Ticket purchased with gift card. How is the return handled?
Oct 12, 2019, 11:23 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,111
Ticket purchased with gift card. How is the return handled?
How does SW deal with a ticket return, if the ticket was paid in part with a gift card and the return is within 24 hours? Specifically, will SW issue a new gift card or reload the existing card or do something different altogether?
Here is the official policy. It simply state to call in this case but does not explain how the return will be handled.
Same on the Refunds page
Here is the official policy. It simply state to call in this case but does not explain how the return will be handled.
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. If applied with any other accepted form(s) of payment, the earliest expiration date of all forms of payment applies. If you cancel your reservation within 24 hours of booking and all or part of the reservation was paid using a Southwest gift card, please visit our Refunds page for more information.
If you call or cancel online at Southwest.com within 24 hours of booking, Southwest will offer you the option of refunding the airfare back to the original form of payment, or retaining the credit to be used toward future travel. If you purchased all or part of the reservation using a Southwest gift card or a Southwest LUV Voucher and cancelled the reservation within 24 hours of booking, contact Customer Relations.
Oct 12, 2019, 11:55 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,286
Previously my understanding was that the return would only be handled as funds, calling would possibly generate a voucher. Recently though I've heard reports of people saying that they had a new gift card issued. So it appears there are some options available. Worth contacting Customer Relations.
Oct 12, 2019, 8:28 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 825
Previously my understanding was that the return would only be handled as funds, calling would possibly generate a voucher. Recently though I've heard reports of people saying that they had a new gift card issued. So it appears there are some options available. Worth contacting Customer Relations.
Oct 13, 2019, 1:49 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,286
Yes, that's the initial response. One would need to contact Customer Relations (not the "regular" number") and specifically request a "refund" in order to receive anything different.
Mar 21, 2022, 2:49 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2020
Programs: SWA Alist, Companion Pass
Posts: 122
Check out the thread aptly titled "WN Gift Card -> Rez -> Cancel = Travel Funds". Customer Service was apparently able to refund to the gift card when the PIN was provided. IDK if that was an exception, but seems like it being refunded back to a gift card worked for somebody.
Mar 21, 2022, 3:08 pm
#7
Company Representative - Southwest Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: Rapid Rewards, IHG/Kimpton, Bonvoy, AA/oneworld, British Airways
Posts: 798
Mar 21, 2022, 4:47 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 88
Also based on this do I cancel 1st and call after or call them 1st to cancel?
Mar 22, 2022, 8:30 am
#9
Company Representative - Southwest Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: Rapid Rewards, IHG/Kimpton, Bonvoy, AA/oneworld, British Airways
Posts: 798
If you are within the 24 hour time frame, and the representative says there is nothing they can do, you may need to escalate to a supervisor.
