Jetblue credit question

[frannn]

Have been flying Jetblue and getting credit when the fares drop for years with no issue. Today, our outgoing fare dropped slightly. Every little bit helps, so I asked them for the credit. I had originally paid in Feb using a credit card for 780 and about 30 in credit from last year's flights. The rep told me the credit would have to go back to my original travel bank with the original expiration dates. That makes no sense to me, as one of the credits is now already expired. The other two credits (I guess one for each ticket) now have expiration dates in 2013. We did get a small credit due to DH's tv not working last year- I wonder if that is the one they can't adjust the date on? How does this possibly make sense- why can't they credit the amount I paid with my card as opposed to re-establishing the old credit?

 

[TaTa4Now1968]

Have been flying Jetblue and getting credit when the fares drop for years with no issue. Today, our outgoing fare dropped slightly. Every little bit helps, so I asked them for the credit. I had originally paid in Feb using a credit card for 780 and about 30 in credit from last year's flights. The rep told me the credit would have to go back to my original travel bank with the original expiration dates. That makes no sense to me, as one of the credits is now already expired. The other two credits (I guess one for each ticket) now have expiration dates in 2013. We did get a small credit due to DH's tv not working last year- I wonder if that is the one they can't adjust the date on? How does this possibly make sense- why can't they credit the amount I paid with my card as opposed to re-establishing the old credit?

A similar thing happened to me. I booked part of my flight on credits, which paid for my whole ticket, part of my DH's and none of my DD's. I called Jetblue to get a credit for the price drop, it went ok, should have known something was up when the agent was having problems applying my credits. I called jetblue when I realized that my credit and my DH's credit expired in June and not a year from now, like my DD's. I called jetblue and complain and even emailed them to their "speak up" but they were not wavering on extending my credit for the $20 price drop (I also explained that I was not informed that the credits would be applied to my previous credits), it was still going to expire in June for myself and DH. I complained further and they came back and told me that there is nothing I can do and there will be no further correspondence regarding this matter. I dropped it (normally I would fight a little harder) because I was afraid that they may cancel my flight. So be warned if call to get a credit for a price drop they will apply to previous credits if you have any and there is nothing you can do at all.

I feel your pain. I take it a lesson learned when dealing with them. You figure that in this economy that that would do as much as they could to keep loyal customers.

 

[DebbieB]

Southwest works the same way. If there is a credit on a ticket, it goes back to the original purchase date. If you use the credit on another flight, that flight goes back to the original date of the credit also.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

It makes sense to me from a first in first out rule. The credit is applied first then your payment for the balance. When you take a credit, the credit is removed first and since it already existed it goes back to the original effective date/travel bank. Then any additional is a new credit with a new effective date.

I don't see why Jet Blue owes you anything and I think you should be happy that Jet Blue has such a generous credit policy as it stands.

 

[TaTa4Now1968]

It makes sense to me from a first in first out rule. The credit is applied first then your payment for the balance. When you take a credit, the credit is removed first and since it already existed it goes back to the original effective date/travel bank. Then any additional is a new credit with a new effective date.

I don't see why Jet Blue owes you anything and I think you should be happy that Jet Blue has such a generous credit policy as it stands.

You must work for Jetblue. I paid over $500 out of pocket and feel that it should have went towards my monies paid. I do not have the money to book a flight by June and feel they should have extended the credit. So basically I will lose some of my original credit.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

You must work for Jetblue. I paid over $500 out of pocket and feel that it should have went towards my monies paid. I do not have the money to book a flight by June and feel they should have extended the credit. So basically I will lose some of my original credit.

Try getting a credit on most other airlines, you won't. JetBlue offers a great perk, similar to Southwest (SWA), and are a bit more generous on the credits then SWA as of current. However, if this was any other airline you'd pretty much be out the money all together if the price dropped, as they wouldn't issue a credit to begin with. So I guess to say it nicely, be happy you got something to begin with. I don't think they owe you more then you got already (including part of the credit being applied to another credit). I also doubt, if it came to booking your next flight you would skip JetBlue over this, as it seems you are very price conscious and would choose the lowest priced option before brand loyalty.

As for assuming I work for JetBlue, absolutely not, I don't even work in the industry, just know more about travel than most on this site.

 

[TaTa4Now1968]

Try getting a credit on most other airlines, you won't. JetBlue offers a great perk, similar to Southwest (SWA), and are a bit more generous on the credits then SWA as of current. However, if this was any other airline you'd pretty much be out the money all together if the price dropped, as they wouldn't issue a credit to begin with. So I guess to say it nicely, be happy you got something to begin with. I don't think they owe you more then you got already (including part of the credit being applied to another credit). I also doubt, if it came to booking your next flight you would skip JetBlue over this, as it seems you are very price conscious and would choose the lowest priced option before brand loyalty.

As for assuming I work for JetBlue, absolutely not, I don't even work in the industry, just know more about travel than most on this site.

No actually I am a loyal Jetblue customer. I have been flying with them for years and before that I flew SW (back when they actually gave you credit back to your credit card when the price dropped). There are many things I love about Jeblue that SW and other Airlines do not offer. Do not get me wrong I really do love Jetblue, just a little frustrated with the credit policy.

 

[frannn]

In fact, I paid more for my flights for Sept than other airlines were offering because we prefer Jetblue. Part of the advertised perks of utilizing this airline is that they offer credit if your fare drops. I have benefited from this policy in the past, and have never encountered an issue with the credit date before. For this reason, I thought maybe the rep was incorrect, as it didn't make sense to me and hadn't happened before. I just took their advertised claim at face value- that they will honor fare drops by issuing a credit. Is issuing an expired credit adhering to their policy? I guess if is stated on their website then buyer beware.

 

[kaytieeldr]

How does this possibly make sense- why can't they credit the amount I paid with my card as opposed to re-establishing the old credit?

You don't say when last year's trip was. According to jetBlue's website, credit is valid for one year from the date of issuance.

Your fares dropped. They "unapplied" the credits first, and in doing that it appears they determined part of the credit expired. You just had to rebook, not fly, before the year was up - but now that you've re-rebooked (the actual transaction involved in a fare drop is a cancellation/rebooking, even though JetBlue doesn't charge for the change), that old credit is to old to be reused/reapplied.

They use/apply the credit(s) first because this is the money that's been on their books longer.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I feel your pain. I take it a lesson learned when dealing with them. You figure that in this economy that that would do as much as they could to keep loyal customers.

Individuals aren't the only ones struggling in this economy. jetBlue has a generous change and credit policy - and better seats and snacks than Southwest . If they're cracking down or interpreting their own policies more narrowly than in a better economy, okay.

Do not get me wrong I really do love Jetblue, just a little frustrated with the credit policy.

Hey, I'm just impressed they offer credit at all. That's not what makes me a loyal customer, it's just a nice perk.

No, I don't work for jetBlue either.

However, if this was any other airline you'd pretty much be out the money all together if the price dropped, as they wouldn't issue a credit to begin with.

They actually might - but they'd charge you their typical change fee, usually $150 on the legacy carriers.