Using nonrefundable fare credit
 

Yesterday I cancelled three round trip tickets (self, wife, son) and got a credit. I'd like to apply this credit to two tickets next month (self and wife only).

How do I reuse the credit? Enter the confirmation number and start making changes in continental.com?

Admission of idiocy: the reason for the cancellation was we went to the WRONG airport and no rebooking was possible because all the planes were 100% sold out. Totally my fault. So mortified. ;)

I apologize if this has already been discussed a hundred times - search didn't turn up anything for me.

Hmmm...in all my years flying CO I haven't run into this one. One thing I do know is that in most circumstances the credits need to stay in the same name. If you have three people on the same PNR (record), then I actually don't know how that's handled when you only want to reticket two of them.

I would have to call CO if this was my ticket...

I sort of did the same thing (cancelled a booking for 3 people, rebooked a different itin. just for me).

I had to call in to complete the booking and (as I knew) I could only apply the funds in my name from the original reservation to the new booking. I still have credits in the old confirmation # for the other two passengers, and I have a new confirmation for my re-booked ticket.

Exactly right. CO will need to split the two of you from the original PNR and apply the credit to your new tickets. Your son's unused ticket will remain in his name and is good for one year from the date you originally purchased it.

OK, thanks. My son does travel and I'm sure he'll be able to use his portion of the refund for something.

It does seem equitable, however, that the person who paid for the tickets (me) should be able to recoup the whole refund.

Most airlines don't work this way. AS does, though, where the purchaser can claim the refund.

That said, if you're willing to take a bit of a hit, you can use the funds for another person. If you rebook his reservation for the cheapest flight you can find (e.g., DAL-IAH for $50 or so), the excess credit will be issued in the form of an Electronic Travel Certificate. Anyone can use that ETC.

But if he's going to use it, it might be better to wait til you know what he needs to fly.