Virgin Travel Banks Lost After Jan 1
Dec 22, 2017, 5:26 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 446
Virgin Travel Banks Lost After Jan 1
So, I just got off a mercilessly long joint call with both Virgin and Alaska customer service reps at same time.
According to Alaska rep, they just got updated guidance that as of Jan 1, all travel banks expire, are not automatically transferred, and so have to be used to by tickets by Jan 1 (only on Virgin) or they are LOST.
This is not what I understood, but she insisted that what was communicated earlier is now changed.
Anyone else here this? Thoughts on what to do?
According to Alaska rep, they just got updated guidance that as of Jan 1, all travel banks expire, are not automatically transferred, and so have to be used to by tickets by Jan 1 (only on Virgin) or they are LOST.
This is not what I understood, but she insisted that what was communicated earlier is now changed.
Anyone else here this? Thoughts on what to do?
Dec 22, 2017, 6:03 pm
#3
Moderator: Alaska Mileage Plan
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,317
I don't know about automatic conversion, but credits can certainly be converted by 12/31 and used on AS after that date.
Convert Travel Bank to Alaska Airlines.
Convert Travel Bank to Alaska Airlines.
Dec 22, 2017, 11:20 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,300
I don't know about automatic conversion, but credits can certainly be converted by 12/31 and used on AS after that date.
Convert Travel Bank to Alaska Airlines.
Convert Travel Bank to Alaska Airlines.
Dec 25, 2017, 9:05 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: Amtrak Guest Rewards (SE), Virgin America Elevate, Hyatt Gold Passport (Platinum), VIA Preference
Posts: 3,134
Yeah...particularly with later-expiring travel banks (say, something expiring next summer), AS/VX would be opening themselves up to lawsuits if they didn't honor the stated 12-month expiry. AS may be handling the VX merger in a pretty lousy manner, but I don't think they want to risk a bunch of folks hauling them into small claims court (which could happen in some states).
Dec 26, 2017, 6:05 pm
#7
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA Premier Gold, Starwood Gold, Plat AE, CO PP MC, Marriott Rewards Plat, Virgin Elevate Gold
Posts: 1,416
i have a $200 travel credit on VX that i just received. It says it expires on 12/25/2018
Consensus is that I should go ahead and convert to Alaska?
Consensus is that I should go ahead and convert to Alaska?
Dec 26, 2017, 8:38 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,300
Unless you have a VX trip that you need to book for travel before 4/25 and don't actually need to convert it, yes, you should go ahead and convert it. The only thing you'll be saving is a few minutes on the computer and a number of keystrokes.
Dec 27, 2017, 2:09 pm
#10
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA Premier Gold, Starwood Gold, Plat AE, CO PP MC, Marriott Rewards Plat, Virgin Elevate Gold
Posts: 1,416
So its apparently not automatically converted into "travel bank" $$$ per se. I indicated i wanted to transfer it, and they sent me an email, which I am fairly sure, I have to remember to keep when i fly next, correct?
Here is the email
Your PIN has arrived.
Hi CASeminole
Your PIN for the credit certificate ending in ******** is xxxxxx. Please make note of this PIN.
When you're ready to purchase your next trip, enter the certificate code and PIN on the payment page.
We look forward to welcoming you on board soon.
Here is the email
Your PIN has arrived.
Hi CASeminole
Your PIN for the credit certificate ending in ******** is xxxxxx. Please make note of this PIN.
When you're ready to purchase your next trip, enter the certificate code and PIN on the payment page.
We look forward to welcoming you on board soon.
Dec 27, 2017, 4:15 pm
#11
Moderator: Alaska Mileage Plan
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,317
You can deposit it into your Mileage Plan account. My Account> (My wallet) Transactions> Deposit a gift card or certificate. It will then be available to apply to a later purchase.
Dec 27, 2017, 4:50 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA Premier Gold, Starwood Gold, Plat AE, CO PP MC, Marriott Rewards Plat, Virgin Elevate Gold
Posts: 1,416
Credited! Thank you!
I was thinking i was going to have to file that thing away somewhere until i needed it, then would either forget it even existed, or not know where to find it.