Receiving refund from Southwest

[renda460]

I am wondering if anyone has rebooked a flight with southwest, changing flight times, and been able to get the credit refunded to their credit card. I called the refund dept and they said since we changed the flight times, we are not entitled to a refund to our credit card. The money must stay as funds to use for future travel.

I am just wondering if people have found agents willing to give the refund. Basically, I just want to know if I should keep calling and trying.

 

[Poohgirl]

From what I understand you can only get a refund if you purchase a refundable ticket. These are not the less expensive "ding", internet, or fun fare rates. You basically get an account with southwest that holds the money with the old confirmation and when you rebook you use those funds.

I have done this several times. It works well when you buy an internet special for example and then a ding comes out. When youcancel the internet tickets and repurchase the ding tickets the difference remains in the account for your next purchase. I fly several times a year so its not a problem, if you don't fly much I could see why you wouldn't want to just let it sit. I don't think there is a way around it unless you get the more expensive refundable ticket from the beginning, sorry.

 

[tracys2cents]

If you book something and pay with credit card, then CHANGE YOUR MIND WITHIN 24 HOURS, you can get a refund. After that, it's just a southwest credit to be used within a year.

Certain southwest fares (like Senior fares) are refundable, but most of their sale fares are not.

 

[Cmbar]

I know of many people who have gotten credit back on their credit card after switching to a lower fare. What I am not sure about is whether they just rebooked on the same flight or changed times. My friend called Southwest to inquire and was told to write the request. She did and the funds were put back on her card instead of out there in a travel funds. You could request and if they don't do it then you haven't really lost anything but 39 cents. ( they don't do emails at Southwest!)

Here is the address for customer service for SWA
Southwest Airlines
Customer Relations/Rapid Rewards
P.O. Box 36647 - 1CR
Dallas, Texas 75235-1647


I think this is where she wrote! Good luck.

OH and I think even if you don't get your refund, it is great that Southwest offers for you to use those funds later. It is nice to have that option. You just might have to go back to Disney!

 

[rlduvall]

Also, one thing I finally figured out when I kept changing my reservation for lower fares; there is always a small amount that is refundable. Might be the security fee or something. It will advise you of this when you cancel online.

For two airfares, one time it was $50., another time $41. and then lately it has been $21. I know . . . I don't understand why it fluctuates either. That can help out some!!!

And yes, I must say, I love the way SW gives me the flexibility to make these type of changes.

 

[Lewisc]

You're never entitled to a credit card adjustment on a non-refundable fare when you change your flights. You're only entitled when you get an adjustment on the same flight and same fare category Some passengers get lucky and might get a credit card adjustment even if the fare category changes but I wouldn't waste my time trying if you changed your flight. The credit is transferable, find a friend or relative that can use it.

 

[Cmbar]

You're never entitled to a credit card adjustment on a non-refundable fare when you change your flights. You're only entitled when you get an adjustment on the same flight and same fare category Some passengers get lucky and might get a credit card adjustment even if the fare category changes but I wouldn't waste my time trying if you changed your flight. The credit is transferable, find a friend or relative that can use it.

I would definitely waste my time if it meant possibly getting a refund. I forgot to mention that my friend was told to write the letter AFTER she flew. I think she actually did it before but she definitely got the 240.00 refund on her credit card without hearing from Southwest after she mailed her letter. I think it is worth a shot or as another poster suggested just "sell" your funds to someone else who can use it. My sister has a credit for 40.00 she won't be using so we are going to give her the 40.00 bucks and use her funds on our trip. Good luck!

 

[stacy6552]

I received a refund once, after a horrific experience on American. However it took a temper tantrum at the ticket counter first thing in the morning a few days after Christmas. My mother, who worked for United for years, was very impressed, because she said airlines never ever eevveerrrrr want to give refunds.

 

[renda460]

I would definitely waste my time if it meant possibly getting a refund. I forgot to mention that my friend was told to write the letter AFTER she flew. I think she actually did it before but she definitely got the 240.00 refund on her credit card without hearing from Southwest after she mailed her letter. I think it is worth a shot or as another poster suggested just "sell" your funds to someone else who can use it. My sister has a credit for 40.00 she won't be using so we are going to give her the 40.00 bucks and use her funds on our trip. Good luck!

That is a good point on selling the funds. The refund is for $320 so it is quite a bit of money. I was told that I could use the funds for another ticket as long as I completed my travel by July 2007. We wont be going on another trip before then. I heard they may offer extensions on this, so that may be an option too. We have a few options - write a letter after trip, sell the funds, or get an extension, but it would be nice to have that money in our pocket for this upcoming trip. I guess I shouldnt be greedy. I should appreciate the fact that southwest lets us re-book these flights. Most other airlines all have a fee to do this.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I just checked my flights and realized the fare went down by $10. We purchased four tickets so I used the Travel Center to make the change. The only option was $40 in Travel Funds. I completed the transaction online and immediately called SW. Spoke with a really nice customer service rep. that told me she would request a refund for me since we had not changed our itinerary in anyway. She said someone would evaluate the request and decide whether or not to refund the money to our credit card. I asked her if she thought we had any chance at all and she said "I don't see why not". So I guess time will tell!

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

UPDATE: Just wanted to let everyone know that I have received another price adjustment of $60 for a total of $100. Found out today that all of it was refunded to my credit card instead of being held in future travel funds. I think as long as it is the same flight number on the same travel dates they are more apt to give a straight refund...so don't be shy about asking!

 

[kristenrice]

A little off topic...
Can you buy a refundable ticket in advance and then change it to, say, a Ding! fare? I assume the price difference would be refunded correct? We aren't going for a while, but we have so many options for air travel that I want to make sure I get the best deal.

 

[tracys2cents]

sure....you can buy their expensive TOTALLY REFUNDABLE ticket to make sure that you at least have a ticket for that day.......then if something comes up cheaper later on you can simply buy the lower priced ticket, then ask for a refund on the first ticket. A REFUNDABLE ticket will get you a credit to your credit card, full value, not just a "southwest credit to use on another ticket".

In fact, I THINK, you don't actually have to pay for the full-priced refundable ticket in advance. You can book it over the phone and say "I am going to pay when I get to the airport that day".