What happens if you book with a discount code then cancel within 24 hours?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: PDX
Programs: HHonors Gold since '02, Hertz President's Circle since '07
Posts: 3,221
What happens if you book with a discount code then cancel within 24 hours?
I asked this question in the Q&A thread but haven't gotten an answer.
If you have booked a ticket with a discount code (as the type issued by customer care) and then cancel within 24 hours, what happens to the discount code?
I've read and been told different things, and would like to know from direct experience and/or the FT hive mind.
Thanks.
If you have booked a ticket with a discount code (as the type issued by customer care) and then cancel within 24 hours, what happens to the discount code?
I've read and been told different things, and would like to know from direct experience and/or the FT hive mind.
Thanks.
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: PDX
Programs: HHonors Gold since '02, Hertz President's Circle since '07
Posts: 3,221
The 24 hours has now passed which is a non-issue as those plans are set, but I have one more discount code to use.
I'll post a follow up if I find out more when I use that one.
#4
Moderator Hilton Honors, Travel News, West, The Suggestion Box, Smoking Lounge & DiningBuzz
Join Date: Jun 2000
Programs: AS MVP Gold, Honors Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, National Exec Elite
Posts: 34,373
This is one of those I'd ask in the evening to the AS Twitter rep (the A team seems to staff the Twitter desk in the evenings)
#5
formerly known as felinaar
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: UA Plat, AA Gold, AS MVPG, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 612
Most of the language I've read regarding discount codes (especially the annual companion fare discount code) state that they are not returned in the event of cancellation. Once you use it, it's used for good.
There is one exception: You can change a ticket that was booked with a discount code, and assuming the new flight fits the same eligibility criteria you can apply the same discount. This is my recommendation.
If you are an MVP Gold member, this is pretty painless since there are no change fees. I've changed my trip to something far in the future I don't even plan to use, just as a placeholder so I can preserve the discount and change it again when I decide what I will really use it for.
If you are not a MVP Gold member, you can still avoid the change fee as long as you change it 60+ days before departure.
There is one exception: You can change a ticket that was booked with a discount code, and assuming the new flight fits the same eligibility criteria you can apply the same discount. This is my recommendation.
If you are an MVP Gold member, this is pretty painless since there are no change fees. I've changed my trip to something far in the future I don't even plan to use, just as a placeholder so I can preserve the discount and change it again when I decide what I will really use it for.
If you are not a MVP Gold member, you can still avoid the change fee as long as you change it 60+ days before departure.
#6
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: The Internet
Programs: Alaska Mileage Plan
Posts: 695
Also works for free if you change a flight within 24 hours after purchase, even if you're not an elite member.
Most of the language I've read regarding discount codes (especially the annual companion fare discount code) state that they are not returned in the event of cancellation. Once you use it, it's used for good.
There is one exception: You can change a ticket that was booked with a discount code, and assuming the new flight fits the same eligibility criteria you can apply the same discount. This is my recommendation.
If you are an MVP Gold member, this is pretty painless since there are no change fees. I've changed my trip to something far in the future I don't even plan to use, just as a placeholder so I can preserve the discount and change it again when I decide what I will really use it for.
If you are not a MVP Gold member, you can still avoid the change fee as long as you change it 60+ days before departure.
There is one exception: You can change a ticket that was booked with a discount code, and assuming the new flight fits the same eligibility criteria you can apply the same discount. This is my recommendation.
If you are an MVP Gold member, this is pretty painless since there are no change fees. I've changed my trip to something far in the future I don't even plan to use, just as a placeholder so I can preserve the discount and change it again when I decide what I will really use it for.
If you are not a MVP Gold member, you can still avoid the change fee as long as you change it 60+ days before departure.
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 34,985
I wish they would do some sort of cert reissue (at least for Golds/75Ks), as they can be difficult to manage.
I had one the other day where I needed to cancel a trip with a cert, but didn't want to lose the cert. I had another trip already booked (2 person PNR) where I had not used a cert, so I had to take that other, unrelated trip, divide me off to a new PNR, cancel that, then rebook the canceled trip to what I had just canceled but really wanted to keep.
Confusing, but it worked.
I had one the other day where I needed to cancel a trip with a cert, but didn't want to lose the cert. I had another trip already booked (2 person PNR) where I had not used a cert, so I had to take that other, unrelated trip, divide me off to a new PNR, cancel that, then rebook the canceled trip to what I had just canceled but really wanted to keep.
Confusing, but it worked.
#9
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 48,771
Most of the language I've read regarding discount codes (especially the annual companion fare discount code) state that they are not returned in the event of cancellation. Once you use it, it's used for good.
There is one exception: You can change a ticket that was booked with a discount code, and assuming the new flight fits the same eligibility criteria you can apply the same discount. This is my recommendation.
If you are an MVP Gold member, this is pretty painless since there are no change fees. I've changed my trip to something far in the future I don't even plan to use, just as a placeholder so I can preserve the discount and change it again when I decide what I will really use it for.
If you are not a MVP Gold member, you can still avoid the change fee as long as you change it 60+ days before departure.
There is one exception: You can change a ticket that was booked with a discount code, and assuming the new flight fits the same eligibility criteria you can apply the same discount. This is my recommendation.
If you are an MVP Gold member, this is pretty painless since there are no change fees. I've changed my trip to something far in the future I don't even plan to use, just as a placeholder so I can preserve the discount and change it again when I decide what I will really use it for.
If you are not a MVP Gold member, you can still avoid the change fee as long as you change it 60+ days before departure.
In the event that you cancel within 24 hours and comply with the DOT rule, AS must refund the ticket in full to the original forms of payment. Thus, if you pay with a CC and discount code, AS must issue a credit to the CC and reissue or reinstate the discount code.
There is no requirement that AS make this available online and there is good reason for the reissuance of any "funny money" such as discount codes to be handled manually. But, there is absolutely no doubt as to what you are entitled to if you follow the rule.
#10
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Portland, Or USA
Posts: 1,758
Very strong statements. Can you provide a link supporting that the DOT views discount codes as a "Form of Payment" and not a discount on the selling price?
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: PDX
Programs: HHonors Gold since '02, Hertz President's Circle since '07
Posts: 3,221
https://www.transportation.gov/sites...al20130530.pdf
Emphasis added below:
the Department’s Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings (Enforcement Office) considers the failure to notify such consumers of the 24-hour reservation requirement to be unfair and deceptive in violation of 49 U.S.C. § 41712. It also considers the failure to offer a passenger a full refund in the original form of payment in the event of a cancellation request covered by the 24-hour reservation requirement to be an unfair and deceptive practice.