Southwest Credit vs. Refund

[luvsgrumpy]

Just got off the phone with Southwest to request a refund (since my flight remained the same but the price dropped) Anyway, I was told 2X that since I had at one point changed our outbound flight to an hour earlier to get a much better price, I was not eligible for a refund on the inbound flight when that price dropped (no flight change was made, just rebooked it) Long story short, a supervisor called me back and after she did some checking (I said very little during the conversation), she said that in fact she could refund me for out inbound flight only. I'm okay with that, would have loved to get it all but never expected it.

Moral is, be persistant, I do not know if an exception was made for me or not but during two different calls today, I was put on hold 2-3 times while they "researched" things and checked with supervisors, etc. before I got the response I was expecting.

Sorry to vent, but it would take me two days to explain this to my DH if I was to tell him all about it - not clueless, just not interested in this stuff at all!!

 

[SoonipiLady]

but the price went down on our flights over $500.00 I could actually get the money back??? I've never tried this before, just always used the credit. The cash would really help out right now!

Karen

 

[miss missy]

there are rules on their site, it depends on what you booked, wanna get away vs ding etc...

 

[SoonipiLady]

they went from 361pp to 289.20pp. I rebooked and have a credit, but with 7 in our party, it adds up fast. I'll have to check out the site. I just thought it was always a credit unless you bought a fully refundable flight.

Karen

 

[miss missy]

they went from 361pp to 289.20pp. I rebooked and have a credit, but with 7 in our party, it adds up fast. I'll have to check out the site. I just thought it was always a credit unless you bought a fully refundable flight.

Karen

I believe a ding is credit only. But just call them and ask, even though it shows as credit, it may be able to be refunded to your card. I believe if you book/rebook on line, it always goes to a credit, but you have to call to see if it can be refunded.

 

[LoveMyBoys]

From what I know is if your flight time/date and type of fare stayed the same and just the price went down (like a web special of $89 for your flight went down to $59 web special) you can get a refund, unless things changed recently.

 

[mareed]

From what I know is if your flight time/date and type of fare stayed the same and just the price went down (like a web special of $89 for your flight went down to $59 web special) you can get a refund, unless things changed recently.

I had this happen last Fall and when I called, they said it wasn't their policy to issue a refund even in this situation, but that they'd make a one-time exception and do it for me. I think they used to be much more free with issuing refunds in situations like this, but it's getting much rarer now. And when you call, do keep in mind that their policy clearly states that you'll get a credit to use within a year, so if they do issue a refund, they are simply doing you a favor.

 

[vt_disney_fan]

I had this happen last Fall and when I called, they said it wasn't their policy to issue a refund even in this situation, but that they'd make a one-time exception and do it for me. I think they used to be much more free with issuing refunds in situations like this, but it's getting much rarer now. And when you call, do keep in mind that their policy clearly states that you'll get a credit to use within a year, so if they do issue a refund, they are simply doing you a favor.

Exactly. I just ran into this this morning, when the return leg of my flight went down. I changed the flights online to the lower price, resulting in a $48 credit. Nothing changed - flight times, flight numbers, passengers - only the lower price. I then called and requested a refund instead of a credit, as I've done before (successfully, I might add), and was told that as long as I didn't change fare classes, they could do it. Lo and behold, I had changed fare classes. You can't see it, you have to have them look it up for you.

So if you change fare classes, you have to take the credit. I did ask why I have been able to do this in the past, and she mentioned that they used to be much more relaxed about this, but now they were under tighter scrutiny from their own auditors (I would assume internal), so they were really going by the book. The days of refunds, except in rare situations, may be over.

 

[LoveMyBoys]

You know, it sounds like since they changed to the new 3 fare bucket system online, we can't really tell which fare we are booking. Before it used to be that you could see that. Now if you are booking the Wanna get away fare, you are not sure which one it is within that fare bucket. I still find it is easier (and cheaper) to make changes with SW than any other airline, but not as great as it used to be.

