Using Vouchers
#1
Original Poster


Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: BNE
Programs: QF, KLM, BA
Posts: 506
Using Vouchers
I just went to book two tickets on KLM and tried to use the vouchers which were issued to me when they cancelled my flight in 2020, due to covid. The vouchers were originally valid until 31/12/2021, but have been extended for 6 months.
The website wouldn't allow me to enter a voucher at all. I rang their call centre, and they said I can only use 2 vouchers per passenger. When they cancelled the flight, they issued 9 vouchers for 2 passengers. That was KLM's decision, not mine. Is there any way around this problem? I want to be forearmed when I call back. I asked to speak with a supervisor and she said that there wasn't one.
The website wouldn't allow me to enter a voucher at all. I rang their call centre, and they said I can only use 2 vouchers per passenger. When they cancelled the flight, they issued 9 vouchers for 2 passengers. That was KLM's decision, not mine. Is there any way around this problem? I want to be forearmed when I call back. I asked to speak with a supervisor and she said that there wasn't one.
#3
Moderator: Aegean Miles+Bonus




Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: AMS / ATH
Programs: AFKL Plat, A3 Gold
Posts: 8,254
You could call them and ask them to apply all vouchers over the phone. If they refuse, tell them (or threaten) to refund the vouchers to cash (Which should be possible with your vouchers if you got them after the airline cancelled). And then just book your itinerary online using cash.
Your voucher's terms do mention that they are refundable, right?
Your voucher's terms do mention that they are refundable, right?
#4
Original Poster


Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: BNE
Programs: QF, KLM, BA
Posts: 506
You could call them and ask them to apply all vouchers over the phone. If they refuse, tell them (or threaten) to refund the vouchers to cash (Which should be possible with your vouchers if you got them after the airline cancelled). And then just book your itinerary online using cash.
Your voucher's terms do mention that they are refundable, right?
Your voucher's terms do mention that they are refundable, right?
Thanks for your help.
#5


Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: mostly not far from AMS, otherwise NUE
Programs: FB Silver, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,422
At https://www.klm.nl/en/information/tr..._3=HPN_TWC_PRO it states very clearly:
Might need to point the employee to that section. Or indeed request a refund and pay cash instead.
How to use a travel voucher
You can use an unlimited number of vouchers as a payment method during online checkout to purchase a new ticket and/or extra options.
#6




Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: DUS
Programs: DL, HHonors, Bonvoy, Hyatt
Posts: 2,076
It's now March so the "free refunds" option has expired, but I just received a couple vouchers from cancelled trips that I purchased prior to March.
Question is: Do I convert them to cash or leave them as vouchers? Do we know if I use them to purchase something now if I will inherit the ability to refund later? If not, I see no benefit in keeping them and would rather take the refund.
I only ask this because there has been a warning on the refund page stating that you will "lose the benefits associated with the voucher should you choose to receive a cash refund." I was never certain what they were suggesting.
Question is: Do I convert them to cash or leave them as vouchers? Do we know if I use them to purchase something now if I will inherit the ability to refund later? If not, I see no benefit in keeping them and would rather take the refund.
I only ask this because there has been a warning on the refund page stating that you will "lose the benefits associated with the voucher should you choose to receive a cash refund." I was never certain what they were suggesting.
#7




Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: FRA/SXB
Programs: FB Silver; Accor Silver
Posts: 4,273
Assuming your vouchers are refundable (issued before 1 mars), you can use them partially, and the residual value will be issued in also a new voucher that's also refundable with the same terms/conditions as before.
#8



Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: FB Plat, *A Gold
Posts: 643
It's now March so the "free refunds" option has expired, but I just received a couple vouchers from cancelled trips that I purchased prior to March.
Question is: Do I convert them to cash or leave them as vouchers? Do we know if I use them to purchase something now if I will inherit the ability to refund later? If not, I see no benefit in keeping them and would rather take the refund.
I only ask this because there has been a warning on the refund page stating that you will "lose the benefits associated with the voucher should you choose to receive a cash refund." I was never certain what they were suggesting.
Question is: Do I convert them to cash or leave them as vouchers? Do we know if I use them to purchase something now if I will inherit the ability to refund later? If not, I see no benefit in keeping them and would rather take the refund.
I only ask this because there has been a warning on the refund page stating that you will "lose the benefits associated with the voucher should you choose to receive a cash refund." I was never certain what they were suggesting.
If you however use them to buy new tickets, the new rules will apply. So if you decide to cancel those new tickets, you'll receive new vouchers which you cannot convert to cash anymore.
#9


Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 650
KLM refundable voucher conditions
Hi,
I am trying to get some clarification on KLM's T&C for "Tickets purchased on or before 28 February 2022 with a departure on or before 30 June 2022" (refundable travel voucher).
On the KLM site, it says the following, "If the value of your voucher is higher than the price of your new booking, you'll receive another voucher for the remaining balance".
If we buy a ticket with a lower cost, the new voucher we receive with the remaining balance, will be as per the original voucher conditions (i.e. refundable voucher) or would it be subject to the new voucher rules, "Tickets purchased on or after 1 March 2022", which are no longer refundable? Thanks
Link: https://www.klm.nl/en/information/co.../rebook-cancel
I am trying to get some clarification on KLM's T&C for "Tickets purchased on or before 28 February 2022 with a departure on or before 30 June 2022" (refundable travel voucher).
On the KLM site, it says the following, "If the value of your voucher is higher than the price of your new booking, you'll receive another voucher for the remaining balance".
If we buy a ticket with a lower cost, the new voucher we receive with the remaining balance, will be as per the original voucher conditions (i.e. refundable voucher) or would it be subject to the new voucher rules, "Tickets purchased on or after 1 March 2022", which are no longer refundable? Thanks
Link: https://www.klm.nl/en/information/co.../rebook-cancel
#10




Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: DUS
Programs: DL, HHonors, Bonvoy, Hyatt
Posts: 2,076
If you're requesting a refund within 24 hours after paying for your booking, you'll receive a full refund. Otherwise, this booking is eligible for a tax refund only as stated in your ticket conditions.
I guess I'll call in as this is not what I was expecting.
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist



Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; LH Senator; A3 Silver
Posts: 30,618
Refunding a ticket that was (part-)paid with a voucher has always been tricky. I did this again recently and managed to get the website to finally accept the refund request after much coaxing.
I got a response a few days later saying that as I had booked the ticket using a travel agent I would have to deal with the agent. I had booked direct with AFKL though the voucher used initially to book had resulted from an earlier cancellation of an Opodo ticket.
A call to the help desk got it sorted instantly.
I got a response a few days later saying that as I had booked the ticket using a travel agent I would have to deal with the agent. I had booked direct with AFKL though the voucher used initially to book had resulted from an earlier cancellation of an Opodo ticket.
A call to the help desk got it sorted instantly.
#12




Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: DUS
Programs: DL, HHonors, Bonvoy, Hyatt
Posts: 2,076
I've learned that while most legacy airlines may become more flexible, their IT hasn't. Having any kind of vouchers should be avoided—don't book speculative flights. Maybe this is their intention. 
Eurowings, and to some extent BA, have proven to be easier to work with in this regard.

Eurowings, and to some extent BA, have proven to be easier to work with in this regard.
#13




Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: DUS
Programs: DL, HHonors, Bonvoy, Hyatt
Posts: 2,076
I have been trying to purchase a ticket for the past week with the vouchers that I have, but the website refuses to accept any of them. When I called in the price they quoted was more than 50% higher than the fare I was presented online, so I just gave up.
Is anyone else besides weegraeme and me struggling so much? I'm ready to take my business elsewhere if KLAF can't accept their own cash.
Is anyone else besides weegraeme and me struggling so much? I'm ready to take my business elsewhere if KLAF can't accept their own cash.
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist



Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; LH Senator; A3 Silver
Posts: 30,618
I've redeemed 14 of these vouchers without issue (see below - other than having to strictly observe using Air France-issued vouchers starting with 057 on the Air France website and using KLM -issued vouchers starting with 074 on the KLM website and not attempting to mix 057 and 074 vouchers in a single transaction).
Why didn't you quote the PNR of the pending booking (visible when you are logged into your AF/KL account using your Flying Blue number) and ask them on the phone for assistance in paying for the pending booking? That way, the price is already fixed; you only need their assistance in making payment, you don't need their assistance in making a booking.
#15




Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: DUS
Programs: DL, HHonors, Bonvoy, Hyatt
Posts: 2,076
I did quote the PNR, but they insisted on repricing it…and I've tried the 074 vouchers on both AF and KL websites. I did retry it again today on KL and found a couple of them that work, but those are refundable. I wanted to use the non-refundable ones of course, and those are the ones that refuse to work.

