Using LUV Vouchers to Cover Taxes?
Nov 18, 2018, 9:34 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 19
Using LUV Vouchers to Cover Taxes?
Hello. I recently received over $1000 in LUV vouchers for a voluntary denied boarding (two of us, $400 each plus value of ticket). I went to use them today for a couple of roundtrip flights we have planned in 2019, but found that they don't cover the taxes. All of sudden, we go from two free trips to two trips with $160 out of pocket in taxes AND leftover voucher funds. Tiny violins, I know.
I have read that it is theoretically possible to convert the LUV vouchers to ticketless travel funds (which cover taxes) in the following manner. First, book a ticket slightly over the voucher value and make up the difference on a credit card. Then, within 24 hours, cancel the ticket, thereby refunding the overage to the card and the rest should be a ticketless travel fund.
Is that really something that works, or would I just get a new voucher? Any chance this operation could go haywire/Southwest could catch me and invalidate the vouchers? Has anybody had experience with this trick? Thanks!
I have read that it is theoretically possible to convert the LUV vouchers to ticketless travel funds (which cover taxes) in the following manner. First, book a ticket slightly over the voucher value and make up the difference on a credit card. Then, within 24 hours, cancel the ticket, thereby refunding the overage to the card and the rest should be a ticketless travel fund.
Is that really something that works, or would I just get a new voucher? Any chance this operation could go haywire/Southwest could catch me and invalidate the vouchers? Has anybody had experience with this trick? Thanks!
Nov 18, 2018, 9:46 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Blue Ridge, GA
Posts: 5,509
Definitely go for it.
All you're risking is voucher invalidation.
All you're risking is voucher invalidation.
Southwest LUV Vouchers are not redeemable as payment toward Government-imposed segment fees, excise taxes, Passenger Facility Charges, or September 11th Security Fees or as payment toward miscellaneous charges, Southwest Airlines Group tickets, Southwest Airlines Vacations packages, or travel either wholly or in part on other air carriers.
Nov 18, 2018, 8:29 pm
#3
Moderator, Southwest Airlines and Choice Privileges
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 3,036
Better way is to book the cheapest flight you can find that (before taxes) is more than the taxes on the desired itinerary. Cancel the dummy booking within 24 hours, with taxes on the dummy booking refunded to credit card. With this approach you keep the greatest possible amount of funds as transferable voucher instead of as name-locked TTF.
Nov 19, 2018, 5:49 am
#4
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,621
No risk of invalidation. This is a legitimate use of a voucher. Follow ftnoob’s advice.