Confused - extending SW award certificate?

[Minnesota!]

I thought extension of award certificates were allowed? Last year I converted my A+ rewards to SW RR. At that time, I accidentally created an award...didn't really know what I was doing. Expiration date is mid May this year. I had called SW and then I asked on here and was told I would be able to extend it at a cost for another year.

So I called yesterday to extend and was told that is not allowed. I have to use it by May 15 or lose it all together. Does that sound correct? Should I call back? I mean, if I lose it, I lose it. Sucks, yes, but lesson learned. But I was under the impression this would be allowed.

Any one have experience with this? Thanks

 

[jel0511]

I first thought this was only for credits, so I looked into it. It looks like you have to let it expire first before asking to extend it. So you can't extend until after expiration. It costs $50 per ticket... Read this, it might help.
http://boardingarea.com/blogs/dealswelike/2012/07/19/dont-let-your-southwest-free-tickets-expire/

 

[Minnesota!]

Thanks for that link! I got the idea from it to transfer my award cert back to Airtran (with the intention of then transferring back to SW) but when I looked at Airtran, I couldn't pass up the prices! So I got myself a "free" roundtrip with the credits, transferred my husband's credits, too, got another "free" roundtrip and then paid OOP for my kids.

I will remember for the future that I can create a new award if I transfer back and forth!!

 

[a1tinkfans]

Thanks for that link! I got the idea from it to transfer my award cert back to Airtran (with the intention of then transferring back to SW) but when I looked at Airtran, I couldn't pass up the prices! So I got myself a "free" roundtrip with the credits, transferred my husband's credits, too, got another "free" roundtrip and then paid OOP for my kids.

I will remember for the future that I can create a new award if I transfer back and forth!!

I couldnt follow what the heck you did to make it work out but am glad it worked out for you all!

 

[Minnesota!]

Ha! I took my award certificate from SW and transferred it back to Airtran. Transferring my 1 award cert = free round trip. So I booked that. Then I transferred DH's over, too, and got his taken care of.

It was $127 each way....with non-stop service and great flight times! I just could not pass it up!

But, had I transferred it back to SW w/o buying at Airtran, my credit date would have been the current date vs. expiring in May!

Sooooooooo grateful for this board today - more than ever!!!