Please help me figure out what to do with our SW credits!

[Shelli_5]

I purchased airline tickets on SW for me, my mom, & my dad for our upcoming trip in Feb 2011. The price dropped today, which would usually make me very happy. Instead, it's kind of a pain in the you-know-what. Because of the crazy way that our tickets were booked (Don't ask. ), I now have a $32 credit that expires 5/2/11, a $48 dollar credit that expires 7/6/11, & a $16 credit that expires 11/6/11. This odd mixture of credits is in 3 different names.

I'm wondering what on earth I should do with the $96. We don't have any other trips planned for 2010 or 2011. I know that the way SW handles travel funds is changing on 1/28/11. Should I book a flight now with the travel funds in my name for some time in April 2011 so at least the whole $96 will be under one person's name instead of three? That way, I could try to save up for another trip. (My parents are on a fixed income & there's no way they'll be able to afford another trip anytime soon.) I'm not sure what else to do, quite frankly. Maybe you folks have some other ideas?

Thanks,
Shelli

 

[DebbieB]

I purchased airline tickets on SW for me, my mom, & my dad for our upcoming trip in Feb 2011. The price dropped today, which would usually make me very happy. Instead, it's kind of a pain in the you-know-what. Because of the crazy way that our tickets were booked (Don't ask. ), I now have a $32 credit that expires 5/2/11, a $48 dollar credit that expires 7/6/11, & a $16 credit that expires 11/6/11. This odd mixture of credits is in 3 different names.

I'm wondering what on earth I should do with the $96. We don't have any other trips planned for 2010 or 2011. I know that the way SW handles travel funds is changing on 1/28/11. Should I book a flight now with the travel funds in my name for some time in April 2011 so at least the whole $96 will be under one person's name instead of three? That way, I could try to save up for another trip. (My parents are on a fixed income & there's no way they'll be able to afford another trip anytime soon.) I'm not sure what else to do, quite frankly. Maybe you folks have some other ideas?

Thanks,
Shelli

Be careful with that. One time I booked a June flight with a small credit from a flight I booked previously. The entire cost of my June flight now expired on the expiration date of the credit. So your new flight will probably expire 5/2/11. I would call before you put more money out.

 

[srberubenh]

I purchased airline tickets on SW for me, my mom, & my dad for our upcoming trip in Feb 2011. The price dropped today, which would usually make me very happy. Instead, it's kind of a pain in the you-know-what. Because of the crazy way that our tickets were booked (Don't ask. ), I now have a $32 credit that expires 5/2/11, a $48 dollar credit that expires 7/6/11, & a $16 credit that expires 11/6/11. This odd mixture of credits is in 3 different names.

I'm wondering what on earth I should do with the $96. We don't have any other trips planned for 2010 or 2011. I know that the way SW handles travel funds is changing on 1/28/11. Should I book a flight now with the travel funds in my name for some time in April 2011 so at least the whole $96 will be under one person's name instead of three? That way, I could try to save up for another trip. (My parents are on a fixed income & there's no way they'll be able to afford another trip anytime soon.) I'm not sure what else to do, quite frankly. Maybe you folks have some other ideas?

Thanks,
Shelli

If you combine the credits, they will all inherit the earliest expiration date. This will be a better option, if you think you will be able to use the credit for yourself before the earliest expiration date. I would try to book a one-way ticket that is as close to the $96 value as possible so you don't have to spend much more. You can always extend the expiration date for 1 more year for $50, but with only a $96 credit it is not the best idea. However, it would be better than losing the $96. If that is too much trouble, you could always give the credits to me!

 

[Shelli_5]

If you combine the credits, they will all inherit the earliest expiration date. This will be a better option, if you think you will be able to use the credit for yourself before the earliest expiration date. I would try to book a one-way ticket that is as close to the $96 value as possible so you don't have to spend much more.

That's exactly what I was thinking. I don't know if I'll be able to afford another trip in 2011 or not, but at least this strategy gives me options. BTW, when you extend an expired credit it's only good for 6 months. I just went through this process; that's where the 5/11 expiration date comes from. Thanks for your input! Anyone else have other ideas?

Shelli