Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
(1) Even with no change fee, my understanding is that you would get a WN credit to use in one year, not a refund. If you don't (want to) fly Southwest, this doesn't help (and it would be nontransferable).
You are correct, on the cheap "Wanna Get Away" WN fares you have to use the credit within a year, just a like a non-refundable ticket on any other airline. But no change fees.
While I'm thinking about the OP's problem, this might be good use of an Everyday award ticket on United MP. OP doesn't have status but if you have the Explorer credit card, it offers last-seat availability on any United flight. With the change to dynamic awards in November maybe not the same home run it was under the old system, but possibly a way to book last minute (or change last minute) without paying $2,000.