Has anyone gotten their SWA's credit placed back on their CC lately?

[princesspumpkin]

I remember various threads about this last year (and I did it as well in October). Just wondering if you are still able to do this. I don't want credit for future travel and I want to book my stuff now and take advantage of a drop in price later.

 

[princesspumpkin]

Anyone?

 

[dznyntnh]

It is my understanding that any changes result in credits for future travel and not refunds. As most people book the cheapest fares these are also the most restrictive in terms of changes and refunds.

Not saying it can't be done, I just have not heard of anyone doing it.

 

[festivedaisy]

I tried to do the same thing on our current Disney trip (we leave tomorrow -- hooray!). But Southwest only offers credit toward future flights. No amount of wrangling would get them to credit back my card. Hope this helps!

 

[crazywig]

i flew in january, and called a few weeks after my trip and they put the $$ back on my credit card. i called the number for the refund center, not the general 800 number.

i think the key is to call after you fly.

hth!

 

[dcfromva]

princesspumpkin,
My recent experience involved changing flights from what I orginally booked. I cancelled the old tickets on-line and then rebooked them at the cheaper fare. When I cancelled them out, I had the option of getting the security fee refunded back to my CC. (It was $14.00 X3) The rest was a credit for future use.


-DC

 

[princesspumpkin]

Twice last year, the price for our flight went down. We re-booked our flight at the lower price and called the customer service number (not the 800#) and got the difference credited to our CC. They were originally non-refundable fares and there were various threads that stated how you could do this. I was just wondering if people were still able to do it. Thanks for the replies.

 

[antmaril]

I have never been able to get them to refund the money. I have spoken to the customer service folks, as well as refunds. Don't get me wrong, I love SWA and their flexibility, but I've always had to use the credit for future travel - nothing back to the credit card.

I recently had a situation where my credits were going to expire. I called Customer Service and asked for an extension because I really didn't have any plans to travel in the next couple of weeks and the credits are worth more than $400. I was given travel vouchers, which are good for six months. The trouble with vouchers is that they have to be presented at the counter. No on-line booking. In other words, I have to call and make a reservation telling them I am using travel vouchers. I then have 24 hours to get to the airport and pay for the tickets with the vouchers.

My advice - make sure you use your credits before they expire!!

 

[crazywig]

i wonder if i had no problem because i'm a rapid rewards member? hmmm....

 

[princesspumpkin]

Where are all of the people who posted about getting $$$ credited back to their cards last year?!?! There were many of them - that's how I knew what to do to get my credit back.

 

[Lewisc]

If the new fare is in the exact same fare bucket as your original reservation, letter class on your email confirmation, you're supposed to be able to call and get a credit card credit. If you're booking a different fare class you're supposed to be limited to a credit toward future travel.

I think some customers were able call, give a good story and get exceptions but YMMV.

Many airlines reduce your credit by a change fee. SW gives you a full credit. You should assume you'll wind up with a credit for future travel that you'll have to use for future travel for your self or someone else.

 

[riu girl]

LewisC,
Am I correct in assuming that if I booked a SWA fun fare and then changed it to an internet only fare or a DING fare, that I would not be able to get $$ put back on my credit card but would only be able to get a SWA credit?

Which would be fine since we will be travelling within a year anyway. But my original booking date will be mroe then 12 months before next actual flight, so therefore, I can ask SWA for an extension of my SWA ticketless funds correct??

Thanks,
Suzy V.

 

[speedyf]

I'm a poster from last year that got the refund on my credit card.

Here's the situation....

Last year, I booked our flights on the first day that the fares were released. We booked a "Fun Fare" at $65 each way for a total of $130 round trip. I believe I booked in January for the end of May.

In February, my sister decided to come along. At that time, there were no longer any $65 "Fun Fares" available. I booked her at $74 each way on a "Promotional Fare".

Then...in March....SWA lowered the Fun Fare to $39 each way for a total of $78 round trip. I was able to call and get my fares lowered from $65 to $39 each way. I was given a credit for the difference on each of the "Fun Fare" tickets....but, I was not able to get my "Promotional Fare" ticket reduced from $74 to $39 because it is a different fare. I had to cancel and rebook to get that fare lowered.

I was then able to contact Customer Service and have the credit put back on my credit card from the $65 to $39 "Fun Fares"...but, I was left with a credit for the difference between the $74 "Promotional Fare" that I cancelled and the $39 "Fun Fare" that I booked.

The key is.....I booked a Fun Fare....then, the fare itself was lowered....and I was able to get a refund on the difference. This is not the same as booking a fare....then, cancelling your flight to book a cheaper fare or a DING special.

That's the way that I see it....but, I may be wrong. It seems to make sense that you get a refund if your fare gets lowered...but, you only get a credit if you decide to cancel and re-book or if you transfer from one fare (like an Advanced Purchase Fare or a Promotional Fare) to another fare (like a Fun Fare).

Hope this helps....
Speed

 

[Lewisc]

LewisC,
Am I correct in assuming that if I booked a SWA fun fare and then changed it to an internet only fare or a DING fare, that I would not be able to get $$ put back on my credit card but would only be able to get a SWA credit?

Which would be fine since we will be travelling within a year anyway. But my original booking date will be mroe then 12 months before next actual flight, so therefore, I can ask SWA for an extension of my SWA ticketless funds correct??

Thanks,
Suzy V.

Sorry I can't help you. People seem to have luck getting a credit card credit by asking nicely but YMMV. I don't think you're entitled to anything but a credit for future travel.

You can ask for an extension. No guarantee you'll get it and they seem to be giving paper extensions which won't help you.

I think you can use your credit for another traveler. You might use it for a friend family member or even sell it.

 

[riu girl]

LewisC,
Thanks for the info. I haven't booked yet (waiting until Dec. dates are released), I'm just trying to get figure out how to make the most of my airfare travel dollars.

Suzy V.

 

[Mickey_Maniac]

Just for the helluvit, I just called to see if I could get my future travel credit put back on my CC. I had booked a Fun Fare at $136 for 3. A lower rate ($79) came available on a Promotional Fare yesterday. I rebooked last night and got a $171 future travel credit. I just called the regular Customer Relations number and spoke to a very nice rep. She told me it was supposed to be only a future credit, but "just this once" she would go ahead and credit it back to my CC.

 

[vossjemi]

Just in case I ever need to do this, is the regular # on their website?

 

[Mickey_Maniac]

Just in case I ever need to do this, is the regular # on their website?

Yes, it's under Travel Center/Contact SWA