I already booked my entire family's flight on SW....and just today I hit Companion Pass status....

[bcbmommy]

I can't believe how fast it came through this time. On my Business card, it took over a month to show up on my RR, and with this Premier card, it was just a few days. Needless to say, I wasn't expecting it this early, so I went ahead and used what points I had, and then paid out of pocket for the rest of our flights to WDW this next month. Anyway.....now that I have CP, can I use that for my dh's flight and have them credit my account? I know they can't refund my money, but will they put it back as points in my RR account?

 

[Marionnette]

I can't believe how fast it came through this time. On my Business card, it took over a month to show up on my RR, and with this Premier card, it was just a few days. Needless to say, I wasn't expecting it this early, so I went ahead and used what points I had, and then paid out of pocket for the rest of our flights to WDW this next month. Anyway.....now that I have CP, can I use that for my dh's flight and have them credit my account? I know they can't refund my money, but will they put it back as points in my RR account?

RR points will go back into the account they were taken from if you cancel your reservation.

If you paid cash for the reservation and not RR points, it will be refunded as a credit unless you chose a refundable fare. It will not get converted into RR points.

 

[hsmamato2]

Did you pay cash?(not use points) if so the credit will go back into his account, to be used by him only within a year of original booking. an alternative is to make one person your companion,and get the credit back in their name,if you have plans to use that credit within the one year frame- and then switch your companion after your trip- (you can switch up to 3 times,I think)
So,example- you already bought- you make your daughter your current companion, she gets the credits to use later- you all travel- then you switch the cp to your DH,and your daughter uses the credit on her next trip, DH is the companion from then on.
If you used points to book,they go back into your RR acct- to use at will.

 

[bcbmommy]

Did you pay cash?(not use points) if so the credit will go back into his account, to be used by him only within a year of original booking. an alternative is to make one person your companion,and get the credit back in their name,if you have plans to use that credit within the one year frame- and then switch your companion after your trip- (you can switch up to 3 times,I think)
So,example- you already bought- you make your daughter your current companion, she gets the credits to use later- you all travel- then you switch the cp to your DH,and your daughter uses the credit on her next trip, DH is the companion from then on.
If you used points to book,they go back into your RR acct- to use at will.

I used points AND paid cash. I'm wondering if I should make one of the kids my companion since I used points to book their tickets. Then, we'd have more than a year to use those points, right? As opposed to getting the credit and having to use it within the year.
Thank you for your help!

 

[DisMommyTX]

Refunded points have no expiration date or restrictions on use. Refunded money must be used by the person for whom the original flight was booked, and the flight must be taken within one year of when the original flight was first booked.

I would set the companion as someone whose ticket was booked on points. Once the companion's flight has been reserved on the companion pass, you can cancel the flight booked on points. The points will be refunded to your account and are free to use however and whenever you wish, without restrictions. After taking these flights, you can change your designated companion up to 3 times.

 

[hsmamato2]

Yes- set the CP ticket on someone who was booked on points..... points are the BEST for flexibility- you can change your companion later if you change your mind -as long as you have RR activity on your acct points are still good(every 24 months at least)

 

[Friendlyadvice2]

Yes- set the CP ticket on someone who was booked on points..... points are the BEST for flexibility- you can change your companion later if you change your mind -as long as you have RR activity on your acct points are still good(every 24 months at least)

This may have been what you meant anyway, but I just wanted to point out that "RR activity on your acct" must be EARNING activity in order to keep your points active. The 24 month period is reset each time you have earning activity, but is not when you use/redeem points.

 

[Alexle2007]

I hope my bonus points hit that quick! I am hoping to hit the companion pass before our 3/22 flight so I can cancel my son's flight that I booked on points.

 

[hsmamato2]

This may have been what you meant anyway, but I just wanted to point out that "RR activity on your acct" must be EARNING activity in order to keep your points active. The 24 month period is reset each time you have earning activity, but is not when you use/redeem points.

hmmm... I had thought it was Any activity.... but I guess I am 'active' when it comes to RR so.... thanks! FWIW,it's REALLY easy to earn RR points in case your acct. is close to that timing.... a small purchase thru the shopping portal for points,or just using the SWA cc anywhere will do it

 

[bcbmommy]

I hope my bonus points hit that quick! I am hoping to hit the companion pass before our 3/22 flight so I can cancel my son's flight that I booked on points.

I was shocked how fast the points were there, since the other one took so long. If I would've known, I would've waited a little longer to book & saved some money. That's okay, though. I think we paid a little under $600 for the tickets not covered by points, and for 6 people to fly round-trip, that's pretty good!

 

[Friendlyadvice2]

hmmm... I had thought it was Any activity.... but I guess I am 'active' when it comes to RR so.... thanks! FWIW,it's REALLY easy to earn RR points in case your acct. is close to that timing.... a small purchase thru the shopping portal for points,or just using the SWA cc anywhere will do it

Yup, it usually doesn't become an issue for anybody until they've closed their SW credit card and can't use it. However, what they typically don't realize is that they can make a purchase through the SW portal using ANY credit card or gift card to earn more points to reset the 24 month window and keep their account active. You don't need the SW credit card to earn points from the portal.