerous fee structure (10%, for example), my advice to everyone would be that they should happily pay such a modest extension fee to our favorite airline. It bothers me a little bit to have to be in a position of recommending a course of action that sends revenue to ebay instead of to Southwest. It virtually kills me to recommend letting paypal, of whom I have an exceptionally low opinion, to collect even a cent that could have gone to Southwest. Not everyone despises paypal though, so to give honest advice in the face of the exorbitant (for low dollar amount) fee from Southwest, I have to say that ebay and paypal are often the best option.

OzzyOzzie, or anyone who has recently extended expiring funds, what exactly did you receive in exchange for the $50 fee? I've not yet had to extend funds but a friend who did so (before there was a fee) received a LUV voucher with a 12/31 expiration date. Is that still what Southwest issues for expiring funds, or do they just set a new expiration date on the existing PNR? Will they deduct the $50 from the balance or do you have to kick in new funds? Is the new expiration date one year from the original expiration date, or one year from the date the fee is paid? I'd like to update the FAQ with some of these details but have no experience or knowledge on this topic.

Thanks; when it arrives please let us know the rest of the details. Taking the fee from the balance is better than requiring payment of fresh funds. Snail mail delivery is disappointing.