 

[vossjemi]

Wow, wondering if I should call and give it a try. I booked our flight a couple weeks ago. Last sunday, price went down but for only 2 tickets, so I had to cancel all 6 tickets and rebook 2 separately at the lower price and the other 4 at the same price I had originally, resulting in a $54 credit. Since this wasn't technically a change res but a cancel and rebook (only way I could do it to snag 2 of the tickets at lower fares), could I get a refund instead of a credit? Or did I wait too long?

 

[kerry1140]

1st time air traveler. Our rates dropped on the same WGA flight through SWA. I just figured I was stuck with a credit I had to try to use or sell. After reading this thread, I called SW and they are refunding the difference
Thanks ALOT!!!!!

 

[LoveMyBoys]

1st time air traveler. Our rates dropped on the same WGA flight through SWA. I just figured I was stuck with a credit I had to try to use or sell. After reading this thread, I called SW and they are refunding the difference
Thanks ALOT!!!!!

Glad it worked for you

 

[vossjemi]

Wow, wondering if I should call and give it a try. I booked our flight a couple weeks ago. Last sunday, price went down but for only 2 tickets, so I had to cancel all 6 tickets and rebook 2 separately at the lower price and the other 4 at the same price I had originally, resulting in a $54 credit. Since this wasn't technically a change res but a cancel and rebook (only way I could do it to snag 2 of the tickets at lower fares), could I get a refund instead of a credit? Or did I wait too long?

Well, I called & yep, got a refund! Yeah!!!!

 

[My 2 princesses]

thanks to this thread, I actually took a chance and called SWA. To my surprise, they gave me a refund, no questions asked at all Our trip was last September, to boot. Though we are seriously thinking of going again this year, I just like the flexbility of going when I want and not trying to book before the refund expires etc.

Thanks once again to the OP for bringing up this topic. You guys and SWA rocks

 

[vossjemi]

Ok well, as you know from above, I had to split our 6 tickets into 2 res to get 2 of the tickets cheaper (savings of $54). Well, today the higher price of $99 went to $98. Woohoo! LOL I thought, should I? Ok, why not. So, I did the change res on the other 4 tickets that I had, with a whopping savings on TTF of $4! Anyway, I'm wondering should I call over $4 to get a refund or wait a bit perhaps to see if it goes lower to make it worth the call? I'm definitely staying with the same flight and have all along. Will they keep refunding multiple times if I keep changing to get the lower rate on the same flight?

 

[mrsheppo]

My return trip tickets went down from my purchasing them on Tuesday resulting in a $90 credit. I called SW to request a refund to my credit card and I was told since it was a non-refundable fare, I could not get a refund, only a credit. I was kind of bummed but I will see if anyone I know is going to be flying SW in the next year and will buy it from me.

 

[Scott R. Scherr]

I am confused. Last Friday, our outgoing flights dropped from $69.00 to $54.00 for a family of four ($60.00) and I rebooked online. I called and requested a $60.00 refund. My request was granted.

Today, my return flight dropped from $69.00 to $54.00. Modified my return flight online. Called and requested a $60.00 refund. Noticed I still had travel funds for my outgoing flight and asked why it had not been refunded.

She told me that the entire amount would be refunded after my travel dates because I could make changes between now and then. Is this Southwest's policy on refunds? Do they make you wait for your refund after your travel has completed?

Scott

 

[Scott R. Scherr]

Called back. The person before made a mistake. I am entitled to an immediate refund.

Scott

I am confused. Last Friday, our outgoing flights dropped from $69.00 to $54.00 for a family of four ($60.00) and I rebooked online. I called and requested a $60.00 refund. My request was granted.

Today, my return flight dropped from $69.00 to $54.00. Modified my return flight online. Called and requested a $60.00 refund. Noticed I still had travel funds for my outgoing flight and asked why it had not been refunded.

She told me that the entire amount would be refunded after my travel dates because I could make changes between now and then. Is this Southwest's policy on refunds? Do they make you wait for your refund after your travel has completed?

Scott

 

[poohmickey]

I made changes to a flight online and it asked me if I wanted a refund or a credit. I was a little confused because it had always just given me a credit before.

 

[Scott R. Scherr]

Did you make changes within 24 hours? Southwest will refund within 24 hours.

Scott

I made changes to a flight online and it asked me if I wanted a refund or a credit. I was a little confused because it had always just given me a credit before.