Nice racket on the gift cards
Sep 5, 2019, 10:03 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 41
Nice racket on the gift cards
Booked part of a flight with a non-expiring Southwest gift card. They will only refund the gift card used to purchase a flight they canceled with an expiring travel credit. Nice way to make me have to burn the GC money in the next few months when I have no travel plans that aren't already paid for.
Have others had success with complaining to customer service that you want a refund in some non-expiring form of payment?
FWIW I think the travel credit approach is generally fine when you cancel, I just think this one stinks when they'd refund your credit card in full. They should reissue a gift card.
Have others had success with complaining to customer service that you want a refund in some non-expiring form of payment?
FWIW I think the travel credit approach is generally fine when you cancel, I just think this one stinks when they'd refund your credit card in full. They should reissue a gift card.
Sep 5, 2019, 11:20 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: PHL/EWR
Programs: AA, US, WN, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 1,528
It is in the gift card T & C so I don't think there is a cause to complain:
A Southwest gift card redeemed for travel is not refundable. If travel is not taken, the funds will be held funds with an expiration date.
(Their bold letters not mine)
A Southwest gift card redeemed for travel is not refundable. If travel is not taken, the funds will be held funds with an expiration date.
(Their bold letters not mine)
Sep 5, 2019, 12:13 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Nashville -Past DL Plat, FO, WN-CP, various hotel programs
Programs: DL-MM, AA, SW w/companion,HiltonDiamond, Hyatt PLat, IHF Plat, Miles and Points Seeker
Posts: 11,073
For a full out cancel by airline, it does suck.
Of course, if YOU cancel with most airlines, you get NOTHING back. Not even future travel funds.
I have bought many gift cards when I find them on sale or even on the gift card resale sites. I know once I redeem it, and make changes, I have one year to burn those funds.
Of course, if YOU cancel with most airlines, you get NOTHING back. Not even future travel funds.
I have bought many gift cards when I find them on sale or even on the gift card resale sites. I know once I redeem it, and make changes, I have one year to burn those funds.
Sep 5, 2019, 12:56 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2002
Programs: WN F9 HA UA AA IHG HH MR
Posts: 3,305
Sep 5, 2019, 1:23 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Olde Dominion
Programs: DL Silver - uh huh!
Posts: 948
You could always complain to your state’s department of consumer affairs, pointing out that the cancellation was the airline’s doing and not yours and thus that they are taking unfair advantage of you (and maybe, fir good measure, that you have no problem with the expiring refund credit if the cancellation is at your initiative).
Sep 6, 2019, 6:52 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 41
For a full out cancel by airline, it does suck.
Of course, if YOU cancel with most airlines, you get NOTHING back. Not even future travel funds.
I have bought many gift cards when I find them on sale or even on the gift card resale sites. I know once I redeem it, and make changes, I have one year to burn those funds.
Of course, if YOU cancel with most airlines, you get NOTHING back. Not even future travel funds.
I have bought many gift cards when I find them on sale or even on the gift card resale sites. I know once I redeem it, and make changes, I have one year to burn those funds.
i agree it is in the terms for the GC but my point is that it is not a reasonable term when they effectively cancel the flight.
Sep 6, 2019, 8:39 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Nashville -Past DL Plat, FO, WN-CP, various hotel programs
Programs: DL-MM, AA, SW w/companion,HiltonDiamond, Hyatt PLat, IHF Plat, Miles and Points Seeker
Posts: 11,073
I didn’t change. They did. They canceled the direct flight and rebooked me on a 3 hour longer flight with a connection. If I’m going to connect I’m going to do it on a legacy carrier where I have status.
i agree it is in the terms for the GC but my point is that it is not a reasonable term when they effectively cancel the flight.
I assume you logged in to see if there was a BETTER flight than the one they automatically put you on - many folks find their system does not always pick the best option.