What happens to e-certs after ticketing, then cancelling the ticket?
Jan 27, 2007, 2:58 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Location: formerly Gold now Diamond, formerly MSY, now LAX, formerly NW, now DL
Programs: Hyatt Plat, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold, Delta Diamond/1MM
Posts: 4,635
What happens to e-certs after ticketing, then cancelling the ticket?
So say you book a ticket with an e-cert (dollars off certificate) and then cancel the ticket within the next day...does the e-cert become reactive or is it gone forever?
Jan 27, 2007, 3:43 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Orlando
Programs: DL DM 2MM (NW+DL) FI Gold
Posts: 787
My experience has been that once an e-cert has been used, it is gone forever.
Jan 27, 2007, 8:38 am
#3
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,884
Not only has it been my experience as well, but it is also NW policy. Once a reservation has been ticketed with an e-cert, the e-cert is considered used and cannot be reused regardless of whether or not you take the trip.
Jan 27, 2007, 3:06 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Honolulu, Hawaiʻi [+MKK4 EBBER R577 EDSEL R577 ELKEY EXERT]
Posts: 15,826
If you look carefully, the policy is written into the fare rules:
NOTE - 1.CUSTOMERS FIRST POLICY.
A. WHEN RESERVATIONS ARE MADE AND TICKETS ARE PURCHASED ON THE SAME DAY REFUNDS EQUIVALENT TO THE AMOUNT PAID WILL BE PERMITTED UP TO 1 DAY AFTER THE TICKET IS PURCHASED AT NO CHARGE. ANY CERTIFICATE OFFER WILL BE DEEMED USED AND WILL NOT BE REPLACED. B. FARES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND NOT GUARANTEED UNTIL A TICKET IS PURCHASED.
A. WHEN RESERVATIONS ARE MADE AND TICKETS ARE PURCHASED ON THE SAME DAY REFUNDS EQUIVALENT TO THE AMOUNT PAID WILL BE PERMITTED UP TO 1 DAY AFTER THE TICKET IS PURCHASED AT NO CHARGE. ANY CERTIFICATE OFFER WILL BE DEEMED USED AND WILL NOT BE REPLACED. B. FARES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND NOT GUARANTEED UNTIL A TICKET IS PURCHASED.
Jan 27, 2007, 8:27 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: CTU/TFU(Chengdu, Sichuan, China) - MIG (Mianyang, Sichuan, China) - EWR/JFK/LGA/HPN (Great New York City Metro Area, NY, USA) - HVN/BDL (New Haven/Hartford, CT, USA)
Programs: UA 1MM/F9 Diamond; Marriott Lifetime Gold; IHG Platinum; Choice Privileges Platinum
Posts: 983
E-cert can be unlocked for re-use
It happened to me several times that I had to cancel NW tickets purchased using E-certificates (PD, PK dollar off ones). Two or three times when I was short of e-certs, I did ask agents to unlock those e-certificates so that I could reuse them. The agents can not do it by themselves but they called some department and got it done. 
Jan 27, 2007, 11:18 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,884
Jan 28, 2007, 12:02 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Honolulu, Hawaiʻi [+MKK4 EBBER R577 EDSEL R577 ELKEY EXERT]
Posts: 15,826
This is most certainly an exception to the rule. I've been told by agents countless times that it's not possible and against policy. Plus, as pointed out by slippahs, it's actually specified in the fare rules. If you get it reinstated, great. But by no means should someone expect, demand, or otherwise insist on a reinstatement, especially if they know the rules.
Jan 29, 2007, 7:22 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: west TX
Programs: Delta gold, United silver
Posts: 187
Hmm. I know that about 18 months ago I got zone certs reinstated several times when my travel plans changed . . . that was when you called to cancel within 24 hours. Each time I asked about the cert and it was cleared for use again . . . but that language wasn't in the terms and conditions then either.
Jan 29, 2007, 7:39 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Location: formerly Gold now Diamond, formerly MSY, now LAX, formerly NW, now DL
Programs: Hyatt Plat, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold, Delta Diamond/1MM
Posts: 4,635
I was told by the agent when I canceled before 24 hours that it would be clear to use after the ticket was refunded, roughly in a week. We'll see, though it expires soon so might not have a chance to use it...
Jan 29, 2007, 10:13 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2005
Programs: DL Diamond. LT SkyClub, AGR, passport
Posts: 742
I have canceled under the 24 hour rule, agent said the ecert would be good....it was not. Call in again, agent said, "I'll get a supervisor to unlock it." Again no good....call in again, "once used and ticketed, they are deem used." It was an absolute no, even though before I canceled the ticket, I asked the question and received the wrong answer. Live and learn. Only time you can back out is if you just booked it and it has NOT been ticketed yet. Call reservation line immediately to have any chance to use it again.
Jan 30, 2007, 10:25 am
#11
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: new york, ny, usa
Posts: 13,536
what about bump vouchers? does the code work or does NWA have to re-send new bump vouchers?
Jan 30, 2007, 10:35 am
#12
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,884
Bump vouchers should be in the electronic form and should appear under "Reservations Center -> Manage My Reservations -> My Electronic Credit Vouchers". If you cancel or get a refund, the balance of your vouchers should still be in that area.