nsx

This has been happening for a couple months. It's an annoying bug.

dhuey

Sorry I'm slow to understand this, but I'm confused. Let's say I book a flight for $200 on January 1, 2019. I cancel on July 1, 2019. On December 1, 2019, I want to book an itinerary in February 2020 costing $350. Can I use the $200 TF balance, even though it expires on January 1? If I can book it, does that mean that the $150 extra I'm paying "expires" for travel fund purposes on January 1, 2020, and once that date passes, I cannot cancel the ticket without losing everything?

dmbolp

When you gave Southwest $200 on 1/1/19 you have to fly-or-lose it by 1/1/20; you can't fly with those same funds after 1/1/20.

dhuey

Thanks. Would the system let me complete the booking for the Feb. 2020 itinerary or would there be an error message when I try to use the TF for payment?

ursine1

The latter. You won't be able to apply the funds.

dhuey

Tanic

Correct. Search for "tainted" travel funds for examples of how to avoid this scenario; essentially avoid mixing good funds or cash with expiring TFs on the same ticket.

If at all possible use the $200 on a one way ticket so that it doesn't taint a more expensive RT ticket.

Rosehill28

I never thought I’d get screwed by this, but instead of booking my Easter flights as two separate one way flights, I booked them together, comingling travel funds with cash. With CV-19, I’m not going to go visit my parents in Florida for Easter, and now there’s no way I’ll use these funds before they expire on 6/3/20 giving the social distancing is unlikely to be over before June. I’m super annoyed, but what can you do?

ursine1

There there are many people in this exact situation right now. At the moment, Southwest isn't making any policy changes. In the absence of a domestic travel ban I doubt they will. Air carriers are hurting right now in a very serious way. There are some reports of customer service exceptions being made. There are some really sad stories out there, especially involving Group Travel. Schools, sports teams, and other groups are essentially losing 100% of their funds when their trips are canceled due to no fault of their own. This situation is going to affect everyone to varying degrees, and it's definitely not going to be good.

lougord99

I hope you are annoyed at yourself and not Southwest. One thing you can do is after the funds expire, you can renew for 6 months for a $100 fee. You loose some money, but at least you get to keep some money.

ursine1

It will be very very interesting to see if that unwritten policy survives following this crisis. And/or if that fee remains the same.

Based purely on the huge negative outcry I'm seeing from Southwest customers right now, I suspect some sort of policy change will be implemented at some point. Most likely an extension of travel fund expiration dates for flights canceled during this period. I very much doubt that refunds will be offered, however an extension of the period for use of travel funds allows Southwest to make a concession that ultimately does not cost them much, while protecting/restoring at least some customer goodwill.

Or I could be completely wrong, and the financial situation so dire that Southwest makes no concessions whatsoever.

lougord99

I think the financial situation is dire.

it is part of their culture not to furlough people. I believe they are the only airline that has not significantly cut their schedule. Something has to give.

nsx

If I were running Southwest I'd add one year to the expiration of all funds, effective immediately. Just sweep the database and add a year to every active record locator.

EAJuggalo

I would be ecstatic with that. I'm cancelling a family vacation MKE-DAL that was supposed to start Wednesday. I booked outbound on points and return cash. I've got a business trip scheduled for MCO in Sep. currently my outbound I can use some of the Travel Funds, but not for the return.

spongenotbob

An automatic extension would be a great PR move. Killing the “unwritten” extension policy brings in some additional cash due to spoilage.

Let’s hope they choose the first option.